de informacion a ACTion

if you haven't heard about this movement already, you should take a minute to read this article to get a general overview. i'm happy to see mexican youth rising up and making their voice heard! never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has. word up margaret mead.

mexico's general elections will be held this sunday, july 1st. i can't claim to be particularly informed about mexico's political history or atmosphere, but i'm doing my best to gather information. keeping up with politics is difficult. but no matter where we land on the political grid, we have to make the effort to be aware and take action whenever possible. if you're interested in getting some info going into sunday, take a minute to read some back ground from wiki!

i can't put to words how disheartened i've felt after the recent decision made by the supreme court to uphold the overtly discriminatory provision of arizona's sb 1070 law. there's conversation about how they hope the implementation will look like, but to claim that there's a way to "clearly define" what the law means and how to establish any  sort of reasonable enforcement is ridiculous.


the xenophobic and ignorant spirit behind the law is made clear in arizona's governer jan brewer's following statement: “We in Arizona have been more than patient waiting for these people to leave,” Brewer said after signing the law. “But decades of inaction and misguided policy have created an annoying and unacceptable situation in Arizona.”


the same article i read the above quote from also states: The bill’s Republican sponsor, state Rep. Russell Pearce of Mesa, said Obama and other critics of the bill were “against law enforcement, our citizens and the rule of law.” Pearce hatched the idea for SB1070 late one night while waiting in the checkout line at Walmart. “Here I was just trying to buy some Cheetos and cat litter, and the crowds were just horrendous,” he said Friday. “My rights as an American really should mean something.”

to think that this type of incredibly selfish attitude exists among our nation's leaders disgusts me. my only consolation is my faith in the impossible. a faith that says Love can restore hearts, no matter how callous they may be. that Love heals, no matter how deep the wound. that Love never fails, against all odds. though it may be a long and hard road to get there, the alternative is bleak and painful. let's share the LOVE and choose the road less traveled (holla robert frost!) together!!

there's a million different ways we can go from feeling sad to feeling hopeful to doing something. and i'd not feel this post is complete if i didn't offer at least some ideas to get a move on. just a few from the top of my head:

* start a conversation with someone you wouldn't normally talk to
* read the news
* find out what your local community is(n't) doing to protect its members' rights and join/start an action in solidarity
* talk to people you do normally talk to about these and other important issues
* smile at strangers!
* check out sojourner's site for more ideas
* forgive
* take steps to live more sustainably
* find out the business practices of big corporations you support
* read about, write to, call or visit politicians-- keep them accountable!
* share ideas for action with others through the various social media tools available
* never give in to apathy!!

el pueblo unido, jamás será vencido!!!

rainbow colored bridges and other weekend happenings

in the spirit of gay pride this week(end), i wanted to write a short piece expressing my love and support for the gaylesbianbitransgenderqueer community. i have an unwavering desire to see bridges built between people who express their sexuality and gender in ways not traditionally accepted by our heterosexually dominant society and religious institutions. i've been particularly inspired by the work of andrew marin through the marin foundation. andrew has an incredible story and a beautiful heart that's a true witness to the reconciling power of the Spirit of Love. if you can get a hold of andrew's book (love is an orientation), i would highly recommend taking the time to read it. i strongly believe that Jesus beckons those who choose to follow him to enter into conversations that make us uncomfortable, the connection between the glbtq community and the church being a particularly difficult one to facilitate well. this is too frequently a topic that quickly polarizes individuals instead of inviting listening ears and open hearts. whether you feel a strong conviction that God approves/disapproves of the diverse forms of sexual expression that exits outside of heterosexuality, i would challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and speak with someone of the opposite opinion with as little defensiveness as you can muster. keep in mind that discomfort does not mean putting up with abuse. be conscious of what you are doing to create a safe space and make sure there's a level of reciprocity. i love rainbow colored bridges, so if you're wanting someone to reach out to, please contact me! i'm sure i'll write a much longer post about ideas from this book at some point, but another great resource on the topic of sexuality and spirituality is a piece of writing by carter heyward titled touching our strength.

in other news, i thought i would list some events of interest that are going on this weekend, in case you're looking for something to do.

Saturday:

*a conscious raising hip hop event in bk. $5. 8pm. see info below:

 VIDA URBANA, PRESENTA HIP HOP CREANDO CONCIENCIA Y UNIENDO EL CAMBIO, EN APOYANDO AL MOVIMIENTO # YO SOY 132 NUEVA YORK. 

ALZANDO LA VOZ EN ENCONTRA DEL RACISMO, LAS DEPORTACIONES Y LA EXPLOTACIÓN DE NUESTRA RAZA.

UN EVENTO DE HIP HOP LATINO-AMERICANO, EN EL CUAL LOS ARTISTAS Y EL PUEBLO CANTARÁN AL UNÍSONO ENCONTRA DEL MAL SISTEMA QUE NOS REPRIME.

LA CITA ES ESTE SÁBADO 23 DE JUNIO A LAS 8 PM
LA DONACION SERÁ DE 5$ EN LA PUERTA

LUGAR: JACOBI CHURCH 5406 54 ST BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, TREN R ESTACION 53 Y CAMINAS ALA 54 MEDIO BLOCK O TREN N ESTACIÓN 59.

* mermaid parade in coney island

Sunday:

* pride march

* gathering around recent immigration changes and moving forward. bk at 6pm:

Given the recent announcement by President Obama of granting 800,000 youth their "papers", we, the different communities in NYC who have been in the struggle and business of keeping our families together, will open up a space where we can come and conspire, update, support each other as a community who is seeking more dignified solutions to the immigration challenges that we have in our hands. We will also welcome the songwriter and singer Hector Guerra, who has come to the apple to stretch hands and hearts in solidarity with the spring that is fanning the winds of change in Mexico and beyond. Come to Terraza's cafe http://www.terrazacafe.org/ Remember to bring your dancing shoes. 


40-19 Gleane St. Elmhurst, NY 11373

Debido al reciente anuncio por parte del Presidente Obama de aprovar una nueva política de inmigración que dejará aun lado las deportaciones de jóvenes inmigrantes, y les concederá el derecho de seguir con sus estudios, así como, otorgarles permisos de trabajo, te invitamos a participar este domingo 24 de junio a las 6:00 pm en una mesa de diálogo, discusión y análisis acerca de dicho acontecer. La cita es en Terraza café http://www.terrazacafe.org/
Dentro de este evento tendrémos la oportunidad de conversar con el músico y canta-autor Héctor Guerra que se ha unido a la lucha en México de los campesinos indígenas Purépechas de Cherán Michoacan y de los wixárikas en Wirikuta. Y quien también amenizará este evento.

happy weekend to you all!
abrazos y besos!!

henna master in the making

the obsession started about a month and a half ago. i got my first henna tattoo at a friend's birthday party. i talked to people, searched online, practiced designs on paper and finally got my henna starter kit in the mail yesterday.

henna has a rich history, being one of the oldest methods used to adorn women's bodies for special occasions, particularly around marriage and birth. its use extends to medicinal purposes as well. learn some more about it byway of our good friend wikipedia or the henna page.

i was a little nervous about trying out my first real design, but fortunately i had a wonderful and encouraging first subject. below is a series of pictures of different designs i did whilst hanging out at brook park. i will be available for private and public events in the near future ;) my debut event appearance will be on june 30th at our Boogie Down Art Exchange! please join us!!

 my first design (above)

 design #2, a gift from my right hand to my left

 #3... a little lopsided, but my precious subject was ok with it

 #4 (above and below)

the not-so-fine print

on june 15th i was crazy excited about the announcement made by mr. obama to allow relief from deportation and allow qualifying individuals to obtain work permits. "it's the right thing to do." the obvious was stated. i was high fiving obama. immediately i thought about all my dear friends and family that will be granted an opportunity to come out of the shadows with possibility of living free from fear of deportation and qualifying for jobs they would otherwise would be turned away from because of some arbitrary piece of paper.

there have been some misconceptions about what exactly this policy change actually is. here are some FAQ from unitedwedream.org:

Do I qualify?

In order to be eligible for deferred action, individuals must:

1. Have come to the United States under the age of sixteen.
2. Have continuously resided in the United States for at least five years preceding June 15, 2012 and are present in the United States on June 15, 2012.
3. Currently be enrolled in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a general education development certificate, or are honorably discharged veterans of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States.
4. Have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
5. Not be above the age of thirty.

Individuals must also complete a background check and, for those individuals who make a request to USCIS and are not subject to a final order of removal, must be 15 years old or older.

What about DREAMers in deportation?

An individual in the final order of deportation will have their case reviewed and may receive deferred action for 2 years. Cases are considered on an individualized basis.

Can we work?

Yes. Once you have received deferred action, you may apply for work authorization.

What about financial aid?

Even though you may apply for a social security number, deferred action does not grant a status. This means that you will not be able to apply for federal grants and may still be subject to state tuition rates.

How do I prove that I came to the States before the age of 16?

Any of the following will be sufficient: financial records, medical records, school records, employment records, and military records. These will also be sufficient when proving that you have been here 5 years prior to the announcement (June 15, 2012).

If we are eligible, should we self-deport to receive deferred action?

No. Please wait for an application to become available through USCIS.

Will this allow me to travel outside the United States?

USCIS is exploring this issue and will resolve it in the coming weeks as part of its implementation plan.

Need more information?

Please check our website at unitedwedream.org for more updates and information regarding the policy. For further questions, you may email us at info@unitedwedream.org

reflecting on the parameteres of this policy change and the range of reactions from various groups has me asking questions of my own.

how accessible will the benefits actually be?
all government paperwork is a headache waiting to happen. will there be enough guidance and support needed for qualifying individuals to move through the process in a timely manner? will there be associated costs?

is this moving us closer to an actual immigration reform?
a policy that grants (temporary) relief from deportation and the ability to work legally in this country is a quintissential band-aid if i ever saw one. having to make the case that you still deserve to remain in your home every two years is a far cry from fair treatment. especially considering the narrow parameters. our brothers and sisters who cannot prove to have been or missed being brought before the age of 16, those who cannot afford to enroll in post-secondary school, those who were unable to finish high school (please read this) because of a broken education system or have been subject to the so-called "justice" system, not to mention the many hard-working over 30 year olds... what about them? it makes me sick to think about the xenophobic attitude so many of us still operate under. let this serve as a reminder to myself and those believing in the power of Love that we must ask for forgiveness for every wall we build, every arbitrary border we fight to enforce, every time we give in to fear of the other. God, Spirit and us willing, we will see better days as the Kingdom comes and breaks down divisive policies, laws, systems and attitudes.

should obama be praised?
this is more a rhetorical question than anything else. i've got mixed feelings about fun loving barack. when it comes to politics, though, especially politics in the united states, we've got to keep un ojo al gato y otro al garbarato. stay vigilant. a high five? ok. save the party for a real victory.

moral of this story: we still have a long way to go.
roll up your sleeves, tie your shoelaces, fill up your water bottle, adelante seguimos.

community gathering and celebration on summer solstice

i've been fortunate to unite with my sbx borthers and sisters to struggle towards justice in our community. check out http://www.southbronxunite.com/ to learn more about the fight to keep freshdirect from imposing their self interest at the expense of sbx residents. to learn more about the issue tonight AND enjoy the company of amazing people (did i mention music and food??) come out to brook park tonight! here's more info:


Celebration and Information Sharing
____
Fun.
Celebration of the community efforts to achieve environmental and economic justice and stop FreshDirect!
June 20th
7pm
Soulstice******
Brook Park
East 141st Street and Brook Avenue

Bar B Q potluck, bring something for the grill. Or a dish you made already.
Free On site grown organic salad.
With Performance by:   Los Guapos Planetas (trans. The Handsome Planets)
(See an example here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMrBe_vaCow)
Microphone open to others to do a song or poem too!
Invite a friend, with information table about the South Bronx Unite campaign.
_
Volunteer opportunities:
Sit and share at the Informational Table
Waterfront Survey getters
Voter Registration
Help prepare food
Help carry and move equipment
Invite others to join us

setting the stage

blogging kind of terrifies me. but so do a lot of other things i'm willing to do, so i figure i might as well give in to the nudging thought of starting (a new) one already. keeping a blog while peace corpsing in togo was kind of nice and i think there's enough interesting things going on around me worth sharing and recording blogstyle. so here goes!

since i haven't really talked to anybody about starting a blog, no one has asked me any questions, much less frequently. but i have my own questions and hope that by preemptively addressing your thoughts, it might help frame where i'm coming from and why i decided to make use of this cyberspace.

who are you?
very good question. whether i've known you for years, months, weeks, or not at all, i think this is a questions we have to constantly ask one another. i can barely keep up with knowing who i am today-- short of experiencing an identity crisis on a regular basis, i tend to think a lot about how my past informs my being today and how my decisions today will shape who i am tomorrow. for the sake of simplicity, here is a list of words that i feel connect to me in one way or another and shape the lense through which i experience the world (in no particular order):

***female***mexican***american***christian***mid 20s***northwest***south bronx resident***extrovert***curious***open***creative***pisces***social activist***loving***evolving***

obviously not an exhaustive list, but i think that captures a decent picture of me. so please take everything i say/write with a grain of salt. and ask me questions. i love questions.

what's your blog going to be about? 
i have a hard time organizing my (many) thoughts sometimes, so there's a lot of different ways this could go. my main interests at the moment include sharing thoughts and resources around social justice issues and their intersection with (christian) faith when relevant. some specific issues that have recently taken hold of my time and brainpower include: immigration reform in the united states, community building (particularly in the south bronx and east harlem), engaging the christian church in human rights work, responsible stewardship of mother earth, affirmation and support of diverse sexual orientations and expressions, cultivation of my and others' creative spirit through the arts... among others.

justyling?
just(ice), style, ing.... mmm that's the best i got

sbx?
south bronx ya heard!!

reclaiming?
definition of RECLAIM
trasitive verb
1

a : to recall from wrong or improper conduct : reform b : tame, subdue

2

a : to rescue from an undesirable state; also : to restore to a previous natural state <reclaim mining sites> b : to make available for human use by changing natural conditions <reclaim swampland>

3

: to obtain from a waste product or by-product : recover <reclaimed plastic>

4

a : to demand or obtain the return of b : to regain possession of

fab?

fabiola, fabs, fabi, fabulous, favivi... take your pick

my hope is that this will serve as a forum to exchange ideas and opportunities that will enrich your and my life. thank you so much for the time you have taken to read and connect.

amor y paz!