Arizona... estoy contigo

This morning I am struck by the latest post over at La Bloga.  It was Arizona's Day of Action yesterday.  People marched in the scorching heat to protest Senate Bill 1070 - a bill that invites harassment and mistreatment of Latinos.

A colleague of mine, for whom I have little patience, recently asked me what I thought about the latest in Arizona.  I can't have this kind of conversation with this person; there's too much ignorance there.  How do you explain that people often come here out of desperation? Out of need? And what about dreams and visions?  Are brown people not allowed to hope for something better for themselves and their children?

My colleague, for the hundredth time, says "they" take some of our jobs. I ask, "Are you willing to pick fruit in the hot sun all day long? Would you stand in an assembly line fastening plastic bits to metal parts? Would you mind bussing tables and washing strangers' dishes? Would you scrub toilets? Can you imagine taking on two or three of these jobs just so you can get by?

And now I ask you - mi colega
would you deny food to Maria who stands in
the lunch line, anticipating the
warmth in her belly that will come from a sandwich
and a carton of milk?
Do you want to send Alex away, whose dad has just
moved his family of five
to a third floor apartment
in a run down house,
no air-conditioning?
And what about Wanda,
who excels in class, writing colorful poems and
hopeful stories - the top student -
would you send her back to a place
where school is unstable?
Would you take from these children
because, as an American
it's your duty to stand for "what's right"?

A wordly compliment

This afternoon we watched some of CNN's coverage of Obama's Train Tour. I got all choked up and cheered when the train slowed down, passing through a crowd-filled station in Maryland.

Waving, searching, trying to see in the windows, all kinds of people waited for that last train car, where Obama and Biden stood and waved. Obama's smile said so much. The people were cold, but they were jubilant, excited, fulfilled. I saw all the things I hope for in their faces.

And my son said, "Mom's Hispanic, Black, White, Indian, Chinese, everything."

You so get it, kid.

¡Vamos a votar!

Election 2008 Voting Information from MoveOn.org
Today, November 4th, is Election Day! Remember to vote--not just for Barack Obama, but for Congressional, state and local candidates as well.

Where and when do I vote?
Find your polling place, voting times, and other important information by checking out these sites and the hotline below. These resources are good, but not perfect. To be doubly sure, you can also contact your local elections office.
Obama's VoteForChange site: voteforchange.com
League of Women Voters site: vote411.org/pollfinder.php
Obama's voter hotline: (877) US4-OBAMA (or 877-874-6226)

What should I do before I go?
After you've entered your address on either Vote For Change or Vote411, read the voting instructions and special rules for your state.
Voting ID laws vary from state to state, but if you have ID, bring it.
Check out all the voting myths and misinformation to look out for: http://truth.voteforchange.com/

What if something goes wrong?
Not on the voter list? Make sure you're at the right polling place, then demand a provisional ballot.
If you're voting on an electronic machine with a paper record, verify that the record is accurate.
Need legal help? Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE
Try to get video of the problem and submit it to VideoTheVote.org

Want to do more?
Text all of your friends: "Vote Obama today! Pass it on!"
Volunteer at your local Obama office. Find an office here or here.
Make calls from home for Obama.

Now everybody go vote!!!

Fireworks and Families

Driving in to Milltown to see the fireworks was almost a mistake tonight. We both had our Starbucks coffees and the boy had his Frappuccino. We were ready for the show. However, every parking lot, every side street, every curb was filled with people who had already staked out their area and set up their chairs. We circled a few times, hoping to find a spot. No luck. Then it started to rain. Lightly at first, and then enough to have us doubt the fireworks would go on at all.

An idea! Let’s go to the Home Depot parking lot and watch from there. We drove almost a mile away, arriving to the parking lot where several others had the same idea. The rain continued, the windshield became blurry, and the boy became restless as we waited another 15 minutes. The sparkling explosions finally began, and we got out of the car, the boy and I.

As we stood there, I heard people around me admiring the lights, the colors, and the brightness. A small child’s sweet voice could be heard, laughing in amazement. Parents and children sat in their cars, or stood in the rain, cheerful and wet. My son and I shared an umbrella, and looked up together, past the stores and the trees, at the fireworks of this 4th of July. My child, who is now as tall as me, leaned against me as I put my arm around him. For just a moment, it felt like it was just the two of us.

And then, the show was over, and the cars began their battle to get out of the parking lot as fast as possible. All kinds of families, different ethnic groups, rap, rock, and reggaetón blasting from car radios, everyone was cutting each other off. Nothing says America to me like the wonderful differences between all of us, and the incredible and amusing urge to be the first one in line to go home!

On the way home, my boy said "Thanks guys", and I remembered that it is indeed easy to make my child happy.

Conversations Make Better Americans

While school was still in session, a few colleagues and I would talk about our favorite candidates and how they were doing in the primaries. I’m glad I had them to talk with about these current events; most other folks at work, I was disappointed to find, don’t follow the news, or have the attitude of “they’re all crooks anyway” and use this as an excuse to not pay attention.

I recognize that many people do not wish to discuss politics as these conversations have the potential to evolve in to disagreements. I understand that some folks do not fully understand the process by which we elect our leaders and therefore choose not to participate in these discussions. I struggle to process why some folks are not interested in global events, but I’m also aware there are individuals that are so entrenched in their own beliefs that a conversation with them is just not possible.

For me, it was a relief to find that some people were open to these kinds of conversations, especially about the upcoming elections. Through my conversations with a few people at school, I shared in both the disappointments and excitement of Obama’s quest for the nomination, and looked at McCain with more of an open mind. Some expressed what Obama’s candidacy means to them, as older Americans, as African-Americans, as Hispanic Americans. Another colleague brought up points such as experience and patriotism, and while we tended to disagree, I appreciated him for the respectful way in which he expressed his opinions.

Why don’t we have more of these conversations? As a teacher, it’s my obligation to know what is happening around me. Especially now, during this important election, my students will ask questions, and I ought to be able to give them an answer, or admit that I don’t know, and show them how an educated person seeks more information. As a lifelong learner, I want to understand how things work, and why people think and feel as they do. I want to know how it used to be, and I want to explore how it might be some day.

As an American, it is my duty and to my advantage that I participate. I’ve been energized, disappointed, enlightened, and encouraged by what other folks have to say. More than anything, I’ve become more informed, and will hopefully make the right decision when asked to vote in November.

Until then, I’m reading, watching, and paying attention. And if I see you, I may want to talk about “things” – you know, Obama, McCain, the war in Iraq, gas prices, No Child Left Behind, immigration. If you don’t want to talk, I understand. If you’re willing, however, to “go there”, I assure you – this is what being American is.