Tijuana lead me to change my direction

My Immigrant L.A. class and I took a day trip to Mexico on Monday. We went with the mindset that it was not a short vacation, but an educational trip to gain an insider perspective on immigration issues in Mexico. Upon arrival there is a clear separation of two worlds and people, entering Mexico is so easy that i wonder if they even care who crosses their border. In contras The United States border has long lines, delays and people checking your bags to make sure you're not bringing anything illegal into the U.S. Why is there such a distinction? I asked this question as i entered Mexico and was immediately bombarded by people who wanted to sell me things. It was then when i realized i was nostalgic, and how proud I am to be Mexican. Mexicans are such amazing people, if you gain their confidence you are family for life. I met a woman crossing the border with me and although she didn't know me she invited me to eat with her and we shared our stories. She currently has to commute from the United States to Mexico to see her family because they could don't have the means to qualify for a tourist visa. Its a labor of love to take her family food, and trinkets.

One of the hardest parts of the trip was visiting a memorial site on the border that contains crosses with the names of people who have died trying to cross into the United States. When i saw it, i got a knot in my throat because i realized that many of these people could easily be my relatives. I couldn't just see this as a site with the names of those who died trying to get to the U.S, but i see these men and women as heroes who died in the pursuit of happiness. I cry in reverence for the many families whom have lost countless members in this pursuit. When will it end? and what can be done to make this situation better? I ask myself these questions on my way to the hardest part of my trip, a shelter called "Casa de Immigrante" In this shelter i saw the faces of those who succeeded in crossing the border but were deported back to Mexico. I got to hear their stories, shared in their grief, and was empowered to fight towards a solution here in the U.S. I remember in particular a man named Hector how had been in the shelter for 6 days and was desperate for resources that he did not have. He was desperate to find a place to stay, he only had 6 more days in the shelter and then he will be put out. The shelter doesn't do this to be malicious, but they cannot cope with the overwhelming task of aiding everyone long term, they have to make room for the newly deported that arrive everyday. Hector has been in the United States for over 10 days, he married an American woman and they have an 8 year old child. He misses his daughter tremendously and can't figure out how he will return to the United States. Smugglers charge 1,000-3,000 per person and there is no guarantee that one will make it across. It is getting tougher and tougher for anyone to cross. He was deported because he was not informed, his job site was raided by I.C.E and they threatened him with imprisonment if he didn't tell them his legal status. Then they forced him to sign a voluntary deportation order. He didn't know that he had the right to remain silent and that he did not have to sign anything unless it had his specific name and address. He was immediately deported and now he is separated from his family and his only means of support is a job that pays $15 a day. Leaving the shelter was as hard as entering.

Upon leaving I was approached by one of the women that work there, she offered me a bed, food, and internet access, if i consider interning with them in the shelter. After thinking about it and crying due to my financial situation, i have changed my GLT from India to Mexico. There is no way that i can afford going to India and i need to accept it once and for all. I am not financially able to pay for such a trip. Going to Tijuana was God's way of giving me an alternative. It makes perfect sense, and it won't cost me a dime. I will be working with those that have been deported from the U.S, and in my stay there i plan to record as many stories as i can, and then later write a book about my experience there. I feel that their stories need to be told to the world, the U.S needs to see their faces, and hear their disparity, this cannot be ignored no longer. I hope to embark on this trip in August of 09' and will be there until December. I am sad about India but i will have many opportunities to serve in India once i am done with school. Right now, my people need me.

Death on a Metro Bus

On Tuesday i was riding the bus towards my internship when a woman sitting next to me began seizing. She was a large rotund woman which looked about 50 years of age. It was so unexpected and we all tried to do all that we could while the ambulance arrived but our efforts were in vain, she died in our arms. I don't even know the womans name, because they kicked us all out of the bus but i could see the ambulance trying to resuscitate her and i don't know if they were successful. I wonder about her since then.

Manabadhikar (Human Rights)?

******Sorry for not writing for a while, school has been hectic and i am sorry if didn't respond to your comments on my last blog, i am not upset with Rosy and Jen for not being enthused about Obama, I enjoy that i have friends that different than i am. I love you girls you have no idea how much.********************************************************************************

I am taking a course called Immigrant L.A and have been learning about the reasons for migration from Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe etc... and the extensive policies which intension has been to stop migration flow into the United States. Immigration issues for me are not easy to discuss with those that have a negative view on immigration. Coming from first generation immigrant parents and being a second generation born in this country, i see immigration through different lenses. Many of the immigration misconceptions come from the media, have you ever seen a positive report on the news regarding immigration? I haven't, it's usually "we need to strengthen our border patrol because all of these immigrants are coming to our country and taking our jobs, stealing our resources , and making our economy situation worse" They don't however talk about the great contribution that they make to our economy and how they pay for many of the social services that citizens use but they are not able to.

Undocumented people contribute over 81 billion when they file their taxes in the beginning of each year, none of which is returned to them because of their immigration status. This money is used for social services for U.S Citizens and legal residents. With their immigration status they are not allowed to receive social services, although many do find a way to do so and those that do are only 0.2% its not even 1%. In sales tax they contribute millions each year, they make our nation more cultured and bring with them customs that enrich our communities. They are not criminals but people who have left their country in hopes of obtaining the American Dream that they have been feed in their country, not knowing that it doesn't apply to all. Many come and do the jobs that many American Citizens wouldn't touch if their life depended on it. They are exploited, over worked, dehumanized, sexually abused and all for a better life. They represent our cheap labor, low skilled industry that is on the bottom of our hour glass labor industry. It is hard for many of them to move up.

If we have immigration it is due to Globalization and outsourcing, NAFTA: North American Free Trade Agreement which imports and exports goods and technology through open borders but not people. People from other countries are trading with the U.S and are employed in a U.S company that has outsourced and set up shop in their town, employing all their neighbors but not paying them a livable wage, so they are dying of hunger and cannot support their families. Many if are able come here with the hopes of having a better life, but many are disappointed with the way they are treated and denied basic human rights because they are immigrants.

Again, i don't know everything on this issue all i know is what i have researched. i do know that immigration reform is needed and there are many people that should be naturalized because they have been good law abiding people that contribute to the communities in which they live and they pay their taxes. However what is truly needed is the halt of I.C.E (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids, they terrorize communities by going to peoples homes and forcing them to sign voluntary deportation orders, overstepping their authority and no one is holding them accountable. ICE break up families by deporting first generation immigrants and leaving their U.S born children here to fend for themselves. People should not be afraid of being deported by ICE for seeing a doctor when they are seriously sick.

What i find ironic is that many of the immigration laws like IRCA that was passed in 1986 which made it unlawful for employers to hire undocumented immigrants, and for them to receive social service and educational assistance, was written by senators whom themselves are sons of immigrants. I am happy that many of the points in this law have been overturned.

What is your view on immigration i am interested in knowing?

Shalom my friends,
Eveline

American History

American history was made last night at 8pm, when the results were in and Barack H. Obama was pronounced as the 44rd President of the United States. I was beyond words, i didn't know what to do with myself and being that i was in starbucks with my friend Reshad, i couldn't get up and scream. The first black president of the United States was elected and i was alive to see it happen. I went to a campaign party for Obama held by a non profit organization called the Bus Riders Union, when i arrived the place was full of colorful faces, a variety of ethnic groups were there watching Obama's victory speech, some crying, some with huge smiles on their faces, and others listening attentively. Everyone knew that history had just been made and that we were very lucky to be able to have witnessed it. I couldn't contain my joy and i rejoiced in solidarity, in one voice with my fellow brothers and sisters for we all knew that change was coming to Washington. I must say that at first i did not like Barack, in fact compared to Hilary i thought he didn't add up, this soon changed when Obama and McCain were the choices i was left with. I did my research and Obama's plans were better for me, and also, i could not allow two more Idiots running the white house for 4 more years. Todays frustration was trying to get a newspaper that proves that last nights event actually happened and that i wasn't dreaming. I could not find one ANYWHERE! it was beyond frustrating and i soon became so irate, i started crying. I soon stopped myself realizing, i am a 25 year old woman, and i called the LA Times and i am getting a copy tomorrow :)

-fin-

Disconnected

I feel as though i am a nomad without a home.
I am wandering, my soul is looking for a permanent place of residence.
I turn to what is familiar; to those that i call my people, but they reject me.
They say that "I'm not a true Mexican, I am a Chicana and I have been white washed."
To the American population I am too Mexican and I am expected to act accordingly, many do not know how to relate to me.
There are clear lines of separation
Where do i belong?
I feel as if i have been pushed to the margins of my society.
To the Mexican i am too white
and to the American I am too Mexican
and the Jew within me is blurred away.

Many say Jesus is your home, you belong to him.
This cleché statement doesn't change the fact that i don't have a tangible community in which i feel i belong to.
When will i find my home?
When will i belong?

Visit to an Islamic mosque

It's week 2 of my urban religions class and thus far we have gone over, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Eastern Orthodoxy, and have attended the temples where these religions are practiced. I am inspired by their devotion to their practice. This week however, we dissected Islamic beliefs and this followed with a visit to the Islamic Center of southern California. Our class arrived and all of the girls of course had to wear a head covering (Hijab) which were provided to the girls in my class. I arrived with my hijab on. The many women arrived and they looked so colorful with their punjabis and cortas and Hijabs, it was a sight to see. We all found our place in the the women section. The men are in the front room which anyone can see is more lavishly decorated then the womens side. The Khutbas (prayers) are done at 1pm on Fridays many people come to pray during their lunch hour so time is money. Many of the girls did not want to join me in sitting with the women, so they sat in the back. So Imagine this.. a row full of white girls that clearly have no idea what is going on, this drew much attention and whispers from the women, if what they were whispering was good or bad, i will never know. The prayer began while they bowed and prayed, i began to pray also. I prayed for many things that weigh in my heart and for the first time in a long time, i felt God's presence. It was so amazing, the peace that befell on me was beyond what i could of asked for. I stood there speechless, in awe of my creator, and i could hear the womens prayers. I could see their love for Allah in the way they prayed. I felt as if our prayers were united in a spirit of solidarity, God was present in that place. I felt God's hand over me for that brief moment and it was all i could ask for this semester. Shortly after there were a group of imam's (leaders of prayer) from Iraq and the eldest spoke regarding the current condition of the Iraqi nation. The translator was not that good but what he did translate hit me like a knife stabbing my heart and then being twisted many times. I was heartbroken. The imam basically stated that they have not lost hope they are united, they know that Allah will give them victory and that they will prevail over their current enemy. He was referring to the U.S, I hate being referred to as an enemy but the truth of the mater is that this nation has hurt them and the battle for democracy is only an excuse to keep our troops there longer. I saw that desperation in their eyes, they were asking for their prayers and support they have been hit hard but they were not defeated. If i stand with anyone, i stand with them.

* an upside of the whole experience was seeing so many good looking Arab, Persian, and S.E Asian men :) that made my day.

Forever 21 boycott

Forever 21 has continued to contract garment factories that regularly violate labor laws.
After a 3 year battle, in december of 2004, forever 21 settleda lawsuit with garment workers. Forever 21 said they would ensure that factories with whom they sub-contracted were in compliance with labor laws. Workers who sew forever 21 clothing still seek help in rectifying the labor law violations and complaints about working conditions. They haven't changed thier ways, they continue to violate labor laws and offer sweat shop jobs. Next time that you go the mall and see cute clothes in forever 21, think about the hands that made it, the cramped work space, the non existent lunch hour, the hours and hours of work and only being paid by the garment, not an hour like they were promised. If you don't think that sewing a dress, shirt of pants is hard, just try doing it in bulk. I've actually visited these sweatshops and they are depressing and dehuminizing. The sad part is that most of the workers are Mexican/Latin American/Asian desent and they don't have documentation. They are however still human beings and deserve to be treated as such.
also....
The Forever 21 corporation plans to construct a diesel polluting warehouse on the 14 acre land where the south central farm once stood. which provided affordable organic food to the community. This warehouse will bring 2500 trucks trips daily exposing te community to cancer producing diesel particulate matter. The governor was the one that took away this land from the south central farmers who worked the 14 acre land and produced affordable food for those that lived in the area who would otherwise have to drive about 3-4 miles to find fresh, organic food. the south central farmers were given a land in bakersfield and they have no choice but to work that land. Volunteers commute to Bakersfield during harvest time and bring the food to the community. This is not fair.... please help this by not shoping in Forever 21.

Hunger Strike for immigrant rights

the oppression of the undocumented immigrants is one of the greatest American human right crises of our time. Millions of men, women, and children work hard, raise families, grow up, and serve communities in our country yet are confined to a life in the shadows, fearing for the security of themselves and thier families are deprived of the basic rights and freedoms that are the heart of the American promise. Since the failure of comprehensive immigration reform in 2007, this crisit has grown strikingly worse. Currently, Obama and McCain have been concentrating their energy on the economy and on foreign policy that immigration has not once been discussed in a debate. This is a situation that cannot be ignored any longer..I want reform and I say "Vasta con los oidos sordos en la casa blanca."

On October 15th, over 100 people will begin one of the largest hunger strikes in American history to call on Latinos, immigrants, and people of conscience–the Immigrant Rights Movement–to rise out of our fear and vote for change. "The Fast for our Future" will be based in a permanent encampment at La Placita Olvera, the historic heart of Los Angeles and will continue until at least 1 million people have signed a pledge.

This is huge, 21 days before the 2008 election. I want to live to see immigration reform and a change in the way my people are treated in this country. The 15th will only be the begining of a solidarity campaing for those that have a voice but have not been able to use it. I know that if Jesus was here on earth he would be fasting with us..for change, for reform, for human rights!

*If you can participate in person please do, if not sign the pledge online http://www.therisemovement.org/home.html if you can fast, pray and contribute in that way it would be awesome. Every thing counts!

Shalom,
Eveline

Praise report /prayer request

A weight has been lifted from my shoulders, i have obtained a lily grant which will help pay for my L.A. Term semester, about $850 or so. This is possible because there is an organization called Oasis of Hollywood (http://www.oasisofhollywood.org/) that has an internship available for me. I will be working with children in a tutoring program called Kids Klub and i will be hanging out every Friday night with the teenagers at the teen center. I am super excited about this. This was almost not an option for me but the wonderful Doug from APU made it possible. I can't thank him enough. I want to give him and everyone i know a hug and jump up and down because i know God has provided for me yet again. I am however looking for a job that will pay for the remaining balance, so please keep me in your prayers that God give me a part time job that won't be overbearing because school already is consuming enough.

The healthcare system

This week we are tackling one of the worst, dehumanizing, systems in the word, the United States health care system. The U.S is the only country in the western world without free universal health care access. Close to 44 million people in the U.S. lack health insurance and many more are under insured or unreliably insured. We have more than enough money to support and provide free universal health care to all Americans but most of the money is not equally distributed. Most of our health care dollars are spent on administrative cost, pharmaceuticals, and medical technologies. They fail to provide the U.S people with prenatal care that will save lives, grant longer and healthier lives, and will stop the overcrowding of emergency rooms. Emergency rooms should not be used as a source of primary care. Another problem is the lack of care that people receive, people are forced out of hospitals and put on a taxi, dropped off on skid row only because they can't afford to pay their hospital bill. When did our nation become so dark that it won't care for those in need? millions of people like myself live with fear of not getting severely sick because then, how will we pay for it? I would have to leave to Mexico to get top notch health care and pharmaceuticals that are not overpriced. Why is it that the terrorist that are detained in Guantanamo bay, Cuba are receiving better health care than the American people? There is something morally wrong and backward about this. I know that there is still much that i need to learn about our health care system and that i don't know the answers to all the questions but this is my frustration thus far. I did learn much about the health care system watching a documentary called "Sicko" by Michael Moore, he has brilliantly shun a light on our health care system's evils. I recommend that everyone watch this movie, especially is you plan to work in health care.

Here's the trailer:


shalom,
Eve

Rosy, this video is for you

El Chicki Chicki

I created this video in Xochimilco Mexico in August, this is definitely our song.
Love you habibi!
-Eve

Criminal Justice system

This week for L.A. term we are studying the criminal justice system. On monday we attended a court case of a young man who is being accused of first degree murder that he supposedly committed when he was 15 years old. He has been awaiting trial for 3 years which makes it convenient for the legal system because they can now try him as an adult. They are trying to prove that he was involved in a drive-by incident that resulted in the death of a gang member from the cripts gang but they don't have concrete evidence, all they have is a gun that is said to be his, and witnesses confessions which don't point to him as guilty. I witnessed first hand the injustice of our legal system. One of the witnesses was given a sheet of paper containing the pictures of those that were suspects, but they told her to circle who she knew and then they used it as an accusation, saying that she circled who had done the crime. The police department also had her sign a piece of paper under threatening conditions, in which they later filled in saying that she had said that
the boy that was circled was the one. She was threatened and put in a very stressful environment, remember she was only 15. She thought she was being questioned for the confrontation incident that occurred prior to the shooting but she was given all shorts of questions regarding the death of a gang member. She didn't witness this and yet they kept her there questioning her. They showed this evidence plain and clear but no one seemed to care. The forged document can throw off the case, but they refuse to investigate because the defendant is black. I saw the judge dowsing off, cheeking her email, and not seeming to show any interest in the case. I saw the defense attorney dowsing off also, not being able to cross examine effectively, he asked ridiculous questions that were irrelevant. He had the demeanor of someone who didn't care about the defendant because and i believe it's because he is a public defense attorney. I was outraged at this, i wanted to stand up and defend the poor guy. Another thing that was happening was the prosecute was leading both of the witnesses that we saw. This is not to be done and a real judge would see this and stop it in its tracks. I hate saying this but i don't think he will be acquitted, i think he is going to prison. I don't know if he did it or not but the legal system clearly finds him to be a danger to society.

On wednesday, we visited the Los Angeles Men's Jail in downtown Los Angeles. I was surprised at the living conditions, and dehumanizing tactics that were enforced. We were taken to see the cells and the inmates seemed really pleased to see pretty girls in the jail. We visited the regular cells and those that were more high security. We also were taken to the gay section of the jail. The gays are separated from the heterosexual inmates. Apparently they have a series of test that they are administered to determine if they are gay. They live in bunk bends, they have a T.V and the bathrooms and showers are public and exposed. (I even saw a mans penis, not my favorite memory). Over the doors hangs a sign that reads "It is a FELONY to engage in SEXUAL ACTIVITY" the majority of the inmates there are HIV positive or have AIDS. This was a problem because everyone was sleeping with everyone that those that were not infected would become infected. The federal judge had to issue an order that gave them condoms. They were given condoms to engage in safe sex. There is a huge box that hangs under lock and key under the huge sign that is where the used condoms are deposited and someone disposes of them correctly. This was the craziest thing that i saw. Also they are required to give them 3 hours of free play and sunshine a week. They are taken to the roof and given 3 hours to use the phones, play basket ball, soccer or just lift weights. One thing that surprised me was that the inmates are given so much freedom with the phones. They are all able to make phone calls on a regular basis. The phone company and the jail split the profit of this which is about 12-15 thousand or more a year. All the calls are either collect and cost $3.00 a minute or are made using a phone card. The relatives, spouses of the inmates that accept collect calls have to pay the consequences. They also don't monitor the calls unless they get a court order to do so. This hardly ever happens. Dangerous men who are leaders of great gangs and mobs are also given their 3 hours of phone time and they are not monitored. This means that they can issue hits (murders) and do much harm and no one cares because according to the jail "we don't have the money to pay someone to monitor thousands of calls." Our criminal system is screwed up and no one seems to care that the prisons are over crowded, lack resources, cost the people millions of dollars. I am really infuriated by what i saw, heard and experienced.

Skid row وقد قلبي

I was going to start an internship with an organization called Central City Community Outreach but it didn't work out for me for a variety of reasons.
1. I was assigned to work with a disturbed child that needs more attention, patiences and help than i can ever give him. to make a long story short he refused to work with me, yelled at me and was really, really offensive. I was disappointed because no one choose to help me with him, i guess everyone has given up on him a little. I have never had a child make me cry or cause me to get emotional, but he did. I left CCCO with tears in my eyes and i startled a few homeless people who were outside of the center.
2. I was doing the internship so that i could get a grant that if offered to APU students who are involved in non profit organizations that are faith based.. but i was told that since two students were already obtaining the grant, i would not be able to get it. :( this saddened me extremely!
I therefore had no choice but to look for other options that would help me financially during my LA Term.

Even though i had such a bad experience, i left my heart in skid row. I left it there with the children who have been mentally and emotionally abused by their parents, neighbors, and lifestyle. I cannot describe with mere words how awful the living conditions are in the residential hotel that the children live in. The child that i was in charge of does not have a father figure and he has a lot of weight on his shoulders. The men, women and children that live there are truly living in holy ground and i know that Jesus would be there if he were here in this life time. He would be eating, teaching and standing up for them. He would be fighting the corrupt social systems that oppresses, marginalizes and makes anyone who isn't white subordinate and inhuman.

Los Angeles thus far

These past two weeks in L.A. term have been eye opening for me. I have learned many things about Los Angeles that i did not know. As a native angelino i am shocked of the things that are kept under wraps and not taught in school. My experience has been great because we get to visit historical sites in L.A, so far we have visited old china town (which i never knew existed) where a massacre occurred in the 1800s. We also visited Olvera St. (AKA little Mexico) known for having the oldest house in L.A, and being the location where the U.S took California from Mexico. I grew up visiting these locations and never knew their historical significance. It's has however been a challenge to talk about social justice issues that some of my classmates don't know are issues. This frustrates me because i give the vantage point of someone who has been marginalized and has experienced oppression in life, and i get frustrated when someone doesn't get it. I need to work on this and i am very aware of it. Its difficult though when you don't feel as you belong. I spent 2 months of the summer in Mexico and experienced the rejection of being "too white" in their eyes. Many didn't consider me a true Mexican because i wasn't born there. However here at home i also don't feel as i belong because to many i am "too Mexican". So i ask myself where do i belong and when will i get there. I've been told that i am part of the family of God, and that i shouldn't have these feelings, but its usually someone Caucasian who tells me this. I was talking to my roommate about this and she was shocked, she's never heard of anyone feeling this. I told her that It's as if i live a double life which has no mid point. I am dealing with many issues but i know that there is a reason for it. I am also trying to discern what God's call over my life is and I am learning how to be obedient to Gods voice.

*The photo was taken from the rooftop of an old bank that was turned into lofts. This is happening all over LA its called gentrification and its basically taking an low income bad area, reconstructing the buildings and encouraging the more wealthy population to move in to change the property value, while in process kicking out subtly the lower income populations. This is what is happening to skid row they keep pushing it farther from the main downtown area and kicking them out so that the city can look "cleaner". No matter how much they push them away from the downtown area, the people remain, out of sight out of mind is not the approach to take.

Challenged by Hinduism

I woke up today to the sound of my home stay mom chanting and i was challenged by her passion to god. She is devote to her beliefs and exercises her faith with diligence. She wakes everyday (even weekends) at 5am and she chants and does her prayers. There is not one day in which i don't hear her ring her bell which is always rung prior to chanting and prayer. It's symbolic, the om sound is said to wake god so that his attention can be on you. Many Hindu's will say that they know that this might sound silly to an outsider, and they also know that God doesn't sleep, but they believe in the power of "om" which is the sound that is omitted when the bell is run or the gong is hit. She has challenged me in my faith, without a word i have been dared to take my own faith into that level. To pray everyday with that devotion and diligence. I want my hands to be God's hands and his eyes God's eyes, i don't want to be so selfish and so wrapped up in my own world that i forget to seek Jesus. This is currently difficult for me because, i have been trying to balance both the academic and the spiritual and i find myself lacking in the spiritual. I thank God for using my Prabha to push me to be a better follower and radical, so in love with Jesus.