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?
Saturday, October 25, 2008
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.
* an upside of the whole experience was seeing so many good looking Arab, Persian, and S.E Asian men :) that made my day.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, October 13, 2008
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
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
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