Tuesday, October 25, 2011

The Killing Joke



I ran into this video, of students doing a rendition of "Batman:The Killing Joke" with shadow puppets. It's in spanish and an awesome video that captures the most intense moment in that story line. Batman and Joker talking about being cut from the same tree of tragedy, but both taking completely different paths. How the Joker sees life as one giant bad joke that no one can get out of, so the only thing to do is laugh. Very much cryptic, sardonic and exemplary of my current mood shift the last few days and weeks.

This is one of my all time favorite stories, and from one of my all time favorite writers, Alan Moore. I read the Watchmen shortly after graduating high school and not knowing what to do with my life. Some how reading his stuff and a few other select books helped put a lot of things into perspective. Specially in a time in my life where fictional characters, who can do anything were trying to deal with everyday life problems. Ironic how that works.

I guess it's finding yourself in that cross road of between Batman and the Joker, that kinda prompted the video and me wanting to read that story again. For me, it's one of those things that help me make sense of my own stuff, and deciding how to move ahead. Considering how soo much is happening right now, it's unfair what I see happening to close friends. That it seems like a cruel joke is being played on them. Which just brings out the feelings and thoughts inside of me that fall under that kind of thinking.

Being poetically cryptic is something I do bask in when I am there. Much like some of my favorite poets, it makes for some great writing, observations and opening new doors to old paths. At the same time, it brings me back to listening and re-appreciating specific bands and artist. Guess the best thing about all this that I still manage to be productive while basking in a pity party for myself. Getting older rocks.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Friends Getting Arrested/CA Dream Act 131 Signed


Yesterday 5 leaders in the undocumented student movement were arrested, demanding the Obama administration to grant all Dream Act eligible youth an executive order, that would stop all dreamer related deportations and give us work authorization until Congress get's it together and passes the federal DREAM Act. The video up above is from Univision, which I make a quick appearance on. For the English speakers, here's the write up from Southern California Public Radio. It was an amazing, emotional and powerful action that kicked off the national administrative relief campaign.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Administrative Relief Rally This Wednesday



Stop the Deportation of DREAM Act youth

After much advocacy and organizing work from immigrant rights groups, the Obama Administration has done little to stop the deportations of undocumented immigrants across the country.Even though President Obama has publicly stated that DREAM Act eligible youth are no longer risking deportation, thousands of undocumented immigrant youth continue to face deportation to a country they don't know.

Wednesday October 12th at 9:00 am to demand President Obama to stop the deportations of DREAMers. He has the exercise his executive powers and grant Administrative Relief and work authorization with the stroke of a pen.Undocumented immigrant youth, labor, faith-based leaders and community members will come together Wednesday October 12th to launch the National Campaign for Administrative Relief and demand a stop on deportations of DREAM Act eligible youth.

WHEN: Wednesday October 12th, at 9:00 AM

WHERE: Pershing Square (corner of 5th St. and Olive St.) in Los Angeles, CA

And be sure to sign the White House petition to demand Admin Relief: http://wh.gov/24v

Friday, October 07, 2011

Grant DREAM Act Eligible Youth Administrative Relief

So what is Temporary Protective Status ? Well let's copy and paste the guidelines from the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services web site shall we.

"The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately.  USCIS may grant TPS to eligible nationals of certain countries (or parts of countries), who are already in the United States.  Eligible individuals without nationality who last resided in the designated country may also be granted TPS.


The Secretary may designate a country for TPS due to the following temporary conditions in the country:
Ongoing armed conflict (such as civil war)
An environmental disaster (such as earthquake or hurricane)
Other extraordinary and temporary condition


During a designated period, eligible individuals:
Are not removable from the United States
Cannot be detained by DHS
Can obtain an employment authorization document
May apply for travel authorization


Although having TPS, by itself, does not lead to permanent resident status (a green card), a TPS beneficiary may immigrate permanently under another provision of law if qualified." 

Thursday, October 06, 2011

SOÑADORES/DREAMERS




Last summer, when a million and one things were going on, Dream Team L.A. members were helping, then student, Thenmozhi Soundararajan, in doing a short movie about the Dream Act struggle and the students who make it up. As her worked progressed and filming began, she reached out to the group in terms of having folks participate in the movie as extras for some of the group shots.


This is a behind the scenes pic I took during the shoot at USC. We all had a good time doing it and were curious about how the film came out in the end. Living in L.A., your always around movie shoots and it's part of the day to day scenery, but it was cool to be a part of it and funny to see ourselves during the scenes we took part of.

The movie is only 20 min, but it hits the nail on the head. Anyone who is familiar with the Dream movement will see themselves in this movie, one way or another. Thenmozhi brought a lot of respect and dignity to the movie project, because of her own personal experiences and being able to relate and find the intersections. It's def worth checking out and sharing, so SHARE IT !!