The Diversity Projekt
Empowerment for All People of Color
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Time Running Out for Another DreamActivist!
Without substantial intervention, Jorge-Alonso Chehade will face a difficult choice Friday morning. He will either get on a plane to Peru, a country that has become foreign to him, or he will choose to remain in the US to fight for the passage of the Dream Act and other young adults like him. Alonso is a Dream Activist – one of tens of thousands of young adults who came to the US as young children who undocumented. He has been courageously fighting is deportation, and time is up Friday morning. DHS is forcing him to leave the United States, a country that has been his home for more than 8 years.
I just got home from a Dream Activist PA meeting at Temple U. More than 10 students came together to learn about the Dream Act and how they can make a difference in the lives of students like Alonso. Two Dreamers attended, as well as Reagan Cooper of PICC (Pennsylvania Immigration & Citizenship Coalition). This meeting served as a great initial brainstorming session on how to grow the capacity of the PA movement – how to cultivate members, forge partnerships with community organizations, and gain the support of our local representatives across the state.
For extensive coverage of Alonso’s case and other Dream Activists, check out Citizen Orange!
Crosspost – Swirl Standing with Atlanta’s LGBT Community
This is crossposted fromthe SwirlBlog:
From time to time we are compelled to stand up for what is right and condemn what is wrong. Swirl is a committed ally of the LGBT community. Therefore we felt compelled to voice our outrage about the recent Atlanta Police Department raid of the Atlanta Eagle, a long-standing LGBT establishment in the Atlanta community.
Dear Citizens:
As directors of the Atlanta and Philadelphia chapters of Swirl Inc, a national multi-racial organization focused on challenging notions of race through community building, education and action, we are outraged by the Atlanta Police Department’s raid of the Atlanta Eagle on September 10, 2009. We are troubled by the lack of transparency from City Government and Law Enforcement, as there has been little clarity about the charges filed against the owners of the Eagle or those who were arrested.
See full Op-Ed here!
You have No Clue!
CAUTION: This post contains graphic photos.
I have been following the health care debate, if you want to call it that, and find myself increasingly disturbed and disgusted by the lack of decorum and common sense. While I was quite amused by the ways in which the manipulative and disingenuous ways of the political and religious right were playing themselves out on the national stage, I have grown increasingly alarmed by the dangerous rhetoric that has emerged over the last few days. I would like to believe that the political elements powering this monster are unaware of the inevitable ramifications of going down this road will lead us to. However, I am jaded enough to know that they are keenly aware and even intend for such destructive outcomes. So, I am throwing my commentary into the pot!
I come from the country that actually had concentration camps and gas chambers – Arbeitsdorf, Bergen-Belsen, Berlin-Marzahn, Bretenau, Buchenwald, Dachau, Flossenbuerg, Hinzert, Kauferin/Landsberg, Langentein-Zweiberge, Malchow, Mittlebau-Dora, Neuengamme, Niederhagen, Ohrdurf, Osthofen, Ravensbrueck and Sachsenhausen.
I come from a country where more than 6 million, Jews, blacks, Roma and other ethnic groups were murdered because they looked, believed and acted differently from the desired norm. I come from a country that to this day persecutes people who are different, a country in which the NPD (Nationalist Party Germany aka Neo Nazis) continues to feel empowered to wreak havoc on religious and ethnic minorities. Why shouldn’t they? Our political leaders and law enforcement rarely feel inclined to condemn or curb their actions.
The country I came from did this:
…and this:
ohhh…and this:
Those of you who liken Obama to Hitler and compare this Administration’s attempt to provide all Americans – rich and poor, young and old, white, black, latino, asian, mixed – with access to quality health care, to the policies and “services” provided by the Nazi regime, are reckless, deplorable, and vile!
I try not to write blog posts when I am angry. Experience has taught me that it rarely ends well. But, I am angry and I am going to break this rule tonight. The escalating lunacy leaves me with few other options, at least viable ones that will allow me to sleep at night. Can we even call this insanity a debate? At first the grand standing at town hall meetings seemed predictable, silly, pathetic. It clearly smelled of the beltway machine, not grass roots mobilization. And then came the references to Nazi German, Pol Pot, Stalin and the like. If this weren’t extreme enough, these lunatics begin to show up at town halls armed with semi-automatic weapons. Has the world gone mad?
Yesterday, a woman asked Rep. Frank, a Jew, why he was supporting Obama’s Hitler-esque policies. Not like the semi-automatic fun slinging, hate speech shouting tantrums weren’t enough, but this really does go too far! You wave your bibles and guns but have no sense of decency, propriety, core values, morals, ethics,…common sense! You need to think before you allow for such stupidity to leave your mouth. At least contemplate (if not comprehend) the ramifications of your words and actions. Tens of thousands of Americans are living survivors or descendants of survivors and victims of the Holocaust, the Khmer Rouge, Stalin’s Gulags. You cannot even begin to comprehend the suffering countless human beings endured under these abominable creatures.
I am most disturbed by the lack of condemnation coming from the GOP camp. Their silence, and at times approval, of these fear tactics and lies, will eventually lead to disaster. It is not a question of “if” but “when”! This will not remain an exercise in rhetoric of violence, but will eventually escalate to violent acts. When that happens, the GOP will be to blame! Get your people under control before someone gets hurt, or worse yet, is murdered.
First it’s this:
And this:
Left unchecked, it will turn into this:
and…this:
With that being said, let me tell you a bit about Nazi Germany! Obama doesn’t want to kill grandma, your second cousin twice removed or your dog named Buddy! There are no death panels, abortion mandates, or forced sterilization. I came from a country that did this, got a slap on the wrist and still, without any ramifications, still discriminates against people within its borders who look, believe and act differently from what has been put forth as authentically German.
The right would like to scare everyone into believing that the intent of the Obama Administration is to replicate this. Such notions are abominable and reprehensible! If anything, the right is using chapters out of Hitler’s book – inciting fear, condoning hate speech and violent rhetoric. It isn’t a far leap from this to committing violence against an imaginary and artificially constructed enemy! What other message can be construed from bringing an automatic weapon to President Obama’s town hall meeting?
Now, before the NRA gets bent out of shape – I grew up in a house with guns. My dad is a hunter and has a fairly extensive collection. I support the notion that law abiding citizens (without criminal records) who have a license to carry, have the right to purchase fire arms. I don’t condone their use as a symbolic threat against the President of the United States, or any other human being for that matter. There is a direct connection, in the US and in Germany, between symbolic, verbal and phychological terrorism and the actual performance of a violent act. So, don’t tell me that you are packing heat as a mere exercise of your constitutional right to do so! This is disingenuous at best!
I am going to call this for what it is – Bullshit! This is political terrorism, plain and simple!
I am about to launch a series on hate groups and activities in the US and Germany! Stay tuned, I am far from being done with this!
IdeaCamp Here I Come
After heading out to Philly Sips with ABC Pastor otherwise known as LT, I decided that I would make an appearance at IdeaCamp DC. IdeaCamp is one of several unconferences that have ignited throughout the country – a grass roots movement if you will. The DC edition will focus on cultivating relationships, providing technical assistance and developing partnerships within the social justice community.I don’t have any concrete expectations, but am looking forward to meeting some new people outside of my immediate network. Make some new connections, learn something new……perhaps even set the stage for some new collaborations.
I’ve connected with a few other queer Christians who are going, so I can’t wait to touch base Saturday night. Plans are to go out in DC. I am interested in forming more queer-positive spaces throughout Christendom.
Either way, it should be a good time. I am staying Fri – Sun, so if any of my DC folk want to get together for brunch on Sunday, let me know.
Loving Day
“We loved each other and got married,” she [Mildred Loving] told The Washington Evening Star in 1965, when the case was pending. “We are not marrying the state. The law should allow a person to marry anyone he wants.”
Mildred Loving fought for her right to marry someone of another race in 1960’s Virginia. More than 40 years later we are still fighting for true marriage equality.
Stay tuned…..recap of Philadelphia’s First SwirlPhilly Loving Day events to come!
Related Stories:
Matriarch of Inter-Racial Marriage Dies
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24468808/
The Huffington Post Interview with Loving Day Founder
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-gandin-le/loving-day-its-not-a-hall_b_51358.html
Village Voice Interview with Loving Day Founder
http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-06-06/people/love-actually
2006 Washington Post Article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/12/AR2006061201716.html
New Chapter for New Beginnings
A passionate advocate, a “pesky” reporter and a few blog posts, and the Bensalem Township School Board decided to “reconsider” it’s ruling to cut the New Beginnings Program at Bensalem High School. The trade off – 700 service hours in the upcoming fiscal year instead of 1000.
I learned something new today about Patti’s program. Not only are these young parents graduating from high school at phenomenal rates, but many go on to lead incredible lives. Two of her former students addressed the Board tonight – one is graduating community college and will soon enroll in a nursing program, and the other is currently working at Jefferson.
Well done! Thank you for your comments (on and off site) and your prayers!
The School Board will most likely need to re-address funding issues surrounding New Beginnings sometime during the new fiscal year. Seeking alternative funding streams is most likely going to be a necessity, since the long-term repercussions of tonight’s cut in capacity will not go unnoticed by the community in need of these services.
ACTION ITEM! Please keep your eyes open for private (or government) grants that will fund direct services and/or advocacy for teen pregnancy/parenting.
On a side note – tonight was the first time in years that I really felt a part of a community. Perhaps it was the mission-orientedness of it all. My hunch, it was the people. Several Wellians came out in solidarity and support of Patti and her kids. Some of us went to Rita’s afterwards to celebrate. Yeah, Evan – I finally had Rita’s after more than 7 years.
“New Beginnings” at Risk
As many of you know, I have been attending The Well in Feasterville, PA, since January of this year. While my transition from the Orthodox Church to an evangelical Protestant church has been challenging at times, I have begin to make some connections that are important to me. The people at The Well are what have made my transition a little less painful.
Patti is one of those people.
Recently, Patti shared with me that her program at Bensalem High School that provides vital support to teen parents who struggle with staying in school while raising children was in danger of being cut due to the economic budget crisis. This past Sunday she informed us that the program’s closing was eminent unless the School Board was convinced otherwise. I do not live in Bucks Co., PA, so I cannot address the School Boad directly. But I do have this blog and people who continually return to learn about the issues that I care deeply about.I have asked Patti to share with us a little bit about her job at “New Beginnings”, and why cancelling this program will have a detrimental impact on the young parents that have come to reply on their services.
I encourage you to attend the School Board meeting on Wednesday May 27 at 7pm at 3000 Donallen Drive, Bensalem, PA 19020, and if you are a Bucks Co. resident, please consider speaking in support of the continued operation of this program!
TDP: Tell me about your job and how you were lead to your work?
Patti: 16 years ago, when I was ready to re-enter the work force I was looking for a job that would allow me to make a difference in my community while working with the youth population. As a mother of young children, I also wanted a work schedule compatible with my children’s schedules. The pregnant and parenting teen coordinator position at Bensalem High School was the perfect combination of all those requirements.
In my 16 years as coordinator/counselor, the program has expanded to include a fatherhood component that provides support and information for teen dads. We also developed a summer camp program with an emphasis on parenting skills while simultaneously helping students address issues (day care, homelessness, etc.) that may interfere with a return to school in September (camp was always funded by an external grant and has never been paid for with school district monies). Bensalem Township has partnered with the other Lower Bucks County School districts to apply for State grant funds that offset a portion of the cost of the New Beginnings program.
In my part-time position as coordinator/counselor, I provide direct services, access to community services, educational and group support, and advocacy support within the school system and the community for student participants. The number of students varies from year to year, but has been gradually increasing for the past four years and has peaked at 27 students at this point in time. Eleven of those students are due to graduate, which means that there will be at least 16 pregnant or parenting students expected back in the fall.
New Beginnings has maintained a graduation rate of over 90% throughout the 16 years I have been here. That is an excellent standard that will be impossible to maintain without specialized support.
TDP: What is the recent school board decision?
Patti: The school board voted in the proposed budget to completely cut the New Beginnings Program, along with 4 teachers, a secretary, and a non-teaching assistant (a discipline position). All of these positions are at the high school, so the general cuts will create a higher student/staff ratio, meaning there is less all around support for the high school population within our district, not to mention the complete loss of specialized support for pregnant and parenting teens.
TDP: How does it impact the students in your program?
Patti: The students in my program will be left with no specialized support to assist them in the process of accomplishing graduation from high school. As these students navigate the maze of pre-natal care, day care and day care subsidy, health insurance, health complications (for themselves & their children), three-generational living, financial stressors, educational pressures, and the list goes on; there will be no one within the school district to be sure that these kids get access to the supports that they need in order to succeed. Inevitably some of this population will fall through the cracks, drop out, and struggle to find a way to support themselves and their families.
TDP: What do you think are the long-term repercussions if the school board’s decision stands?
Patti: Long term, the consequences of a higher drop out rate will inevitably lead to a higher rate of welfare dependence for a longer period of time. Today’s teen parents will struggle to help their children succeed educationally because they’ve been left without adequate support to accomplish the goal themselves. There will also be a toll of a higher incidence of crime, drug & alcohol abuse, and other less appealing alternatives because good choices may seem out of reach for these kids.
TDP: How can people help? What are some action items?
Patti: Let the decision-makers know that you believe in paying a small amount of tax money now to prevent the large financial, personal, and societal cost that will ensue if we don’t. Voice your support at school board meetings ~ the next school board meeting will be held at 3000 Donallen Drive, Bensalem PA 19020 on May 27th, 2009. The final budget will be voted in at the board meeting on June 10th, 2009.
You can also express your support for the New Beginnings Program (the support program for pregnant and parenting teens at Bensalem High School) by emailing the school board members as follows:
Harry R. Kramer, President - hkramer@bensalemsd.org
Eugene A. Rothenberg, Vice President – erothenbe@bensalemsd.org
James A. Bodnar – jbodnar@bensalemsd.org
Dr. Lewis J. Brandt – lbrandt@bensalemsd.org
Rose Jacobs – rjacobs@bensalemsd.org
Carol T. Jones – cjones@bensalemsd.org
Carol L. McGuire – cmcguire@bensalemsd.org
Heather D. Nicholas – hnicholas@bensalemsd.org
Dr. Stephen C. Nowmos – snowmos@bensalemsd.org
And, you can contact the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent and Acting Director of Pupil Personnel as follows:
Dr. James D. Lombardo, District Superintendent – 215-750-2800Ext. 4100 email: jlombardo@bensalemsd.org
Dr. William J. Gretzula, Assistant Superintendent – 215-750-2800 Ext. 4103 email: wgretzula@bensalemsd.org
Ms. Tammy Wood, Acting Director of Pupil Personnel – 215-750-2800 Ext. 4108 email: twood@bensalemsd.org
ACTION ALERT: Take Action In Support of the DREAM ACT (Re-Introduced in House and Senate!)
This month, the “Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act” will be (re)introduced in both the House and the Senate. The DREAM Act would restore states’ rights to determine residency requirements for in-state tuition and establish a path to legal status and eventual citizenship for undocumented youth. These measures would address significant barriers to the success of hardworking immigrant students who were brought to this country at a young age and desire to fully contribute to American society.
Please sign the DREAM ACT 2009 Petition!
Please contact your Senators and State Representative:
- Urge your Representatives and Senators to co-sponsor the DREAM Act.
- The DREAM Act is a bipartisan piece of legislation that would allow our country to retain promising and hardworking immigrant youth.
- Our country would reap great benefits from the DREAM Act. Passage of the act would encourage immigrant students to pursue higher education, allowing them to fully contribute to our economy.
- These youth have grown up in America and become part of our communities. They have embraced our country’s values, maintained upstanding lives, and aspire to become full participants in American society.
Citizenship Weekend April 18, 2009
My mother and I are immigrants. We received our Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”) upon first entering the U.S. When I say “received” I mean just that. It was simple, painless, inexpensive, and only minutely time consuming. My father (her husband) is a natural born U.S. citizen (and at the time U.S. Army soldier). We received our Green Card shortly before we moved to Selfridge, Michigan where my dad was station for a short period of time. The military filed the paperwork for us and I think even paid the fees. My mother naturalized a few years ago. She did not have to struggle to pay the USCIS fees (almost $800 at this point) and for the most part was merely a procedural process. I have chosen to re-new my Green Card until the German government allows me to maintain dual status. We are the lucky ones! My family’s situation isn’t typical. Most individuals face considerable struggles in their quest to immigrate to the U.S. The financial burden alone has become too great for many to overcome without assistance And then there are others who wont ever have the opportunity to become U.S. citizens.
April 18 and 19, 2009 is Citizenship Day, a national event where private immigration attorneys partner with local non profit organizations to provide free legal help in applying for citizenship to low income Legal Permanent Residents (Green Card holders). This year we have added two new sites – Allentown and Carlisle (just past Harrisburg), in addition to Philadelphia. We know that citizenship has become increasingly expensive, and many families are struggling. As a result, this year in Pennsylvania we will be offering assistance to eligible individuals in applying for a fee waiver, in addition to application assistance. Details on sites, times and registering are below.
Pennsylvania Citizenship Weekend is a collaboration between the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC), the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Nationalities Service Center (NSC), and HIAS and Council Migration Service. The Center for Immigrants’ Rights at Penn State Dickinson School of Law is co-sponsoring and hosting Citizenship Day in Carlisle. Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown is co-sponsoring and hosting the Allentown location. A number of organizations are co-sponsoring the Philadelphia event, and are listed on the attached flyer.
Volunteer Attorneys Needed for Citizenship Weekend
Volunteer attorneys are still needed to help provide legal assistance to applicants. Additional training sessions in citizenship procedure and fee waivers will be held on Friday April 3rd in Philadelphia (12pm – 2pm) and Allentown (2pm – 4pm). Please contact Jamie Johns at hiascitizenship@gmail.com or (215) 832-0922 regarding the Philadelphia training. Please contact Jill Freeman at jfreeman@wsklawyers.com or at (267) 350-6600 regarding the Allentown training.
Allentown Community Training on Citizenship March 29th
In preparation for April, PICC is holding a community training in Allentown this weekend, on the citizenship process. This workshop will provide an overview of the citizenship process, but please note that we will not be able to provide help for individual cases. Light refreshments will be served. For more information contact Hillary Blecker, 215-832-0895 or picc.organizer@gmail.com
Community Training on Citizenship
Sunday, March 29, 2009
2:00-4:00pm
First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, 3231 Tilghman StreetCitizenship Weekend Details – April 18th in Philadelphia and Carlisle, April 19th in Allentown
*There is no charge for this application assistance but individuals are responsible for filing fees, postage & biometrics*
You must register for these events in advance and receive an appointment time by calling:
(215) 609-1534 or (215) 893-8400 for John Thompson at Nationalities Service Center, 9am-5pm and Mondays until 7pm
OR
(215) 832-0900 or (215) 832-0922 for Jamie or Vilma at HIAS and Council, 9am-5pm and Tuesdays until 7pm
Philadelphia – Saturday April 18th
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
Location: Nationalities Service Center, 1216 Arch Street, 4th floor, Philadelphia, PACarlisle – Saturday April 18th
Time: 12 pm – 6 pm
Location: The Dickinson School of Law (Advantica Building) 1170 Harrisburg Pike, Carlisle, PA 17013Allentown – Sunday April 19th
Times: 10 AM – 4 PM
Location: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown, 530 Union Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18109Philadelphia Happenings
There is a lot going in the City of Brotherly Love this weekend. Apparently November 22 is the businest day of the 2008. My schedule is bursting at the seams.
Women’s Way is hosting TAKE A STAND half-day Conference at Temple University. I will be attending the conference with Dorie Morgan, fellow Brazen Careerist blogger and co-organizer of Philly ChangeMakers/ChangeBlogges.
Also Out and Equal, a national LGBT organization that supports workplace equality through education, training, Employee Resource Group support, and best practice sharing, is hosting a Regional Summit. I was hoping to be able to attend at least the lunch segment, but it looks like I cannot be everywhere at the same time.
I will be meeting with Dorie Morgan, Seth Horwitz and Alex Steed sometime mid afternoon to have a pre-ChangeBlogger launch talk. Everything is coming together and I am extremely excited about moving forward with this initiative. We will be meeting at the Philadelphia Ethical Society in Rittenhouse Squqre (Southwest Corner). Afterwards, we will be migrating over to Rum Bar for a Meet & Greet. If you are available, please do join us!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License
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