by Muteado Silencio/PNN Voces de inmigrantes en resistencia
Entrevista para PNN-TV con Sandra Sandoval una danzante en el area de la bahia de San Francisco, sobre el significado para ella el dia de los muertos y como se invulucro con los danzantes.
Interview with Sandra Sandoval for PNN-TV about the day of the dead and her participation in the Danza Azteca in the bay area.
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El Dia De Los Muertos
Para el habitante de Nueva York, Paris o Londres, la muerte es palabra que jamas se pronuncia porque quema los labios. El mexicano, en cambio, la frecuenta, la burla, la acaricia, duerme con ella, la festeja, es uno de sus juguetes favoritos y su amor mas permanente. Cierto, en su actitud hay quiza tanto miedo como en la de los otros; mas al menos no se esconde ni la esconde; la contempla cara a cara con paciencia, desden o ironÃa. Octavio Paz Hace mas de 500 años atras, cuando los conquistadores Españoles llegaron a lo que ahora es Mexico y fue Tenochtitlan se encontraron a los nativos praticando rituales que parecia que se burlaban de la muerte. Eran rituales que nuestra gente a praticado por los ultimos 3,000 años, rituales que los Españoles trataron de erradicar sin tener exito.
Un ritual que ahora se conoce como El Dia De Los Muertos.
Un ritual celebrando mas y mas en diferentes partes de Latino America.
Celebrado a qui en el area de la bahia, y diferentes partes de la union Americana. Ahora, gente adorna Calaveras y hace altares para recordar y celebrar a sus muertitos, tambien se ofrecen ofrendas que consiste en hacer el plato de comida de la persona difunta.
Los Aztecas y otra tribus Meso-americanas se dice guardaban las Calaveras como trofeos y las mostraban el dia del ritual.Las Calaveras heran usadas como un simbulo de muerte y renacimiento.
Como dice Octavio Paz que la muerte para un Nuyorkino, o alguien de Paris o Londres que intepretan la muerte como el final de la vida, los Indigenas la apreciaban como una continuacion de la vida, en vez de temerle a la muerte la adoraban ellos creian que la vida era un sueno y en la muerte es cuando despertarian verdaderamente.
La gente Pre-Hispanica honoraba la dualidad como algo dinamico, ellos no separaban la muerte y el dolor, riqueza y pobreza, como las culturas occidentales. Los Espanoles consideraban los rituales como falta de respeto o no respetar algo sagrado, y percibian a los Indigenas como gente Barbara. Intentaron cambiar los rituales a algo mas catolico para matar los rituales indigenas. Pero como los danzantes que miramos en el area de la bahia, los rituales siguen vivos en nuestro presente.
Para hacer los rituales mas Cristianos, los Espanoles hicieron que los rituales se celebraran el dia de todos los santos y espiritus que es (Nov.1 y el 2) que es cuando se celebra ahora.
Anteriormente se celebraba el noveno mes del calendario Azteca, que es aproximadamente el principio de Agosto y hera celebrado todo el mes y se le aguardaba respeto ala diosa Mictecacihuatl, que es conocida como "La senora de los Muertos" quien se dice que murio cuando estaba naciendo.
El Dia De Los Muertos es celebrado en Mexico, partes de los Estados Unidos y Centro America, aunque es celebrado diferente dependiendo donde estes.
En la parte rural de Mexico la gente visita el cementerio donde esterraron a sus muertos, les decoran sus tumbas con flores y veladoras tambien se les trai jugetes a los ninos y tequila ala gente mayor.La gente tambien se sienta cerca de la tumba y come la comida favorita del ser querido que fallecio. El ano pasado hermanos Nativo Americanos y Afro Americanos celebraron a sus muertos haciendo sus propias danzas.
Este dia de los muertos yo recuerdo a mi abuela aunque se muy poco de ella,
Axocoti Cintlaolli, Maiz morado me recuerda a mi abuela en tierra Michoacana, ensenando a mi ama como cantar los cantos de resistencia, para mantener la lucha viva con amor y paciencia, arroz y frijoles, y no simpre esperando por el mejor momento, las tortillas a mano, con cuidado como se hace un movimiento, tienes que saber como , aunque recuerde muy poco de mi abuela porque estaba muy pequeno pa' recordar, puedo probar la revolucion en las tortillas de mi ama, y las Adelitas me hace recordar a ella y al espiritu de mi gente valiente, peleando por 500 anos y contando porque no nacimos esclavos por eso nos revelamos.
La Calaca Ahi viene la flaca bailando un poco de banda, quiere sacar a alguien a bailar, pero todos se rajan, unos la llaman muerte otros la flaca yo le digo que es una calaca porque no sabe bailar banda, yo no me le rajo y le ensene a bailar salsa.
Engles Sigue
For the inhabitant of New York, Paris, London, death is a word that you are not supposed to mention cause it burns your lips. The Mexican, instead, it's frequent to her, it makes fun of it, it caress her, it sleeps with her, it's one of the favorite toys and the love for her is permanent. Is true, the fear might be the same as others; but we don't hide from it, we face it, irony or disdain
Octavio Paz
About 500 years ago, when the Spanish Conquistadors arrive to what is now Mexico but was also know as Tenochtitlan they encounter the natives practicing in rituals that seemed to mock death.
It was rituals that our people had practice for the last 3,000 years, rituals that the Spaniards would try to eradicate unsuccessfully.
A ritual that now is know as "The day of the dead", a ritual that more and more is been celebrate in different parts of Latin America.
Celebrated here in the bay area and different parts of the United States.
In these times people adorn skulls and prepared altars to remember their dead relatives, they also provide offerings that consist in making the favorite dish for their love ones who past away. The Aztecs and other Meso-Americans tribes use the skulls as trophies and would use them the day of the ritual. The skulls were symbols of death and rebirth.
Like Octavio Paz said that death for a habitant of New York, Paris, or London is interpretate as the end of life, when indigenous people would adore death as a continuation of life, instead of fearing death they would acknowledge it, they thought life was a dream and you would truly be awaking when you died.
The Pre-Hispanic people would honor duality as something dynamic, they would no separated death with pain, wealth from poverty, like western cultures.
The Spaniards consider the rituals as mocking or not showing respect to something sacred, they perceived indigenous people as barbaric people. The Spaniards also intend in convert the rituals in something more Catholic to kill the indigenous rituals.
But like the Danzantes we see here in the bay area, the rituals are alive and well in our present.
To make the rituals more Catholic, the Spaniards made the rituals be celebrated the day of all saints and spirits (Nov.1 and 2) which is when it is celebrated today, previously was celebrated the ninth month of the Aztec calendar, approximately the beginning of August and was celebrated for the rest of the month and people would honor the goddess Mictecacihuatl, who was know as the "Lady of the Dead" was believed to have died at birth.
The day of the dead is celebrated in Mexico, parts of United States, and Central America is celebrated different depends where you are.
In rural parts of Mexico people visit the cemetery where people had buried their love ones, they adorn their graves with flowers and candles they also bring toys for the dead children and bottle of tequila for adults. People also sit close to the grave to eat the favorite dish of the decease.
Our brothers and sisters Native American & African American had celebrated their dead with their own dances.
On this day of the dead I remember my grandmother, even do I knew very little of her, Axocoti Cintlaolli
Purple Corn reminds me of my grandmother back in Michoacan land, showing my mom how to sing the songs of keeping the struggle alive with beans and rice with love and sacrifice with patience and waiting for the right time las tortillas by hand just like you craft a movement, carefully you need to know how and even do I could hardly remember my grandmother cause I was to young to recall, I taste the revolution on the tortillas of my mom. The Adelitas reminds me of her and of the rebel spirit that lives inside of our people my gente valiente fighting for 500 years and counting cause we were not born slaves that's why we fight back.
La Calaca
There she comes dancing Banda, wants to dance with someone, no one wants to, some us call it death others the skinny one, I called La Calaca cause she can't dance Banda, am not afraid and taught her how to salsa....
Well the day has come and gone and new nights begin.
As I await hell on earth,people drifting up into sky,giant monsters munching on still living humans,and Sodom and Gammora Named by the so called rightious folk ever since San Francisco became a fledgling then fully incorporated city.
Why not only the sin of gambling,wanton women, rakish men and wildness born of change it seems fitting to comment on todays goings on.
Gay Men,Lesbian Women are showing their love by doing so ordinary a duty honoring their commitment to loved ones by way of traditional marriage.
Problem is as Mr. Korrel has stated last night on KGO they’ve never had the chance until now.
Four year past Mayor Gavin Newsome was in City Hall as people were married only to be cruely overturned.
Now the Supreme Court has sanctioned same sex marriages.
The old view was “Were All Going To Hell While The City Gets Biblically Atom Bombed or Nuked into Ash.
Look up the account of the death visited upon the two doomed neighboring kingdoms or cities.
The new view is:Its about time people get out of other people personal lives,mind their own business.
That this is a healthy sign of human advancement and for those who have problems they can move elsewhere away from all the fuss.
I use to think these marriages will spawn so much middle class stuff among Gayells and Homosexuals women and men that the annual Gay Pride Parade dies off from lack of participation.
I’d be wrong, this day may just reset G.P.P. to June 16,as their date of true liberated freedom!
Black/Gay Pride Freedom Day?
Sounds clunky but so what I think it’ll be all figured out within the next decade.
Think of it we’ve had his/her storical happenings a weird Presidential Gender/Sex+ Race Primary Race,Legalized Homosexual Marriages, Fertilization of Female Eggs Without Sperm!
I put the last one in just to place applied science rounding out real changes fast breaking theses days.
Me,I’m joining the freeze,wait,reanimate club for return-after-death cryonics and preparing for things to come which has an awfully familiar ring to me.
Yes,I can wait to see what's in store for us.
Too bad their isn’t a few brilliant unknown wizards, daredevil researchers/scientists that can pull if off with 11 cryo-pods.
One for the intrepid volunteer (me)ten for the other researchers/ scientists much braver than the volunteer knowing what might go wrong.
The probability of me being contacted by such a people and as a free experiment is as remote as my rediscovering the fabled Philosopher’s Stone!
Have I mentioned I’m really rotten at math but willing to be taught in private to learn basic math up to chemistry?
We know both men and women gay and gayell also have biological clocks and are able to have children so MANKIND won’t die out from gay marrying each other.
But how about divorces, child custody, adultery, what if a one gayell woman strays into intimate love with a male it does happen.
Or the same with gay men with women and men?
Courts, custody, dividing of property, or who get alimony?
I’ll let all that go for all of you readers to ponder.
It Is A Brave New World Indeed
I’m already looking for the next multi racial rainbow female
Presidential Candidate she’s around somewhere preparing for when its her turn.
Who know’s it may one you reading this,or someone yet unborn.
The world in changing for the better…
Lets all keep it going this way,no steps back, rapid if not fast forward in to the present -it’s the only way into our ffuture.
So, Prez Select Bush honors Governor Davis with his presence, giving him 20 minutes of the precious time. Time that Bush can spend away from the international affairs that lie heavy
on his chiseled brow is almost non-existent.
BULL CHIPS, HORSE WATER, and SHEEP DIP! California’s crisis will take more than a 20 minute photo op. Give Me A 'Friggin Break!
by Joseph Bolden
Californians are going through rough times while Texans are living easy. But I don't blame Texans; that's not right, fair, or the American way.
Cali's been called the Fruit 'N Nut state since I don't know when. Mr. Dennis Tito is excluded from any criticism, afterall, he knew the risks of space travel, but knew that is could be done. Any Texans goin' to the Moon or Mars? Yes, our Fruit 'N Nut status began way before San Francisco became the state's painted lady. Like gruff multimillionaire doers and dreamers, like Texans, we have our pride. We do things up different; we're not as big a state as you, but we are as unique.
Yes, we fell off our high horse in a canyon where no one hears our calls for help. Think this affects only "those pussyfooted, lily-livered, granola eatin', holly-weird, strangely dressed, crazy idea folk up in Northern California? Think again.
Imagine, if the shoe were on the other foot. Prez Clinton is in Texas for a 20-minute talk about oil and gas with Governor G.W. Bush. Texas is feeling pressured to buy oil at ever-inflated prices from Arab oil cartels and is being gouged with higher electric bills by California's P.U.C. companies who are constantly upping heating oil prices.
Clinton says, "Keep conserving, drill along the pan handle or in the Alamo historical site, because of the rich crude oil deposits found there; transport wild horses and buffalo from their grazing grounds." He doesn't mention renewable, alternative energies. He says, "Conserve and keep paying Cali and Arkansas."
We love whales and dolphins, just as you love horses, buffalo, and the great God's country. We are different people in different situations, but we share the same country. The same situation could happen to you. Just think on it awhile. Wouldn't you feel offended at so little time being spent on problems looming so large in your state? We got twenty minutes for an energy crisis that is slowly spreading across this country.
Texas and the legendary Texans have shown what independence means. You can to do it again by developing alternative renewable energies. You are the Giants of oil, gas, and electricity. You can show our President Bush that it's time to move ahead not drift backwards.
That's enough from a transplanted New Yorker in the Flake State, but please heed my warning—alternative and renewable energy is coming quick. California is hurting now but once we're free of the national grid I don't want to hear that Texas is experiencing rolling brown and blackouts:
THIS IS A CALL TO ALL 50 STATES DEVELOP INDEPENDENT ENERGY PROTOCOLS-NOT GOVERNMENT OR STATE BASED ONES.
I hope I don't sound like a lone radical anus but it might be what we have to do. Tell me if I sound like a complete idiot.
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For over a year the body of Armando Chapal Ramirez lay forgotten, by hospital staff, and decaying in the morgue at Robert F. Kennedy Medical Center in Hawthorne. Armando’s family had certainly not forgotten him. The hospital, "had him there the whole time down there. Meanwhile, we were suffering day and night, waiting for the worst," said Ramirez’s father, Jesus, 45, a stock clerk in Gardena.
After a family barbecue on September 30, 2001, Ramirez who had an addiction and would go on binges for two or three days every month or so, slipped out of the house unnoticed. When he didn’t return, his parents began driving around the neighborhood inquiring with several area hospitals, store owners, friends, and neighbors. Jesus then filed a missing-person report with the police.
Ramirez was brought into the emergency room at Robert F. Kennedy Medical Center on October 1, 2001. He had pneumonia in his right lung and suffered kidney and liver failure. He was reported dead on October 9th and his body moved to the hospital morgue. Standard operating procedure is to call a law enforcement agency and ask them to take a death report which then generates a report to the coroner’s office. This was never done in Ramirez’s case.
Douglas Shaffer, the family’s attorney described the event as "the height of incompetence and neglect." When the family first got the call, they thought Armando had just died. They had been searching desperately for 11 months. "It was a great horror," his mother cried, "I’d never expect that a hospital would just keep a young man all alone like that."
This was the 14th annual national day of protest against a plague of legal lynchings that if the Sssystem was true to its’ citizens, would never exist - po’lice terror.
This was the national day that fallen comerades & leaders such as Idriss Stelley, Cameron Boyd, Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, Bobby Hutton and Chairman Fred Hampton were remembered. For some of us at the march, it was an almost-new experience, but for those such as myself, It was a wound re-opener and a slap-in-the face fact that regardless of our heroes and sheroes waterfalls of bloodshed, The struggle continues. Painfully, I listened to the mother of our SBP (Slain By Pig) brother, choked up with emotions speak on her child. “He was a father, a brother-my son!” The pictures of Asa Sullivan, Idriss Stelley, Anita Gay, and many, many more shone away on this beautiful day as if the sun was their spirits, sending their warm blessings to inspire us to keep on fighting, and not to forget them.
All of us in the crowd jeered and booed when learned that the change of venue in SBP brother Oscar Grant’s Case was granted, for we all believe that if the crime was committed in Oakland, it should very well stay there. How is it that a pig like Johannes Mehserle can murder a man in cold blood, and his so-called right to be tried by a jury of his peers be handed to him on a gold platter? The foundation of the venue change is made of racism, cover-ups, political bootlickin’, back room shady deals, and of course, the pig’s right to a jury of his peers, so definitely the trial will be held on copland territory.
Fellow comerade, and “Man on the cross”, Brother JR spoke with fire:
“Wherever the trial goes, we will go! We will organize and educate the people ( in the area that the trial will be taking place) and enlighten them on the seriousness of po’lice brutality and murder!” Brother JR himself has been nailed to the cross for his souljah role in seeking justice for Oscar Grant. (JR’s court date is set for Oct 30th in Oakland) His unbroken spirit opened eyes and restored faith in the fact that the only way to justice is in the hands of Just Us.
I held back tears as I spoke on the assault I endured when I was seven months pregnant by SFPD’s “finest” officers Miller (ret) and shea. I was slammed viciously on my huge belly, and when witnesses began to gather around to protest, I was punished even more. One officer actually had the “beastly” nerve to put his knee on my back, using all of his weight and I thought for sure that my unborn cub wouldn’t survive. Po’lice brutality has become a generational experience in my family. My mother and younger brother did not survive this hateful wicked Sssystem, and it is up to me, and the rest of us to take a stand to demand of this murderous Sssystem that there will be NO MORE STOLEN LIVES!!!
With that said, I’d like to share a piece I wrote entitled “I AM TIRED OF BEING A SLAVE!”
Extending “Just Cause” Eviction Rights to All Renters/
Ampliación de una “causa justa” de los derechos de desalojo a todos los inquilinos
by Muteado Silencio/PNN Voces de inmigrantes en resistencia
Espanol debajo
“The wealthy landowners that came to today’s hearing are worried that developers will not want to invest in San Francisco real estate because there will be more restrictions if this law passes, shows how little they care about the people that keep them in business, tenants! This legislation is not about developers it is about renting families!”, this comment was said by person wanting to remain anonymous who I met at Monday’s Just Cause Eviction hearing in San Francisco
He concluded, “I say f**k them!, they want to turn the City into a place only for rich people who can afford to buy a condo”
At Monday’s hearing by the San Francisco City Council’s Land Use Committee tenants packed the hearing room. POOR magazine was there in solidarity with advocates wanting to protect tenants from unjust evictions, along with tenants rights organizations throughout San Francisco, including: Senior Action Network, Community Housing Partnership, SF Tenants Union, Eviction Defense Collaborative, Chinatown Community Development Corp, Housing Rights Committee of SF, Tenants Together, Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center and St. Peter’s Housing Committee.
This legislation, sponsored by Supervisor John Avalos, will extend “just cause” protections to tenants living in properties built after 1979, thus extending the SF Rent Ordinance to cover all buildings from unjust evictions.
In addition to tenants and their advocates, the hearing room was full of people in suits, property owners, elders from all walks of life and class, all wanting to be part of the hearing and to voice their opinions and concerns.
Tammy Hung, senior community organizer spoke in favor of the amendment to the ordinance, asking members of Chinatown Community development Center the organization she was representing, to stand up in support, thus showing a strong presence in support to this legislation.
After the hearing, I interviewed Sara Shortt from Housing Rights Committee on camera to ask her more details on the legislation.
As I finished this article today I learned that Mayor Gavin Newsom is planning to veto the legislation that was approved at Monday’s hearing because it would make it tougher for landlords to evict tenants living in an estimated 20,000 rental units in The City.
Call the Mayors office in San Francisco (415) 554-7111 to express your opinions on his proposed veto of the Just Cause ordinance AND and Supervisor Bevan Dufty (415) 554-6968 for his support on this veto
Espanol Sigue
“Los ricos propietarios que estuvieron presente están preocupados que la gente no quiera ‘invertir’ en San Francisco por las restricciones que habrá si esta ley pasa, enseña lo poco que les importa la gente que les da para comer, los inquilinos”, este comentario fue dicho por una persona que quiere mantenerse anónimo quien conocí en la audiencia sobre el desalojo de Causa Justa que hubo en San Francisco el lunes.
La persona anónima, concluyo diciendo, “que se jodan! Quieren convertir la cuidad en condominios y solo para la gente rica que tiene el dinero para comprarlos.”
En la audiencia que ocurrió el lunes por el comité del Uso de Tierra por el Cónsul de la cuidad de San Francisco había muchos inquilinos en el cuarto. Prensa POBRE estaba ahí en solidaridad con grupos que quieren proteger los inquilinos de desalojos injustos a la par de: Senior Action Network, Community Housing Partnership, SF Tenants Union, Eviction Defense Collaborative, Chinatown Community Development Corp, Housing Rights Committee of Sf, Tenants Together, Bernal Heights Neighrhood Center y St Peters Housing Committee.
Esta legislación propuesta por el Supervisor John Avalos, extenderá la “causa justa” protecciones a inquilinos que vivan en propiedades construidas después de 1979, y con esto extenderá la ordenanza del inquilino de San Francisco para cubrir a los edificios de los desalojos injustos.
Con la adición de los inquilinos el cuarto donde tomo lugar la audiencia estuvo lleno de organizadores comunitarios, gente que la legislación beneficiará, gente en trajes, propietarios, ancianos de diferentes caminos de vida y clases, para tomar parte de la audiencia para opinar.
Tammy Hung, una organizadora comunitaria hablo a favor de la ordenanza y les pidió a sus miembros de Centro de Desarrollo de Chinatown, que se levantaran en apoyo, donde tuvieron una gran presencia en apoyo.
Después de la audiencia entreviste a Sara Shortt de Housing Rights Committee en camara, para preguntarle mas detalles de la legislación.
Me estaba preparando a publicar este articulo cuando me informaron de un articulo en el SF Examiner escrito por Mike Aldax, donde dice “ el alcalde Gavin Newsom botara la legislación que haría mas difícil el desalojamiento de una estimación de 20,000 unidades rentables en la cuidad, según la oficina del Mayor.
Llame la oficina del Alcalde en San Francisco (415) 554-7111 para expresar sus opiniones sobre su negacion de la ordenanza"causa justa" Y el Supervisor Bevan Dufty (415) 554-6968 por apoyar el Alcalde
The shocking impact on the disabled and elderly of the unofficial implementation of Proposition N
by Tiny and PoorNewsNetwork’s Shelter observer
We are finger printed
Photo image printed, in living color
Social Security numbers registered
My privacy invaded, My rights violated
What’s a Poor Client to do?
The homeless, elderly , disabled, wheel chair bound
Kicked out of the shelters
Belly half empty
Thrown into a Mad Rush to get a shelter ticket
Twenty blocks a way
Still you might not receive a bed
And then the Side Walk Hotel for you that evening!
"Optional for who?" PNN’s shelter observer proclaimed ,as she and I sat in deep worried discussion about the impact of Proposition N hovering over our morning coffee in the POOR Magazine breakfast room. It was free breakfast day at POOR- one of our only remaining free breakfast days due to our own organizational funding crisis in these post budget cut dog dayz of summer.
"they say optional on the fingerprinting form – but then they say, " yea, its optional – but you won’t get a shelter bed if you don’t do it", Ever since the unofficial implementation of Prop N in San Francisco’s shelter system there has been an extremely illegal, ageist, and ableist, manifestation of procedure on the very poor who seek a bed in the City. On paper and in person, Trent Roher, executive director of SF department off Human Services and his representatives have publicly stated that all of these "registration requirements" are completely optional for all people seeking a shelter bed. And then in reality all the people who actually use the services have been forced into "registering" and have encountered an impossibly confusing and difficult situation.
"The hoops they make us jump through are so crazy- nobody can do they requirements if you’re not young and healthy, the other day, I started helping all the elderly women in the shelter to get through all the requirements. They had to take two buses just to get to the registration place, where they get fingerprinted and scanned. By the time we made it there at 8:00 am, the beds were all gone, They were told to come back at 7:30 p.m that same day. to "SEE" if any were open, If none were available, they told us to come back to tomorrow,If they all weren’t so out of breath, they might have laughed.
Since the beginning of this whole process, originally inspired by SF board supervisor , Gavin Newsom,s attempt to become mayor on the backs of the poorest people in San Francisco, Sf Department of Human Services has begun the default implementation of a Prop N "alike" set of rules and regulations which results in making San Francisco’s shelter system impossible for most people, meanwhile, poor folks and advocates gear up for a July 8th hearing/debate between Newsom’s prop N, Jake Mcgoldricks’ anti-displacement legislation which will make it illegal to prioritize shelter beds at all and Chris Daly’s legislation which makes funding go into housing instead of shelter.
"If they vote in Prop N without McGoldrick’s legislation being passed – me and the other disabled elders, working poor and immigrants in the shelters – are out – its that simple, I don’t know what to do" She drained her coffee cup with an angry thump and neither of us knew what to say to each other – I tried to look strong and inspiring but at this moment, I was unable to…
Postscript; At the Tuesday, July 15th BOard meeting McGoldricks' legislation passed unanimously - Newsom's legislation was tossed around and ended up being sent back to committee for further discussion (read:time wasting)
Los Cortes del Presupuesto están Afectando la Comunidad Anciana y Discapacitada/Budget Cuts are Affecting the Disabled and Elders
Tercera en la Serie “Las Mentiras del Recorte del Presupuesto” por Prensa POBRE/3rd in a series on 'The lie of the budget cut' by POOR Magazine
Los Cortes del Presupuesto están Afectando la Comunidad Anciana y Discapacitada/Budget Cuts are Affecting the Disabled and Elders
Tercera en la Serie “Las Mentiras del Recorte del Presupuesto” por Prensa POBRE/3rd in a series on 'The lie of the budget cut' by POOR Magazine
by Angel Garcia/PNN Migrant and Poverty Scholar
Scroll Down for English
El plan del Gobernador para “Salvar a California” no tiene ninguna razón valida. El necesita tener corazón y compasión para poder solucionar los problemas del presupuesto y la economía del estado de California. Hay muchas otras maneras de solucionar el problema y dejar el estado en una situación mejor. Yo no estoy de acuerdo con el Gobernador cuando lo oigo decir que va atacar a las personas más vulnerables—las mujeres, niños, ancianos, y discapacitados. Estas comunidades necesitan todos los servicios y recursos que el Gobernador planea cortar. Alguno de estos programas son SSI, Welfare, Medi-Cal, y todos los programas dedicados a los ancianos. Toda la gente depende en estos programas para comer, pagar la renta, cuidar a sus familias y a si mismos. Si todos estos servicios son cortados, muchos de los ancianos y gente discapacitados van a pasar más tiempo encerados en sus casas. También perderían sus servicios de apoyo en casa, que proveía 8 horas de apoyo en casa; recientemente el Gobernador corto las horas a 4 horas durante el día. Mucha de esta gente, se mantienen en silla de rueda y necesitan de apoyo para bañarse, hacer la limpieza, lavar, y/o cocinar. Yo me pregunto, adonde esta la compasión del Gobernador de California. Yo pienso que no es justo que se trate de esta manera a nuestros ancianos, niños, y gente discapacitada. Si solo se les ofrece 4 horas de apoyo, ell@s no tendrán las mismas libertades, y derechos de vivir libremente, porque sus servicios serian limitados debido a los cortes. También, estarían en riesgo de tener un accidente en sus casas. Los cortes del presupuesto están matando nuestras comunidades y nuestros niños. Nuestros niños son nuestro futuro; son los líderes de las próximas generaciones. El Gobernador está limitando las posibilidades del futuro de nuestra nación. No puedo creer que este país sea el más grande y rico en el mundo, y se protege más a las plantas y animales, que a su propia gente.
Engles Sigue
The plan of the Governor to save California does not make any sense. He needs to have a heart and some consience about how he wants to deal with the budget problems of the State of California. There are many other ways to deal with the issue and to get the state back to the way it was. I do not agree with the Govenor when I hear him say he is going to start targeting the most vulnerable people of the state of california—our elders, women, children and disabled people. These communities need all the services and programs that this man is planning to cut. Some of these services and programs are SSI, welfare, medical and all the senior programs that our seniors need during their daily activities. All these people depend on all the programs to eat, pay rent and take care of their families and themselves.
If all these services get cut, most seniors and disabled people are going to spend more time at home. They would also lose their in-home support services, which consists of 8 hours of in-home support; the governor of California recently cut it to 4 hours a day. Most of the people that use these services are in wheel chairs and they need help to take showers, get in the bath or do the laundry and their cooking. I ask myself where is the compassion of the Governor of California.
I think it’s unfair to do this to the elderly, children and disabled because if they only get their services cut to 4 hours they will not have the same liberties, because their support is limited because of the budget cuts. They are at risk of having a home accident among other things.
These budget cuts are killing our comunities and our children. Our children are our future; they are the upcoming leaders of our next generation. The govenor is limiting the future possibilities of our nation. I cannot believe that this is the biggest and greatest nation in the world and they care and protect their animals and plants more than our human beings.
Recently I turned on my TV to participate in my favorite show on the boob tube, "Jeopardy." Much to my dismay, it had been postponed due to a charity fundraiser. At least as far as I was concerned, it was well worth it, particularly with the holidays approaching, and old man winter sparing no blows, with countless numbers of homeless men, women, and children at the mercy of the elements, on America's often degrading and dangerous streets.
I noticed a few large barrels in the background, placed there obviously in the hopes of encouraging the American public to "Stand United", as it had been proclaimed they were after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. "Wanted: Donated Food, Toys, Clothing and of course Cash." And, true to American form, there were those who did not hesitate in rushing to the aid of their fellow Americans and children in desperate need.
Suddenly, one of the promoters of the fundraiser announced that one of the main goals of the function was to acquire six hundred turkeys so that the homeless could be provided with a good meal on the day Jesus was supposed to be Born. It was obvious that since they, the homeless, had no place to call home, they had no place to erect Christmas trees. So, Santa Claus was not going to bless them with a visit, let alone gifts.
Once more one of the promoters made an announcement. He said that they had just received a donated turkey, as he proudly held the frozen gobbler up for countless viewers and participants to behold. Taking away nothing from the wonderful Americans who rose to the occasion, and gave from the heart to those down on their luck, I was still hit with an awful moment of clarity!
After the horrific attacks of September 11, almost immediately following the tragic catastrophe, America was pronounced to "Stand United," for once in its long racial and class divided history. Billions of tax-dollars were reallocated in a matter of days, without the usual political tug-o-war, for the alleged purpose of disaster relief, and a proposed long and extended war against "The Global Terrorist Network", except here in America's own backyard, obviously.
As the weeks passed, and pied piped public ultra patriotism responded to the prompted tune of ambiguity, Anthrax suddenly covered the national news, and the public fear spread like the Snow Storm of the Century, from sea to shining sea.
While the American public's paranoia rose sky high, U.S. planes took to the air over Afghanistan—a country of poverty, devastation, and utter destitution, and utter desolation—to drop billions of dollars worth of bombs, and supplies of dollars worth of food and supplies on a poor people America had both vicious contempt and empathy for. It was later discovered that hundreds of New Yorkers dropped false death claims in the mailbox, and several American companies sold fake Anthrax tests.
The over sensationalized plot thickened as "God Bless America" became the national theme song, for a nation that appeared to be plagued with disaster at every turn. This tune was prompted by a cabal of "Seize The Moment" politicians on the nations capital steps. As the choir sung, thousands lay crushed under tons of sky scrappers, hellish heat and smoke. How appropriate to sing such a contrary song at such an instance. American Flag manufacturers didn't waste any time brandishing their "Free Enterprising American Spirit" either, by raising the Stars and Stripes... in price. Some even invented an unheard of "God Bless America Flag," to show their true colors.
Yet, as reflections of the September 11 disaster are rubbed, like salt, on the open wounds of this nation by the print and electronic media, American's are starting to seriously wonder, what really happened, and what is really going on? Just recently New York disaster victims finally received the relief they deserved. Prior to that, they were put on a back burner because they were not "Heroic Public Servants" like New York's firemen and police. You've yet to see anyone
wearing a baseball cap in memory of the everyday citizens who lost their lives in greater numbers. This in itself shows that the "American Spirit" is still selective when empathy is at stake.
Long before September 11, 2001, and the names Osama Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, or the Taliban were ever heard of, Americans suffered extremely, from various tragedies, which were, and are to this day, nothing short of terror. Too often these matters which affect, and threaten more Americans than any terrorist from Middle Eastern lands, or anywhere else on earth, are facts of minimal national focus, and back page scoop. These are tragedies that worsen each and everyday, with no massive American resources and public ultra intervention to bring a significant end to them. One of which is Homelessness, which millions of poverty-stricken American's suffer from.
The fundraiser I began speaking of, ended as a smash success, as far as the promoters were concerned. Tons of can goods, clothing, and the 600 frozen gobblers had been acquired and 7,000 dollars in cash donations from millions of better of "United American" who at least showed what they were truly made of. Nevertheless, when you expand this picture, it doesn't look too good. Particularly when you consider that American society just sanctioned spending billions of tax-dollars for the purpose of revenge and mass destruction. How many bombs missed their targets?
How many millions of dollars went down the drain in vain? One thing is for certain, we could have fed all of America's homeless and then some for the price of the bombs that missed their targets. Yet, Americans must beg other Americans in order to acquire basic essentials. While at the same time, billions of dollars are given in aid to other nations, with the same social ills to uplift their people.
Maybe one of these days the TV network moguls will sponsor a "Homeless Month" on America's countless game shows. Then many homeless contestants could instantly win thousands of dollars and other costly prizes in thirty minutes.
Not only would that help many get on their feet, they could spread their wealth with other Homeless Americans, to uplift them as well. Who knows, many of them could even win one of those "Keep America Rolling" cars, with zero down and approved credit to sleep in it with their families.
That would save millions in the tax-dollars spent to lock them up in jail for sleeping on the cold, degrading, and often dangerous streets. There would be extra money to buy all the turkeys and canned goods next holiday season, to feed them, so that neither they nor anyone else will have to beg
