Until you do right by me, everything you think about is gonna crumble.
Until you do right by me, everything you even think about gonna fail.
The jail you plan for me is the one you will rot in.
Everything you done to me, already done to you.
-- Miss Celie, The Color Purple
24 July 2010
Story Time
Drew's note: This was an email forwarded from my friend David. I have long felt this way, as a child of immigrants. When I voiced my opinions, said friend accused me of being a Republican, which I am not.
I find it frustrating that our latest immigrants don't have an understanding or appreciation of what the immigrants that came before them went through, and instead hide in their 'ghettos'. No one gave my parents a break because their English skills were lacking, or they didn't understand white American customs.
My dad, experienced the anti-Asian riots as a young migrant labourer on the West Coast, and the blatant discrimination that he underwent. Those experiences made him bitter, angry and distrustful towards most whites and the system that he felt kept him from reaching his full potential. He's not a victim. He lived a full life despite these issues, and at least taught me to believe in this country and our people.
(Dad came before the US Government started imposing the quota system to certain ethnic/racial groups, and applied it to the country my dad was from, which was still a US territory at the time. Prior to that, my dad and many others from his homeland, came here supposedly to open arms, to learn the American Way, in hopes they would go home and teach others of the ideals that made America great)
I have taken the liberty to edit portions of this text to reflect my own personal views.
My great grandfather watched as his friends died in the Civil War, my father and I watched as our friends died in WW II, and I watched as my friends died in Vietnam .
None of them died for the Mexican Flag.
Everyone died for the US flag.
Recently in Texas, a student raised a Mexican flag on a school flag pole; another student took it down. Guess who was expelled...the kid who took it down.
Kids in high school in California were sent home in early May on Cinco de Mayo because they wore T-shirts with the American flag printed on them..
Enough is enough.
The below e-mail message needs to be viewed by every American; and every American needs to stand up for America, We've bent over to appease the America-haters long enough.
I'm taking a stand.
I'm standing up because the hundreds of thousands who died fighting in wars for this country, and for the US flag can't stand up.
If you agree, stand up with me.
If you disagree, please let me know, I will gladly remove you from my e-mail list.
And shame on anyone who tries to make this a racist message.
Let me make this perfectly clear! THIS IS MY COUNTRY! And, because I make this statement,DOES NOT mean I'm against immigration!!! YOU ARE WELCOME HERE, IN MY COUNTRY!
To come through legally:
1. Get a sponsor!
2. Get a place to lay your head!
3. Get a job and contribute to the community and the economy.
4. Live By OUR Rules! Though you may not agree with them, at least respect that they are there for a reason.
5. Pay YOUR Taxes!
6. Learn the LANGUAGE like immigrants have in the past!!! Learn how to integrate yourselves into the larger community. You are welcome to have your groups, but remember you have to interact and communicate with the outside.
7. Please don't demand that we hand over our lifetime savings of Social Security funds to you.
If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone, then YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM! When will WE STOP giving away OUR rights???
We've gone so far the other way... bent over backwards not to offend anyone.
But it seems no one cares about the AMERICAN CITIZEN that's being offended!
WAKE UP!!! If you agree.... Pass this on.
If you don't agree... Delete It!!!
I find it frustrating that our latest immigrants don't have an understanding or appreciation of what the immigrants that came before them went through, and instead hide in their 'ghettos'. No one gave my parents a break because their English skills were lacking, or they didn't understand white American customs.
My dad, experienced the anti-Asian riots as a young migrant labourer on the West Coast, and the blatant discrimination that he underwent. Those experiences made him bitter, angry and distrustful towards most whites and the system that he felt kept him from reaching his full potential. He's not a victim. He lived a full life despite these issues, and at least taught me to believe in this country and our people.
(Dad came before the US Government started imposing the quota system to certain ethnic/racial groups, and applied it to the country my dad was from, which was still a US territory at the time. Prior to that, my dad and many others from his homeland, came here supposedly to open arms, to learn the American Way, in hopes they would go home and teach others of the ideals that made America great)
I have taken the liberty to edit portions of this text to reflect my own personal views.
My great grandfather watched as his friends died in the Civil War, my father and I watched as our friends died in WW II, and I watched as my friends died in Vietnam .
None of them died for the Mexican Flag.
Everyone died for the US flag.
Recently in Texas, a student raised a Mexican flag on a school flag pole; another student took it down. Guess who was expelled...the kid who took it down.
Kids in high school in California were sent home in early May on Cinco de Mayo because they wore T-shirts with the American flag printed on them..
Enough is enough.
The below e-mail message needs to be viewed by every American; and every American needs to stand up for America, We've bent over to appease the America-haters long enough.
I'm taking a stand.
I'm standing up because the hundreds of thousands who died fighting in wars for this country, and for the US flag can't stand up.
If you agree, stand up with me.
If you disagree, please let me know, I will gladly remove you from my e-mail list.
And shame on anyone who tries to make this a racist message.
Let me make this perfectly clear! THIS IS MY COUNTRY! And, because I make this statement,DOES NOT mean I'm against immigration!!! YOU ARE WELCOME HERE, IN MY COUNTRY!
To come through legally:
1. Get a sponsor!
2. Get a place to lay your head!
3. Get a job and contribute to the community and the economy.
4. Live By OUR Rules! Though you may not agree with them, at least respect that they are there for a reason.
5. Pay YOUR Taxes!
6. Learn the LANGUAGE like immigrants have in the past!!! Learn how to integrate yourselves into the larger community. You are welcome to have your groups, but remember you have to interact and communicate with the outside.
7. Please don't demand that we hand over our lifetime savings of Social Security funds to you.
If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone, then YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM! When will WE STOP giving away OUR rights???
We've gone so far the other way... bent over backwards not to offend anyone.
But it seems no one cares about the AMERICAN CITIZEN that's being offended!
WAKE UP!!! If you agree.... Pass this on.
If you don't agree... Delete It!!!
23 July 2010
Your Visa Has Expired, Go Home!
Foreign tourists:
You are allowed to come visit the United States. However, here are a few pointers to make your visit so much easier, and not piss off other people.
• You are representing, unofficially, your country. Whatever you do will create impressions about how people in your home country live, act, think, etc. For example, the Brazilians and the Latin Americans that visit act like they have no manners. Really, is that how you want the rest of the world to see you?
• You are not the only people here that want to have a good time. There are other visitors that are here to do the same. And the people serving/helping you want to have fun. Your attitude and behavior are the key for ruining it for everyone else.
• Learn a few words of English. We're here to help you, but we can't even begin to help you, unless you make the effort to help us help you. Assuming we can speak your fucking language or can figure it out doesn't help you. If the world expects Americans to be able to do this, then you should too, idiot. Carry a phrase book.
• Don't act like animals. If you cut in front of people, don't be surprised you have to wait or be sent to the end of the line. Don't be rude to your fellow tourists or the people that are trying to help you.
• If there's a lot of people in a busy shop/restaurant/location, don't hog the space. You have to share that space with the umpteen million people that are trying to use that space too.
• We hate it when you use "Don't speak English" as an excuse to get away with anything. Fuck you for thinking we are that stupid.
• There's a Chinese saying that is used as an insult: Ah ma mm mo ga gau lei. Your mother didn't teach you right. Just because you're a tourist, doesn't mean you don't have manners.
• Don't pay your entire bill in CHANGE. That is considered rude, and a sign you didn't like your service. If you have that much change, then use a change machine, or try to get rid of it when as you go, and not dump it on some unsuspecting person. It's a bitch to count those coins by fucking hand, you stupid moron.
• Use your head and common sense. Learn to understand why we do things the way we do. Again, if my fellow Americans and I have to accept that things are the way they are where ever we travel, then you have to do the same.
With that being said, welcome to America, and I hope you enjoy your stay.
You are allowed to come visit the United States. However, here are a few pointers to make your visit so much easier, and not piss off other people.
• You are representing, unofficially, your country. Whatever you do will create impressions about how people in your home country live, act, think, etc. For example, the Brazilians and the Latin Americans that visit act like they have no manners. Really, is that how you want the rest of the world to see you?
• You are not the only people here that want to have a good time. There are other visitors that are here to do the same. And the people serving/helping you want to have fun. Your attitude and behavior are the key for ruining it for everyone else.
• Learn a few words of English. We're here to help you, but we can't even begin to help you, unless you make the effort to help us help you. Assuming we can speak your fucking language or can figure it out doesn't help you. If the world expects Americans to be able to do this, then you should too, idiot. Carry a phrase book.
• Don't act like animals. If you cut in front of people, don't be surprised you have to wait or be sent to the end of the line. Don't be rude to your fellow tourists or the people that are trying to help you.
• If there's a lot of people in a busy shop/restaurant/location, don't hog the space. You have to share that space with the umpteen million people that are trying to use that space too.
• We hate it when you use "Don't speak English" as an excuse to get away with anything. Fuck you for thinking we are that stupid.
• There's a Chinese saying that is used as an insult: Ah ma mm mo ga gau lei. Your mother didn't teach you right. Just because you're a tourist, doesn't mean you don't have manners.
• Don't pay your entire bill in CHANGE. That is considered rude, and a sign you didn't like your service. If you have that much change, then use a change machine, or try to get rid of it when as you go, and not dump it on some unsuspecting person. It's a bitch to count those coins by fucking hand, you stupid moron.
• Use your head and common sense. Learn to understand why we do things the way we do. Again, if my fellow Americans and I have to accept that things are the way they are where ever we travel, then you have to do the same.
With that being said, welcome to America, and I hope you enjoy your stay.
14 July 2010
More from the Dalai Lama
Once you shift your focus from yourself to others and extend your concern to others, this will have the immediate effect of opening up your life and helping you to reach out. The practice of cultivating altruism has a beneficial effect not only from a religious point of view but also from a mundane point of view; not only for long-term spiritual development but even in terms of immediate rewards.
05 July 2010
A quote
From my girl JuJubee:
"So tired of people who try their best to get to me. What the FUCK did I do to YOU? Said
what was on my mind and you disagree? It's really mannerless to judge...when you don't understand."
"So tired of people who try their best to get to me. What the FUCK did I do to YOU? Said
what was on my mind and you disagree? It's really mannerless to judge...when you don't understand."
From the Dalai Lama
Compassion is like a sense of caring, of concern for others’ difficulties and pain. Not only family and friends, but all other people, even enemies. If we think only of ourselves and forget about other people, our minds occupy a very small area and even tiny problems appear very big. When you develop concern for others, your mind automatically widens; your own problems, even big ones, will not be so significant.
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