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Zebra 3 Report by Joe Anybody
Sunday, 25 February 2007
CHECK OUT THIS INFORMATION - 10 TIPS
Mood:
 hug me
Now Playing: Good News in 10 quick tips on Race
Topic: IMMIGRATION
Top 10 Facts About RaceWe all have inherited ideas about race and racial difference. Some of these ideas are based on little more than misinformed stereotypes, others reflect ongoing fears shaped by outdated politics and social policies; usually these are passed on from one generation to the next. Although many dream of a colorblind world, the truth is that race still matters in today's society. Why race matters and what level of importance we continue to give it will ultimately depend upon our understanding of the history of race and racial hierarchies. Following are 10 facts about race, which you may not be aware of. 1) Race matters today, but the concept of "race" didn't always existFact: The ancient Greeks classified people according to culture and language, not according to physical differences. Foreigners, including Africans, were accepted as Greek citizens so long as they assimilated - i.e. learned the language and adopted similar customs and styles of dress. 2) Slavery is not inextricably linked with the concept of raceFact: Both Greece and Rome enslaved people on the basis of battles won/lost; this was regardless of appearance. When the concept of "freedom" was introduced during the American Revolution, it shone a spotlight on the young nation's key moral contradiction: how could the concepts of freedom, equality, and natural rights of man stand alongside the practice of slavery? The growing notions of race and racial inferiority helped to resolve this contradiction by depicting Africans as different, separate from, and less deserving of the same rights that European settlers enjoyed. 3) There is no single genetic marker for race - race has no genetic basisFact: Throughout history, the search for “race” was fueled by preconceived ideas about “superiority.” Early "scientists" validated racial hierarchy, but modern scientists have discovered and continue to prove that no single gene, trait or characteristic distinguishes one race from another; two reasons: 1) human beings haven't been around long enough to evolve into subspecies, and 2) human beings have always been mobile, mixing genes with different populations. Genes are inherited independently. Race is a socially constructed concept, which over time has served as key support for social and political interests. 4) Although we behave as if race matters a lot, most variation occurs within racesFact: 85% of human genetic variation exists within any given population - whether Italian, Chinese, or Korean - than between. Two Chinese mean are likely to be as genetically different as a Chinese man and an Italian man. 5) Despite the lack of scientific evidence, race mattersFact: Race continues to be a powerful factor in determining which groups have access to resources and opportunities. The effects of past divisive social and political policies continue to be felt; the goal of a "colorblind" society will not ameliorate these effects. Pretending that race doesn't matter does not equate with treating people equally. Instead, the identification and reshaping of social policies that continue to advantage or disadvantage certain groups must be undertaken. 6) Race classification is a political, not a scientific or biological matterFact: Because race is a political and social issue, definitions and classification systems differ from one country to another. For example, Brazil has many more racial categories than the U.S., and Haiti has a vastly different definition of "white" than the U.S. 7) Race matters today, but the interesting fact is, we are all mixedFact: Humans have been mixing for centuries, and when you consider that evolutionary biologists have shown that we are all descendents of the original peoples of Africa, it is easier to understand just how closely connected we all are. New DNA home tests, although they are currently considered controversial, have resulted in fascinating findings for a vast number of Americans who have traced their DNA to foreign countries and cultures all over the globe. 8) Racial classifications have consistently changed over timeFact: who's white, who's black, who's Asian have all changed just within the highly politicized American racial classification system. A close look at the highly imperfect classification system in use today reveals an incomplete map and an inconsistent application of guidelines and definitions. For example, in order to claim identity as an "American Indian" one must earn it; they must prove tribal membership or a minimum percentage of blood relation. On the other hand, to classify as "Black or African American" all that's necessary is a single "drop," or one ancestor, and the option of choice in identity is removed. 9) Race is a double-edged swordFact: Although the system itself lacks any biological or scientific basis and has been used primarily as tool for restricting access to resources and opportunities, we cannot simply do away with it in one fell swoop. The fact remains, that systems and institutions based on these classifications continue to reinforce opportunities (or lack thereof) among certain groups. Without tracking the effects of these institutions and biased systems, we would not have any way to identify whether or not we, as a society, had truly reached the goal of equality. 10) Racial categories lack neutrality and objectivityFact: racial categories (along with their definitions) were constructed and reconstructed to support shifting political goals and, most often, specifically for the purpose of excluding certain groups. For example, in the 1900s U.S. courts decided who was legally "white" to determine naturalization rights; these ever-shifting decisions were most often arbitrary and/or contradictory. *************************** ***************************
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 8:01 PM PST
Updated: Saturday, 3 March 2007 5:05 PM PST
Thursday, 8 February 2007
Intercultural Organizing
Mood:
 energetic
Now Playing: A ten day course in Immigrants Rights
Topic: IMMIGRATION
So I sign up for his class that starts next week about Immigration and Refugee Cultural Understanding. It is being aorganized by http://www.interculturalorganizing.org/ What I liked about them is in their opening front page info: The Center for Intercultural Organizing was originally created to combat widespread anti-Muslim sentiment after 9/11/2001. Today, the Center has grown into a diverse, grassroots organization working to build a multi-racial, multicultural movement for immigrant and refugee rights through education, policy advocacy, community organizing and mobilization, and intergenerational leadership development So I figured I could get some benefit out of this and maybe help smooth out some of the immigration tension and stress that is rising everywhere. I guess I am just trying to see if I can research this topic and get some good information to be more informed and then to put that to work for the betterment of society and people. It is a free course although you can pay 15 for a book that is yours to keep. I am buying the book. I also am a little nervous ..... EEEEeeeeeKK! - - - - - - - This picture below was from last year at a city council meeting on this topic, which is how I found this organization to begin with PORTLAND CITY COUNCIL PASSES HISTORIC IMMIGRANT RIGHTS RESOLUTION Oct 18 2006
Immigrants, Refugees & Allies Show United Support  http://www.interculturalorganizing.org/media/2006/resolutionpasses.html
In a political environment that is increasingly hostile toward immigrants, Portland's City Council sided with justice on Wednesday October 18th, 2006, when they passed a resolution that reaffirms the City of Portland's commitment to the inclusion of immigrants and refugees in civic and public life [click here to read the resolution]. The resolution also creates a task force charged with identifying barriers to inclusion and exploring workable solutions for the City of Portland. Immigrants, refugees and allies testified in support of the historic resolution, many of whom provided emotional and touching testimony about the hardships they have experienced in Portland. When the final vote was counted and unanimously (5 to 0) approved by Council, the crowd erupted into cheers, claps and even tears. Full Report in pdf format here: http://www.interculturalorganizing.org/unitingcultures_report.pdf Well 3 readers ......there you have it ...sign me up !!
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 12:47 AM PST
Updated: Saturday, 3 March 2007 5:07 PM PST
Monday, 9 October 2006
Saturday, 15 July 2006
This Land Is Your Land - This Land Is Our Land
Mood:
 incredulous
Now Playing: A short note from Graham Nash And A Music Video on Immigration
Topic: IMMIGRATION
IMMIGRATION IMMIGRATION MAN
Video:
quicktime:: http://neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/lwwvideos/immigrationman_qt-hi.html windows:: http://neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/lwwvideos/immigrationman_wm-hi.html by Graham Nash, LWW Today
So…. In 1970, there I was at the airport in Vancouver…waiting with the rest of the band to get back into the United States… waiting to go to San Francisco. We'd just done a wonderful show and I was anxious to get back home..
At the Immigration desk the man was watching me with a look in his eye that meant trouble…..Every one else was let through with a minimum of fuss… then came my turn.
Now I don't know if Canadian Immigration people have a thing about Englishmen but this guy wasn't about to let me in without a great deal of scrutiny. What I'd done to deserve this ‘special' treatment I don't know but it was taking a long, long time to process me…
The silly thing was I was being asked for my autograph constantly by people who knew who I was yet the guy, who was watching all this was still giving me a hard time. In 1970 I was, and still am, a hippy and I looked the part. Maybe this was why I was being treated differently.. Frankly this infuriated me.
Now, I don't know about you, but I don't take rejection well… quite frankly I was not at all happy about this… I was watching the rest of the guys walking down the corridor and I wasn't with them…
When something affects me like this I have to do something about it and the way I do it is to write..
We are and have always been a country populated by immigrants. They, without question, helped to build and make this country what it is today.
On the plane my fury changed into words and by the time I was home this song was almost finished…
I wrote it in the fly leaf of the book I was reading, a Robert Heinlein book, The Silver Locusts. I have it to this day to remind me of that moment…. The moment that Immigration Man was created.
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 12:38 AM PDT
Updated: Saturday, 3 March 2007 5:16 PM PST
Sunday, 4 June 2006
USA builds Wall of Hate
Mood:
 don't ask
Now Playing: Border Hell Wall
Topic: IMMIGRATION
Now Internet Surfer from over in the the Free World " Get to watch web cams of the border Wall of Hate" 
From the BBC link -->
HERE I read this lovely story about how web users worldwide who are now are able to watch the Texas' border with Mexico and
phone the authorities if they spot any apparently illegal crossings.
Boy aren't they being high-tech sporty?
It's almost like hunting when you have all the cool modern tech gear.....!
Wasn't there a few movies on Hunting Humans done by Hollywood?
As they get ready to spend 5 million on cameras in Texas.....over in California another heart-warming story is going around. That is one of adding Military troops to the border soon ....at least that is what I am hearing in my little corner?
I hear too that Human Rights Groups have accused the Minuteman group of xenophobia towards illegal immigrants - but the group denies this which is not suprising!
And for the sake of being clear the word xenophobia means
"A person unduly fearful or contemptuous of that which is foreign, especially of strangers or foreign peoples"
Well isn't that interesting, sounds paranoid to me too!
Hey! ...Wait Z3 Readers,
I see right now! ....as I get ready to post this.
Yet another "Love Heart-Filled Group" has joined in on the rally.....
......or did I say rage of anti-immigration?
So my dear redaer.... Right Here is that story of KKK marchers protesting the proposals to give illegal immigrants amnesty and chanting in support of calls to deport them.
Yelling anti-immigration slogans such as "Send them back!" and "Let's get rid of the Mexicans!"
Ya ...somehow I think I did say Rage!
We all Know that --> You got to "sow love to get love"
It is going to hurt to watch this all go down.
It makes me think of the Israel Palestine border debacle which is a border hell zone of HATE.
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Speaking of Immigration..... did you happen to see the short animated movie clip on the original 1621 Immigration Debate of joe-anybodies forefathers?
Well Here it is --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhEl6HdfqWM
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 12:01 AM PDT
Updated: Saturday, 3 March 2007 5:17 PM PST
Tuesday, 23 May 2006
IMMERGRATION - HUMANITY
Mood:
 on fire
Now Playing: Git Out..We No Longer Care!
Topic: IMMIGRATION
What can I say!
When Hate Runs Its Way
It Looks Ugly!
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 1:31 AM PDT
Updated: Saturday, 3 March 2007 5:18 PM PST
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mischievious
