Oh, Thanksgiving. The hallmark holiday where America asserts itself in all of its cultural hypocrisy– gluttony, Black Friday, some make-believe narrative about Pilgrims and Indians coming together in harmony–yet is still an institutional call for gratitude, family, humility, appreciation, and, if you’re Sabzi, Iranian breakdancing. Keeping historical accuracy (remember people, it was genocide!) at the forefront of today’s festivities, here’s a couple recommendations of ways to keep up while slathering gravy all over everything.
1. Read Up & Talk About the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act, which has been kicking it in Congress since 2001, would allow undocumented young people who immigrated to the U.S. as minors the opportunity to apply as permanent residents provided they either enroll in higher education or enlist in the military. Couched under the National Defense Authorization Act for a minute, it seems that Senator Harry Reid of Nevada is planning to bring the DREAM Act as a stand-alone bill to be passed before the Democratic majority disappears in the House… as early as next week.
Learn more about why the DREAM Act is important to the security and livelihood of hundreds of thousands of first-generation Americans from ImmigrationPolicy.org and from this article in The Economist. And if you’re sitting around with a lot of registered voters this evening, you might want to bring up how the DREAM Act is small potatoes compared to the amount of undocumented immigrants whose arrival we celebrate every year for Thanksgiving.
2. Dispel the Hunky-Dory Thanksgiving Narrative by watching this video, an accessible narrative for people of all ages.
3. If you’re local, go ‘head and Kick It at Hidmo for Thingstaken Tonight. Featuring music by Seattle’s own prolific producer/DJ OC Notes, the event promises “freedom.” Free and all ages.
November 25th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Way to rep the Dream Act, you guys. This bill would benefit so many Iranians I know. Please keep spreading the word, and have a good day with the fam!
Sabzi, the iranian breakdance video is awesome, but nothing puts a smile on my face as much as this one. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_1AhC9KlK0
November 25th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Nice article. So many people are afraid of the truth. Glad to see not everyone is.
November 25th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Dream act brings opportunity and promise for so many young immigrant students! Way to represent Blue Scholars
November 25th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Hey man, you guys just earned twice my respect for repping the Dream Act. Knowing that my favorite group supports such a bill, man, you guys are the real shit. Let’s hope that politicians put their politics aside and do the right thing.
Much love from Long Beach, California. You guys are dope!
November 26th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
Thanks for the article guys. Its disgusting how thingstaken is taught to our kids without any inkling of knowledge about the vast native civilization and their agricultural achievements. We’re taught that the land was sparsely populated when there were roads stretching from Seattle, to Massachusetts, to Mexico City and beyond. There is absolutely NO mention of the great plague that swept across the continent and utterly obliterated the 90% of the natives. Anyway I digress..
I’m so glad that you guys know whats up!
November 27th, 2010 at 9:55 am
The Migration Policy Institute estimates that 33% of undocumented youth may benefit from the educational path in the DREAM Act. The OTHER 67% will only have the “choice” to join the military or stay undocumented.
http://67percent.net/
December 1st, 2010 at 1:52 am
heavy hearts on the rez…but we still exist.
waanakiwendam
peace be…
December 13th, 2010 at 7:46 am
Whaaaat?! The DREAM Act is a poverty draft! It hella encourages assimilation & it’s just to pacify brown folks who are becoming more angry and more powerful.
Damn yall. If you’re gonna be famous entertainers, please spread good revolutionary messages instead of recycling the same reformist (unproductive) shit.
December 18th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Nora: Yes, the DREAM Act is a flawed, reformist bill (aren’t they all?). That doesn’t mean there aren’t short-term benefits that even so-called revolutionaries can recognize as a good thing. I and many organizers, teachers, social workers work and interact with undocumented citizens on a daily basis, particularly youth. Many of them realize what is at stake and an overwhelming majority support this bill while realizing its shortcomings. It would be a mistake to put all of our time and efforts into passing reformist legislation while hoping for radical change. However, it is imperative for even the most ardent revolutionary to tactically support some of these incremental, piecemeal legislations as a means to organize and educate with the ultimate goal of pushing forth more radical action. Whether that be engaging with “progressives” as potential allies with similar interests or fighting a common enemy (in this case, right-wing nativists).
I still hold onto revolutionary ideals and yes, I see the shortcomings of reform over radical change. Which is why I don’t spend much time sweating ballots and bills, instead focusing on grassroots organizing, community education and my contributions as a cultural worker. If you want to dismiss me and all the work I do outside of the music and internet because of a couple blogposts you disagree with, that’s on you.
I don’t know who you are, but frankly, I’m turned off by people who claim the label of “revolutionary” but seem to spend more time shitting on anything “reformist” than actually entering in critical dialogue with people who might have different ideologies but similar political interests. Far too many people in the left would rather marginalize themselves from other progressives than actually do work, build alliances, and engage with people. And if not, the least you can do is debate with the people you disagree with in a manner that doesn’t make you look like an asshole.
Thanks for reading, looking forward to your response.
Geo