Funny Thing About Immigrants...

Seems We are all Them...Immigrants, that is...

Oh, you can say you are an A-1, All-American Whatever. But the fact is, your parents/granparents/great -grandparents/great-great grandparents came from somewhere other than here.

I always say to my sweet English hubby, well, you know, you and the Dutch and the French and a few others actually aced out the only native folks - the Native Americans. You gave them smallpox-infected blankets, and many other creepy things - but you did it - face it.

And when the next group of immigrants came...Irish...Italians..you name it...they were all mistreated...called names...looked upon as less (we seem...as humans, to be prone to that)...and of course, the races that were darker colors, well they were simply lumped together as darker colors - so they banded together, yes? They became Blacks, Negroes, and whatever else the lighter skinned races chose to label them.

Did our ancestors look into their eyes? I doubt it.

And now, we have the immigration issue, primarily geared toward Mexicans. What's the story, eh? We just built a house not long ago. The folks who did the best job were those who built the foundation - Mexicans. The builder - a tried and true American fella with the nicest looking, middle-class, I am a great guy look - took us to the cleaners.

These are ALL stereotypes. Do the research, my friends. Let's give Amnesty to all the folks here now and start over. Make a fair and equitable law. No one is hurting us. Is someone taking a job that you really crave? Somehow I doubt it. Let's get real. See that It is What it is.

Are you letting someone talk you into a Fear-based reaction? C'mon. Don't be fooled.

We are ALL ONE. When whoever in your family came here, they were discriminated against. Are you continuing the trend? This is the 21st century, and Jesus, the radical Christ, said:

Love One Another.

Namaste. Let's get with the program.

Sunday, 30 April 2006

Just got back from Kyoto a little while ago...wow.

The folks were so polite...so cool...so special. I was there for a spiritual conference - which was fantastic - and the amenities & kindnesses the traditional Japanese hotel extended (I'll post the name when I have the card in front of me) were above and beyond anything you'd get at most hotels for the price.

Like:

heated toilet seats - don't laugh! If you live in any climate that isn't hot all the time, this is an idea that we should take on!

Free Foot baths - oh Man!!! My little Barney Rubble feet never felt so good! Every single day, my feet found their way to this item...in a courtyard where Cherry Blossoms were about to bloom, then blooming...landscaping so well done...can't tell you how great it was!

The Baths - they were separated by gender in this hotel, and gosh, lots of folks on our team spent twice/day in them! So peaceful...so hot...so well done.

It was a great experience, and just wanted to pass it on. From beginning to end, it was a lovely experience. Namaste.

Some Thoughts on an Article from November - still applies though - Namaste.

So, I'm reading an article about politics in Virginia...and I wonder if any of us ever read World and American History (and when I say read, I mean research - not just the view with which we align - but also other views - this causes that stuff called Objectivity...Perspective...Awareness.)

So, I'm reading an article about politics in Virginia...and I wonder...hmmm...any of my neighbors ready to get out there and pick crops? Nope. Can't think of one, y'all (I live in the South, I'm allowed to say, y'all.)

So, I'm wondering...let's see

a/We want others to do the work that is
1/beneath our skill level
2/necessary but dirty
3/backbreaking, often causing major physical challenges
4/simply what we don't want to do ourselves.

b/And whilst these others are doing the above work, we want others
1/to stay out of our neighborhoods
2/to make minimum wage or below ('below' is preferable to business & many citizens (note I did not say Consumers) do not feel that honest work for an honest, livable wage, is something this 'type' of work calls for, and believe (really?) that these 'others' should simply accept it as their lot in life.
3/not to receive even the most basic health care or the most basic decent housing - they're not entitled, are they?

Someone I know once said, Insomuch as you do it to the least of these, you do it to me....wow.

Know what else this fellow said? He spoke all about looking at your neighbor - and when you look into the eyes of your neighbor, to see your Self there. It's that oneness thing, you know? We are One. What do you see? Or do you look?...

The Struggle for Islam's Soul - (& soul searching for All Religions)

I came across this article in a New Statesman newsletter that I subscribe to and almost never get to read. The headline caught my eye (the parentheses comment is mine.)

I'd be interested in your reasoned thoughts on it.

Namasté.

Politicians and our Role as CITIZENS (we are not simply CONSUMERS)

Let me say at the outset, there have been so dynamite folks that have served - and do serve - the political arena. And, oh man, are there some smarmy ones! (Isn't "smarmy" a great word? We'd be well served do bring back into use those kinds of impactful words, don't you think?)

In any event, for me, it's a shame that so many folks that work hard to serve us ("Us" is the American Everyday People - like me and like you, yes?) are tarred with the same brush that paints the likes of the few Senators and congressfolks that are in it for the power/money grab, and, it apparently gives them quite a rush when they're able to ensure that we take it in the shorts while they and their few buddies accumulate more & more.

But, at the end of the day, singers like Keb Mo' ("Victims of Comfort"), Steve Earle ("Amerika v.6.0 - The Best That We Can Do"), and others of our favorite bards, understand that We are our own worst enemy. It's we who need to do the research - not just watch TV (whether it's Fox or CNN, no matter); know who your congressman and senators are (do you?); and don't just look at/read those things with which you agree. Do research across the spectrum, so you get what is REALLY a balanced view.

Then, come have a conversation. Try out your views that you've come to through that research. Interact with all manner of citizens (we are, indeed, CITIZENS - not CONSUMERS).

Let's make our Selves aware - knowledgeable - informed - balanced - and gentle with one another. We can agree to disagree without annihilating each other. The need to be Right is killing us - and our children.

Blessings & Belly Laughs.