A Day without Immigrants

I have mixed feeling about this protest. 90% of me totally supports these brown people, but 10% is a little agitated. I totally agree that the country encourages Mexicans to come to the US by the endless supply of jobs. Many in the Black community have not so facetiously opined that the Mexican is the new “(fill in the blank).” The 21^st century slave. The people that enter the country illegally are being exploited for the most part. How? Well, let’s say this: many on conservative radio are saying “these people are taking American jobs.” Untrue. They are working for less than minimum wage with no benefits or safe working environments. How many Americans would work under such horrendous conditions? Hardly any. Wal-mart the biggest employer in America has also the highest turnover rate because they offer such low wages and no benefits (see this book The Wal-Mart Effect). If Americans won’t work in a air-conditioned department store with lunch breaks and rest breaks for low wages and no benefits, why would they work in the HOT ass sun for low wages and no medical benefits of any kind??? We should all want ALL working people in this country to demand a modicum of respect at least. Our sweat labor IS important no matter what corporate says. We need a labor movement in this country. Wages have not moved in decades, but the cost of living continues to rise. Allowing these brown people to be exploited is not going to help matter at all in fact it will only worsen the position of workers. So, these brown people should protest. Okay, here’s the but: Why don’t they start a REVOLUTION in their native land of Mexico? Why don’t they rise up against the super-wealthy class of Mexico and demand their part of the Mexican dream? Why aren’t they in the streets of the Mexico City raising hell about wages, jobs, and a better way of life? Why don’t they topple over their extremely corrupt government and fight for a Mexico that resembles America? They are obviously very hard working people with tenacity, intelligence and courage. They brave deserts, militia men and Border Patrol to get into America. Why don’t they fight for the lives they so desperately want? “Sí se puede!” (Yes we can) should be “¡Sí se puede empezar una revolución en México!” (Yes we can start a revolution in Mexico!) If the Spanish is not quite right….you get my point, right? (Rarely do people get my point…..)

GETTING READY FOR THE ROOTS AT COYOTE’S ON WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!