Barrio Golden Gate

I had a chance to read the book Borderline Americans by Katherine Benton-Cohen. It has very vivid reminders of the past discrimination in the history of Az., that should not be forgotten.

In Morenci, a Copper Mining Community, there were struggles as to how the treatment and pay of  Mexican Miners were in comparison to their White counterparts.

The infamous Bisbee Deportation, was mentioned in this book, where over 1000 Mexican American Miners organized, and took a stand against the Phelps Dodge Corporation. The Company made quick work of these Union Organizers (many US Citizens by this time) by 'deporting' them into the desert in New Mexico.

There is much more the book gets into, though this blog is more about a modern day travesty many may not be aware of.

In the rich cultural history of modern day Metro Phoenix, there has always been diversity. Its hard to tell in a State that has recently set its agenda on demonizing the entire Hispanic Community, by passing laws like the "papers please" law SB1070, and "down on brown education" HB2281 Anti-Mexican American Studies law, Az's attempt at erasing its own history of discrimination towards the Mexican American Community.

In the case of Golden Gate, or so affectionately known by those who were from the predominately Mexican American neighborhood, "Barrio Golden Gate".  The "powers" set it sights on this area to condemn and relocate the residents to other sections of Phoenix.

You see, the "Chicano" neighborhood stood on prime real estate, and progress or "eminent domain", for the purposes of expanding Shy Harbor and the I-10 Fwy. These projects took precedence, over the residence of this area, as profiteers ran the show then, just like they do today.

I got the chance to sit down with a few former residents of the area, and fellow Veteran brothers of American Legion Post-41.

One member, said they were one of the last families to relocate out of the area. The "powers" or in this case those who chose to make the airport expansion and the freeway corridor through this neighborhood instead of somewhere else.., came several times, and to an extent threatened the last family to leave or else.  They increased the funds offered to the residents as time passed, though ultimately they were all required to move.

Today there is little left of the once large, yet tight-nit Barrio, save for the Sacred Heart Parish, which was saved from demolition as a Historical Landmark. The former residents of Golden Gate, hold Mass Vigil at the community church there once a year. (see link). This is the only time and place they can all get together reminisce about their former neighborhood.

I hope by enlightening those who are not aware of the rich history minorities have played in Arizona's past. We hope to not forget and allow mistakes to occur in the future, such as SB1070, and HB2281. Maybe the "powers" will "get it" and understand.... we ARE Arizona, and nothing will they do will change or erase that history.

The residents of "Barrio Golden Gate" will certainly never forget.

Regards,
Truth

Arizona Hispanic Veterans Speak Out..

Its been sometime since I have had a chance to publish a blog.. I have been busy with relocation of my work from Tucson to Phoenix..

Luckily, I still had time to spend on occasion at the local Veterans favorite watering hole.. American Legion Post-41. Being a longtime member myself, I had a chance to query the fellow Vets about the climate in Az..

Robert Hernandez, a former Post Commander and currently a "Public Relations Officer".. told me, that though most in the post seem to have difficulties with what is occurring in Az., they do not hold back conversing with each other in private.

He went on to say as a "member" or "officer" one could not use the "Legion".. in any political discussion to take sides, though most do so on a personal level frequently.. Which is fine according to the Legion by-laws, as long as the Legion itself, was not used they remain "ok" with this, being discussed  with the membership as private citizens..

Which leads me to want to "touch base" a little on this..

I found it interesting that the American Legion charter itself takes a position which involves "politics in Az"..

They dabble in words in phrases like "..Secure the Border"..."No Amensty"..etc. (see link)

..but what really caught my attention was...
--------------------------------------------------


Does the American legion support citizen watch groups like 
the minutemen?
".... Many of our members are sympathetic to groups like the Minutemen who have brought attention 
to the issue of illegal immigration. But it is not our policy – as an organization -- to endorse other organizations..."
-------------------------------------------------------------

Sounds like something out of of "teaparty" koolaid recipe...No..?

I assure you it is not.., the link I posted is exactly what they as an organization stand behind.. Most may not be aware but that same "hate group" (Minutemen) were responsible for the murder of 9yr old Brisnia Flores, and her father, who were both Mexican/American.

Why would a Veterans Org., take such a harsh and divisive position or stance..?

I asked this very question to my fellow Vets at the Post, and most were as appalled to hear this.. (One asked me to show him this, as he did not believe me..)

However, there were a few who somehow could overlook this point, and still side with the Legions stance, as they remain staunch anti-immigrant zealots.

Yes, the mostly Mexican/American Post has "both" sides of the aisle within its membership.

Even with the JT Ready incident recently, those who "supported" being anti-immigrant remained true to their convictions..

Some would ask themselves ..
Why would you remain affiliated with an Org that seems to supports Anti-Hispanic laws and have members who condone and support Orgs like the Minutemen..?

Knowing the history of Mexican/Americans in Arizona, and the struggles that have occurred here in the past, (well documented in my archived past blogs), I found myself questioning this as well..?

Many know that on a personal level I have called out those who support those groups and the "hateful" position that many on that side of the aisle, seem to want to continue to use as a wedge issue. They attack immigrants, and when they do so they also attack the entire minority community---Mexican/Americans, Asian/Americans, African/Americans, and if that not bad enough...? Native/Americans who are more "American" than anyone else, seem to fall into this "second class" category.. Thanks to positions like the one the Legion has.. Imagine that..?

I remain, as of now, still affiliated with Post-41, due to the "past works" that the 'local Org.,' has done to help the Hispanic community, especially the Vets who are minorities.  I will try to, as my father once said, "be proud" to have served your country so we could have the very freedoms to express ourselves like a many of us have done (including here on the internet), especially those here from Az..

I will try to make change from within, of course, with the help of many of my fellow Post-41 members, and my father who is also a Vet (Vietnam) and a lifetime member.

I will chronicle this with all of you who follow my blogs, so you can see what progress, 'if any', we can make..

Stay tuned..

Regards,
Truth

Border Explorer: Librotraficante Caravan received rousing welcome in El Paso, Texas

Border Explorer: Librotraficante Caravan received rousing welcome in El Paso, Texas

Unions fight back...!

In an effort to keep in with the struggle for the Copper Miners in Arizona I have decided to also blog about the struggle for the Copper Miners in Mexico, which mirror the many cases that Arizona has had dealing blows to the Unions.

The Mining companies have targeted all workers, and in the case of Nacozari and Cannanea they shut down the water  to the miners as well as hospitals.. It is a war waged on the Copper Miners that resonates throughout the Southwest..

This documentary was created to show the struggles that the workers and townspeople have had to deal with against a brutally harsh employer called ..Grupo Mexico..

Dream Act Students receive support from the Manzana Foundation..

The Manzana Foundation, was created as a non-profit organization, to help immigrant students receive a college education in Maricopa County..

Arizona Dream Act Students, now have an alternative to attend College Level Courses, that are ...'affordable'... in the County.

This non-profit organization was created by several activist and concerned politicians in the community, who wished to help out the Dreamers, and provide an easier and a more cost effective method to the Maricopa Community College (MCC) system..

The cost to attend a college level course has shot up this year almost 240%, for these immigrant youth. The tuition increase was a critical blow to immigrant students, who have been taking community college classes as a way to continue their education in this post-Prop 300world.

With the help of this enrollment drive by Manzana, the students can now pay $90 per credit hour vs $317 offered currently by MCC..

This tuition increase by MCC, has not deterred the spirit of these very insightful and vibrant youth segment of Arizona.  They continue to strive for higher education, and along with the help of organizations such as the Manzana Foundation, and  Navajo Technical College from New Mexico. The Dreamers will have a pathway for affordable higher education, that will one day lead to a degree.

These two Organizations have partnered up to allow the Dream Act Youth in Maricopa County, an alternative to continue to strive for and receive a college degree. There may be other options, as well, in-the-works. University Level courses may become available, due to the significant interest shown by out of State Educational Institutions willing to offer these courses to these students..

The Dreamers will succeed and prosper, and one day be the future of Arizona..

You can read the press release in its entirety here..

Dream Act Students get affordable alternative to xenophobic Maricopa Community Colleges..

Dream Act Students now have an opportunity to attend affordable college while residing in Maricopa County.

Arizona DREAM Act Coalition, member Viridiana Hernandez, has pointed out the fact that the Maricopa Community College Board, was targeting the immigrant youth who wished to attend higher education courses and advance their potential employment opportunities.

Out-of-state students (or in this case immigrant students) taking six or fewer credit hours pay $96 per credit under the current policies, with a rate increase for more credits. The new rules charge out-of-staters (immigrants once again) $317 per credit, or about $1,000 per class, even if they take a limited schedule.

The targeting of these students came from Debra Pearson, a member of a hate group labeled by the SLPC, called the ...Minutemen...

This group ...'The Minutemen'... as the link mentions, targets not only immigrant students, it targets all Hispanics..

It is this same hate group responsible for the death of 9yr old Mexican/American Brisinia Flores, and her father. They pleaded for their lives in a home invasion that resulted in both of their deaths. As well as the injuries to the mother Gina Marie Gonzales (Mother of Brisinia), the lone survivor of the brutal attack. Gina recently testified in court, resulting in the plaintiffs receiving the death penalty Apr-2011.

In the case of targeting Dream Act Students in Maricopa County, the 230% tuition hike that was sponsored by Debra Person, passed.

The tuition increase for these students, has become the topic of many immigrants rights organizations, as well as activists, and politicians.

Maricopa, remains the only Community College system in Az., that has implemented the tuition hike...as other Counties in Arizona, have refrained from doing so.

Many wishing to help the Dream Act Students , have worked hard at finding and providing these students an alternative.

As in this case of a  Non-Profit Organization called.."Manzana Foundation", this Organization has been working with a partner to make classes affordable. Navajo Technical College, from New Mexico, has agreed to extend satellite classes in Maricopa County, and make them available to the Dream Act Students.

There may be other alternatives, in the works as well, as out-of-state Universities, also have shown interest in educating these students (locally via satellite classes), in the near future.

These monies, of course, could have benefited the State of Arizona, however it chose to send these coffers elsewhere, as it created a hostile environment to educating these young immigrant Dream Act Students.

You can read the press release by the Manzana Foundation by clicking the link here.

Mexican American Studies (Ethnic Studies)..., hearing to proceed..

• 

  This was directly out of the..."Arizona Capitol Times".. This is the text in its entirety..
  
  Note: The findings from the ...'independent commission'.. (hired by Tea-Party extremest Huppenthal) are being virtually ..'ignored'.. in their entirety..?
  Huppenthal and Horne are on a mission to take down the program, that was praised by the same commission these Tea-Party politicians hired..? Not to mention, the program has also been found to have an overall ...'positive'.. affect on the students..? 
  
  There is more.. as the TUSD is not only under a ...'Federal Mandate'.. to keep Ethnic Studies ..  It is also required to expand the program.., according to a court document that found the TUSD out of compliance Federally. They (the Feds) now threaten to withhold up to an estimated 64 Million.... Which is a much larger amount than the States threatened 10%.. 
  
  *Will the State takes its chances in Court...? [Even though the evidence is stacked against it..?] (probably so)  
  
  
  *If it loses in Court, will the State try to create another Anti-Mexican American Studies law..? 
  
  
  *What if the State wins (though it does not appear it will?) Will the State decide to withhold the 10% and then risk losing the larger Federal Monies..?(64  Million)
  
  *What will the State do when it finds itself paying the TUSD the lost Federal Funds..? 
  
  *Will the TUSD join the teaches and in all likelihood ..win.. the court proceedings..? 
  
  *Will the TUSD not join the teachers and try to dismantle the successful program from within..?
  
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  Hearing to test ruling against Mexican-American Studies
  
  
  By Gary Grado
  
  
  Published: August 16, 2011 at 6:11 am
  State Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal, who ruled that the Tucson Unified School District’s Mexican-American Studies program violates state law, is expected to be called before an administrative hearing later this month to explain his decision. If Huppenthal’s ruling is upheld, the school district could lose 10 percent of its state funding. (File photo)
  
  
  Attorneys for Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal aren’t planning on calling him as a witness in an administrative hearing to defend his findings that Tucson Unified School District’s Mexican American Studies program is race-based and promotes resentment toward a class of people. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to be questioned.
  
  
  Huppenthal’s spokesman, Andrew LeFevre, said the rationale behind leaving the superintendent off the witness list was to present the testimony of the people in the Department of Education who gathered, reviewed and passed along the information Huppenthal used in his decision-making.
  
  
  “It’s not what he decided, but how he decided,” LeFevre said.
  
  
  Few motions have been filed in advance of the three-day hearing scheduled to begin Aug. 19, and attorneys aren’t disclosing strategy, but the witness lists for both sides provide a glimpse into their cases.
  
  
  For instance, the district is going to call Huppenthal and expects him to explain how he determined the program is violating a law passed in 2010 that bans ethnic studies, and the scope of the investigation that led to his decision.
  
  
  The hearing is on the district’s appeal of Huppenthal’s June 15 finding that the Mexican American Studies program puts the district out of compliance. The district could lose up to 10 percent of its state aid money if Huppenthal’s decision stands.
  
  
  He is also expected to testify about the audit of the program conducted by Cambium Learning Group. The company found that there was “no observable evidence” to suggest the district was in violation of the law.
  
  
  Taking a page from the state’s playbook, the district is not calling its top man either, Superintendent John Pedicone, and relying instead on people who are closer to the program to testify, such as school principals, an assistant superintendent and the leader of the audit for Cambium Learning.
  
  
  “He believes and others in the district believe that there are other individuals that have pertinent information regarding the program,” said Heather Gaines, an attorney with DeConcini, MacDonald Yetwin & Lacy, who represents the district. “He’s the superintendent, he’s aware of it, he has certainly a lot of knowledge, but he’s in charge of everything.”
  
  
  Huppenthal intends to call Pedicone.
  
  
  Huppenthal’s lawyers named 11 witnesses in a list filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings, and two of them are school board members who are either against the program or want to modify it.
  
  
  Board member Michael Hicks, a Republican, has called for an end to the program, while Board President Mark Stegeman, a Democrat, has said he has reservations about the program and he unsuccessfully pushed for making the classes elective instead of core graduation credits. Stegeman, a college professor, said he’s never concealed that he believes the classes are too political.
  
  
  He said he has already been deposed and was asked about his impressions upon visiting the classes and his opinion on various pieces of evidence.
  
  
  “Obviously, I’m not taking the position that we’re in violation of the law because that would contradict the board’s expressed position and be inconsistent with my fiduciary responsibility to the district,” Stegeman said. “The state feels my answers help them in some way or they wouldn’t be asking me to come down.”
  
  
  The district isn’t planning on calling any board members.
  
  
  Gaines said it is unusual to call individual school board members to testify at administrative hearings because boards function as a body and their actions are a matter of public record that can be introduced as evidence.
  
  
  “We don’t think it’s particularly appropriate or relevant to call individual board members as to what they feel or think because we don’t think that relates to the actual issue here, which is compliance with the statute,” Gaines said.
  
  
  Huppenthal’s lawyers intend to call two parents of students who were in the program.
  
  
  Mary Stevenson is an English teacher in the district whose daughter took Mexican American Studies classes in the last school year.
  
  
  According to a June 19 email Stevenson sent to Huppenthal, her daughter was required to attend rallies in support of the program and “Chicano Americans.”
  
  
  Stevenson said Latino students grew larger chips on their shoulders as the class progressed and the teacher taught the class that Chicanos have been treated worse than any other culture.
  
  
  She said she also found the teacher’s use of the term Chicano offensive because the way he used it placed a label on all people of Mexican or Latin American heritage.
  
  
  “I, for one, prefer ‘American,’” Stevenson wrote.
  
  
  The other parent doesn’t seem so favorable to Huppenthal’s case at first glance. Irene Corella sent the superintendent a
  
  
  Jan. 24 email saying she and her daughter are conservative and are against “this whole taking away ethnic studies” and if that happens she will vote Democrat in the next election and persuade her friends and family to do the same.
  
  
  “I believe her perspective changed as her child went through the program,” said Huppenthal’s attorney, Bryan Murphy of the firm Burch and Cracchiolo.
  
  
  Huppenthal is also going to call two teachers from the program, but their attorney is trying to limit their testimony because of a pending lawsuit against Huppenthal.
  
  
  The program has been in existence since 1998, but it came under the scrutiny of Huppenthal’s predecessor, Tom Horne, current attorney general. In 2006, civil rights activist Dolores Huerta told a group of Mexican American Studies students that Republicans hate Latinos.
  
  
  Horne wrote and advocated for HB2281, which prohibits classes that promote the overthrow of the U.S. government, promote resentment toward a race or class of people, are designed primarily for pupils of a particular ethnic race and advocate ethnic solidarity instead of treating pupils as individuals..
  
  
  The law took effect Jan. 1 and Horne in his last hours as superintendent found the Tucson program out of compliance.
  
  
  Rather than upholding Horne’s findings, Huppenthal hired Cambium Learning Group in March to audit the program.
  
  
  Huppenthal found the district in violation of three of the four prohibitions, saying that the audit was flawed because most of it was beyond the scope of determining compliance and the classroom visits by auditors were too short in duration and announced ahead of time. The program teachers, 11 of whom are suing Huppenthal in federal court, also refused to cooperate with the audit.
  
  
  Huppenthal said he based his findings on textbooks, class materials and the program’s website.