Last weekend, The Arizona Republic, the largest daily in Arizona and a newspaper known for a conservative editorial stance, lambasted public figures for their failure of leadership on the issues of Immigration.
The banner headline on the front page of Sunday’s (2 May 2010) paper read—in what might be viewed as a case of typography-as-commentary—in black & white, and gray: STOP FAILING ARIZONA; START FIXING IMMIGRATION.
We need leaders. The federal government is abdicating its duty on the border. Arizona politicians are pandering to public fear. The result is a state law that intimidates Latinos while doing nothing to curb illegal immigration. This represents years of failure. Years of politicians taking the easy way and allowing the debate to descend into chaos.
The Arizona Republic has been calling for comprehensive immigration reform continuously since 2002. For a brief time, our congressional delegation led the nation on this front. But no more.
Now, it seems our elected officials prefer to serve political expediency instead.”
—The Arizona Republic
Linda Valdez (Photo: AZ Republic)
The paper then went on to catalog the leadership failures of ten prominent Arizona politicians: Jan Brewer, Janet Napolitano, John McCain, Jon Kyl, J.D. Hayworth, Phil Gordon, Russell Pearce, Raúl Grijalva, Joe Arpaio, and Andrew Thomas. (You can read the editorial here.)
Linda Valdez serves on the editorial board of the paper; she describes the decision to run the full-page editorial on the front page of last Sunday’s edition.
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Doris Meissner
Doris Meissner served as the Commissioner of the US Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in the Clinton Administration, and is now a Senior Fellow at the Migration Policy Institute where she directs MPI’s work on US immigration policy.
Maria talks with her about the prospect of a federal court challenge to Arizona’s SB-1070, and where Comprehensive Immigration Reform stands in the Congress in these days after SB-1070′s passage in Arizona.
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filmmaker Eric Byler
Maria talks with filmmaker Eric Byler about the documentary “9500 LIBERTY,” which he made with Annabel Park. It chronicles the public discussion, passage, and eventual repeal of an anti-immigrant measure in Prince William County, Virginia.
Byler describes the role of FAIR — the Federation for American Immigration Reform — in the anti-immigrant legislative efforts popping up around the country, including Arizona. FAIR, founded by John Tanton and directed by Dan Stein, is described by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a “Teflon Nativist Hate Group.”
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The innovative film began with an interactive YouTube channel online. You can still watch many of the scenes which would eventually become the final documentary.
State legislators across the country have announced plans to introduce bills similar to Arizona’s SB-1070. Already, in just the first quarter of 2010, legislatures in 45 states have considered bills and resolutions dealing with immigration. The National Conference of State Legislatures is tracking the movement.
photo: Howard Fischer, courtesy of The Arizona Guardian
Maria calls Mary Rose Wilcox (D-5) for a check-in on local organizing efforts in opposition to Arizona’s SB-1070. Wilcox serves on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, the first Hispanic to serve on the Board, and is a long-time political activist in Phoenix. She’s also a restauranteur and her “El Portal” is a place to see and be seen for politicos in Phoenix.
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Dejenme que les cuente una cosa personal…
Maria reflects on Cinco de Mayo, her daughter’s birthday, and a memory from her early days of reporting.
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Recuerdos de mi Bario: Chávez Ravine
Home is at the heart of any conversation about immigration. Where we call home says something about where we were born, but just as much about where we are loved, and nurtured, and connect with the people who care about us.
The hillsides around Dodger stadium in Los Angeles were once thriving neighborhoods of Mexican-Americans. In the late 1940s, the City of Los Angeles eyed the area for development. Public housing was planned there.
But by the 50s, things changed and the city claimed the property through eminent domain and sold it to the Dodgers.
Some people left on their own. Some were forced out. And the place changed drastically.
click to enlarge
Our colleagues at StoryCorps: Historias were in LA recently, and recorded stories about the old neighborhood of Chávez Ravine. Carol Jacques’ family moved out in the early 1950s. Alfred Zepeda and Albert Elias have been friends for more than 70 years; they grew up in Chávez Ravine.
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Chávez Ravine has been the subject of a number of documentary efforts. The historical photos you see here are the work of photographer Don Normark.
The PBS series Independent Lens featured a history of the neighborhood in a film titled “Chávez Ravine: A Los Angeles Story.” The website for the film has more of Don Normark’s haunting photos.
Last weekend, The Arizona Republic, the largest daily in Arizona and a newspaper known for a conservative editorial stance, lambasted public figures for their failure of leadership on the issues of Immigration.
Home is at the heart of any conversation about immigration. Where we call home says something about where we were born, but just as much about where we are loved, and nurtured, and connect with the people who care about us.
