DEC 2-4 COMBATING HATE, CENSORSHIP, & FORBIDDEN CURRICULA CONFERENCE

* There is no charge for this conference. However, donations are greatly needed and appreciated. Click the donate button at top of page. Money will assist in covering costs of the conference.

* Dolores Huerta has confirmed and will address conference on Dec 3.

 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

THURSDAY DEC 2 - UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

7:30 –8:am Opening Ceremony-Outside Old Main – CALPOLLI TEOXICALLI

8– 9:45 am Opening Platica CALPOLLI TEOXICALLI- Old Main Auditorium

Chucho Ruiz,  Maria Molina, Norma Gonzalez, Jose Gonzalez and Zotero Citlacoatl

An Indigenous Education

10 am TOUR OF EXHIBIT - Main Library

10-10-50am Community Organizing Panel
Cesar Chavez Bldg #205
Corazón de Tucson

Tucson Childcare Collective

Tierra y Libertad

Yo Soy Testigo 

Fred Highton, MoveOn.Org

11-4 pm Sessions at The KIVA-UA Student Union

11-11:50 am - SESSION  - The KIVA-UA Student Union

Raza Studies K-6 Immigration/Education Dialogue
Opening: In Lak Ech: 4-5 year olds - Ms Paula's Dreams Room, Ochoa Elem.

Raza Studies K-6 Dialogue
Ochoa and Van Buskirk Elementary Schools

Moderated by Norma Gonzalez

NOON-12:50 pm - SESSION

LESSONS OF TLATELOLCO (1968) and THE 1970 NATIONAL CHICANO MORATORIUM

Celeste Bustamante, UA-School of Journalism - Tlatelolco in the Curriculum
Ramses Noriega,  Co-founder, National Chicano Moratrorium
Ashley Bustamante, Tucson HS student, Ruben Salazar and The Moratorium
Carmen Orozco, Tucson HS student, Ruben Salazar and The Moratorium 

1-1:50 pm -SESSION MAS GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Lizette Opio, Courtney Lower, Adrian Mendoza, Arlene Provencio, Aaron Enrique Almada
Moderator: Rosario Carrillo, PhD, MAS-University of Arizona

2-2:50 pm ANALYSIS OF ANTI-ETHNIC/RAZA STUDIES HB2281-KIVA Student Union

Anna Ochoa O'Leary, Andrea Romero, Randall Amster and Auggie Romero

3-3:50 pm GRADUATE STUDENT SESSION

FREIRE-TUHIWAI SMITH-ACUNA DIALOGUE
Courtney Waters, Erin MacKinney, Cash Conner, Yousseff Toure
Moderated by Jose Gonzalez, Raza Studies Teacher, TUSD

OLD MAIN AUDITORIUM (GROUND FLOOR)

3-4:45 pm MECHA-YOUTH CITYWIDE/REGIONAL DIALOGUE 

EVENING PROGRAM

YWCA 5-10pm EVE RECEPTION - 525 N. Bonita Ave TUCSON AZ 85745

5:-5:30 pm FOOD/RECEPTION

Opening Alianza Indigena

Nuestra Voz-YWCA Youth Presentation

Sara Gonzales YWCA host

5:45:-6:30 pm EL CORAJE STUDENT/ELDERS PRESENTATION

Student presentation of  El Coraje Magazine To Founders of El Coraje Newspaper

Elders: Salomon Baldenegro Sr., Ceci Cruz, Guadalupe Castillo and Frank de la Cruz

Students: Karina Salazar, Lalo Villalobos,  Marissa Martinez and Norma Grijalva

6:35- 7:15 pm TUSD-RAZA/ETHNIC STUDIES STUDENTS ALUMNI PANEL

Leilani Clark: Raza Studies Timeline
Respondents:
Alfonso Chavez, Pima CC

Jacob Robles Pima CC

Angelica Peñaran Tucson HS

Sarah Navarrette, Pueblo HS

Flor Burruel, Sunnyside HS

DINA BARAJAS - Side by Side by Zitkala-Sa

7:25-8 pm TUSD-RAZA/ETHNIC STUDIES EDUCATORS PANEL

Auggie Romero, Sean Arce, Alzira Duncan, Lorenzo Lopez, Rene Martinez, Jose Gonzalez and Norma Gonzalez
Raza Studies educators, and plaintiffs

8:05 PM - 8:20 pm Professor and Tucson elder, Raquel Rubio Goldsmith

8:20- 8:30 COURTNEY LOWER

Tribute to Rodolfo Acuña, CSUN Prof, author, Occupied America

8:30-8:50 pm Precious Knowledge Documentary, Dos Vatos Productions
by Ari Palos and Eren McGinnis, Pricila Rodriguez, University of Arizona

8:50-9:30 pm RAZA/ETHNIC STUDIES DIALOGUE  
Led By Kim Dominguez, Arturo Rodriguez and Jennifer Contreras

9:30-10 pm RECEPTION

FRIDAY DEC 3– UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

8 -9:50 am MAESTROS DE SEMILLA: INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

Cesar Chavez # 205 and 209 (W Breakfast)

10-10: 45 Arizona's Neo-Apartheid

Manuel Hernandez (ASU) 

Russell Pearce: the Death of the 1960s Gains in Civil Rights for Minorities in Arizona

and an Unfolding  National Consensus  for a Repeat of Operation Wetback

Jennifer James, Phoenix University

10:45-11:45am DECOLONIZING THE UNIVERSITY AS SOCIAL MOVEMENT

Cesar Chavez # 205 and 209

Samuel Bañales (UC Berkeley). "Challenging the Coloniality of Organizing with Activism
from Below"

Mattie Harper (UC Berkeley). "We Are Still Here: Confronting Myths of the Vanishing Indian Within the

Western Academy"

Nelson Maldonado-Torres (Rutgers University). "Next Steps: A Latina/o Academy of Arts and Sciences."

nmt@berkeley.edu

Moderator: Damian Baca, University of Arizona

11am–NOON BOOK READINGS

Rosalia Solorzano and Francisca J. Hernandez – Chicana Studies Reader

Moderator: Bob Diaz
UA - Main Library #A313

NOON-1pm UA MALL FRONT OF STUDENT UNION
LUNCH, ENTERTAINMENT AND SPEAKERS

Grupo Folklorico Miztontli

de la Universidad de Arizona

ZARCO (TEATRO)

Raza Studies K-12 Dialogue

1- 1:30 pm EXHIBIT MAIN LIBRARY

2 - 4:30 pm ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS – GALLAGHER THEATER

2 - 2:50 pm  HISTORICAL TRAUMA

Moderated and presentation by Teresa Carrillo, Phd, Director, Raza Studies, San Francisco State University - The Latino Threat Narrative

Lydia Zulema Martinez Vega and Luname Teoxihuitl Harrishawk

Tommy Begay UA, Historical Trauma

2:55 - 3:35 pm  BEYOND ARIZONA

Carlos Montes – Los Angeles, Community Service Organization (CSO), Fight Back News, and S. Calif. Immigration Coalition

Nora Salas, Phd Candidate, Michigan State University

Todd Mireles - Phd Candidate, Michigan State University
Sara Provenzale: The Media and HB 2281

3:40-4:30 pm IN DEFENSE OF RAZA STUDIES: A SCIENCE OF THE PEOPLE

Pablo Aceves: Community Counselor, member of the Comite de Derechos Humanos Digna Ochoa (San Diego), and the Raza Press and Media Association (RPMA)

Ernesto Bustillos: Teacher, Member of the Raza Press and Media Association and the Association of Raza Educators (A.R.E.)-San Diego.

Cathy Espitia: Member of the Comite de Mujeres, Patricia Marin, coordinator of the Chicano Mexicano Prison Project (San Diego).

Francisco Romero, teacher and member of the Raza Rights Committee, Oxnard, Califaztlan

4:30 -5pm MEAL BREAK

EVENING PROGRAM GALLAGHER THEATER - UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

MC Elizabeth Soltero

5:15-6 pm REPORT FROM PHOENIX – BATTLE OVER SB 1070

Salvador Reza, Carlos Garcia,Tupac Enrique Acosta, Shannon Rivers

6-:6:35 pm DIALOGUE: ARIZONA HATE and HOMOPHOBIA

Cherrie Moraga, Celia Rodriguez Raúl Al-qaraz Ochoa

Moderator: Sandy Soto

6:40-6:55 RAZA STUDIES V. STATE OF ARIZONA LAWSUIT
ATTORNEY RICHARD MARTINEZ

MC Lane Sanata Cruz

7-7:50 pm ALIANZA INDIGENA SIN FRONTERAS, O'ODHAM SOLIDARITY ACROSS BORDERS COLLECTIVE

8:00-9:30 pm  DIALOGUE: THE STATE OF ARIZONA

Opening words: Mixelle Rascon 

Dolores Huerta
Simon Ortiz, 
Isabel Garcia,

Moderator: Leilani Clark

9:30 pm SAFOS THEATER

SATURDAY DEC 3

7 am    Run/Walk from A MOUNTAIN to El Rio Community Center 
Contact: Calpolli Teoxicalli - Teoxicalli@yahoo.com

El Rio CC - 1390 West Speedway Boulevard Tucson, AZ 85745-2324 

10 am-11:30am PLATICA CALPOLLI TEOXICALLI
Mazatzin: "The Ancient Mexika Chronological System"
AMPHITHEATER EL RIO CC

Menudo Breakfast

Noon -7pm FLORICANTO ARTS/MUSIC FESTIVAL
2 stages
Indoor and Outdoor stage

LESLIE MARMON SILKO – CHERRIE MORAGA - LUCI TAPAHONSO – FRANCISCO ALARCON - ELENA DIAZ BJORKQUIST – MARIA RAMIREZ – LUKE SALCIDO - CIHUATL CE -  NICO-POETS DEL NORTE - FELICIA FE MONTES – MIXPE-  STELLA POPE DUARTE – ANDREA HOLM – RAUL ALCARAZ - HEDY TREVINO – ELIAS SERNA – ALEX SOTO – TOLTEKA - TEATRO IZKALLI – SARAH GONZALEZ – NUESTRA VOZ –YWCA - ZARCO – DULCE JUAREZ – SAFOS THEATER – MARGE PELLEGRINO – MIXELLE RASCON – MI’JAN MI’JAN CELIE – SONIA GUTIERREZ - PHOTOGRAPHERS: LAYLA MARIE HERNANDEZ, FRANCISCO DOMINGUEZ – ANITA FERNANDEZ – CELESTINO FERNANDEZ – KEVAN CHUC - JOEL 'RAGE.ONE' GARCIA  - EL VUH
(PARTIAL LIST)

INDOOR STAGE– poets/musicians/ and several arts/research presentations

MC/Coordinator Andrea Holm: ahholm@email.arizona.edu

The times below represent approximations.

KEVAN CHUC

Auto de Fe 1562 RESEARCH PLUS IMPROV THEATER

12:00-12:30pm

JUDITH SALCIDO – the music of SANTANA

12:30-12:45 pm

ANITA FERNANDEZ: Prescott Mural Controversy:

12:45-1pm

CELESTINO FERNANDEZ: Sb 1070 Corridos and Multi Media Presentation

1-1:30

ZARCO (MASCARAS TEATRO)

1:30-1:50 pm

MARGE PELLEGRINO - Poet

1:50-2pm

CHERRIE MORAGA – essayist/writer

2-2:40

LESLIE MARMON SILKO - Poet

2:45-3:15pm

FRANCISCO ALARCON

3:15pm-3:45pm

HEDY TREVINO - Poet:

3:50-4pm

ELIAS SERNA: Research presentation/performance

4-4:30pm

MI’JAN MI’JAN CELIE: (415-425-6446) mijancelie@gmail.com

Documentary

4:30-5pm

FRANCISCO DOMINGUEZ: Photographer – Documention of Progressive Movements

5-5:20

SAFOS THEATER

5:20-5:30

SONIA GUTIERREZ – writer/poet

5:30-5:45

ELENA DIAZ BJORKQUIST - Poet

5:45-5:55

RAUL ALCARAZ – poetry-spoken word

6-6:10pm  

RAGING GRANNIES - songs

 6:10-6:20

ANDREA HOLM - poetry

6:20-6:30

TEATRO IZKALLI –Theater

6:30—7:15 MINUTES

CLOSING

OUTDOOR STAGE
Coordinated/MC by: Westli Narro: wesley_1310@hotmail.com 
REVERSE ORDER (Preliminary schedule)

2:00 – 2:35pm (35mins) El Vuh

Like public enemy before them, El Vuh uses hip hop to move minds as well as bodies. Unleashing a blistering attack against the two headed beast of ignorance and bigotry, they reminds us that, among other things, xican@s were there long before Los Angeles was home to Hollywood or Arizona was patrolled by minute-men. Along the way in touring the US and Canada performing at student conferences and Universities, they challenge us to live up to our responsibilities to education, family and community.   

2:35 – 2:40pm (5mins) Setup/Intro

2:40 – 3:15pm (35mins) Cui Cui

Who is Irma Delia Pimienta Rangel.

She is also known as Cuicani (singer in Nahuatl) However, many people know her as Cui Cui. Cuicani comes to Tucson with the desire and sincerity to support the importance of this Summit with her love passion and healing energy through the use of her

music,song and dance. Cuicani hales from Los Angeles, California. She is a graduate of D.Q.University in Davis,CA. She has a Degree in Ethnic Studies (Sacramento State)

She was a member of the Royal Chicano Air Force, El Teatro Campesino and Danza Azteca. She has been teaching voice development and sharing her floricanto also as a peacemaker/lightworker for over 30 years. She continues on her journey in support of maintaining the balance for all humanity and our precious universe in the spirit

of love and peace...for all my relations!

3:15 – 3:20pm (5mins) Setup/Intro

3:20 – 3:35 (15mins) DJ Alias

3:35 – 3:40pm (5mins) Setup/Intro

3:40 – 4:05pm (25mins) Student poetry/Open Mic.

4:05 – 4:10pm (5mins) Setup/intro 

*4:10 – 4:40pm (30mins)

Xilan and CozmoBrown as Metate with DJ Lingos

4:40 – 4:45 (5mins) setup/intro

4:45 – 5:00pm (15mins) DJ Alias

5:00 – 5:30pm (30mins) Fe

Felicia Montes is a Xicana Indigenous artist, activist, academic, community/event organizer, and poet/performer/MC from the Los Angeles area.  She is co-founder and coordinating member of the groundbreaking creative’s collectives, Mujeres de Maiz and In Lak Ech and is a graduate of UCLA, CSUN soon Otis College of Art & Design.

5:30 – 5:35 (5mins) setup/intro

5:35 – 6:05pm (30mins) Cihualt-Ce

Cihuatl Ce (Xela, formerly of Cihuatl Tonali) Once a runway now a youth advocate/outreach worker. Her passion for social change is felt within the energy and urgency of her lyrics using music to reach people specifically inner city, ghetto youth. Xela brings it smart, raw, uncensored and unstoppable. Educating while empowering and uplifting, fusing hip hop with indigenous sounds in an effort to share some of the ancient teachings that remain after 515 years of colonization so that they may continue to be passed on, never to be forgotten.

6:05 – 6:10 Setup/Intro

**6:10 – 6:35pm Open mic

6:35 – 6:40 Setup/Intro

**6:40 – 7:10pm Open mic

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DONATE TO SUPPORT CONFERENCE

Understanding that not all who wish to participate will be able to make the trip to this political desert, this here is a call to support this conference. 

ELECTRONIC DONATIONS:

We are accepting gifts from $50 to $100 or more, or whatever amount you wish. The estimated budget that still needs to be raised for the conference is $4,000 and we hope to reach that through generous contributions like yours. This includes a special issue of El Coraje, a publication that has been revived by UA Students (496 students: History of Red-Brown Journalism), which will serve to document much of the themes within the conference. The donation is tax-deductible. Send electronically or by check via mail.

ELECTRONICALLY: To make your contribution with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard,
American Express, Discover), please follow these directions:

1) Click on the link below

   http://www.uafoundation.org/give/fund/SBSRodriguez

This will take you to the SBS, UA Foundation Website. It is a secured site.

2) Please fill out your billing and payment information. This is

needed to properly send you a receipt for tax purposes.

Fill out the additional security code, and click on the

"Donate Now" button at the bottom of the page.

3) Lastly, for our accounting records and to make sure your

contribution reaches our Center, please email Veronica Peralta

at vperalta@email.arizona.edu with your name, address,

and amount given. No other information is needed.

BY CHECK

Make check payable to: The University of Arizona Foundation. In the memo line, write:           MASRC R. Rodriguez Events.    Please mail it to:

Mexican American Studies & Research Center

Attn: Veronica Peralta

Cesar Chavez, Room 208

PO BOX 210023

Tucson AZ 85721-0023

If questions re donations: VPERALTA@EMAIL.ARIZONA.EDU or 520-626-8139.

Thanks in advance.

Prof Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez
-----------------------------------------------------

Arizona/The United States & The Subterfuge of the 2010 Elections

By Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez

Uttering the word Arizona anywhere in the world nowadays creates a visceral reaction. For some, it evokes the specter of Nazi Germany; for others, a totalitarian regime. For some, legalized and mandatory racial profiling represents a return to the Jim Crow south, and for still others, it conjures up apartheid South Africa.

The 2010 elections have inflamed passions even further. For instance, Jan Brewer was elected governor, riding primarily on the wave of anti-Mexican sentiment prevalent in Arizona. Actually, with her hysterical statements about beheadings in the Arizona desert, she was actually creating that sentiment. State Sen. Russell Pearce – the author of Arizona’s new racial profiling measure, SB 1070 and a host of most of the state’s anti-immigrant and anti-Mexican bills – is now majority leader of the state Senate. State school superintendent Tom Horne – the architect of HB 2281, which seeks to ban ethnic studies in Arizona’s K -12 schools – was elected the state’s attorney general, where he can do worse damage there. His successor, state senator John Huppenthal, has one-upped him, vowing to carry on Horne’s fight at the university level. Ward Connerly, who isn’t from Arizona, brought his anti-affirmative action initiative to Arizona – Proposition 107 – and successfully packaged it as a civil rights initiative.

Couple all this with Sheriff Joe Arpaio and well, he’s not going anywhere except national; next to Sarah Palin, he is the darling of the extreme right wing.

For the above politicos, these initiatives and movements represent greatness (Pearce’s words) for other states to emulate. And emulating they are.

Hyperbole aside, does all this equal a literal doomsday for people of color and progressives in Arizona when the new legislative session begins in 2011? On Nov. 3, the answer seemed to be a resounding yes! But this answer is actually illusory. This steady backwards march into pre-human rights history is not new… and it is not limited to Arizona. It is national in scope.

Despite the national turn inward – toward the border and a fear and loathing of Mexicans – all this has served to keep our eyes away – through misdirection and subterfuge – the even more onerous picture.

As is well-known, the nation is up in arms over the massive economic disaster (caused by the previous administration), which has translated into both high unemployment and underemployment. All this has fueled the hate and fear that Arizona signifies. Here, blaming all the problems of the world on Mexicans isn’t just a thought, slogan or movement; the local police and the federal government and its myriad of law enforcement agencies, plus the military, have been teaming up to go after our friends, neighbors and students and their families – on the border, on Arizona streets and in the courtroom (Operation Streamline).

This economic disaster and the fear-exploiting politicians have made it easy to scapegoat “illegal aliens.” In these parts [all of the United States] that’s a dehumanizing term and code word for red-brown peoples. As has been noted, what does English-Only and forcing a Greco-Roman curriculum into the classroom have to do with legalities?

They want us out, and for those of us that remain, they want our spirits. Of course, they can’t have them.

So what’s the subterfuge? War. Since 2001, this nation has normalized the “right” of the United States to wage permanent war anywhere and at anytime in the world, i.e., Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and Sudan. Iran and North Korea seem to be next. The president no longer uses the Bush-era “War on Terror” rhetoric, but the Bush doctrine survives. It permits the United States to wage war and launch missiles anywhere, manned or unmanned, on anyone deemed to be an enemy. War makes trials unnecessary. With drone technology, no one gets their hands dirty anymore, notwithstanding civilian casualties. This is the Obama doctrine.

This is what has bankrupted the nation in a bipartisan manner, financially, but even more importantly, morally as well. But rather than debate the morality of permanent war, of waging illegal wars that lay waste to entire nations and wars we can’t also either afford, instead, we are all directed to focus our anger or energies 24/7 around issues related to economic despair.

So blame the Mexicans. It always works. Just don’t call them that. Illegal aliens will suffice. The question remains: Are we living in an apartheid state? Not just yet. The red-brown populations of the state are not in the majority. But make no mistake; the repressive legislation is predicated on that fear and thus can be considered pre-apartheid. Whatever this system is called, those who believe in social justice are not sitting idly by.

What’s most impressive about Arizona is the response to this repressive legislation, though even more impressive is the response by the youths. The attacks have been relentless, but the youths do not back down. People everywhere are invited to a conference to combat hate, censorship and forbidden curriculums, to be held at the University of Arizona on Dec 2-4. Much of it will be in dialogue form… and much of it will be led by youths, teachers and community. For info, go to: http://drcintli.blogspot.com/

Rodriguez, a professor at the University of Arizona, can be reached at: XColumn@gmail.com

REPUBLICAN SANCTIONED STEREOTYPES: MEXICAN CRIMINALS AND THE RETURN OF THE FRITO BANDITO

REPUBLICAN-SANCTIONED STEREOTYPES:

MEXICAN CRIMINALS AND THE RETURN OF THE FRITO BANDITO

by Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez

Many Republicans and conservatives do not seem to know, or appear to not have the faintest clue, as to what is a racially insulting and dehumanizing image.  At least they feign ignorance.

It is the same ignorance that was used to claim that there was nothing wrong with usage of the “Black Sambo” or “Chinaman” images of a generation ago.

It is the same ignorance that was used to claim there was nothing wrong with using a Mexican bandit – the “Frito Bandito” – to sell Frito Lay’s corn chips. And then came the 1960s.

These people that feign ignorance nowadays always seem to work for political campaigns. Unless the topic is sports mascots. For example, the 1960s bypassed the Washington Redskins and Chief Wahoo of the Cleveland Indians. The dehumanization of American Indians, particularly in the sports universe, has been normalized.

That aside, the rest of these operatives seem to work on political campaigns. But they are not ignorant; they know precisely how to tap into deep-seeded fears and  how to stir up profound hate.

The 1988 Willie Horton ad by the Bush I campaign is always cited as a prime example of what campaigns are willing to do to scare the electorate: associate Blacks with crimes. Fast forward to 2010 and fear [and hate] of brown people has also become acceptable and normalized. Nevada Senate hopeful Sharron Angle’s campaign has exploited images of Mexicans coming across the border. However, her explanation is that they actually may be Asian. She made that explanation in front of little children, mostly Mexican, telling them that they too looked Asian.

Across the country, “illegal aliens” have become this year’s election year political piñatas, particularly for those on, though not limited to, the extreme political right wing. This year, a campaign is not complete without an ad of invading brown hordes. Fear [and hate] works in any part of the country. For example, go to a Sen. John Vitter ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7bZ58QOMG8

If one were to substitute the words illegal aliens for say Blacks or Jews, etc – all that is said or shown about so-called “illegal aliens” – would be deemed shocking and socially unacceptable. And yet the use of the dehumanizing terms “illegal aliens” and “wetbacks” are but code words for Mexicans… regardless of where they were born. Thus politicians venomously speak of illegal aliens and even wetbacks, lest they be accused of being racists. The use of such terms, as opposed to “Mexicans,” permits them to believe that they have been granted a racism exemption card.

In Arizona, this is a canard. Here, political operatives have resurrected an image right out of the 1960s. The unflattering image is that of an unsmiling Mexican man, with a massive, oversized moustache. It was produced (photoshopped) and paid for not by Tea Party types or minutemen or vigilantes, but by none other than the Arizona Republican Party (ARP). The image is that of U.S. Congressman Raul Grijalva. It is not a generic hit piece; it is a campaign flier mailed out on behalf of his opponent.

The ARP denies that the flier is racist (surprise). Their rationale is that Grijalva has a moustache and he uses it as his campaign logo. A look at the two images will not create confusion. His own image is not offensive. However, the Republican version unleashes a blatant Mexican stereotype made to elicit fear, hate and revulsion. The truth is, conservatives have targeted Grijalva – head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus – for his stand against SB 1070, the racial profiling measure that has been temporarily struck down by the courts, and also been denounced by UN Rapporteurs.

Of course, his opponents have a right to boycott Grijalva all they want and they have the right to make any [distorted] claim they wish. That does not mean the rest of us have lost the ability to see a blatant stereotype in the ARP fliers. In reality, the flier projects a stereotype even more vile and sinister than the Frito Bandito.

That in 2010 such stereotypes can be created and defended tells us something about our nation’s state of affairs. It can be dismissed as just an extension of Arizona’s extremist politics, including Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s call for an army of vigilantes to prevent “illegals” from “stealing” the 2010 election. It’s even more insidious than that. It is proof that the anti-illegal immigrant hate is actually good old-fashioned anti-Mexican hate, regardless of place of birth.

It is easy to see why Chief Wahoo has survived into the 21^st century; apparently, Grijalva too is being honored by his opponents.

Rodriguez, a professor at the University of Arizona, can be reached at: XColumn@gmail.com

Arizona Developments EMERGENCY!

Arizona: A Time and Decade of Betrayal

By Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez

When people the world over think of Arizona, nowadays, they generally think of Gov. Jan Brewer,  Sheriff Joe Arapio or state rep. Russell Pearce – the poster children of the state’s move toward legalized discrimination and racial profiling. If they are closely following the politics of the sun state, they also think of state superintendent of schools, Tom Horne, the architect of the state’s move to abolish Ethnic/Raza Studies.

Here, we think of the human toll.

Combined, these Arizona measures are becoming the modern version of Indian Removal and the colonial policy of “reducciones” – a policy aimed at civilizing the “savages.”

To those outside of this insane asylum – this state is being described as the New South. It may indeed be that, including a laboratory for setting the stage for apartheid governance in a part of the country that is browning daily. Politically, this is all about the clash of civilizations; one civilization Indigenous to this continent, the other, seemingly hell-bent on continuing the policies of manifest destiny.

Yet, there is something more taking place here. In a sense, to understand Arizona, read Brown Tide Rising by Otto Santa Ana. In it, the author poignantly observes that in this society: “Only humans have human rights.” There can be no doubt that the red-brown peoples of this state are being treated as less than human.

Also, read A Decade of Betrayal by Francisco Balderrama and Raymond Rodriguez. In it, they write about this nation’s obsession with targeting Mexicans during times of economic crises, going back to the period between 1910-1920. And yet, what they point out is that the numerous campaigns that deported hundreds of thousands and even millions of Mexicans, including U.S. citizens, were not indiscriminate, particularly the one conducted in the 1930s, but rather, targeted. Who were targeted were not criminals, but rather, anyone resembling a leader, in particular, community, educational and labor organizers.

In Arizona, there are numerous policies and programs in place (Operation Streamline) to criminalize migrants – which not coincidentally line the pockets of the private prison industry. But beyond that, an array of law enforcement agencies, continue to become extensions of the U.S. Border Patrol – operating as though SB 1070 was already the law of the land.

In Tucson, these draconian measures have now begun to affect the parents of our top students and top student organizers. In the summer, the father of a young high school activist DREAM Student, was picked up by a Sheriff’s deputy while a passenger in a truck. Even though SB 1070 was not in effect, as happens regularly, he was handed over to the Border Patrol. This happened during the middle of the annual Raza Studies Transformative Education Conference this summer. As a community, we rallied to the support of the family, successfully getting him out on bail. I’ve written about her previously as she has publicly identified herself, long before several DREAM Students identified themselves publicly while occupying the offices of Sen. John McCain this past summer. As a proud community organizer, she publicly identifies herself, but I don’t identify her, not even identifying her school, because I still feel the government has the potential to target their families.

For example, this past weekend, the father of one of our top students at the University of Arizona, Michelle Rascon – who is an incredible poet, a Raza Studies alumni, a U.S. citizen and a prospective law student – was picked up at his own home in what appears to have been an elaborate ruse by the FBI. After luring Jesus Gilberto Rascon outside, they proceeded to call the U.S. Border Patrol. As we speak, he is undergoing criminal proceedings that may keep him incarcerated for at least several months – until his final disposition -- which could result in a lengthy prison sentence. Of course, there are legal details involved, which will be litigated in court, but suffice to say, that cases such as these point to the absurdity of what the government is doing to divide up families; neither are criminals in any sense of the word.

The federal government claims to no longer be targeting students or their families and that its policies are designed instead to primarily go after "criminal aliens." The draconian enforcement measures seen around the country, especially in Arizona, belie this so-called new policy. Apparently, if the nation criminalizes non-violent migrants through its various operations and 287(g) agreements, including Secure Communities, then once criminalized, they now become "criminal aliens," thus primary targets. Circular logic at its best.

We appear to be in the midst of another decade of betrayal.

* A note from Michelle Rascon:  My family and I are eternally grateful for all of the support we have received. Please take this time and help us make an impact on his case. Please email me letters of support: To whom it may concern, ASAP if you are able to help or fax them to 520-884-5887. Michelle Rascon mixelle1322@gmail.com

* A note from Derechos Humanos: Please help our sister, Michelle, and her family during this difficult time.  We must support each other.  Donate online or mail a check or money order to Arizona Border Rights Foundation PO Box 1286, Tucson, AZ 85702-1268, with "Rascon Family" in the memo field. For more donation info, write to: kat@derechoshumanosaz.net.

Rodriguez, a professor at the University of Arizona, can be reached at: XColumn@gmail.com

call for conference support (electronic donations or checks)

SUMMIT COMBATTING HATE, CENSORSHIP & FORBIDDEN CURRICULUMS

DEC 2-4 TUCSON, ARIZONA

CALL FOR SUPPORT

A historic conference and Floricanto in Tucson, Arizona at the beginning of December will tackle the issues of hate, censorship and forbidden curriculums. Yet, it may not be so much a conference as it will be a gathering or a summit to confront what L.A. hip-hop artist Tolteka has dubbed the Trilogy of Terror: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiG8p1MUXxA).

The three legs of this Arizona trilogy include:

SB 1070- the state’s racial profiling bill

HB 2281 – the anti-Ethnic/Raza Studies bill

Nullification of the 14^th Amendment or Birthright Citizenship

Understanding that not all who wish to participate will be able to make the trip to this political desert, this here is a call to support this conference. 

ELECTRONIC DONATIONS:

We are accepting gifts from $25, $50 to $100 or more. The estimated budget that still needs to be raised for the conference is $4,000 and we hope to reach that through generous contributions like yours. This includes a special issue of El Coraje, a publication that has been revived by UA Students (496 students: History of Red-Brown Journalism), which will serve to document much of the themes within the conference. (Of course,you will receive a copy of the issue). The donation is tax-deductible. Send
electronically or by check via mail.

ELECTRONICALLY: To make your contribution with a credit card (Visa, Mastercard,
American Express, Discover), please follow these directions:

1) Click on the link below

https://www2.uafoundation.org/netcommunity/sslpage.aspx?pid=347

This will take you to the SBS, UA Foundation Website. It is a secured site.

2) Click or fill-in your desired contribution ? the amount.

3) Under "Designation", please click on the drop down arrow and select

"Other". Another "Other" window should appear.

4 ) Type "MASRC R. Rodriguez Events" in the window. This will tell

the UA Foundation where your contribution should be assigned. Very

important step.

5) Please fill out your billing and payment information. This is

needed to properly send you a receipt for tax purposes.

Fill out the additional security code, and click on the

"Donate Now" button at the bottom of the page.

6) Lastly, for our accounting records and to make sure your

contribution reaches our Center, please email Veronica Peralta

at vperalta@email.arizona.edu with your name, address,

and amount given. No other information is needed.

BY CHECK

Make check payable to: The University of Arizona Foundation. In the memo line, write:           MASRC R. Rodriguez Events.    Please mail it to:

Mexican American Studies & Research Center

Attn: Veronica Peralta

Cesar Chavez, Room 208

PO BOX 210023

Tucson AZ 85721-0023

If questions re donations: VPERALTA@EMAIL.ARIZONA.EDU or 520-626-8139.

Thanks in advance.

Prof Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez

FOR CONFERENCE INFO, CONTACT: ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ AT MEXICAN AMERICAN STUDIES-U OF A: RODRIGU7@EMAIL.ARIZONA.EDU OR 520-626-0824  FOR UPDATED INFO:  http://drcintli.blogspot.com/