We are setting up this blog to be a space where we can share information about what is going on in the immigration scene, especially as it intersects with labor.
Immigration as the new Gay Marriage
As we enter another election year, it seems to many of us that Immigration may be the big wedge issue that the right wing uses against progressives this time around. How can we, as labor educators, combat this divisive tactic?
We are hoping that you and other ITF members and friends will post articles you have found interesting (from all sides of the debate) as well as your thoughts on the subject.
To get this thing rolling, here are two articles from today's Boston Globe (assuming I've figured out how to do this correctly):
- An op ed by Anita Hill about how anti-affirmative action crusader Ward Connerly is using anti-immigrant sentiment to ban affirmative action in 5 states
- A news article about how John McCain has dropped his stand for immigration reform and is now just focusing on border control
So, blog on, everyone!
2 comments:
Tess, thank you for setting up this blog. We'll be needing it this year. Every week there's another politician who hopes he can save his sinking candidacy by slamming immigrants
*In a special election two weeks ago in the Massachusetts Fifth Congressional District, first-timer Jim Ogonowski nearly beat big-name candidate Nikki Tsongas. He fuzzed his differences with her on every issue but one: immigration.
*Last week Fred Thompson, who is trailing the GOP presidential field, unveiled his harshly anti-immigrant platform.
*Now McCain is trying to revive his candidacy... and what Ward Connerly is doing state by state is much worse.
If we in the labor movement don't deal directly with this oncoming train, we'll get run over again, just as we did with gun control, abortion, and other wedge issues. If you read this blog, please:
-post more stories about immigration as this year's wedge issue.
-share tools or trainings that'll help us start conversations in our unions about immigration and wedge issues. (I hope I can contribute something soon.)
In solidarity,
Mike Prokosch
UMass Lowell Labor Extension Program
Thanks Mike and Tess. This could be useful. So I'm going to solicit some input from all the tactical brains in UALE. We're pretty sure that the Minutemen CDC (aka Klan Light) is having a national meeting here in Kansas City in early February. The anarchists are organizing along with the Hispanic community, and probably Interfaith Worker Justice. The media of course will be there in force. Any thoughts on messaging especially to working people and tactics? We're looking for some skit ideas too.
Missouri is very fertile for wedge issues and this one will be a biggy. We will have both anti-afirmative action and English only on the Novebmer 08 ballot.
In solidarity,
Judy Ancel
UMKC
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