More thoughts on Gay Pride

I ran across this and wanted to share it. It's too long to tweet, so appropriately, it ends up here at "More Than 140 Characters."

I get sick of listening to straight people complain about, "Well, hey, we don't have a heterosexual-pride day, why do you need a gay-pride day?" I remember when I was a kid I'd always ask my mom: "Why don't we have a Kid's Day? We have a Mother's Day and a Father's Day, but why don't we have a Kid's Day?" My mom would always say, "Every day is Kid's Day."

To all those heterosexuals that bitch about gay pride, I say the same thing: Every day is heterosexual-pride day! Can't you people enjoy your banquet and not piss on those of us enjoying our crumbs over here in the corner?

~Rob Nash

IRS examines Sean Hannity's scam "Charity"

It's a widely-accepted standard that legitimate nonprofits spend at least 70% of contributions on program work. This holds true for both humanitarian and partisan efforts (The Red Cross, Amnesty International, Habitat for Humanity, Save the Whales, Save the Imaginary Goats ...) My BPJ Foundation takes advantages of donated accounting and web assistance so we can pass through a full 100% of receipts. Granted, we pass funds through to third-party organizations who have their own overhead expenses, but only orgs who operate very efficiently.

Over the past half-decade, IRS records show FOX NEWS commentator SEAN HANNITY's Heritage Foundation, which Hannity touts frequently on air, skims over 90% off the top for "private planes, stretch limousines" for Hannity and friends, according to reports, and other undefined "administrative expenses." Again, 90%. Meaning of every dollar Hannity's pontificating extracts from America's pockets, less than a dime goes to provide aid.

Hannity's Foundation passes remarkably little money to veterans and their families.

This is a detail he has yet to cop to. In fact, when challenged he denies it, despite it's being a matter of public record, verifiable by the IRS. This denial of fact requires no small amount of hubris on his part.

I actually lost sleep over this last night. Hypocrisy in general disgusts me, but there is a special place for those who accept money, allegedly to help others in need, and then spend it on luxuries for themselves.

How, in this regard, is Hannity any different from villainous dictators globally who do the same thing -- spend the bulk of aid money for their own pleasure, amusement or military fortification, while those who were supposed to have been helped continue to suffer?

How can people watch Hannity day after day on TV and not ... I don't know ... THROW THINGS at the screen, or get out pitchforks and torches and go after him for his outrageous behavior?
Every dollar Sean Hannity begs for and gets, then spends on limos and chartered planes, makes the work harder for those of us trying to legitimately help people.

He diminishes us all.

Brittany Novotny is a kinder person than I am

The following is a letter Oklahoma City attorney Brittany Novotny wrote to Sally Kern, the incumbent State Representative in her district, politely informing Ms. Kern of Brittany's intention to challenge Kern for her seat in November.

In the letter, Brittany says she'll not be personally attacking Rep. Kern, which is commendable. I do hope there's room, however, for a few of Brittany's bulldogs/fans (self included) to challenge Rep. Kern directly and without reservation, as in my recently posted open letter to Rep. Kern in which I took Kern to task on outrageous statements she's made about gay people and Muslims.

I'm posting Brittany's intent letter not because it contains a bunch of new information, but because it demonstrates what a class act Brittany is. In the letter, Brittany does "go there" briefly, quoting an op/ed piece in which the writer begged Rep. Kern to step down, pleading "... for the good of our state, you must stop embarrassing us."

(Since my letter to Kern, she's made even more inflammatory and absurd statements, including implying that the current recession is somehow a result of gays gaining political power and President Obama acknowledging Gay Pride Month.)

I echo that writer's sentiments and will expand upon them:

For the good of AMERICA, Representative Kern, you must stop embarrassing us!

An Open Letter to Rep. Kern

On 03.25.10, In News, By brittany4hd84

Rep. Sally Kern
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Rm. 332
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Re: Our Race to Represent House District 84 – An Open Letter

Dear Rep. Kern:

I’d like to introduce myself to you. We have only been in the same room briefly, when some fellow Young Democrats and I decided to meet at the Capitol on July 2, 2009. And we’ve both been interviewed at various times relating to our race for the legislature. I’m writing today to let you know how I intend to run this race, and to explain why I decided to challenge you for this seat in the legislature.

First, as much as we may disagree about policy or the role of government in the lives of individual Oklahomans, I will not be personally attacking you or your family. I urge my supporters to avoid personal attacks as well. I firmly believe that we can disagree without being disagreeable. Also, as a candidate myself, I feel a new sense of respect for any individual who is confident enough to put themselves on the line to run for a public office. It truly is a public service, and candidates deserve a certain level of personal respect.

With that said, there is no doubt that political races require the candidates to highlight differences. Where we have differences in policy, how we view the future, or how we view the role of government in the lives of individual Oklahomans, you can continue to expect to hear about those things from my campaign.

Next, there are a number of reasons that I decided to challenge you for this seat. It would be folly for me to deny that one of those reasons happens to be that I want to have the job of representing my fellow Oklahomans in the legislature. It’s true. I’m an ambitious person, I’m a confident person, and I’m very passionate about legal and political issues. I want the job of representing Oklahomans and defending the Oklahoma Constitution in our legislature.

The other reason that I decided to challenge you for this seat in the legislature, is that fellow Oklahomans who knew that I’m an ambitious, confident, and passionate person suggested to me that I challenge you. There are many Oklahomans who say they are embarrassed by your words and deeds as a state legislator, and The Journal Record has even devoted an entire editorial admonishing you for your behavior. The editorial opined that your behavior was “damaging [Oklahoma’s] credibility and…inhibiting our state’s ability to conduct business.” The editorial went on to plead, “for the good of our state, you must stop embarrassing us.”

I think most Oklahomans expect their elected officials to conduct themselves professionally, encouraging a sense of community and taking the economic development of Oklahoma seriously. Your record stands in contrast to these expectations. In your nearly six years in the legislature, statements you’ve made and positions you’ve taken on issues have encouraged division instead of unity and pushed new business away from Oklahoma. People are ready for a change.

I believe the people in House District 84 want someone who shares their values of community and personal responsibility and their vision of building a brighter future for our state with jobs, education, and transportation. And I feel that I’m up for that job.

A campaign really is just an extended job interview, and the voters are the boss. Therefore, I’m asking you to agree to a couple of town hall meetings where voters can ask us questions and decide who they believe will do the best job representing them. I hope this is something that interests you. If so, or if any community group is interested in organizing such an event, please contact my campaign.

I look forward to a vigorous debate with you and your campaign through Election Day on November 2.

Regards,
Brittany M. Novotny

Sally Kern to Face Transgender Opponent in Oklahoma

The deliciousness of this story is almost more than I can bear. What a fun run-up to the November election this will be! First up, the news from today headline, and then the backstory.

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The Advocate (June 9, 2010) - Oklahoma state representative Sally Kern, who has called gay people more dangerous to the country than terrorists, will face a transgender opponent, attorney Brittany Novotny (pictured), in the general election for the Oklahoma City seat this fall.

Novotny, the state's first known transgender candidate, filed papers to run Tuesday.

According to the Tulsa World, Novotny, 30, said she would not focus the campaign on her gender identity, while Kern said she would avoid the issue.

“Novotny said Kern is pushing her personal agenda instead of focusing on issues that are important to House District 84, and because of that, the state and Kern's Oklahoma City district have suffered,” reports the World.

Kern, a Republican, and Novotny, a Democrat, may debate each other once this fall during an annual community forum.

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Why does story this delight me so? Read the open letter I wrote to Sally Kern 2 years ago following her statements that the two great threats facing America today are homosexuals and Islam:

March 21, 2008

Recently, State Representative Sally Kern (R-OK.) gave a speech dealing with gays in America. Her talk was intended for a small audience of supporters. Unbeknownst to her, the legislator’s comments were recorded and have since been widely distributed.

Many have been quick to condemn Rep. Kern from a place of moral indignation. I’d like to add my voice to theirs and, in the process, perhaps expand the conversation by addressing some of Mrs. Kern’s assertions. Here, then, is my open "constructive" letter to Mrs. Kern on gays, Islam, indoctrination, and the machine of bigotry:


March 21, 2008
Mrs. Sally Kern
Oklahoma State House of Representatives, District 84
2713 Sterling Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73127

Dear Representative Kern,

Do you write your own speeches? If so, it might be time to call in a little assistance. In once recent address, dealing with homosexuality in America, you got most of your facts wrong, and the few accuracies you did put forth were knit into the sort of convoluted logic my grandmother used to describe as "cattywumpus." While I’m no professional speechwriter, perhaps I can help you sort some of this out.

You started off with a useful observation:

"[Homosexuality] has deadly consequences for those people involved in it. It has more suicides. They’re more discouraged. There’s more illness. Their life spans are shorter."

Then you went cattywumpus on us:

"You know, it’s not a lifestyle that is good for this nation."

Brava, Madam Representative for noting that being gay in American indeed has deadly consequences! But wait ... so does being Black in America. And for that matter, so do being poor, coming from rural Mississippi, and being Latino. Perhaps, then, none of these ’lifestyles’ are good for the nation. (Here’s the scary part: you seem intellectually unable to differentiate between cause and effect, victim and perpetrator.)

If you systematically tell people they’re no good, hang them from trees, tie them to fences, tire-iron them on the street, look the other way while police harass them, deny them loans, fire them from their jobs, make them ride in the back of the bus, and prevent them from formally expressing love for their partners, it doesn’t make them particularly cheerful. Instead, it causes stress, illness, reduced life spans and a bevy of behavioral concerns like alcoholism and homelessness. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1989)

You, Madam Representative, stand by the side of the road and point with disdain to a man who’s been beaten, his body and spirit broken. You report only that he’s dirty and won’t get up on your command. But all the while, it was you calling for his subjugation. This is not just absurd, it’s the backbone of fascism. Look it up. (Robert O. Paxton. The Anatomy of Fascism. Alfred A. Knopf, 2004)

"I honestly think it’s the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorists, or Islam, which I think is a big threat."

Now your ignorance is plainer to see. Still, I want to give you the benefit of the doubt here. I want to believe that you, in your better moments, can distinguish between terrorist Islamic extremists and the peaceful billion-plus practitioners of one of the world’s great faiths. It requires skill akin to that necessary to sort out the face of bomber Timothy McVeigh, who robbed Oklahomans of lives and innocence, from that of your cousin Earl in Lake Aluma, Oklahoma, with whom your biggest beef is that he should get off the couch and do a better job of minding the yard. They’re both pale, blond and speak with a twang. But only one of them blows up people.

(Then again, maybe you can’t grasp the difference between Muslims and Islamic extremists. Maybe everyone who doesn’t look or worship like you is a potential terrorist. I pray this is not the case.)

One of the reasons our great nation was founded was to ensure freedom of religious expression for all. For you, an American lawmaker, to condemn Islam -- practiced peaceably in the U.S. by over 8 million citizens -- as ’a big threat’ is chilling. For that matter, can you explain to me, in concrete terms, how your or your constituents way of life is threatened by the overwhelmingly law-abiding Muslims in America?

I’m discouraged that I now feel the need to parade out statistics regarding Islam and American Muslims like a spokesperson for an Islamic-American organization. I do it to make a point, and more so to draw a line in the sand. Rep. Kern, when you speak ignorantly and hatefully against one group of people, you demean us all. And I will stand beside other oppressed Americans, as groups like the NAACP have stood beside me, in the face of your rhetoric. So here we go:

• One in ten American Muslims is a physician.They treat your baby’s fever and are working on the cures for things like breast cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. (Cornell University, 2002)


• American Muslims’ top choices for cars? GM, Ford, and Chrysler. Apparently, one way Islamics are destroying America is by supporting our ailing domestic auto industry. How dastardly clever of them! (Cornell University, 2002)


• The top five Muslim-American occupations include student, dentist, and homemaker. Radical stuff, eh? (Cornell University, 2002)


• American Muslims are more likely to gain graduate degrees than the national population by an astonishing 4-1 margin. (Cornell University, 2002 with US Census data, 2001).
  
  
• At the same time, in your home state of Oklahoma, it’s by an inverse ratio (an embarrassing 1-in-4) that minority students leave your high schools college-ready.(Manhattan Institute For Policy Research, 2006.)

In fact, based on empirical data, one could argue that it is actually the Oklahoma legislature and school systems (hey, you’ve proudly served in both!) that pose a greater threat to the future of America and its most precious natural resource -- human intellect, ingenuity and know-how -- than do American Islamics. You could call this a stretch of logic, but I’d caution you not to, for it’s certainly more solid than that which you’ve posited.

Nearly all would agree that terrorism in any form is an evil upon society. It is also true that your brand of blanket condemnation of those marginally different from yourself (i.e. Muslims as a group) causes the same pessimism and ’discouragement’ you note among gays. Discouragement turns to outrage. Outrage turns to desperation and fervor.

When this fervor spills over into violence, it’s inexcusable and simply must be denounced. On this, I imagine we’re in full agreement. But, Rep. Kern, do you honestly wonder why people suffer when you continue to condemn them? Are you so coocooned in fear and isolationism that you’ve lost a basic understanding of human dignity and spirit?

You could have stopped, Rep. Kern. But you went on with your speech:

"It’s a matter of fact, studies show that no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than, you know, a few decades."

(Let me pause to remind readers there are also those who flatly deny the Holocaust happened. To my knowledge, however, none are State Representatives.)

But to the point, this assertion was the easiest to disprove. Just which facts and studies are you citing, Congresswoman? From which institutions? Are you, perhaps, referencing studies that exist in your imagination? Because here’s what a 30-minute ’study’ on wikipedia.org turned up:

• In Rome, starting with Nero, eleven out of twelve Emperors -- a position more powerful than our U.S. President -- partnered with same-sex lovers. Emperor Marcus Aurellus even married one in a public ceremony. This encompasses over 168 years -- not a few decades. (Thomas K. Hubbard: Homosexuality in Greece and Rome, London 2003. Also, Potter, David Stone, The Roman Empire at Bay, Routledge)


• In ancient Greece, even conservative historians and scholars now concede same-sex partnering was for centuries "part of the social structure of the polis."(Bruce S. Thornton, Eros: the Myth of Ancient Greek Sexuality, Westview Press, 1997)


• In traditional Melanesian society, same-sex relationships have been treated as quite normal for hundreds of years (that’s centuries, not decades.) However, in the past 60 years, Melanesians have begun to reject homosexuality, predominantly because of condemnation from European Christian missionaries. (emphasis mine) (Herdt, Gilbert H. (1984), Ritualized Homosexuality in Melanesia, University of California Press)

Three examples seems plenty when it’s clear that, in direct contrast to your claims, a number of societies on many continents have ’totally embraced’ gays. Furthermore, much of this tolerance went on for longer than there’s been an America, longer than there’s been an Oklahoma, and far longer than there’s been a Sally Kern denying truths that are quickly verifiable via Internet or a glance in a history book.

"I tried to introduce a bill last year that would notify parents, err, schools had to let parents know what clubs their students were involved in and the reason I did that bill, primarily, was this: we had the gay-straight alliance coming into our schools. Kids are getting involved in these groups, their lives are being ruined, the parents don’t know about it."

Once again, Rep. Kern, you’ve turned logic on its head by confusing victim and perpetrator.

I challenge you -- present me with one real case of a student’s life being ruined as a direct result of their joining a gay-straight student alliance. Do so, and I (or The Trevor Project, or the Gay-Straight Alliance Network) will reply with a hundred cases where high school students were harassed or otherwise had their lives ’ruined’ (your choice of words) because of intolerance from misunderstanding classmates, closed minded teachers -- gay students report hearing anti-gay slurs up to 26 times a day; faculty intervention occurs in only 3% of those cases (Massachusetts Dept. of Education, 1997).

But where our gay youth suffer most is at hands of the same under-educated parents you want legally informed of their teenagers’ efforts for acceptance. Even you can’t be ignorant to the fact that over half of today’s openly gay teens report their parents reject them because of their sexual orientation, many thrown from their homes and demonized. (Gary Remafedi, Pediatrics, Issue 79, 1987.)

I know ... because I’ve met hundreds of these youth personally and in forums, sat and listened to their misgivings, and been witness their bruises, injuries both visible and hidden. Have you?

"Cause, what’s happening now, they’re going after, err, in schools, two year olds! You know why they’re trying to get early childhood education? They want to get our young children into the government schools so they can indoctrinate them."

Or, try the truth instead: The reason organizations like EQCA (on whose board I serve here in California) and other tolerance groups nationwide want anti-gay bias taken out of our nation’s classrooms and textbooks (what you call "indoctrination") is so that we can once and for all begin to dismantle the ugly machinery of bigotry.

It’s a machine fueled by sludgy voices like yours, revved by occasional bursts of high-octane hysteria, maintained and oiled by ignorance and fear, and the result is denigrated quality of life for gays, their families, and those around them.

The bigotry machine chews up Islamics, Jews, Atheists, those richer than us, those poorer than us, those with funny-sounding last names or big noses or eyes that close when they laugh. A century ago, it ran on Irish bones, and Italians proved fodder soon thereafter. Blacks have been a perennial favorite. Ultimately, the machine doesn’t care what you put in its chute, just that people like you, Rep. Kern, keep it well-stoked.

Then, I wonder what you are really afraid of with your talk of "indoctrination"? Teaching school kids that it’s okay if a classmate is gay won’t alter their own preference any more than walking out into a field and looking up at the sky can turn my eyes blue. (I borrow this poignant imagery from a Human Rights Campaign posting.)

I’ll end with a suggestion:

"I taught school for close to 20 years..."

Then perhaps it should be no wonder, given that your your logic is inscrutable and your positions mostly unsupportable, that only 1-in-4 minority students are currently leaving your Oklahoma Public School classrooms -- where you are proud to have taught for 20 years -- with the skills necessary to get them into college.

While Oklahoma does have a strong number of high school graduates overall, the racial preparedness gap is so wide you could drive a big, shiny U.S. Army Recruitment trailer through it.

My advice, then? Your position is not bolstered by trumpeting the ’accomplishments’ of your previous career. Better to stick with the hate speech. It’s quicker, requires less messy reliance on facts, plus it plays on people’s fears without causing them to think. And trust me, with the rationale you’ve floated in this recent speech, the last thing you want people to do is pause to give those arguments real thought.

Representative Kern, I’m a staunch supporter of free speech, including speech as damning and potentially volatile as your own. I support your right to make political mincemeat of yourself (not that, apparently, you’ve needed any help.)

All the same, while I’m glad to have been able to offer you these pointers, I can only hope your constituents will render my advice moot by providing you a swift, merciful, and permanent exit from both public office and the profession of teaching. We, as Americans, deserve better, both from our legislators and our educators.

Sincerely,

BEN PATRICK JOHNSON
LOS ANGELES, CA

Why Gay Pride matters. (And why YOU should give a damn.)

At the height of the Civil Rights movement, Malcolm X spoke to an audience of well dressed African-Americans and demanded, “Who taught you to hate yourself?”

Right now I’m working with a team on a documentary about homophobia in Black Hollywood. We’re following that clip of Malcolm X’s question with an image of members of Westboro Christian Church holding placards that read ‘God Hates Fags.’

The message is clear: African-Americans have been taught by society (and church) to revile their own blackness—the texture of their hair or skin, whatever cultural affects critics can observe and mock. And gays, along with others throughout history, have been taught the same sad lessons. We are “less than,” deviants, best kept out of view and/or subject to violence.

I won’t detail the history of Stonewall here. In brief, in 1969, drag queens and bar patrons fought back during an police crackdown of a local New York pub and several days of scrappy rioting followed. It’s looked upon as the start of the modern gay rights movement and a turning point in American Civil Rights.

The first Gay Rights parade was held in Los Angeles a year later, near the anniversary of Stonewall. Each June, in cities across America, gays and our families, friends, and supporters gather to celebrate and once again say ‘no’ to those who would repress us, malign us, or wish us harm.

It’s a party for sure—as colorful, outrageous and diverse as our gay communites themselves. We dance, we drink, we let it all hang out, if only for a few ... precious ... hours. There’s a serious purpose to Pride as well. It is the LGBT community standing up beside our families and friends and neighbors, to say no to ongoing societal oppression.

You don’t need a University study to point out that our Great American society leaves its gay and lesbian children depressed, isolated, prone to suicide and chemical abuse, suffering from varieties of post-traumatic disorder, and often shamed into silence.

Gay Pride is the opposite of that shame. Pride is not the cure to the societal oppression of LGBT people, but it’s a useful tonic.

Pride is not just for gay people. It's for gays and the society in which we live, both those who embrace and those who oppose our dignity. It is vital not just that we stand – for once – among people who would not judge us, but that America see we are supported by peers and community and not alone.

I sat and talked recently with Dr. Sylvia Rhue of the National Black Justice Coalition. Dr. Rhue, an out Black lesbian, acknowledges one of the challenges of her work is to get some within the African-American community to acknowledge the struggle for rights and dignities for LGBT people as common to their own.

Dr. Rhue sees the need for an ongoing war for hearts and minds that will not be satisfied until all Americans are treated with respect – Blacks and Whites, Latinos and Asians, Christians and Muslims, gays and straights.

Dr. Rhue finds this broad-tent perspective shared by some of her wiser and older peers, pointing to the support to the LGBT community from organizations like the NAACP. But a gap remains, in Black churches, on the street, and in popular culture.

“We’re not there yet,” Dr. Rhue laments.

We enter the 2010 Gay Pride season under the shadow of Arizona’s SB 1070, which threatens the liberties—and perhaps more insidiously, the dignity—of our Latino and Latina brothers and sisters. Have gays been out en masse, side-by-side protesting and marching? I can’t tell you, as of this writing. But we should be. Shame on us if we’re not. For, as Dr. Rhue reminds us, the larger struggle is common.

Sometimes seeds of pain may grow into flowers of healing. This week, there’s been controversy as plans are made to build a Mosque and cultural center near Ground Zero in New York. Well-intentioned but ignorant Americans, unable or unwilling to distinguish between the violent religious radicals who wrought terror on 9/11 and million-fold adherents of one of the world’s great religions, tried to block the move. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and the mosque will be built.

Buddha said that no man achieves enlightenment but through suffering. I wish a corollary held true—than a man or movement who has suffered is thereby compassionate and enlightened.

Yesterday I was driving down the street in West Hollywood, perhaps one of the gayest places in America, and was surprised to be shouted at by a young man on the sidewalk who apparently felt I’d looked at him the wrong way.

“What you starin’ at, faggot?” was how he began the exchange, and it went downhill from there. “I should fuck you up so you know where not to look.”

A couple of days ago, I asked an African-American voiceover peer if he’d be attending Gay Pride in Los Angeles. This is someone with a number of gay friends, a man who’s at least dallied in same sex affairs himself. His answer wasn’t so much a ‘no’ as a ‘hell no.'

“Pride is for out and proud gays,” he replied dismissively, “not for sexually liberated/limited individuals who just like to exercise and cum. How do I fit into any of that?”

This friend believes he’s socially progressive. Because in his spare time he volunteers for groups that are emotionally comfortable for him (working on a big brother type program in his church's youth ministry) he’s done his part. Meanwhile when he speaks of gays and Gay Pride, he does so from a place of remove tinged with disdain. I don't dismiss his volunteerism. But the degree of selectivity in what he'll stand up for vs. denounce saddens me.

If you have a conscience, if you can see the interconnectedness of people and things within our society, this is not a time to sit silent. If you are able to look beyond your own skin color or heritage or religious embrace, do it now. As a new, intolerant political structure crystallizes on the American right, the need has perhaps never been greater.

Is there a place for you at Gay Pride? You bet there is!

Is there a place for you (and me) to support the new Mosque in New York, to stand with brothers and sisters in opposition to SB 1070, to continue to address the injustices faced by black men in urban America and our criminal justice system? Yes, yes and YES!

And by collectively showing up for Gay Pride, immigration rights rallies, in support of alternate religious expression, and a myriad of basic human dignities others would trample, we help to shape America into a better society for the 21^st century.

Si, se puede.

BPJ will be main stage co-host at Los Angeles Gay Pride on June 12^th and 13^th 2010 in West Hollywood.

Blog / Counter-Blog on Immigration

Another back-and-forth. This time I was disturbed by the latest blog by author and activist Kevin Jackson, author of THE BIG BLACK LIE. Kevin is an African-American who speaks from the political right, and many of his positions are 180 degrees from my own.

Many reading this know I take delight in a plurality of perspective on issues, especially when I can engage with someone like Kevin who is talented with rhetoric. Here, then, is his latest blog and my rather pointed reply.

You can read more of Kevin's original work on his website, TheBlackSphere.com

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Kevin's Blog:

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It was brought to my attention that the US policy on immigration is indeed racist! In the spirit of fair play to the Left, I must right this wrong on behalf of all African-Americans. In order to put this in proper perspective, I will elucidate the immigration policy of the US.

You see, if you cross the border illegally into the US, you are issued a driver’s license, and a social security card. These two documents will allow you participation on America’s welfare system, or what is better known as The Immigrant Lotto! And you are an instant winner!

The immigrant lotto pays off like a change machine, every time, its only delay is to reload with fresh greenbacks! Every winner gets lots of prizes that thankfully for the illegal immigrant become what are known as “entitlements!”

One such “entitlement” is a federally subsidized government home. Illegals can rent it or own it…their choice. But why not own! Because if they fail to pay for it, the Fed will simply keep making the payments for them! The only loser in this part of the lotto is the people who don’t qualify for the Federal programs, otherwise known by Liberals as “The Oppressors of Democrat Voters.”

Next, illegal immigrants are issued a food credit card, a card that replaced food stamps. The beauty of the credit card is that it is accepted by establishments (bars) who serve food (and liquor), so illegals can now get their drink on, without having to convert the old food stamps for cash, then buy liquor at the grocery store. Liquor is a bit more expensive at the bar, however illegals can just think of it as a night out at the American taxpayers’ expense!

Next lotto entitlement is a free education, not that immigrants should bother using it. Why even bother with education, when all a good one will get you is headaches?

With a good education illegals run the risk of becoming “high earners,” thus opting out of the lotto. Let those high achieving ethical right-wing weenies go for the gold, while illegals sit on their lazy asses watching Novellas or The View translated in Spanish (SAP) on that new flat screen TV they got from Rent-A-Center…with taxpayer dollars!

In the education system there is the Super Lotto. If you are an immigrant and can miraculously get into Columbia, then Harvard, well you might fly in under the radar, and who knows…you could become president. A 300 million-to-one chance that you will receivethat benny, however. So again, why bother!

Nevertheless, what the lotto lacks in education bennies, it more than makes up for in healthcare. For now, the US still enjoys the distinction of being the best healthcare system in the world. And as an illegal participant, immigrants are treated to the same service aslegal citizens, without that nagging bill. The “Get out of the Emergency Room Free” card is simply, “No speaky English!”

Other lotto goodies include a government subsidized GM car, a cell phone (in case the First Lady happens by), one’s own lobbyist in Washington, and the right to protest one’s harsh and unfair treatment by America, and illegals get to accuse their newly adopted country of imperialism in the immigrant’s home country…BONUS!

The ‘Blame America’ card: Don’t leave home without it.

Add to this the right to vote illegally in America’s elections, and you have what is this man’s definition of Utopia. If you’re a Mexican, that is!

As an African-American, I am appalled by this racist policy! Had it not been for Dave Perkins—a white man—frankly I would have missed this most racist policy of the Fed.As Dave, my friend and producer points out,

…it’s unfair to penalize Africans for the fact that their country is thousands of miles away, in the wrong hemisphere and across the ocean. They didn’t ask to be born there. Africans should have the same right to walk across illegally into America that Mexicans have. It’s only fair.

I agree! Not to mention, Africa is more than a country, it’s a continent. Africa has 53 countries, not counting disputed territories, and there are many ethnicities to take into account, not just Mexican!

Here’s the wrap:

Dave goes on to say, “Therefore I am calling on Congress to create and fund a fleet of ships whose sole purpose is to go and down both African coasts and pick up anyone who wants to come to the US illegally, feed and clothe them for the voyage, and drop them off just south of Brownsville/McAllen on the eastern Mexican coast. Once there, they will be equipped with backpacks of food and Gatorade and good walking shoes, and they can simply walk across our border just like the Mexicans.”

But that would just be step one towards correcting this most racist policy against African illegals!

Not one iota of concern is voiced in America about the translation of documents into one of the more than 2000 languages spoken in Africa, even the more prominent languages like Bantu in Angola, or Fon and Yuroba in Benin, Amharic in Ethiopia, Fang, Mbere, Punu, or Sira in Gabon,

Darija in Morocco, and so on. Africans are forced to learn English!

Until the Democrats implement this or an equivalent solution, I will be calling them anti-African racists. Join me!

That’s my rant!

© 2010 Kevin Jackson – The Black Sphere – All Rights Reserved

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My reply:

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Kevin,

When you publish a blog piece like this, you may find yourself taken to task for your assertions. It's interesting that you're the author of a book called "The Big Black Lie". I fear that through your commentary you sometimes inadvertently personify that title.

Let's look at your current piece, graph by graph:

1) "Let me elucidate the immigration policy of the US."

But then you don't do that at all. You write a sarcastic condemnation of the policy with virtually no fact-based elucidation.

2) "What is better known as The Immigration Lotto".

Better known ... to you, because you've just made that term up, right?

3) Selective presentation of of half truths. Interesting that you point out how immigrants take away this or that benefit from the American system, but don't even mention how much is paid into the American system through payroll taxes. IT'S A GAPING HOLE IN YOUR ARGUMENT.

4) "The only loser is ... people who don't qualify for Federal programs, otherwise known by Liberals [sic] as 'The Oppressors of Democrat Voters."

I've read this graph a number of times trying to make sense of it and can't. I suppose I'm a liberal (didn't know we got capitalized now) and I've never heard of this. I guess I missed something at liberal training camp. Apparently you know things about liberals I don't.

5) "The beauty of the credit card is that it is accepted by establishments (bars) who serve good (and liquor), so illegals can now get their drink ... illegals can just think of it as a night out at the American taxpayers' expense!"

Do you have any -- and by any, I mean ANY -- evidence that this is occurring to a degree that warrants discussion? If so, present it posthaste. Quote a reliable study or even a comprehensive news story on the matter. If not, please PLEASE refrain from comment. You make one damning accusation after the next with virtually nothing but vitriol to back them.

6) "Why even bother with education, when all a good one earns you is headaches?"

Not following you.

7) "... while illegals sit on their lazy asses watching Novellas or The View translated into Spanish (SAP) ..."

As in (5), got ANY evidence, sir? If so, present it. If not, for heaven's sakes, hold your tongue! You're simply spraying conjecturing and we deserve better.

8) "As an illegal participant, immigrants are treated to the same service as legal citizens, without the nagging bill." The "Get out of the Emergency Room Free" card is simply, "No Speaky English!"

First, "no speaky English?" The bigotry you're sweatin' out stinks so profusely I can smell it from here.

But to your factual inaccuracy -- what are you basing this on? Seems like it's your imagination and not actual Emergency Room policy.

I challenge you to query major Emergency Rooms around the country and find a single ONE who doesn't issue (and attempt to collect on) bills to ALL patients completely independent of their legal status.

(Hint: you won't find one. Because that's not how they operate. YOU MADE IT UP, like much of the rest of what you present in this blog.)

9) "Other lotto goodies include a government subsidized GM car..."

Are you aware that GM has repaid it's loan to the US Gov't, and actually did so early? Also, are we still "elucidating?" 'Cause there's nothing in US Immigration policy about this. There's room for rhetoric in a blog piece, but not when you tell us you're here to explain policy.

10) "Add to this the right to vote illegally in America's elections ..."

Can you cite anywhere in either written US Law -- or a credible media source showing US Law being flaunted -- where this is a substantive issue? I'd be willing to entertain this charge if you can. But I suspect you cannot.

I could go on, but this response would be longer than your original post. Let's jump down to your final graph:

"That's my rant."

Yes it is, Kevin. And I'm glad you finally acknowledge what this blog piece is, a rant. The only real elucidation you've provided us is that of the disparity between what you believe and what actually exists.

Better luck with the next one.

Ben Patrick Johnson
Los Angeles, CA

More back-and-forth on SB 1070

There is a Facebook page called 1 MILLION Strong AGAINST the Arizona Immigration Law SB1070

It actually has about 1.3 million followers as of the publishing of this blog. While most of the posts are anti-1070, there are a number of "patriotic" voices speaking out in support of the law. The back-and-forth is fascinating and I keep getting engaged. Here's an exchange from this evening:

Brian K Morris

Houston TX

I am glad to see that this law is gaining more and more support throughout the country. It seems as if people are starting to understand that this law does not infringe on anyone rights. No where in our constitution does it say you have the right to not be asked if you are here legally. Personally, I would be proud to show that I am a legal citizen. But alas, there are still people that think this is an attack on them....

You think that because you look Mexican, or perhaps your family is from Mexico that this law is infringing upon your rights (Let me be clear you is a general term here). You think that YOU are the target because of the color of your skin. You and every other person that looks Latino that is against this law are trying to make it about you. IT ISN’T ABOUT YOU. It’s about the 13 million people that are In our country illegally. It’s about the laws that are being broken not just by illegals but by the greedy companies that hire them. It’s about the moronic politicians that crave their votes. It’s about the thousands of families that have lost children to illegal prostitution rings. It’s about the thousands of families that have lost loved ones at the hands of an illegal. It is not our fault that Mexicans make up the largest percent of illegal immigrants in this country. To be quite honest I wish it were white people just so you and all the bleeding hearts wouldn’t have a reason to sue someone and cry. Sadly my wish isn’t coming true.

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My response:

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Brian,

I suspect you'll find few among us who'd argue with your suggestion that America is overdue for immigration reform. Regardless of one's politics, it's plain to see we as a nation have neglected this, and people have suffered and died as a result.

There are a huge number of ways to address the problem. The ultimate solution will surely be a combination of methods.

What I and many others who oppose SB 1070 feel is that this particular tool, while it may be somewhat effective, will extract a human toll so high -- among both legal and illegal people -- that we find it intolerable. In fact, it is so egregious to us that we're speaking out against it even though most of us live nowhere near Arizona and the law's implementation will have little to no impact on our daily lives.

To us it is reminiscent of South African Apartheid, which required Blacks to carry identification at all times. It brings to mind the "papers, please" regulations of Nazi Germany targeting Jews and homosexuals. In the current case, it's not the skin color of the group that will be most (and almost singularly) affected that disturbs us. It's the simple loss of civil rights, and ANY group being singled out, whether deliberately or as a matter of circumstance.

I got challenged earlier today by a Twitter follower who suggested I leave the discussion on SB 1070 to those who live a little closer to the border. I replied that I didn't to live in South Africa to see that Apartheid was a travesty, and if anything, the few hundred miles that separate me from this controversy allow me a cooler, less emotional perspective on things.

I certainly don't speak for all "bleeding hearts". But when THIS heart bleeds, it's for perceived injustice, period. The color of your skin, who or how you worship, and whom you love -- these are of little interest to me.

I doubt my words will change your mind, but I hope it will help give you more insight into why some of us are so alarmed at this moment. We're not ignorant, nor are drunk on the liberal sauce.

We just f'n care.

Ben Patrick Johnson
Los Angeles, CA