Analysis of PWC Services / Undocumented Immigrants
Over the last couple days, people have asked what pushes a regular citizen to decide to enter political life. I am attaching a large document prepared for and presented to the PWC Board of Supervisors. The 200+ page document is a detailed review of every possible service in the county that could be denied to undocumented families and children. I invite you to do a thorough review. Check pp 26, 35, 36, 44, 51. I wanted to give you some highlights, but it is impossible to just direct you to any one set of pages. Those of you concerned with what is going on in financial markets and the housing market should pay particular attention to pages 26 & 44.
Andres Aguilera, my adoptive father, who today is buried in Los Angeles, CA, introduced me to this poem. At a very young age, I noticed the ripped page from a book taped on the wall of the living room. We never talked about it because the fact that the page occupied a prominent space on the wall was all that needed to be said. My compatriota Roque Dalton wrote this poem about Salvadoreños. Today, this poem speaks to me of my community – members of all national origins who had to leave their native lands. Those of you who are monolingual English speakers, I am sorry to say that a lot is lost in translation. Dalton’s poetry was influenced by the great Pablo Neruda who was influenced by the great Walt Whitman. I am pasting a segment of the poem below.
Poema de Amor by Roque Dalton
los eternos indocumentados,
los hacelotodo,
los vendelotodo,
los comelotodo,
los primeros en sacar el cuchillo,
los tristes mas tristes del mundo,
mis compatriotas,
mis hermanos.
(Las Historias Prohibidas del Pulgarcito)
Today, Latinos are the largest ethnoracial subgroup in the U.S. The Census estimates us at 14%; I believe we are closer to 18%. But the concrete number does not matter if we do not exercise our civic duty to vote. If you are registered to vote, please go to the polls and cast your ballot. If you have been a legal resident of this great land, please file for citizenship and register to vote. Our communities will continue to be invisible and the object of attack unless we collectively exercise our two most important muscles: our vote and our money. Let us not take Democracy for granted. Participate. Get involved.
I should be able to tell you later today if there is a legal entity ready to receive donations. The printers are already working on materials. A couple of days ago I spoke with Isabel Conde, EFE, who wrote the first story on this candidacy. Yesterday I spoke with The Washington Hispanic, Telemundo, and The Washington Post. Today, I will speak to radio stations and Univision. I hope to share more news with you throughout the day.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
Aracely
Thou shall not be a victim. Thou shall not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shall not be a bystander. – Holocaust Museum
