Would You Boycott Nebraska?
Here's hoping you don't have to. But incumbent governor Dave Heineman wants to push for immigration legislation resembling Arizona's. In fact, he's running for reelection on that promise. (Moreover, although his official stance, according to his website, "is pro-life," and he supposedly "strongly believes in the culture of life," he's already cut prenatal care to undocumented mothers. If he moves forward on this, that's the kind of compassion we can expect.)
Many writers, artists, and intellectuals--not to mention just plain folks--have already boycotted Arizona.
I know that many of you are writers. Would you boycott Nebraska if Governor Heineman (if reelected--and there's a good chance he will be) pushes for Arizona-like legislation?
If you would, here's where you can drop him a short note. Use your voice to let Heineman know that the rest of the country is watching, and that if Nebraska follows Arizona's lead, the state will lose. Nebraska will lose not only the labor and cultural contributions of the Latinas & Latinos who will leave, but also the cultural and intellectual opportunities provided by distinguished visitors. (The Avaaz model--people from around the world, letting political leaders know they're watching--has been incredibly successful. Help implement it here in the U.S.)
On the bright side, here's another reason I hope you don't end up having to boycott Nebraska. The lovely Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts has great residencies. The deadline for summer 2011 residencies is March 1, so you still have plenty of time, and I've been told explicitly that "diverse participation is encouraged." Plus, it's only an hour from here, so if you get a residency, we can hang out!
Many writers, artists, and intellectuals--not to mention just plain folks--have already boycotted Arizona.
I know that many of you are writers. Would you boycott Nebraska if Governor Heineman (if reelected--and there's a good chance he will be) pushes for Arizona-like legislation?
If you would, here's where you can drop him a short note. Use your voice to let Heineman know that the rest of the country is watching, and that if Nebraska follows Arizona's lead, the state will lose. Nebraska will lose not only the labor and cultural contributions of the Latinas & Latinos who will leave, but also the cultural and intellectual opportunities provided by distinguished visitors. (The Avaaz model--people from around the world, letting political leaders know they're watching--has been incredibly successful. Help implement it here in the U.S.)
~
On the bright side, here's another reason I hope you don't end up having to boycott Nebraska. The lovely Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts has great residencies. The deadline for summer 2011 residencies is March 1, so you still have plenty of time, and I've been told explicitly that "diverse participation is encouraged." Plus, it's only an hour from here, so if you get a residency, we can hang out!
Cindy
said:
Hi Joy,
I read the NY Time article you linked to and it sounds as if the Latina/o people in in Nebraska work hard and fill a need for the community and for their families. Reading this,about the Arizona issue, and a few other things (even things local to my area on the East Coast)related to "Let's take back our country," make me think all of this has to do with the fear of certain Tea-Party-ish white heterosexual men (and their potential Stepford wives)of losing their majority status and thus their power. In other words, it has very little to do with the public rhetoric and the truth is in the subtext, which they are too ignorant to recognize in themselves. Or too cowardly to say out loud.
Such people think they're fighting for America, but they are reacting to their fear that "foreigners and homos" will take over the country. I had to add the "homo" thing in because that's my hot topic, as you know. By doing so, I don't mean to dilute the horrible situation of immigrants in this country.
I hope your governor loses in Nebraska and I hope Deval Patrick wins again in Massachusetts. He has an analogous asshole running against him here.
Good luck to us both.
I hope you are well, Joy.
Cindy
October 23, 2010 1:11 PM