The Visitor (2007, directed by Thomas McCarthy) is a sensitive story of two young, undocumented immigrants in post 9/11 New York. It does a fine job of exposing the human cost of U.S. immigration policies. The movie unfolds as Walter, a burned out college professor finds himself unexpectedly sharing his New York apartment with Tarek… Read more »
immigrant rights
Waterfront workers versus bosses: “We’re all fighting the same enemy”
In July, the Seattle branch of the Freedom Socialist Party (FSP) hosted a forum to help analyze and advance pivotal battles that are unfolding for labor on the docks. This article is based on a press release that captures insights from the discussion. Three rank-and-file labor leaders took to the podium Saturday night, July 21,… Read more »
¿Qué derecho a votar? Una cándida historia de la supresión de electores en los Estados Unidos
La supresión de electores en los EEUU estuvo presente en las noticias durante las elecciones recientes. Pero la cuestión de quién tiene el derecho a votar y quién no, es una larga batalla de clases entre las élites y los trabajadores. Aquéllos que ostentan el poder siempre han ejercido su influencia por medio de la… Read more »
What right to vote? A candid history of voter suppression in the United States
Voter suppression in the U.S. was much in the news during this recent election. But the issue of who has the right to vote, and who does not, is a long-running class battle between the wealthy elite and the workers. Those in power have always maintained their influence through voter exclusion and a rigged electoral… Read more »
El cruel engaño migratorio de Obama
La contienda entre el presidente Obama y las facciones del Congreso acerca de la reforma migratoria oculta un hecho básico. Ninguno de los planes que se han propuesto ofrece una mejor vida para los trabajadores indocumentados; al contrario, cada uno de ellos incrementaría el terror cotidiano al que se enfrentan estos inmigrantes. Es cierto por… Read more »
Obama’s cruel immigration hoax
The sparring between President Obama and Congressional factions about immigration reform covers up a basic fact. Not one of the plans being floated would create a better life for undocumented workers; each would instead increase the everyday terror these immigrants face. This is true for a simple reason: top-down immigration reform isn’t designed to help… Read more »
Ethnic studies victory in Arizona
At long last, a blatant right-wing lawsuit against Mexican American Studies in Tucson, Ariz. has been thrown out of court. Its primary targets were teachers Sean Arce and José González, who organized a dedicated defense against the racist Tucson school district. They need help raising $8,200 in unpaid legal fees. Donations can be mailed to… Read more »
Freedom Socialist movie review — Bless Me, Ultima: a Chicano boy’s profound coming of age
The movie Bless me, Ultima is based on a novel by Rudolfo Anaya published in 1972. Anaya is one of the founders of contemporary Chicano literature, and his book is on many school reading lists, especially for Chicano studies. It is the first novel shedding a light on the Chicano experience to make it into… Read more »
Mothers honored with action in Seattle
In Seattle over 200 people celebrate Mother’s Day with balloons, facepaint and a message. Rally demands included publicly funded childcare for poor and working families, expanded social services, ending the deportation of immigrants, stopping domestic violence and freeing abuse survivor Marissa Alexander.
Obama unmasked: The president of dashed hopes
The president helped end the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that locked LGBT military service members in the closet. During his 2012 campaign, he reduced deportations of undocumented youth who came to the U.S. as children. But, with few other exceptions, his actions have served the wealthy elite and expanded the attacks on working people… Read more »
