Happiest guy on earth! ;-D
Sched
Where I’d love to see you in the next two weeks:
Tues, Dec 27: The world’s best city aka SF / Yay Area
Wed, Dec 28: On the I-5 south to LA
Thurs, Dec 29: San Ya / Father’s Office
Fri, Dec 30: Rage / WeHo
Sat, Dec 31 - Mon, Jan 2: VEGAS / Wynn Buffet
Tues, Jan 3: Disneyland / CA Adventure
Wed, Jan 4 - Fri, Jan 6: Yay Area / Castro
Sat, Jan 7: On my flight back to the nation’s capital
;-)
Check out this video and walk a mile in the shoes of three undocumented and unafraid students. Then please show your support by signing this petition! http://www.change.org/petitions/10-year-anniversary-of-the-dream-act
10-Year Anniversary of the DREAM Act
Today, August 1, 2011, marks the 10-year anniversary of the Federal DREAM Act since its introduction in the U.S. Senate in 2001.
Please sign this petition to tell President Obama and ICE Director John Morton to take immediate steps to stop the deportation of all DREAM Act students throughout the country:
http://www.change.org/petitions/10-year-anniversary-of-the-dream-act
http://www.change.org/petitions/10-year-anniversary-of-the-dream-act
http://www.change.org/petitions/10-year-anniversary-of-the-dream-act
Let’s not wait another 10 years to make our DREAM a reality. Join us! (Please reblog!)
A Divine Convention Moment
I started bawling out of control for no reason. It was during David’s keynote speech on Saturday when he mentioned Tam [Tran] that I started tearing up. And usually it takes a lot for me to cry, i.e. someone has to be crying around me first, etc. But when he eventually started talking about John [Delloro] as well, I was suddenly overcome by emotions and the waterworks just started pouring.
And I literally couldn’t stop. It got to the point where I had to excuse myself from the plenary room, so I went upstairs to my room and continued to just cry my eyes out. I remember sitting on my bed and staring out the window, with the beautiful blue sky and San Francisco skyline in the background, and wondered to myself, “Why am I crying right now?”
And I realized in this divine moment that was beyond me that, quite possibly, Tam and John were both trying to say something to me. And it’s so weird because I had never actually met Tam or John. I had attended both of their vigils at UCLA when they had passed because I had recognized everything that they had done for our community and I wanted to show my support and solidarity.
But I realized that it’s also no coincidence that my APALA position as the “Tam Tran Program and Outreach Fellow” was named after Tam. To me, she embodies the spirit of “coming out” and a Tagalog saying, “Makibaka, huwag matakot” (“dare to struggle, don’t be afraid”) for her courage in shedding light on the struggles of the undocumented community. And John was really the pioneer of “Generations United” when he first brought his class to Convention in 2009, and so much of APALA’s work in engaging and uplifting young APA leaders can be attributed to him. And although I had never met them, I realized I was humbled to be a part of all of our efforts to continue the work that meant so much to them.
And I’m not a very religious or spiritual person, but I really do believe that they were there during the entire Convention – listening, speaking, marching, chanting, debating, voting, laughing, and, most importantly, celebrating along with us. Ultimately, I think John and Tam were watching over us, smiling seeing so many of their friends and family in one room, and were proud of the work that we all have been doing not just with Convention itself and “Generations United,” but with the greater APA and labor movement. My only hope is that we can continue to make them proud in the years to come.
Define American: Jose’s Story (from the New York Times Article, My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant). Watch this, so inspiring.
WOW. I read all 6 pages of this story and feel so inspired. It tells the story of an undocumented Pilipino-American (“Tago ng Tago” aka TNT in Tagalog) and his life journey: from being separated from his parents in the Philippines as a child, growing up with his Lolo and Lola in the Bay Area, and eventually becoming a Pulitzer Prize winning author. I was even more surprised when I was able to relate even more to his struggles (see page 3).
This is definitely a must read.
Apply now! Financial assistance is available for Convention registration, housing, transportation, and the Gala Awards Dinner. The deadline is tomorrow, June 17!
