Taboo's 'One Heart, One Beat': A powerful condemnation of Arizona's SB1070
You know, we progressives like to rely on rational appeals a lot. And we're often frustrated when we discover that they're not working -- while Republican crooks and liars prosper with their often irrational appeals to people's emotions.
Thus, in the immigration debate, we can recite the whole litany of facts debunking the people -- like those in Arizona who passed and are now promoting its police-state immigration law, SB1070 -- who are trying to convince Americans that Latino immigrants are bringing with them a wave of crime. And you know what? The lizard-brain appeal often wins out.
We can point out till we're blue in the face that:
-- Despite the defenders of SB1070's claims that the law will brook no racial profiling, all Latino travelers from out of state -- including American citizens -- will be at risk should they choose to travel to Arizona if the law takes effect.
-- The law gives federal enforcement powers to local authorities -- something previously unseen in law enforcement.
-- Arizonans have been inverting reality when it comes to the levels and nature of immigrant-related border crime, conflating without evidence a handful of cases involving white victims while completely ignoring even more startling incidents involving white vigilantes and Latino victims.
-- The bill and its ensuing controversy has proven a major nexus for the mainstreaming of the racist right's white-supremacist agenda.
SB1070's defenders like to point to its popularity -- and yes, we can just as easily point out that, historically speaking, depriving the rights of others in this country has always been a popular proposition. But that's the rational argument.
We need to realize that we can make appeals that are both rational and emotional. Which is where this new video by the Black Eyed Peas' Taboo comes in.
Because really, the issues around SB1070 are very simple: right and wrong, just and unjust. And sometimes there's no better way to make that point than with a simple, great, heartfelt song.
And this is exactly that. The video features some guest vocals by Dolores Huerta, Eva Longoria, Oscar De La Hoya, Shakira & Juanes. It builds off the familiar riff of "One People" and becomes its own song.
Indeed, lots of musicians are joining this cause, and it can only help. Recall that Los Lobos has already made a statement of its own.
So while we're waiting for Judge Benson to rule on the Justice Department's suit to block the enactment of SB1070, here's something to remind us that sometimes the appeals from the heart can be the most powerful.
FWIW, Taboo was interviewed on MSNBC today about the video:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCt_yNgyV24
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
"Because really, the issues around SB1070 are very simple: right and wrong, just and unjust."
Illegal immigration is unjust, but you wont hear a peep about that around here
Having any of the Black Eyed Peas on your side is very very bad, not something to be advertised.
...as much as I like the message, I can't get past the fact that this song freakin' blows major, major chunks.
Beware of anyone promising a future full of yesterdays.
issue of 'in these times' has a great article"the corporate con game",about the connections between brewer,her chief of staff and many ,many more law makers in az. and the private prison industry(CCA. etc).
....the fools do not realize,a population that can ,..... not paticipate .............in the 'economy'...,can not keep it viable!..........."we are listening,.......and we're not blind.,......this is your life....this is your time."
the only way they can impliment this law without doing racial profiling will be to check everyone.
every japanese tourist, every "regular" american, native americans.
i'm especially wondering about the large numbers of native americans in az. the only difference betw them and lots of mexicans is location not looks.
they will probably targeted too.
even if a person from another country has his birth cert. on them when they travel to a foreign country, would the az authoritahs recognize it as legit.
according to the law they will have to hold them in some kind of detention until it can be proven that these are ok documents.
they have made such a bag of worms for themselves.
the security this website has for registration is goofy.
That's it in a nutshell in issue after issue after issue.
Shock the lizard brain through FEAR and the lizard has two options: flight or fight.
Then intimidate him further by telling him he's a coward if he flees .. and what have you got?
A whole army of attack lizards.
When will government of the people, by the politicians, for the corporations perish from this Earth?
Not soon enough!
The Republican Party came to power over the wedge issue of the day - slavery.
And they're still exploiting wedge issues.
Of course by now they've switched sides ..
When will government of the people, by the politicians, for the corporations perish from this Earth?
Not soon enough!
can't get the double spacing running over into to the ads fixed, I may have to leave you. You had it fixed for a couple of days and now it's doing it again. It's a pain in the ass.
had the same problems bluegal suggested i switch over to firefox , not one problem since then . g/l
every time you throw a little mud , you lose a little ground .
Unless people had to pass an ethics and intelligence test to vote, we will all end up functionaing as a society of ants. Do the bidding of the Almighty Cockrouch, i.e. Rush Limbaugh.
People don't want to think anymore. Why save them? I say join the right and live in luxury. All you have to do is set aside your morals.
pessimist about whether the assholes in Arizona can respond to the basic humanity of their Latino community and the Latino communities who would've been visiting them. No matter what appeals we make, they still insist they are right to treat us like second-class citizens. We even see Arizona Jerk Syndrome in the C&L comments. But I hope it will make some of them think and feel and stop lying. I just won't count on it.
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
how about the latino community respond to the basic humanity and stop
supporting foreigners who steal our jobs
Foreigers didn't steal your jobs. Corporate treason and free trade did.
If the major issue is concern for the Constitution, and how Arizona is in violation because the Federal Government is suppose to handle illegal immigration, why have I never seen anyone on this site complain about the "sanctuary cities".
If someone is pulled over for a traffic violation, and they do not have a valid drivers license or automobile registration what should the police do?
If you applied for a job and were told they would not hire you because you don't speak Spanish what would your reaction be?
should an employer have to hire a monolingual who only speaks English when perhaps a bi/multilingual who can speak Spanish would be a better fit for the employer's business and clientele, especially in the Southwest where there has always been some need for Spanish speakers, hmm?
Anyone who wants to try scooting through life on only one language has no place to whine about not being hired. That goes for both Americans who think themselves too high and mighty to learn another language, and also Latino immigrants who don't even try to learn English at all (which is a minority of the community).
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
If it is a minority of the community who does not even try to learn to speak English, why would there be a need for potential employees to need to speak Spanish?
If you are learning a new language, you don't automatically have the skills you need to function entirely in your new language. There are people coming here who are learning English, but in the meantime need interpreters for certain things.
I would be a hot mess if I tried to function in Italian right now, as it's the weakest of my four languages. So if I went to Italy, I'd sure as hell need to find a few English speakers while I was there. And yet, if I had an extended stay in Italy, my Italian would get stronger. If I raised children in Italy, their Italian would be more polished than mine. And so it goes with Latino immigrants in this country.
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
So, anyone living in Arizona who does not speak Spanish right now, does not deserve a job, but anyone living in Arizona who does not speak English right now deserves all the time in the world to learn? Sounds fair
you really have an effective critical thinking cap there, boyo. Your posts have all the intelligence of a teabagger conference talking points. You really got us there, pal.
/snark.
me-oww!
I guess I forgot that anyone who dares disagree with the mandatory line of thought on this site is automatically tagged as one of the following, tea bagger, racist, red neck or brown shirt. I thought all the robots were over on Fox Nation. I guess this is just the opposite side of that coin.
pro 1070,
pro-racistsorry, pro racist-like comments? and you post the total teabagger/Brewer/republic party line, yet you aren't one. Okay. If you say so.me-oww!
What I post on this site? Sorry I did not mean to step on your toes, and expect you to think for yourself. Just go along and let others do your thinking for you.
previous comments...
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
Under the name Indy
?
me-oww!
I forgot, you probably don't have enough attention span to remember more that one name
quit with insults you are out of line .
every time you throw a little mud , you lose a little ground .
notice how all he can do to 'insult' me is imply that I'm stupid? and he can't answer a simple question: Are you saying you have a different name you post under on this site, Indy? sure seems that's what he's is saying.
me-oww!
Nice double standard, you can call me a teabagger and that is not an insult?
but you still aren't answering the question:
Are you saying you post under a second name here?
me-oww!
that is what I am saying
[We only allow one acct per user-Sitemonitor]
Indy,
The issue is NOT about who speek what language. SB1070 is NOT about speeking another language.
STOP RACE BAITING!
Starve the WAR Beast...
... Save the World.
mr 12 weeks, 4 days.
Now you are accusing me of not thinking for myself? Can you look up 'projection?' Very weak, epic fail trying to turn that back on me.
me-oww!
who already speaks the two languages is already a more advantageous employee than someone who only speaks one of the languages.
English may be the dominant world language, but we are entering a stage of American history where expecting to scoot by in life only speaking English is not going to cut it anymore. More and more employers are not just looking for someone who also speaks Spanish, but other languages as well. I have read that Chinese is a language that Americans who want to do well in business and employment are highly encouraged to learn.
I'm not saying you're conservative, and this is just a general statement, but for all the conservative crying about hiring based on merit, that's suddenly out the window when an English-speaker has never bothered to learn another language, no matter if that makes the job-seeker less of an asset to potential employers.
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
That knowing more than one language is an plus when looking for a job, that's why I am taking a Spanish class at the Community College now. I just don't think that it should be a requirement to get a job in this country. If I were to move to Mexico to live I would fully expect to need to know Spanish
then should employers be forced to hire people who can't fulfill the company's actual needs (i.e. communicate with Spanish speakers or speakers of other languages in some other cases)?
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
for other languages, there is also a lot of people in the Phoenix area form Viet Nam, how many languages should a person have to know in order to get a job?
Why should people from other countries be forced to learn English? You have the freedom to choose to be a monoglot.
me-oww!
allowed to stay monolingual, and be rewarded for their laziness to boot! :P
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
that all things done in this country be done in every language known to man? I think that if people want to come here to make a better life, how are they going to do that if they do not speak English? You have the freedom to be a totally off the wall
shouldn't try to learn English. I say it all the time. You seem to think that people who can't do a job because they can't speak a needed language should be given the job anyway to the detriment of the work and the employer because the job-seeker speaks the almighty English (and nothing else).
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
What I am trying to say, if I can get past the "PC Police" is that if you are willing to give people time to learn English, you should be willing to give someone time to learn Spanish
You seem to think I'm saying Spanish-speakers should be able to learn English on the job. That's actually not what I was referring to. I was refering to things such as going to the doctor, grocery store, attorney, social services, etc.
If a Spanish-speaker doesn't have the English skills that a job requires, then just like the English-speaker who doesn't have the necesary language skills a job requires, they should learn the language before taking the job, or they should find a job that doesn't require English skills until they have the English skills to look for a job that requires it.
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
Let me give you some background. My teen age daughter has been trying to find a summer job. She went to fast food places, day care centers, grocery stores, all the places that used to be start up jobs for kids. At everyone of those places, because we live in the south west valley, she was told they would not hire her because she did not speak Spanish.
So, you live in the American Southwest, your daughter is a teenager & she's NOT taking Spanish in school?
Then, I'd say the problem is you, her parent.
I grew up in Canada, in a region that was dominated by Anglophones, but my mother made certain we were learning French in school. In fact, although mandatory French instruction wasn't introduced until I was about thirteen, she went out of her way to get me into a school that taught French along with English when I was five.
As an educator, she knew that learning a second language expands the mind & enriches one's sense of possibility. As a parent, she wanted to make sure I had that opportunity.
In Canada, many people resisted the move to official bilingualism - they, like you, are the ones whose children will suffer the most. This isn't just about the ability to find a job, it's that these children are learning to be hidebound, narrow-minded & xenophobic in a multicultural world.
with. If you need to know Spanish, Japanese, or Chinese, then you should probably study the languages, or find somewhere else to work that doesn't require someone who needs to learn the language.
If you're working at a law firm that specializes in helping the Vietnamese with their immigration paperwork, then you should have a strong grasp of English *and* Vietnamese. If you don't speak Vietnamese at that job, chances are someone is having to help pull your weight.
If you're teaching English Literature, then you probably don't need another language (unless you're teaching ESL, in which case knowing any other language would help, not hurt).
Instead of expecting employees to tread lightly around a job seeker's lack of education, the job seeker would be smart to get the necessary education and training, don't you think?
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
my head kinda hurts after that.more informed and in need of asprin.
....the fools do not realize,a population that can ,..... not paticipate .............in the 'economy'...,can not keep it viable!..........."we are listening,.......and we're not blind.,......this is your life....this is your time."
I'm listening to Randi Rhodes right now on the radio, and one caller running for Congress in AZ says that a company pushing to privatize the AZ prison system helped write SB1070 and was behind the push to make it law.
* There are two types of Republicans: millionaires and suckers.
"Mugsy's Rap Sheet": Recording history for those who seek to rewrite it.
Her chief of staff is a former lobbyist for the CCA and his wife still is. The guy running her re-election is President of a consulting group that lobbies for them as well. The CCA already has a multi-million dollar contract with AZ to house criminals, so they will stand to get even more when SB1070 kicks in. Follow the money!
In These Times magazine july 2010 issue,it shows you the money trail.
....the fools do not realize,a population that can ,..... not paticipate .............in the 'economy'...,can not keep it viable!..........."we are listening,.......and we're not blind.,......this is your life....this is your time."
... the issues around SB1070 are very simple: right and wrong, just and unjust. And sometimes there's no better way to make that point than with a simple, great, heartfelt song.
I'm not so sure about that. How many right-wingers became left-wingers because of "We Are The World"? I imagine it's not a very big number. Lennon's "Imagine" gets the hackles up of right-wingers almost every time, even though I believe their interpretation and/or understanding of what Lennon was saying is completely backwards.
This law is to protect the rightful residents of Arizona against those who come in and steal their jobs, their kids educations, taxes, identity, and on and on.
While C&L Cherry picks stories to make it seem like there is no problem in Arizona because of these illegals there are plenty that tell a different story.
I remember well how often the other side is accused of just this, fear mongering and how it is looked down upon until C&L does it.
Somehow it doesn't sink in to any of you that when a person breaks a law they are a criminal.
Hey, I don't have enough money to make ends meet, what if I break the law and rob a bank? Surely you will all be backing me up because poor me, I was just trying to make a better life for myself....right? Of course not, but in this case breaking the law is acceptable in your eyes.
I am tired of hearing about these poor people who are just trying to make a better life for themselves. At the expense of this country. All the big manufacturing companies are moving to Mexico these days so why don't they just go home. Keep their hands off our tax dollars and our country.
They don't want to be Americans, they just want to bleed us dry.
Please enough with the dramatics and fearmongering!
So I assume you would also send illegal Cubans back to Cuba, no?
Or is THEIR illegal status OK with you?
They are also "just trying to make a better life for themselves."
I'm guessing they've never thought about the double standard of Cubans versus other Latinos, or they don't care...
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
It would be interesting to watch Arizonans' heads spin if every immigrant claimed they were Cubans fleeing communism.
*
"The greatest tyranny is censoring information in order to be better able to control people." - Cristina Saralegui
If Cubans do not register with the Government when they reach out shores they are illegal.
I agree, but my question to you is, "Do you think they should be sent back to Cuba?"
and the law says that any Cuban who reaches out shores is here legally. If you want the same law for people from Mexico then you need to get the law changed. We are a country of laws.
that are selectively enforced.
"We are a country of laws..." very funny
me-oww!
Examples please
Starting with not counting all the FL votes in 2000, overridden by SCOTUS. No trials for war crimes or torture for those who ordered it, who made it policy. The illegal invasion of two countries. Not pursued, not punished. No impeachment for GWB for breaking the law. See the 8 years of CheneyBushCo for more. Presidential BJ? Impeachment.
Me driving down the street w/ a broken taillight, fixit ticket. Young Black or Latino dude, back out of the vehicle, hands in the air, flat on the ground on your face, car search, patdown, name, plate and VIN run, fixit ticket, and a moving violation ticket for something imagined by the cop.
me-oww!
what have you done to correct them. We have a system set up to address wrongs, have you worked that system or do you just come here and complain?
I believe the news of no prosecution for GWB et al, the SCOTUS decision, and the impeachment of WJC is proof, and your asking for proof is an indication of some deficiency you should get checked by a medical doctor, Indy.
You think that system works? It's an idiotic premise.
Next time I get pulled over, I'll demand the DWB/DWL treatment, as a way of doing something about it.
A poster w/ at least one other account, who does nothing but come here and complain about people being against 1070, just accuses me of what he's doing. Are you so unoriginal?
I am assuming your non answer about another acct to be an admission of another account.
me-oww!
was in the Air Force , is 5'3" and from Texas , he is just messing with everyone
every time you throw a little mud , you lose a little ground .
when you cant argue lie right?
If Elian Gonzales' mother had drowned crossing the Rio Grande, his fanny would have been on the next bus back to Mexico and nobody would have ever heard his name.
and irish in boston.
illegal, so whatchagonnado?
the security this website has for registration is goofy.
One distinction though,
Although they had regular ports of entry like Ellis Island, they had no passport system until the 20th century, primarily because of pandemics like yellow and scarlet fever.
Diabolus est Deus Inversus
Anyone who is not here legally should be sent back no matter where they come from. Our country is falling apart, we can't even afford to take care of our own anymore so why should we allow anyone who wants to sneak in a place at the table? Give them a bagged lunch and send them packing.
The rightful residents of Arizona are the Indians who were there first. Why don't we call on the Apaches to send you back where you came from, Johnny-Come-Lately?
the Indians dont have a right to anything
[Vincent. Quit trying to pick fights here. Name calling and flamebaiting-not allowed-Sitemonitor]
in answer to: [They] steal their jobs, their kids educations, taxes, identity, and on and on. http://www.takeourjobs.org/
Please let all your unemployed documented friends now that they are welcome to these "stolen" jobs.
I also love the whole "they're stealing our kids' educations" argument as well. I'm pretty sure that you or someone like you has said more than once, "Why the hell don't they learn to speak English if they are going to be here?" School might be a good place to learn that don't you think? As for the issue of "identity"...huh? Are you talking about stolen identity? If so, then I'm sure you haven't overlooked the fact that: (1) this issue is not exclusive to the immigration issue; and,(2) any undocument worker who is using a stolen SS# is actually having money deducted from their check in taxes, social security and such...there's a good chance they will never see this money again.
I agree that something needs to be done in order to avoid any unnecessary unplesantness from the "good concerned citizens" of this country. I honestly have to laugh at the idea that this law is going to stop gang-related violence in its tracks. The true violent criminals that this law is supposed to stop from crossing the boarder, will continue to cross anyway and the violence just might escalate as a result of this law.
Thanks for the link. Was going to do it also.
For the T-baggers, a question...
... How can one steel what is given away freely?
.
Starve the WAR Beast...
... Save the World.
thats not allowed around here
audit-prosecute-incarcerate
audit-prosecute-incarcerate
The teabaggers will never watch this. Especially not since it includes images of those dangerous pinko liberal commies, you know, the Kennedy brothers, Dr. King and Cesar Chavez. Once a lizard brain fixates on something, it never lets go, and facts be d@mned.
and way off topic, if corporations are people they should be able to own guns--and maybe their own militias. Logical extension of the argument.
With-in the next decade or so, pastey and old fat white women and bald men will be in 2nd place in the population race in the southwest and you know what that means! Let them pass their racists laws now as they'll come back and bite them sooner rather than later!
Wonder if Michelle Malkin or John Yoo have traveled to Arizona lately?
...of the court intervention. Let them try to enforce it in their "fair and just" manner. It ain't going to happen. The law is in the hands of a demonstratively corrupt law enforcement body in most relevant jurisdictions. I give it 3 months before the multi-million dollar lawsuits begin to roll in...from both sides. There are going to be lawsuits initiated by U.S. citizens who claim to be profiled and lawsuits from AZ "citizens" who believe that the authorities are not enforcing the law appropriately. It's going to be a figurative blood bath in the courts. Someone is going to find a way around governmental immunity in this instance. Someone is going to create a class to file suit collectively (again, on both sides). It's going to be a mess.
The publicity surrounding these legal woes is going to scare away what is left of AZ's interstate commerce and bankrupt state and local government coffers. If AZ is allowed to enforce this law, there's going to be a mass exodus of folks and AZ is going to be a scary place for people of color to live.
it should be a scary place for illegals to be
"Because really, the issues around SB1070 are very simple: right and wrong, just and unjust."
Illegal Immigration is unjust, but you wont hear a peep about that from you guys.
That's just ignorant. The contention that any law, even a bad one, is better than nothing is the voice of stupidity. As stated above, this law will resolve nothing and make things worse. The logic of this law is laughable. Spout all the tunnel-vision diatribe all day long. It will not turn an ignorant idea into a smart one.
.
Usurping Federal Law is NOT justice...
... But holding US businesses accountable for violating Federal Law, is.
People seeking a living wage is NOT illegal...
... But US businesses that hire undocumented workers, are!
.
Starve the WAR Beast...
... Save the World.
Comments are closed on this entry