Magdaleno

The other evening I was sharing some Mexican Food at El Gallito with Delila Leber and Ramon DelCastillo of Denver when I began doing my imitations of some notable figures. I was doing MLK, Ali, Malcolm X, Marlon Brando’s Don Vito Corleone (from the god father) and Howard Cosell. I like doing them on occasion.. And am told I can do a good Black South African Voice and a reasonable Johnny Cash on occasion.

There was a young couple who as they were leaving came over to say hello… the husband had a carrier with their infant child safely tucked away… they looked like a wonderful young family… the young wife smiling, her long black hair swaying leaned over as she came to our table ..

She looked at me and said “we were listening to you and we loved hearing your voice, and my husband (who was also smiling by then) said I should come over and tell you”

I was taken aback.. What my voice had charmed them?

Thank you… I am glad you like it…” I have been told by others that I had a distinctive voice.

We liked your god father and think you should have radio program… and do you do any voice over’s” the young woman asked

No I don’t do voice over’s but I do speak at a lot of events and do radio on occasion”

We talked some more, I gave them my card and told them to connect with me and that I will go visit them and read to their baby in my best of voices..

Since college I have often been told that I have a good voice.. I personally don’t like my voice…and wish that I could sing… but I can’t carry tune…

Why didn’t God give me a singing voice, good looks.. Or a better brain..But then .. I should not complain too much .. Since on occasion I can give a good speech.

NOW FOR MY VIEW OF THE NEWS

• Immigration rallies and marches
• Ya basta … enough
• Aung San Suu Kyi
• A week for planting..

IMMIGRATION RALLIES ON APRIL 10TH

AND ON MAY 1ST THERE WILL BE MORE MARCHES AND RALLIES.

The New York Times had a photo of an Immigration Rally being held in Nevada last Saturday. It was one of the 8 or so rallies held on this date in different parts of the country. The photo shows a crowd that looks to be 8-10,000 and they had many speakers including Senate Leader Harry Reid and Arturo Rodriquez President of UFW. The photo looked wonderful.

In Seattle One America coordinated a coalition that held an energetic rally of several thousand individuals with a wonderful representation from the Asian and Island communities. There were many speakers and video messages from the two senators. One great part of the event was the voices of youth that was presented by Washington Can. These events are food for the soul. While often I am asked to speak it is also just good to be part of the crowd cheering and chanting and not being one of the speakers.

On May 1st in Seattle and in many other cities organizations will celebrate workers and immigrant rights. I again will be there with my best voice cheering and chanting. In Seattle this May Day event has always been coordinated by EL COMITE. They are planning a large march and rally. You can coordinate with Juan Jose Bocanegra and contact him at bocajj1@comcast.net.
My thought is that we need to have multiple events and actions that keep our issue in the face of the elected officials and the media.

I remember that during the time of the Chicano Movement that we had many voices calling out racism and asking for change. And in retrospect I am happy that we had so many organizations, voices and approaches. At some point I hope that we will all come together and push for immigration reform like we did for health care.
So get your walking shoes on and get ready for MAY 1ST.

YA BASTA ….ENOUGH

we will not be silent..We will do what is needed.. So be careful and realize that what you sow …you shall also reap.
The right wing , Tea Baggers, Palin, Bachman, Fox News and others are stirring up a lot of folks to fear, hate, and in some case attack people and their representatives. Lou Dobb’s and others stirred for years anti-immigrant feeling that have resulted in more race related violence (hate crimes) against immigrants and Latinos.

At some point organizations and groups in the communities of color will have tolerated more than enough and this right wing racism will be met with an even more active in your face groups that will not be intimidated. While the tea bag movement is grey and mostly retired the reaction that they will inspire will come from a more active and younger crowd. This group will not tolerate the intimidation, spitting on, or the calling of the N WORD or other racist terms. You cannot oppress a people and their spirits with fear and intimidation.

Our history of experiencing lynching’s and racism has demanded that we take actions against the oppressor. Now these radical elements of the right wing have even gone to threatening the lives of elected officials. Most of these new terrorists are on Social Security or some other public assistance.. And they make threats saying that they don’t want the government involved in their health plans.. OOPS the government created their plans and they are benefiting from what they call SOCIALIST MEDICINE…

In the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s were filled with many individuals and groups who stood up for justice and freedom. And those unjust racist attacks of that era were not tolerated nor will today’s racism be accepted. So my caution to the right and the tea bag folks is that they need to be careful..yes be careful about where they go with their hatred … they just might wake a new generation of individuals who while they believe in the best of our society will not allow the current racist attacks and threats to go unanswered. So keep an eye on Tax Day April 15th the Tea Baggers will be at it again in many cities protesting Taxes while benefiting from the fruits of the Tax Tree.

And just to remind you that there will be an additional two rallies on April 19th in both Washington DC and Virginia where they are encouraging demonstrators of this right wing to come and brandish their weapons. I believe that this is dangerous and any gun going off for whatever reason could cause havoc. Now think about this for a minute… what if people of color were to hold a demonstration with guns.. would they be tolerated by the authorities..?

As you know I have worked with gang members and my thought was to have about 2-3,000 gang members to join the NRA and then to show up in masse at one of their conventions. NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL FUN…

Guns are a dangerous element in our society and we need to be careful about how we keep and display them.
So … I think we are in for a HOT HOT SUMMER and we must seek cooler heads and actions that will find peace and understanding in a political climate that could go ballistic…

AUNG SAN SUU KYI

the lastest news is the Suu Kyi is ill and has been seen by medical staff recently. Rumor is that it might have something to do with her heart. I hope that she can consult with an outside medical expert in order to have a good second opinion.

THIS IS THE WEEK FOR PLANTING

I like planting things in my yard.. My roommates are beating me to the punch … I hope to get into the swing of things this coming weekend. I want to plant tomatoes, squash, cilantro, and jalapenos..

Some weeks ago when in Pasadena I went by my old house to see the tree that I had planted in 1992.. Now it is a tall tree over 60 feet tall and providing the much needed shade. Just think if we all planted some trees every year and helped them to grow strong.. and think about how wonderful our world would be…

So in the weeks ahead take a couple of moments and plant something .. you have to invest in Mother Earth if you want her hug you back sometime in the future..

One day plant a tree and the next an idea on how to make our world better .. but get busy and plant… we need you and your actions..

DREAM AND PLANT… AND DREAM SOME MORE

My best
leno