tomorrow is the day that sb1070, otherwise known as legalized racism & xenophobia in arizona, is scheduled to take effect. a judge has issued a partial injunction but it's not enough. and people know it's not enough. families have already started to flee. but immigrants are also fighting back, preparing to defend themselves, educating each other about their rights, and organizing neighborhood defense committees. after so many years of debate on watered-down reformist bullshit concessions, this wicked law and impending fascism has forced a different conversation. not we are not terrorists or we are not criminals. bleh! not please can we have access to the tiny crumbs of american dream you are making us beg for. more like fuck anti-immigrant racism and fuck the sheriffs & politicians & pigs and WE WILL NOT COMPLY. finally.
our beloved camarada marisa is there now, organizing on the ground in her hometown of phoenix.
The fact is that in the last 5 years, over 6,000 immigration related bills have been proposed in the State Legislature - that's more than one a day per session. Rather than finding solutions to problems of unemployment, foreclosures, and in the educational system, it seems as though the state capital has become a legislative laboratory to make the lives of migrants miserable. It has become the status quo to blame immigrants for virtually every problem the state faces. In southern Arizona, the Border Patrol's presence has become the norm, as has the death toll of people found in the desert.
...
Somehow, this law and what it represents has become a marker for the future of this place. A line has been drawn in the sand. Its for what kind of Arizona this will be now and in the future. And I don't know about you, but I don't think I want to place it all in the hands of a judge. We don't want half injunctions of an immoral law, we need full justice for our community.
we hear you, compañera. we'll be in the streets here tomorrow, in sf & oakland & san jose, like they will be in phoenix & tucson, and in cities all over!
** as i'm contemplating the inherent repressive nature of the imperialist state, the violence that always underlies private property and capitalist accumulation, i'm also appreciating a lot the myriadexpressions of popular resistance & solidarity that fight their way to the surface at moments like this...
With a new album recently out from Amandititita and new albums to be released by Julieta Venegas and Enrique Bunbury this spring, La Cumbaimbera takes this opportunity to hop back on the blog and spotlight Felipe Staiti’s solo album, which was released last September.
Most know Staiti as the guitarist from Los Enanitos Verdes. No, Felipe has not deflected from Los Enanitos (they did, however, recently swap out Daniel Piccolo, the original baterista, for new dummer Jota Morelli). During the Enanitos’ current 4-year recording hiatus, Staiti recorded his solo project titled after his band Felipe Staiti Trio. The trio, as it turns out, is more of a quartet, as it features Felipe guitar and vocals, Felipe’s long-time friend Gerardo Lucero on bass, and both of Felipe’s sons – Natalio on drums and Juan Pablo as the “invitado” that appears to have a regular role as rhythm guitarist in the band.
The album’s songs are mostly instrumental, with Felipe performing vocals on the three tracks with lyrics. Some songs were recorded years ago while others are new. And while some, like the single “Buenos Días” which aired on Argentine radio, display the familiar melodic pop-rock flavor of Los Enanitos, others, such as the aptly titled “Toro Salvaje” offer a peek at the heavy rocker that Felipe is at heart. Also indicative of Felipe’s personal gustos, is the visual aesthetic of the video for the track “Leviatán.” (Enanitos fans may recall the spooky green lady that was featured as cover art for Néctar).
Not only is Felipe one of the best guitarists in Latin America, he is, as far as I can tell, simply a great guy. He still lives in the city he was raised in. He has responded personally to the MySpae messages I have sent him (yes, I confess – but look how it turned out!). And in between Los Enanitos’ international tours, Felipe passes the time by hopping on stage at venues in his hometown of Mendoza, Argentina and rocking out with his sons. If only all famous artists had his ability to remain true to the music, their family, their roots, and their fans.
Checka Amandititita y Don Cheto call out the malinchistas y vendidos to the tune of "La Muy Muy" con sabor a banda. No te creas tanto (and for God's sake don't join the Minutemen) or else they just might call you out, too!
i remember the very first time i took an ac transit bus through oakland. i was 18. there was a fist-fight in the aisle, someone got knocked out, and a gentleman's face ended up on the bus floor, right by my shoe. yes, sometimes there is drama. and true, sometimes you hear way more than you wanted to about a stranger's love life or familial dilemmas.
but then again, you also see older brothers & sisters escorting little ones with backpacks on their way to school. you see the viejito best friends, the night shift workers, the sleepy parents. and also the flirtations, the near-arguments, the accidental reunions, the sweet & quick glances. a pregnant woman gets on and someone yells at a businessman to give her his seat. and then everyone stares at him and waits, until he looks ashamed and complies. because there is nothing like an angry bus crowd.
in mexico city & in caracas, the metro costs 20 cents a ride and takes you everywhere. it's open all night (as are the cities themselves). and like third world pasajeros everywhere, its riders are expert at making people fit. there's no more room in here? yes, there is. get in! it's like tetris.
**
so many references to public transportation in popular culture. here are a few of the musical variety...
down in the tube station at midnight : the jam
microbusera : amandititita
the metro : berlin
tren al sur : los prisioneros
**
siete y media de la mañana mi asiento toca la ventana estación central, segundo carro del ferrocarril que me llevará al sur.
y ya estos fierros van andando y mi corazón está saltando porque me llevan a las tierras donde al fin podré ver nuevo
respirar adentro y hondo, alegrías del corazón, ajaja!
Posts
