Friday, March 30, 2007

LENT--Countdown!

Two meatless Fridays to go, today and next week, Good Friday.
For those of you penitentes jonesin' for coffee (:-)), chocolate or other forbidden fruits--you 'may' break your fast at sunset next Thursday, Holy Thursday (remember the Last Supper?)
As for those who worked on self-reflection and penance, I hope this time has been of help and that it will enable you to move forward in your lives.

Here in our little corner of Nuevo Méjico Lent has been extremely fruitful. Thanks be to the dioses. As an Interfaith Minister (and initiated curandera y granicera) again, my spiritual practices are not strictly based on the dogma of any specific religion.
As we enter spring, I am reminded of how ancient wisdom teachings throughout the world are related to spring and the moon.
For the Western world and Christians Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal equinox, so it's usually near the Full Moon of April (Aries).
(Look up at the sky, kids! Monday night! Lunes!)
Behind all spring festivals is the idea of renewal (resurrection). (Until the 2nd century it was believed the Christ's resurrection was spiritual.)
I don't believe in magic. I don't believe in karma. The key word is believe. I do know there's no harm is sending out positive energy. In fact, it could be a good ulcer reliever.)
If you have trouble starting your 10 minutes meditating/praying here are some recommendations:
The Great Buddhist Blessing of the Four Divine States
1. LOVE TO ALL BEINGS
(North-South-East-West-Above-Below) Love to all beings.
SILENCE
2. COMPASSION TO ALL BEINGS
(North-South-East-West-Above-Below)
Compassion to all beings.
SILENCE
3. JOY TO ALL BEINGS
(North-South-East-West-Above-Below)
Joy to all beings.
SILENCE
4. SERENITY TO ALL BEINGS
(North-South-East-West-Above-Below)
Serenity to all beings.
SILENCE.
posted by Ana on 3/30/2007

Thursday, March 29, 2007

'Women Don't Riot...'
(check it out--poem from I Ask The Impossible, tape produced by my son a couple of years back...here in solidarity w/ all those activists working to promote awareness regarding violence against women.
This coming Monday--I'll be the keynote at UT-Pan-Am, launching off their annual conference, "Pan American Days." Being on the US/Mexican border they are focusing on hot immigration issues.
At the same time next week, I have also gotten word that they will be promoting awareness on the issues of violence against women.
It seems at least one professor has used my published play in class there. Perhaps like a few other campuses they'll consider using it in place of THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES--ONE MORE TIME as part of a Take Back the Night program. The topic of torture is extremely relevant at this time (when we have an administration that feels the need to employ it is a 'no brainer.') The main character is an actual person and an hispana from New Mexico, which, it goes without saying may have more relevance to Latin@s.
How many of our young men and women sacrificing their lives in Bush's war?
Moreover, regarding women, and 'war is hell,' a news article featured how women military have to arm themselves from getting raped, not by the enemy but by their fellow American military.
Following the lead of other campuses Pan Am will have a clothesline project toward this end. If you are interested in doing something similar at your school, check it out:
http://www.clotheslineproject.org/
Women don't riot but we must make ourselves heard. http://anacastillo.com/women_dont.htm
posted by Ana on 3/29/2007

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Farmworkers Students II: The Guardians:
My novel happens to have a beautiful young man who aspires an intellectual and pious life.
"Gabo
Santo and friend of God, thank you for listening to me,
My saludos to you and to the Lord, my father in Heaven Plase ask HIm to look down kindly on me--I am try to be good."
posted by Ana on 3/28/2007

Farmworker college students--felicidades!
What is CAMP?
It is a federally funded program to help migrant or seasonal students attend college.



This lovely group consists of fresmen at state college--yes, sir.
And their teachers, profs. leaders...
I was happy to meet them al.
Así que, felicidades.
Keep up the good work.
posted by Ana on 3/28/2007

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Diet and exercise is good for you???? What brilliant idea will gringos think of next?
Newsweek feature on how what you eat and getting your huesos moving will actually help you heal from illness, prevent illness and keep you from falling victim to clinical blues.
Lazy Americanos--are we. So much do we refuse as a culture to even walk to the store for our tofu that execise seems like an innovative idea.
Today's topic come from Newsweek feature this past issue about exercise and the brain.
Cancer and staying fit.
It's going on a year since my AVON walk (39.3 miles, baby!) to fight breast cancer in my hometown Chic-a-go. (We raised 8.2 million dollars--uprecdented amt. in this country.) One of the women in whose name I walked is my long time, very closest friend who survived cancer a few years ago. My BBF (no less than 30 years!) came by for a visit between business trips this weekend. That's her w/ me below.
(Contrary to popular belief, this is not my diary, draft for a memoir or autobiography--just missives and rants out to the unwashed masses. Therefore, I do watch the privacy of the good--and the bad and the ugly.) As well as the beautiful, which In includes mi amiga--who has lost 85 pounds in the last 6 minths. That's right, the equivalent of a small person. Me, if I were anorexic.
Kudos to my dear Madame X who broke her diet to do some wine tasting aqui en Nuevo Mejico con su amiga escritora hiding in el desierto. 40-50 years ago in this country exerise could still be said to be part of all our lives, we walked to buses, to work, hung up our clothes outside (Uh, I still do? No, wait, I did until the dogs came and they started running off w/ the clothes.) we carried in firewood (uh, again, I do that now?) Well, anyway. The point is exercise seems to be an activity to ADD to our lifestyles w/ great discipline and sense of purpose.
But for goodness sake, get up and do something.
According to NEWSWEEK, amig@s, 'execise substantiallly reduces the odds of ever getting th disease (cancer), lengthens survival and considerably ehhances quality of life for women with breast cancer.' '...and lower the odds of another tumor."
"Excuss pounds lower the likelihood of suvival after breast cancer. ut for many women, maintaining a healthy weight is often a struggle...' 'Don't setle back to await developments...Rise from your reading [Reading? Don't give up the reading! I'd add: Internet, TV, video, bar-flying, etc.] and head out for a walk.'
Which is one of the things my friend and I did in the desert. Something she could not have done last Sept., walk 4 miles a day?
A diet tip from my survivor friend: an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apples for ruffage and fillers. Also, she's keen on quinoa--the supergrain of los Incas for protein.
My friend was blessed with beauty and talent of all kinds so even at her heaviest and sickest she has never lost her zest for life, ambition and drive to live life to the fullest. If her trips to New Guinea where she slept with a clan who sleep in trees, 'dined' with the Zulus in S. Africa and scuba dives annually with her mate of the last quarter of a century were not testimony enough she has a fulfilling career where, among other things, she is vice president of the institution she works for!
We all must take inspiration from the everyday wonder women and men in our lives.
Take it from me and my pal:
Pass on the Doritos and cut up a granny apple instead.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
No plans to go out? No one to call? Put on some music and dance your buns off by yourself.
Don't wait 'til it's 'too late' to visit someone you've been thinking about!
Just Do something. This is your life. Live it. Don't let the world miss out on it.
posted by Ana on 3/25/2007

Thursday, March 22, 2007

The Guardians! The Guardians is coming! Mid-August, my latest prose effort coming out w/ Random House.
Two nights ago, new additions to our community. This yellow fur sweetie was adopted and brought here from México. (Sí, es mojada. Pero como Tarahumara me imagino que la vale.) Her first litter was born on the Spring Equinox!
As for the itty bitty one day old in my palms--It's a girl!

And while I fear circumstances may have me looking soon like the Angelina Jolie of the third world dogs of color that need a loving home and a chance to get a good education and wear baby designer clothing she's going to join my pack as soon as she's ready to leave her proud mamacita.

All this brought to mind the doggies in my new novel based on the perils of the Borderlands in this day and age. I'm not just talking about the animalitos again (as I did in So Far From God) but some male-folks are featured, redeemed and almost saved or at least one ascends to heaven in this story. Kind of like the way it is w/ the Old Testament and New Testament. (When Jesus descends into 'hell' after crucifixion he is said to go and rescue Adam who didn't quite make his Daddy proud but apparently had been punished long enough.) Just to whet ur appetites (I hope!) Here's a sneak preview excerpt. Remember kids, you saw it here first. And keep in mind: below is FICTION. The mama dog above (let's use this term intead of the 'official one' that has found it's way into daily American vernicular and used for just about every and any girl or woman who doesn't go around bowing like a Geisha) and her litter are happy and doing just fine.

"Back when la Winnie was born on that onion farm, I remember all the puppies that had been crushed by the mother. By accident But still. Six of them. I helped the farmer and his wife gather them up because the mother was so protective; she was baring her teeth at us. She tried to take a bite out of the farmer's hand, too. While the mother was busy wanting to attack her master, I slipped the dead newborn pups out from under her. They were so small. Their ojitos still shut. They never even got to see light or taste milk. She just crushed them, by accident, like I said. "Here, we'll just put them in this," the farmer's wife said, bringing over a sack, the kind they used for the onions. She brought her husband the first aid kit, too."
Ana Castillo©2007/USA
posted by Ana on 3/22/2007

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY LONGEST-TIME FRIEND IN LIFE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, R.G.! (AKA GIGI IN A FEW ESSAYS I'VE WRITTEN.) CAN YOU BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN BUDS FOR--ARE YOU READY?--FORTY-FOUR YEARS. HIJOLE! FORTY FOUR YEARS, FOLKS. THAT'S A LOT OF MEMORIES. A LOT OF LAUGHS AND YES, SOME TEARS. BUT AT THIS POINT IN LIFE WE EXPECT THE TEARS AND VALUE THE LAUGHS.
IT'S R.G.'S B-DAY AND ALMOST THE SPRING EQUINOX. THE PERFECT TIME, ALL STARS ALIGNED, TO PRAY FOR ABUNDANCE.
IT'S ALSO MEDITATION THIS EVENING.
THEY'VE BEEN GOING VERY WELL FOR ME. I SUSPECT IT'S NOT JUST SENDING OUT PRAYERS FOR HEALING, LIGHT AND ABUNDANCE TO THE WORLD BUT TO ENEMIES AS WELL. (I DON'T BELIEVE I HAVE ANY ENEMIES BUT ENVIDIA, CELOS AND THE BITTER MIGHT THINK THEY ARE. NOT TO WORRY. DURING LENT I HAVE FORGIVEN THEM.)
I'M IN GREAT SPIRITS TODAY--AS IS EVIDENT IN THIS MORNING'S PICTURE IN FRONT OF ONE OF MY HOUSE PLANTS.)
WHY NOT? IT'S IN THE LOW 80S, ALL SUNNY AND BRIGHT BY THE FRONTERA.
EVEN MY VISIT TO THE ACCT. TO HEAR THE VERDICT ON MY INCOME TAX DID NOT BRING ME DOWN. I WAS READY THIS YEAR. (GOT A TIP FROM NEWSWEEK BY THE WAY: USE A CREDIT CARD THAT GIVES YOUR F.F. MILES AND THEN PAY IT OFF. AT LEAST YOU'LL GET CLOSER TO THAT TRIP TO BERMUDA WHILE YOU MEET YOUR U.S. OBLIGATIONS.)
MY PAP´A LIKED TO SAY ONLY TWO THINGS I GOTTA DO IN THIS LIFE IS PAY TAXES AND DIE. FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED AND ARTISTS & POETS IN PARTICULAR IT'S EASIER TO THINK OF DYING SOMETIMES. BUT THE TRICK IS TO FACE THE INEVITABLE & MAKE SURE YOU PUT AWAY A FEW HARD EARNED DOLARITOS TO TURN OVER TO THE GOV'T SO THEY CAN HOPEFULLY ARM OUR TROOPS BETTER OR TREAT THEM PROPERLY WHEN THEY RETURNED WRECKED FOR LIFE.
MY FRIEND, R.G., TODAY'S B-DAY GIRL OFFERS UP HER EX TO GO TO IRAQ AS A HUMAN SHIELD.
BUENO.
R., MY FRIEND, WISH YOU WERE HERE. I'D TAKE YOU OUT FOR SOME MOLE LIKE THE KIND YOU MAKE SO GOOD.
MY THE GODS WATCH OVER YOU AND UR HIJITOS ALWAYS.
posted by Ana on 3/20/2007

Monday, March 19, 2007

Attorney General--'Cause I'm brown and I'm proud and I do it all his own way--glorious was the day you made history,wa'n't it? Well, welcome to the club, mi general. As always, when the going gets rough, for all your loyalty, you'll ge giddy-yupped, solito riding into that sunset. Just ask the other flies that've been dropped from the Administration. Oh yeah, I forgot. They're tongues were removed.
posted by Ana on 3/19/2007

LENT: And speaking of the Lord. We're halfway through our annual penitential time. I woke up yesterday or tried to wake up, knowing I've given up coffee and thought: I don't think I'm gonna make it.
Ug.
Thankfully, I was going to MASS. Yes, me.
, (The little dog was not invited.)
Now and then I go.
(No, cínicos, the church didn't cave in yesterday.)
I want to talk about some of these religious adherences as a Xicana. I don't 'believe' in synchonricity (like the fact that just when I was having a hard time getting going w/out coffee I was plannng on going to get reinforced at a Mass anyway yesterday)any more than I do in the resurrection of the body of a man called Jesus of Nazereth. That makes me a bad Catholic. To be Catholic as we 'pledge' in th Apostle's Creed means to beleve in the physical ascension of Christ into heaven I am not here to preach or to teach so I'll save the history lesson and simply state that it wa'nt always that way.
Suffice to say, the 'belief' that Jesus physically ascended to heaven was a Church decision.
Bueno. Back to no-coffee and 3 weeks to go. And this is for those who gave it up and/or Coke, chocolate--caffeine in general, tortillas, omg, whatever those addictive treats that we endulge in to keep ups going--we're half way there.
Steady, steady.
I send this out as an encouragement. The first year I gave up coffee for 40 days I became sick. (Yeah, that's the Mexican way to encourage--pointing out the pitfalls.) Me dio jaqueque on the 3rd day y I ended up in bed. Every year it gets 'easier,' inasmuch as I don't get sick but the time doesn't exactly fly by.
We give up certain indulgences as a form of penance, if not to remind us of Christ's days in the desert and his suffering, we do it to feel compassion for humanity. We do it teach ourselves humility. We do it to teach ourselves discipline and resolve about what is important and what is not.

I didn't go to Mass because I needed to remember the above. It so happen that one of the women who responded to my email about Lent, unbeknownst to each other is a neighbor. (Freaky, I know. Until we realized we were for real, she feared someone on the Internet was messin' wi/ her pretending to be me but also feared I might think she was stalking me.) Turns out, no, it 's a small world. And she invited me to the St. Joseph's Feast Day mass where I live and her ancestral village. St. Joseph, by the way, regarding syncretism--might be to pray for a healthy household--o sea a good man or a improving the man that's there or for the bearing of children. In Chicago the idea was spread (and not by me, by the way) that if are having a hard time selling your property, if you bury a statue of St. Joseph in your front yard you'll get a sale. (I personally do not think it a good idea to think you'll get rewarded by trying to punish God's friends.) It was a lovely misa (I skipped the Apostle's Creed), a lovely procession and a lovely huge potluck--where I forgot about my coffee deprivation momentarily. What mattered most was community. And this is the reason many Chican@s I believe subscribe to Church rituals.

As a Xicana, in the community of which I speak--a Mass given in Spanish and in English--the hispanos trace their roots back to at least 200 years.
Now, by my calculations that means that Spanish has been the native tongue here since long before Border Patrol regulations.
The church, the land, the chiles and onions that grow here, los animalitos that we all share, la Guadalupe/Tonanztin in front of every Mexican attended Church, our respect for our elders, our ability to laugh at our calamties and to laugh despite hardships are all part of why Xican@s, feminists or gay, married or living 'in sin,' con dinero o sin, sit together in prayer. We wish each other peace--or should. We extend our hands. Or should.
We're halfway there. I am praying for those who said they wanted to observe Lent. Think of me in my Goddess/Guadalupe adobe capilla thinking of you. We're halfway there and then what?
Veremos. But one thing is sure. You will not be the same person. You met your own challenge. And that tells you a lot about who you are.
posted by Ana on 3/19/2007

Defending Women's Rights have benefits too. Behind every happy, well-fed, healthy woman is a happy environment, behind and all around her--for don't we all know, how much we depend on women's labor and presence in our world?

Over the years 'feminism' has been generally and grossly misunderstood. A lot of people, including a lot of women think it is something 'offensive' to society even when they don't know what it really is. It isn't an ideology or a religious faith--which people can and do defend sometimes w/out understanding. No, it's about women, just plain, ol' simple women. Unfortunately, a lot of women in the world look at it that way too, not just chauvinist men.

Bueno. Here are three reasons plain and simple: Why I have worked and written on behalf of women's rights. And if someone agrees or see my point who didn't before--welcome on behalf of 51% of the human race. Democracy does not and cannot exist without granting equal rights to all our citizens.

1. Pro-choice. It isn't only because, given the world we live in that many women choose to not continue an unwanted pregnancy because to do so will lead to her and would-be child's suffering, here is also why we must protect a woman's right to choose:
The world population is growing by more than 80 million people a year. Meanwhile we continue to abuse and exploit our natural resources. Water shortage, polution, poverty, and social coflicts, inlcuding are among the critical problems that alert a woman to consider if she can provide a healthy and productive life for any child to whom she gives birth. Countries and there are plenty, including in Latin America that do not permit legal abortion serve to persecute women who have an unwanted pregnancy. Laws that prohibit her right to choose promote fear in her and control her. No one can live her life to its fullest capacity in that state.

2. The empowerment of women has tended to encourage non-violent social change. For example, by encouraging and allowing women roles of leadership in the economy, even in small businesses. Repression of workers has never in the long run kept peace in a country. Even when war has not broken out in retaliation of dictators because of such repression the country's economy suffers. Not to mention the tragedy that comes w/ violation of human rights in those countries.

3. Children brought up in systems of gender oppression merely grow up to perpetuate the violence, despair and economic suffering that comes along with it.

Feminism has been greatly misunderstood by mucha gente.Nowhere here is the expression man-hater. It doesn't imply that only lesbians care (or should care) about women's rights. Grant it, women are doing much better in the U.S. than some other countries--largely due to the battles fought by feminists. But the 'hispana' in this country remains to be at the lower rung of the economy. It isn't a coincidence that she is a woman. While we're better off than our sisters in some other countries the world economy is no longer separated by the GNP. We're all making the same cross trainer together at some point, even if it's by buying it, we're endorsing that system. Oh, Lord, don't get me going. It's only Monday.
posted by Ana on 3/19/2007

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Activism can improve your social life!
It can. There's no guarantee, of course. But you might get to know people you find interesting. Volunteering and involvement will get you up from in front of the TV on Thursday nights or weekends.
At best, you may make some interesting friendships.
With the exception of blood relations I believe that all those I regard as friends and acquaintances I've met in one capacity or another as a writer. To be sure, I am the first to acknowledge that my books are not vastly popular. That means it is a selective reader who comes to appreciate my books.
In other words, someone who gives a crap about the state of the planet.
But you don't have to be a political writer to get to know like minded people.
Here are some of the standard organizations that are worth considering joining in one capacity or another.
Amnesty International Human Rights Watch
Int'l Human Rights Law Group
Freedom House (Wash. D.C.)
National Organization for Women
Madre: An Int'l Women's Human Rights Organization (NY)
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (Wash. D.C.)
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (NY)
Sierra Club
Greenpeace

Also, UFW still needs support and Dolores Huerta Foundation is active in California. Donate time to fund drives, public radio or TV or for animal rescues? (You'll get on TV?!)
You might consider starting your own worthwhile local project or joining one.
There are homeless coalitions, community gardens and many organizations ask for volunteer tutors and readers to look after our young and our aged.
Last yr I did the AVON walk marathon in Chicago. I didn't make new friends but I felt exhilerated doing over 39 miles across the beautiful city in June. Not to mention how good it felt to be part of a real effort that raised an unprecedented 8.2 million dollars. (Among the areas the money goes is to poor women who can't afford medical services.)
Are you are an artist or musician? Perhaps you can donate your talent.
Or
You don't have to do it formally but just take a little time for someone you know.
No one is implying that everyone you meet in such groups will be your friend or even nice to you.
And please don't do it to try to find romance.
(As for my own taste, I find some hard-core lifer activists carry their socialist ideology over into their personal lives, which, while it may have worked in the 60s-70s with certain like-minded women, today is no way to romance a lady, if you get my drift. Invites to backyard potlucks with former union organizers, 2 for 1 luncheon specials or 'dutch,' as a first date or 'group outings,' --unless you're all over 65 and going for the senior disc. matinee--don't ring of a man who is about to sweep a woman off her feet.)
However,
If you're down and having trouble getting out of the house it will do that much for you. Not to mention make you feel good for caring about people and things outside your own troubles.
If you're not ready to get out of the house with spring upon us--roll up your sleeves and tackle the closets and garage. Another way of looking at getting rid of a lot of junk you don't need, no you don't, is donate. Forget the garage sales and sitting in the front yard all weekend haggling over a $5.00 pitcher. Take it to the nearest segunda. (Get a receipt, you can write it off at tax time.) Or give away to families you know could use help.
If what prevents you from activism is not lack of movement but too much going on, review your lifestyle and your activities. I'm sure something in there could be replaced, an hour a week--one day a month?
Spring is here or almost in most places, think about something you might really care about and decide to do something about it.

No doubt I'll eventually hear complaints about these suggestions. "Oh, I did the marathon, I ended up in the hospital needing foot surgery." or " I always give money to the Sierra Club. I don't really know what they do w/ it but I only get mass mailings from them. No human contact." Or I like the ones who decide to attack, "Ana Castillo talks the poor and our gente, but look how she dresses at her readings."
Like I always say, he tenido malos tiempos pero nunca malos gustos.
Or, "She talks about gay and lesbian rights but why doesn't she come out of the closet? " I'm not sure what a middle aged woman who keeps her private life private is expected to demonstrate regarding a long time commitment to women and sexuality rights. Maybe performing cunningus instead of reading about it at my next reading. "She's not a real Chicana. She's got an agent (THAT agent--rich, Jewish and in NY who doesn't know our gente)." Long before there was a NY for Chicanas, long before book tours were the drill for authors, long before CHILIT and half million dollar advances for Latinas (who don't really like to be called Latina writers), long before Selma Hayek hit Hollywood, long before Shakira went blond or had finished la prepa I'm sure, long before, code-switching had made its way out of ethnic studies courses, long be THAT agent started working with a handful of Latin@s, me among them and alltogether we forged a space in literature for our writing. "Ana Castillo comes from Chicago. What does she know about our gente? She's not from New Mexico or California or born in Mexico!" Look how she dresses. (Where are her trenzas, her huipil? She's denying her indigena roots!) "She's not even friendly. I went and had my book signed and she just signed it."
As I said, activism won't guarantee friendship or romance. It won't make you rich for sure and if you get some celebrity there's a price to pay for it. There's a lot of responsibility. But now and then, someone you will get along with, who gets you, and who you get too and can go have sushi with or who'll offer to baby-sit or will turn you on to a pilates class will come along and thereby make your life just a little nicer.
posted by Ana on 3/17/2007

Friday, March 16, 2007

Activism is not just a moral or political decision. Sooner rather than later is is good for everybody.
We can protest nuclear power or terrorism, enviromental issues or racism. It is all connected.
Let's talk about water.
If countries that have considerable urban growth and that suffer droughts and have deserts don't work on resolving their situation immediately they will have to water crisis. Where I live now we pump out much more water a year than the water table can recover. (Thanks to the maquilas and to the growing population that migrated here for that work--work that, by the way, is now moving to China, but the people stay.) The countries with water resources already close to the limit that the UN considers the minimum requirement for healthy living (2000cub ic metres of dressing water per yr) close to that limit for survivial are:
Algeria
Burundi
China
Egypt
Ethiopia
Hait
India
Jorrdan
Kenya
Morocco
Oman
Pakistan
Peru
Rwanda
Sri Lanka
Yemen
Zimbabwe.
It is possible that water shortage may cause domestic upheavals ie. in mega[countries like China and India where urban epansion is coninuing at full steam.
posted by Ana on 3/16/2007

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Mayan priests will purify a sacred archaeological site to eliminate "bad
spirits" after President Bush visits next week, an official with close ties to the group
said Thursday.

"That a person like (Bush), with the persecution of our migrant brothers in the United
States, with the wars he has provoked, is going to walk in our sacred lands, is an offense
for the Mayan people and their culture," Juan Tiney, the director of a Mayan
nongovernmental organization with close ties to Mayan religious and political leaders,
said Thursday.

Bush's seven-day tour of Latin America includes a stopover beginning late Sunday in
Guatemala. On Monday morning he is scheduled to visit the archaeological site Iximche on
the high western plateau in a region of the Central American country populated mostly by
Mayans.

Tiney said the "spirit guides of the Mayan community" decided it would be necessary to
cleanse the sacred site of "bad spirits" after Bush's visit so that their ancestors could
rest in peace. He also said the rites — which entail chanting and burning incense, herbs
and candles — would prepare the site for the third summit of Latin American Indians March
26-30.

Bush's trip has already has sparked protests elsewhere in Latin America, including
protests and clashes with police in Brazil hours before his arrival. In Bogota, Colombia,
which Bush will visit on Sunday, 200 masked students battled 300 riot police with rocks
and small homemade explosives.

The tour is aimed at challenging a widespread perception that the United States has
neglected the region and at combatting the rising influence of Venezuelan leftist
President Hugo Chavez, who has called Bush "history's greatest killer" and "the devil."

Iximche, 30 miles west of the capital of Guatemala City, was founded as the capital of the
Kaqchiqueles kingdom before the Spanish conquest in 1524.

By JUAN CARLOS LLORCA, Associated Press Writer Fri Mar 9, 12:20 AM ET
GUATEMALA CITY -
(IPROPOSE A NATIONAL LIMPIA DAY TO INCLUDE ALL THOSE CONCERNED HERE TOO WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA! AC)
posted by Ana on 3/15/2007

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

If deportations of undocumented Mexicans were to occur, an estimate 1.7 million would be sent back. Paraphrasing one of George Lopez' jokes in his show, that would be all of 2 or 3 quinceañeras--3 quinceañeras and a wedding. "Keep an eye on my plate, Tía, I'll be right back."
Went to such a family party last weekend:

Chicana writer sighting in San Anto. Whose that behind those designer shades? Could it be...?
Nope. Guess again.

Attending one of those intimate parties where you have to rent the barrio hall to fit everyone,
the band,
and the karake equipment.
My Tejano primos sing

Do the chicken dance

know who the composers are of boleros like "El Reloj."

Play accordion
Eat brisket con frijoles
adore their Mama
honor the memory of their father
and do not wear boots except when
riding horses.

A good time was had by all.
(And by the way, besides close roots to the Southwest--
I also have first cousins in El De Efe--muchos.)
But after a week away, alas
I cannot go out to socialize without some guilt. My duty is to the pen.
I'm back to work--contributing an essay to a forthcoming tribute to Gloria Anzaldúa by her publisher, Aunt Lute...
posted by Ana on 3/14/2007

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Yo soy Chicano
Yo soy Chicano
'cause I'm brown and I'm proud
and I do it all my own way...!

I would rephrase that old movimiento diddy for our attorney general--
Yo soy tejano
el attorney general
'cause I'm pals with the president
and I do it all his own way...

--made an about face of an earlier opinion stating that wire tapping is ok if Bush says it is. (Yes, Bush is Chief of Armed Forces and he does have us at war but we understand Gonzalez got his job a lot like Ms. Condolences got hers--being yes-men.)
--being supportive of decision to send Chicano border patrol agents to prison who shot a drug smuggler.
--and torture is well, ok (Again, so states the Chief who himself did not serve).
--gang members on the other hand, are people who have run into a 'spot of bad luck.'

And like his boss when one of his cabinet is 'caught' (I won't say caught at what, but more than likely following their boss' orders) Alberto Gonzalez takes responsibility but with usual Bushspeak says he's not responsible.

Huh?
Moving on:

"Illegal aliens are overrunning small communities..." Lou Dobbes of CNN. A week, hardly a day, doesn't go by when that man doesn't refer to the people (they are not aliens and while people can be undocumented they cannot be 'illegal' but referring to them as such is a strategy to dehumanize that population) that keeps this quickly down sliding economy going as being as fault for it? "Mexico serves as a conduit for other illegal aliens."
A conduit?
Let's replay that.
Ok.
Geographically the Republic of Mexico is the country south of this one but it by no means condones, aids or desires undocumented migration from south of its own borders.

Whatever happened to CNN? An upcoming news cable station which some of the American public one-New-World-Order-Bush-ago believed was the little train that could, the David against the Goliath major TV stations?

KKK feature on CNN a couple of weeks back--they're gaining new momentum with anti-immigrant agenda. But what did that evening show decide to refocus on? Well, when there's such growing prejudice against 'illegal aliens' there will 'probably' be a resurgent antagonism against Blacks and Jews.
Ok. I guess. But what happened to the people they are in fact against.
Ok. It stands to reason; racism is racism.
No one ever speaks of Third Reich attitude about mestizos, nor do we bring up antebellum sentiment of mestizos here because it goes without saying what was thought of us.
But back to that CNN program: what happened to discussing the people the KKK is now in fact against? No one on that panel was of Mexican background.

Get this: On National Public Radio about a week ago, (once the news source for the just below the surface underground and now broadcasting for the middle and upper-class 'liberals' and bleeding hearts. Come on--2 yrs ago using up air time broadcasting all about the president's inaugural ball--down to who wore what...?!...): white supremist groups also say Mexicans are planning to takeover the Southwest by retaking what was once known as Aztlan."

Growing ignorance comes these days as we pretend to be politically correct about racism at least regarding other ethnic groups--
a conservative tv show (not CNN) interviewed a border patrol agent who said he had caught and returned the same individual trying to cross 7 times.
What happens the 8 time?
The host or someone said, "Shoot him."
The audience applauded.

Latino immigrants are being accused of bringing leprosy and malaria to this county. Cases of leprosy appear to be coming from Asia.
As for malaria:
Whatever they may be, undocumented workers are not mosquitoes.
posted by Ana on 3/13/2007

Have you kissed your doggie today?
Visited with this 3 wk old Rott Weiler lookalike last week.


But her Yorkie mommy (and Yorkie daddy nearby) would beg to differ what their princesa will look like when she grows up--to be no more than four pounds of gold or silver fur love.

I might have taken the princesa home but her mistress has rightful apprehensions that my sweet savages might have it for breakfast one day.
But it was a fun visit last week where I took a break from the desert.

It's a short line between harm of an animal and harm to a person.
Whether abuse of a domestic animal is deliberate or unconscious, it is a reflection of an individual's sadistic or masochistic tendencies. Abandonment and neglect of proper care are way too common.
But now our legislature is beginning to look into protecting pet and farm animal in orders of protection requested by victims of domestic violence. Domestic shelters can't take pets. They are vulnerably left behind in the homes with vengeful domestic partners.
Remember the bunny pet in Fatal Attraction?
That wouldn't have been covered under this new legislation. But at least it's a beginning.

Today is Tuesday meditation at our new daylight 6 p.m. Let's keep los animalitos in our prayers. During this time of Lent let us think of ways to care for the animals that surround us. Whether they're frou-frou & Gucci wearing pets like the above or sweet savages like mine back en el ranchito, animals exist in Grace. They are incapable of sin and as such, deserve our respect. If you have a pet you can't love and care for properly, please find a good home for it. Take your pet for its shots and make sure it gets proper care. Have it 'fixed' if it goes outside unless. Thousands of dogs and cats are put down every year because there are no homes for them. Consider walking friends' pets or pet sitting if you are able to and help out your pet loving friend. If you're not an animal lover consider donating to a rescue or local Humane Society.
posted by Ana on 3/13/2007

Monday, March 05, 2007

Femur, anyone?
Be warned. The following is a rant but somewhere in there, I think, my friends get what I mean.
Back on the ranchito chico the sweet savages who roam the desert freely bring home suspiciously large and larger bones. The sand soil outside my bedroom, where they like to park themselves to watch me, looks like a graveyard. Those fearless guardians and a well oiled rifle seem made to order in times when no doubt we live under an arrogant deceptive ableit temporary regime and where each day the American public, if one could begin to imagine as being of one mind, is catapulted further into ignorance. Maybe we're far from an anarchist rebellion, dull as our brains have gone, numb from outrageous gas hikes, stock market plunges, half the country without health insurance, the same half without full time employment, constant warnings to be on the lookout for China takeover (after growing up being told the Chinese were poorand starving)... And just when, like a sleeping giant American voters now have one eye open, (it only took six years-- Even attacks on this country's soil didn't snap most of the public to what was going on), lulled as so many were riding on one of the strongest economic waves the country had seen in a long time. But if the government's ongoing dark manipulations of foreign affairs were not enough, stranger days are on the horizon.

--The first woman to be seriously taken as a possible presidential candidate, baby boomer, product of the sixties when anyone who dared to voice any opposition to the government vocted FOR the Patriot Act?

--What is up with the ongoing references by politicians to the Bible? Sure, we know that Bush, Jr. won his election in part because of his open, strong Born Again Christian positions but up until, well, the last 6 years, one of our greatest achievements was being a country with a firm foundation based on the separation of religion and state. It was bizarre enough hearing Bill Clinton refer to the Bible but Obama's Moses rererences? Martin Luther King, Jr., one of our greatest Civil Rights leaders gave pulpit-like speeches, but he was a minister and not running for public office. Between references to the Old Testament w/ leading people to freedom to proclaiming slave-owner ancestors on his white side, Obama might very well end up having a bi-polar breakdown.

Giving our vets shabby hospital care? The same vets, among them, National Guardsmen/woman we've heard found themselves ill equipped and unprepared at the battle front? Our we surprised coming from an executive branch w/ a president who himself did not show up to fight the war of his generation? Why didn't Kerry hit him with that reminder? Only regimes have governments where leader's sons, who refused to fight for their country can be chosen to be leaders and declare wars.

If I am ranting senselessly (as I suspect) it may very well be that I too have been bombarded so long now by media doublespeak I can't even begin to unravel it. I just know that whatever I'm being fed, is bad, real bad.
posted by Ana on 3/05/2007