Archive for November, 2009
East Bay student pursues dream of citizenship
http://www.insidebayarea.com/timesstar/localnews/ci_13619363
When his mother told him that he and his family are undocumented immigrants, Ju Hong was devastated.
The East Bay teen’s seemingly normal childhood had been darkened overnight by a sad fact of which he had been blissfully unaware. Like millions of American immigrants, he learned, his mother fled economic desperation in her country for the United States. Like many others, she overstayed her visa with the hope of attaining citizenship for herself and her children. She never reached that goal.
Today — nearly a decade after settling in the Bay Area — Hong is a productive, law-abiding resident who desperately wants American citizenship. But until he gets it, he will be pushed — like other undocumented immigrants — to live in the shadows. He also risks deportation.
“I have a life that’s a daily lie,” said Hong, a student at a Bay Area college. “Emotionally, I’m drained because any day anything can happen to me.”
But instead of playing the victim, Hong is actively trying to find a solution. The answer, he believes, lies in improving immigration laws. With that goal in mind, he spoke last week at a Santa Clara rally, telling the crowd his life story and why the need for immigration reform is greater than ever. He then joined nearly 1,000 people in a march that ended at Santa Clara University.
Hong also joined more than 300 people from nearly 30 states last month in Washington, D.C. There, he attended a Citizenship Day rally. He also met with congressional aides, asking them to support the Dream Act, proposed federal legislation that would ease the path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
It was Hong’s first trip to the nation’s capital. He made the journey with the help of the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), a national cultural and civil rights organization, and the Los Angeles-based Korean Resource Center.
Sookyung Oh, a NAKASEC official, said she hopes the students’ experience improves their understanding of what citizenship really means.
“Not just the legal definition of citizenship, but also the idea of giving service to a community and making it a better place,” Oh said. “We want to redefine citizenship as an action rather than a status.”
Some critics of undocumented immigrants argue that their illegal status undermines the regular citizenship process, and that they take jobs that legal citizens might hold.
However, Hong said all he wants is the freedom to give back to the country he calls his true home.
“My intention is to contribute to society, to work to boost the nation’s economy,” he said. “We’re not criminals; we’re striving to get an education and to make contributions to society.”
Hong is hopeful that the proposed Dream Act one day will provide him a path to citizenship, removing the biggest obstacle to him reaching his full potential. In the meantime, Hong hopes to use his new leadership role to help find solutions that benefit the country and its immigrants from all backgrounds.
“I want one day to get my law degree and maybe work in government,” he said. “I’d like to help others like me. I’d like to help those who are in my situation.”
You want something. Go get it. Period.
Hillary Clinton once said, “Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you’re knocked down, get right back up. And never listen to anyone who says you can’t or shouldn’t go on.”
Due to my immigration status, I know I can’t do certain things and I have limitations to reach my goals and dreams, but I have never given up my hopes of going to college. And I hope that one day I will graduate from 4-year University and get a bachelor degree just like any other students. It’s not going to be easy, but I can do it. Just like Will Smith said, “You want something. Go Get it. Period.” Indeed, if you really want something, go get it. No matter how hard it is, you must give it a try and go get it.
I know a lot of undocumented students are discouraged by their immigration status, but don’t let that put you down. If you work hard and put your mind into it, you can reach your dreams regardless of your status. Trust me, you can do it.
This is one of my favorite quote that was from the movie, The pursuit of Happyness. I hope you like it.
살아갈 날이 더 많기에…
Author: unknown
살아갈 날이 더 많기에…
.
살아온 날보다
살아가야할 날이 더 많기에
지금 잠시 초라해져 있는 나를 발견하더라도
난 슬프지 않다
지나가 버린 어제와
지나가 버린 오늘
그리고 다가올 내일
어제같은 오늘이 아니길 바라며
오늘같은 내일이 아니길 바라며
넉넉한 마음으로 커피한잔과 더불어
나눌 수 있는 농담 한마디의 여유
그리고 하늘을 쳐다볼 수 있는
마음의 여유로움이 있다면
초라해진 나를 발견하더라도
슬프지 않을 것이다
.
그저 누릴 수 있는..
마음의 여유를 바랄 뿐이다
.
우리는 하루를 너무 빨리 살고
너무 바쁘게 살고 있기에
그냥 마시는 커피에도
그윽한 향이 있음을 알 수 없고
머리위에 있는 하늘이지만
빠저들어 흘릴 수 있는 눈물이 없다
.
세상은 아름다우며
우리는 언제나 사랑할 수 있는
마을을 갖고 있다
.
지금 난 초라하지만
넉넉한 마음이 있기에
커피에서 나는 향기를 맡을 수 있고
하늘을 보며 눈이 시려
흘릴 눈물이 있기에
난 슬프지 않고
내일이 있기에
나는 오늘 여유롭고 또한 넉넉하다.
Latino Only?
When you watch the news like CNN or FOX, they portray majority of Latino community as “illegal” and “undocumented” people. That’s one way of conservative media creates scare tactic to blame everything on Latino immigrants. But is it true that this is only Latino issue? Well, Latino community has a predominant population of undocumented immigrants, but does that mean it’s only Latino issue? I don’t think so. Then where is the Asian American Community in this picture? The research shows that there are about 2.0 million Asian undocumented immigrants are living in this country. That’s a big chunk of Asian undocumented immigrants. But why is that Asian American undocumented immigrants are so invisible? Is it because they are not aware of this issue? Whatever reason it might be, this stereotype of “Latino only” has definitely affected me both positive and negative way.
I think that the positive side of “Latino only” put API immigrants in a safer zone, where they don’t need to worry about their immigration status as much as Latino immigrants. Don’t get me wrong, API undocumented immigrants are facing enormous challenges but the circumstances are much different than Latino undocumented immigrants. It’s mainly because the people usually weight on Latino Immigrants as “illegal.” They would never think of API immigrants as “illegal” or “undocumented.” This stereotype indeed creates deception to Latino community. In addition, this stereotype of “Latino Only” creates assumption of Latino is only illegal and put them into jeopardy. In contrast to Latino community, API undocumented immigrants are less likely to be discriminated and targeted as “undocumented.”
On the other hand, the negative side is that API students are even more afraid to come out from the shadow. I think it’s because API immigrants are afraid of being discriminated in their own community. For example, it is ashamed to talk about immigration status in the Korean American Community because Korean American people tend to have a social class as well. For instance, my mother was discriminated against one of Korean American citizens because of her immigration status. It is true that most of Korean American community “categories” you and treat you as inferior being if you are undocumented. But let me be clear, this doesn’t mean every Korean American people think this way. Finally, the stereotype of “Hispanic Only” hinders API undocumented immigrants to come out from the public and harder for them to talk about current immigration system.
This is not a Latino issue. This is a nation-wide issue.
Jesus visits Martha and Mary
Recently, I look through my old notes that I used to jotted it down during the church service. One of the notes was a story of “Jesus visits Martha and Mary.” This is a short story that has a powerful message behind it.
“38. Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 41. But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42. there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
What is so interesting about this story is that my life is quite similar to Martha’s life. For so many years, I’ve been worried and distracted by so many things that I shouldn’t even need to worry about. In this particular story, I learned that I need to be like Mary. Unlike Martha, Mary sat and listened to what he was saying. She listen and think about ideas, and develop her mind. She wasn’t distracted nor worried, instead she was determined and focused to learn. To me, the point of this story is that nothing in life is more important than God’s teaching. Why are we so worried when God has an ultimate control of our lives? I think we should be like Mary, who is willing to learn and focus on God’s teaching. Ultimately, he will guide us to take better path in life.
Another Dreamer’s story
My name is Jamie and I am an undocumented American.
Author: Prerna Lal
[This week's DREAM Act guest post comes from Jamie, who already has a BA and an important message of social change and action for all of us. Visit Dreamactivist.org to find out how you can help pass the DREAM Act].
I was brought here like many other undocumented students at a young age. My sister and I lived in East LA for a short time until we moved to a better part of Los Angeles. Unlike some others, I did know about my legal status from a very young age. Because of this situation, I was constantly living in fear of being exposed and was very shy as a result of it. I can truly say that living in the shadows of society has an effect psychologically. It feels like I am always hiding something from people that I wish I didn’t have to. Despite these challenges I still have the ambition to prove to myself and others that we Dreamers can still get ahead in life.
I have noticed throughout this time that not only am I in the same situation as many others but I also have built the same character as them. We share the same ambitions to prove wrong to those that doubt us, to be something more than a stereotype we have been portrayed in the media. I learned to stop feeling sorry for myself and pick myself up from this mental prison we have all been placed in. Ironically in many ways it has made me stronger to deal with challenges in life. My hope is that it doesn’t beat me to the ground.
The DREAM Act is currently the only hope we all have. Thanks to Senators like Richard Durbin (IL), we have a voice. Although I have a college degree and a mind that rivals others, it is standing idle. I can’t get a job; I can’t get an ID or travel outside the country. It’s the things that are taken for granted that affect my life the most. I am tired of seeing my “legal” friends move on in life to better jobs, new experiences, and better opportunities while I watch them go. In the past years the DREAM Act has failed several times and each time our hope has been brought down.
This time I am taking action and I urge all others to do the same. We can’t stand aside and watch the opposition make calls to senators and get active while we stand around and feel sorry for ourselves. Action is the word to live by, nothing in history has been changed without someone taking action. So we must do the same and make the calls, send the emails, etc. I urge everyone to get up and do anything they can because I believe this time it is the last time we can really make a change.
내 삶이 명품이 되게 하라
명품을 부러워하는 인생이 되지 말고
내 삶이 명품이 되게 하라.
.
“명품과 같은 인생은 세상 사람들과 다르게 산다.
더 나은 삶을 산다. 특별한 삶을 산다.”
.
내 이름 석자가 최고의 브랜드다
명품이 되는 인생이 되라.
.
인생 자체가 귀하고 값어치 있는
명품과 같은 삶을 살아야 한다.
.
당당하고, 멋있고, 매력 있는
이 시대의 명품의 되어야 한다.
.
명품을 사기 위해서 목슴 거는 인생이 아니라
옷으로, 가방으로, 신발로 치장하는 인생이 아니라
자신의 삶을 명품으로 만드는
위대한 사람이 되어야 한다.
.
명품을 부러워하는 인생이 되지 말고
내 삶이 명품이 되게 하라.
-Anonymous
Copy, Paste, and Send !
Hey guys,
You can use my letter and send it to your representatives. It seems difficult and takes long process to send a letter to the Representatives, but actually it’s not difficult at all. All you need is copy and paste the letter(fill out the blank), print, seal it, and drop in the mail box! How simple is that? If you don’t like my version, you can always make new one or modify the letter.
Once you send a letter to your representatives, you will get a letter from them within 2 ~ 3 weeks or so. Like I said before, it’s easy and this is one way to pressure our congress members to pass the DREAM Act. So please send a letter to your congress members TODAY!
Here is my version that I sent it to Barbara Boxer.
The Honorable (full name)
(Room #) (Name) Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator: (NAME)
Approximately 2.8 million students will graduate from United States High Schools this year. Some of them will go on to college, join the military, or take another path in life, eventually becoming active members of society, all equally American. However, in this sea of individuals, a group of approximately 60,000 will not have this opportunity, not because they lack motivation, but because of the status passed on to them by their parents.
These often highly achieved individuals cannot attend college, drive cars, enlist in the armed forces, work, or otherwise live a full life. Children that grew up on American soil, respect the laws of this country, and want nothing more than to be recognized for what they are, Americans, bear an inherited title of an “illegal immigrant”.
I am writing on behalf of these thousands of bright American students who are prevented from pursuing their American Dream of obtaining top-quality education because of lack of legal immigration status. Many of whom present unique talents, are among the best in their schools, perform various forms of community service and graduate with honors. Despite the difficulties associated with lack of legal immigration status they share the love for this Country, hoping that one day, they will receive the chance to become an equal part of Society.
(Personal Story)
That is why I think that students who were brought to this country as children and are educated people who want nothing more than to better this country should have a right to realize their American Dream. Consequently, many of these students have a power to positively influence America’s future if only they will be given a chance. In fact, this chance is in your hands, dear member of Congress. I believe that our Nation should take advantage of their expertise, and that is why I urge you to support the legislation in Congress of the Development Relief for Alien Minors Act, and its related bills (S.774, H.R. 1221, H.R. 1275).
That is why, Dear Senator ______, I urge you to let the American Dream live on.
Sincerely,
______
탈무드 – 진정한 가난
This is one of the short stories of Talmud that I want to share with you because it has a valuable meaning that you can take away something from this story. Enjoy!
진정한 가난
두 사람이 랍비에게 상담하고자 찾아갔다. 한 사람은 그 고장에서 제일 가는 부자이며, 또 한 사람은 가난한 사람이었다.
두 사람은 대기실에서 기다리고 있었다. 더 일찍 온 부자가 먼저 랍비의 방으로 들어갔다. 그리고 한 시간이 지나서 방에서 나왔다.
다음에 가난한 사람이 방으로 들어갔다. 그와의 면담은 5분으로 끝났다. 가난한 사람은 언짢은 생각이 들어 랍비에게 항의했다.
“부자와의 면담은 한 시간이나 걸렸습니다. 그런데 저는 단 5분이 걸렸을 뿐립니다. 이것이 공평한 건가요?”
“진정하세요. 당신은 자신의 가난함을 알고 있었지만 부자는 자신의 마음이 가난하다는 것을 알기까지 한 시간이나 걸렸답니다.”
하버드 졸업해도 취직 안돼
http://www.koreatimes.com/article/557644
불법체류 신분으로 인해 하버드 대학교를 졸업해도 취업을 하지못한 사연이 화제가 되고있다.
사우스베이 지역신문인 ‘데일리 브리즈’가 3일 불법체류 신분 때문에 일자리를 찾지 못하고 있는 토랜스 출신 하버드 졸업생의 딱한 사연을 소개하고 ‘드림법안’ 통과 없이는 이같은 불법체류 학생들이 미래의 희망을 찾기 어렵다고 지적했다.
14년 전인 8세 때 부모와 함께 국경을 넘어 밀입국한 앨런은 4년 전 하버드 대학에 합격해 사우스베이 지역 멕시코계 커뮤니티의 스타로 대접 받았으나 대학을 졸업한 지금은 일자리가 없는 실업자가 되어 있다.
불법체류 이민자 신분인 앨런이 현 상태에서 미국에서 합법적으로 취업할 수 있는 길은 전무하다. 하버드 대학 입학 당시 앨런은 자신과 같은 처지의 불법체류 학생들이 합법신분을 취득할 수 있도록 허용하는 ‘드림법안’이 대학을 졸업할 때 즈음에는 통과될 것으로 기대했으나 예상은 빗나갔다.
취업하는 것이 불가능해 5일 중 4일은 집안에서 지낸다는 앨런은 “대학에 다닐 때는 깨닫지 못했으나 대학을 졸업하고서야 내가 불법체류 신분이라는 사실을 절실히 느끼게 됐다”고 힘든 심정을 토로했다. 신문은 앨런과 같이 불법체류 신분 때문에 대학을 졸업하고서도 취업하지 못하고 있는 학생들이 UC계열 대학에서만 400여명에 달한다고 지적했다.
<김상목 기자>
Run.
I felt distressed as I sat down on my desk to an overwhelming load of work. I took off my heavy bag-pack on my shoulder and I walked outside of the house. I realized there is no one around but me. The familiar cool breeze welcomed me. It was peaceful. Once again, I was running alone at night.
I was running at night when everyone is sleeping, constantly fighting and battling to overcome my challenges. This is not my first time. Every night, I run and push myself to work extra hard to reach my goal without quitting. I always wanted to be prepared and think of what I can do to ahead of others. I try to do something that nobody has done it before; I always wanted to be the best. This is why I run at night.
Each block I passed by, I felt like I was one step closer to my destination. To me, every footstep was small portion of obstacles, and I knew I had to overcome these obstacles by constantly working hard. If I were to quit, it means I was giving up my goal. With strong determination, I was running, striving, and reaching for my ultimate destination. I kept on going.
The last corner where I struggled before, my mind kept telling to stop, but I didn’t give up because I wanted to finish strong. When I finally arrived home, I was confident of overcoming any difficult challenges.
The experience of running at night made me realized every aspect of our lives is like marathon. Just like running, everything requires of perseverance, commitment, and hard dedication in order to achieve its goal. This is when I realized nothing in life is easy, but rather everything is rewarded by the hard work. By learning valuable lessons from running, I will pursue everything with hard work and dedication.
SSCCC Voted down on supporting AB540 legislation
On November 8th, 2009, in San Francisco hotel, more than 89 Student Senate for California Community Colleges were there to represent individual colleges and vote it on 56 resolutions that were proposed by different colleges.
Unfortunately, one of the resolutions was supporting AB540 but it has failed miserably by the majority of vote.
My favorite Korean song by 임재범
Whenever I go to Karaoke with my friends, I always sing 고해. I love 임재범’s music because he has an unique voice that makes his music so special! I wish I have that voice like him.
Maybe I should go to Karaoke more often and practice. =)
Anyways, if you haven’t heard of this song, please check it out for yourself. Enjoy.
임재범 – 고해
Oakland Community Organization Speak-Out
My heart beats fast as the host of Oakland Community Organization (OCO) introduces me in front of the crowd. My entire body freezes, but I try to be calm as I slowly crawl up to the stage. I think I am ready to speak, but I choke as I look at the crowd—I am standing front of thousands of people.
But I know I have to take this opportunity because it is the only opportunity that I can truly speak on behalf of underrepresented undocumented students. With sense of urgency, I speak with passion.
My throat burns with sense of energy,
“Good evening everyone!
First I just want to thank Oakland Community Organization to give me this opportunity to share my painful testimony. My name is Ju Hong and I study political science at Laney College and recently got elected as Student Body President. I was born in South Korea, and brought to the United States when I was twelve years old with my mother and my sister to seek a better life. But once we arrived here, we faced difficult challenges because we were labeled as “illegal aliens”. We felt deceived.
Just like any other single immigrant parent, it is painful for me to see my mother continuously working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, sacrificing her time to support my education and provide food on the table each day. She never once mentioned our struggles before but I am aware of our tough situation. She is constantly on the move of looking for a new job because she is discriminated against for her immigration status.
Despite of my mom’s hard work, it is still difficult for me to attend college because I am unable to get a legal job, obtain a driver’s license, or receive financial aid. I have no equal access to educational opportunities. Not only that, I face fear of deportation. Sometimes I wake up in horror, with nightmares of immigration enforcement banging on my door to arrest my family and me. I am depressed. I am scared— I feel like not only I have to toss away my dream, but also I have to be deal with being separated from my family.
But we still love this country because this is our home. So I want to invite our congress, senate and president Obama, and ask them to fix the immigration system and allow 12 million people and 65,000 undocumented students just like me to serve this country in a better way by giving us pathway to citizenship! I hope that through our representatives tonight, our voice would be heard in Washington DC and these changes could happen!
Thank you.”
As soon as I finish with my testimony, the crowd broke into applause. I am standing ovation with sense of dynamic energy in the room. And surely, this is what I wanted to do. I want to make a difference.
Nightmare
Yesterday, I had a nightmare that I would never forget about what happened. Clearly, I remember everything because it was very similar dreams that I had it before. I was chasing by the immigration officials.
I was in a small room (cage setting) with group of students and several I.C.E (immigration Custom Enforcement) officials. One of the ICE officials shouted out loud, “Show me your identification!” Few students quickly stood up and showed their identification. I was one of the few students who couldn’t show my identification. I felt miserable. I began to panic as one of the officials looked at me furiously. He was ready to arrest me. But right before he was ready to arrest me, one of the students screamed and protest against the ICE. I took that advantage of distraction and ran away from ICE.
I didn’t know where I was going, but I kept running. When I turned around, I saw three ICE officials chasing after me in a close distance. I was burst into tears while I was running. My entire body was shaking and sweating, but I kept running. After endless hours of running, I ended up hiding in the below level of constructional building, alone. But few minutes later, ICE found me. I tried to run away from them but it was too late. I was terrified. At the moment when they tried to hand-cuff me, I woke up with horror.
I couldn’t sleep until then.
