End of the Month Blogging Report July 31, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in 2008, blog, blogging, college, life, opinion, personal, summer.add a comment
Well, not just about blogging I guess. As far as the blog goes though, my traffic continues to increase, which is great. Last week was specially well, but hopefully it will get better in the next month.
I spent two weeks with my girlfriend in college town. It really revitalized me because I could do something instead of just sitting around at home. I was able to speak to people I had not seen and just hang out. It was great.
Afterward, I accompanied my dad as he delivered my sister back to my mother. My mom lives two states away so this was the last time I was going to see her for this year.
And I bought my Xbox 360, a purchase I don’t regret. I suspected that I was going to regret it but I don’t, which is great. So far I have beaten Mass Effect, Half Life 2, Episode 1 of Half-Life 2, Portal and Assassin’s Creed. I’ll write reviews for those in the coming days.
July is over and one of my favorite months of the year is here, August. Why is it my favorite. Because I get to go back to school. Actually, that is happening pretty soon. I’m glad. I look forward to writing more things for my readers, and hopefully you guys will come back and comment often. I like comments.
Overall, this July was one of the best.
Advocating for an Identity July 30, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in 2008, America, Americans, Dream Act, ICE, Immigration, anxiety, blog, blogging, civil rights, college, dehumanization, deportation, discrimination, education, heroes, human rights, illegal immigrants, illegal immigration, immigrants, inspiration, law, life, news, opinion, people, personal, school, thoughts, undocumented student, undocumented students.4 comments
Appearing on a paper or news outlet is something I’ve yet to do. I still don’t know whether I’ll do it. But I admire the people who do, they have b***s. Seriously, you have to be brave to come out like that. Even if it is first name.
And so someone did. The girl below, named Stephanie.
This is one her quotes.
“When I’m a passenger in a friend’s car, it’s exciting for me,” she said. “It has really made me get excited about weird little things.”
While I can get in a car, it is always dangerous for me. I don’t drive myself though but the element of fear is always there, unless the person driving is one of my American friends. If it is one of them, then I feel better. And you know, I also tend to be excited about weird things. It’s a different lifestyle I guess.
Stephanie is an Asian undocumented student, and it takes me to the point that undocumented students are not just Latinos. That’s a misconception the anti forces would like to you think but it is not true at all. People in my particular situation comes in all shapes and sizes. I know many who are not Mexican but from other countries, from Asia, Africa and Europe.
Stephanie worries about the potential risks of speaking out about being undocumented, but she said she is more worried about what would happen if she did not talk about her experiences.
RandomHero from American Wetback has something I really like that goes along with the quote above. I’ll quote him below.
I have the power to help those in need. For me to idly stand by and do nothing about the immigration debate/battle going on right now would be irresponsible and stupid of me. I realize that in order for change to take place, someone has to be a catalyst.
Shame on those who don’t do anything. I’m not talking about blogging, or going to the news. And I’m not talking about hiding your identity either, because I do that, but shame on those who don’t even speak about the subject. Who don’t defend themselves against the overwhelming odds because it is people like Stephanie that are changing the perception of who we are. Shame on you if you haven’t changed at least one person’s mind on regards to immigration. The change is not going to handed to us, because we know a lot of others would like nothing less than to kick us out, we have to fight for it. That is why I applaud people like Stephanie.
The quotes from the article and the picture come from the following site and belong to the Pacific Citizen.
The Reign of ‘Sheriff Joe’ July 29, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in 2008, America, Americans, ICE, Immigration, cops, courts, dehumanization, deportation, discrimination, editorial, fear, human rights, illegal immigrants, illegal immigration, immigrants, justice, law, life, media, opinion, police, politics, race, racial discrimination, racism, thoughts, undocumented student, undocumented students.add a comment
Washington Post on Arpaio! Excellent editorial –MANUEL DE Jesus Ortega Melendres, a Mexican citizen, entered the United States legally last fall, using a visa valid until 2016 as well as a permit from the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Ortega had every reason to believe he was on the right side of the law, except for one small misstep: b…
Video Game: My Mass Effect Review July 28, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in 2007, Microsoft, Xbox 360, games, reviews, trailers, video games, videos, youtube.1 comment so far
Mass Effect suffers through three fundamental flaws which I didn’t like very much. There is a huge problem with pop-ups. Seriously, it’s sad to see this video game load up. There is a problem with the frame-rate, it slows down a lot. The engine is not good enough for this game. And, sometimes the controller doesn’t work.
You should buy it. Why? Because the story is awesome and while there are problems with pop-ups, the visuals are very good. Let me reitarate the thing about the story. It is amazing. I especially like the final act with all the action going on. This type of game, because of so many variations on what can happen, deserves to be played twice, which is what I’ll do. I especially like the Biotic powers, sort of like Force powers, those are amazing and really fun to experiment with. The squad-mates are a mix bag, sometimes they help out and sometimes they are a nuisance.
This game is worth it if you like good sci-fi stories or RPGs, despite the hiccups, get it. You won’t regret it, or at least that’s my opinion on it. I’ve only played the Xbox version of the game, I don’t know how the PC version holds up. I’m now waiting for the sequel.
Questions I answer as an Undocumented Student July 28, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in America, Americans, Dream Act, ICE, Immigration, anxiety, civil rights, college, dehumanization, deportation, depression, discrimination, fear, human rights, illegal immigrants, illegal immigration, immigrants, life, opinion, people, personal, thoughts, undocumented student, undocumented students.6 comments
The following are not all the questions and please, write one and I’ll comment back.
Why don’t you drive or have a car?
My answer. I don’t drive because my hometown is small and I live by a convenience store that sells everything I want. I because I’m a writer and a video gamer I don’t tend to go out much anyways, both things are time consuming. The only thing I would drive for are movies and well, my dad takes care of those. I also don’t want to pay for a car and insurance if I’m not using it here at (insert name of college town).
Truthful answer. I don’t drive because I’m not allowed to. Apparently driving is deemed a privilege that I’m not entitled to. I don’t have a license and thanks to my twentieth birthday, my ID has expired and therefore I don’t have any form of identification aside from my school ID. It sucks that I can’t drive because I would really like to. I’m envious of others that can and I feel bad because I have to depend on others if I need to get around.
Why don’t you want to travel abroad?
My answer. I came from Mexico so I’m already traveling abroad. Besides, I don’t want to interrupt my studies by traveling abroad. I would like to travel once school is over. I would like to go to either Japan or Russia and spend a year just traveling with my savings. I can’t wait for that. And it is expensive and hassling to find money to go abroad and I’m lazy.
Truthful answer. I can’t travel abroad because I wouldn’t be allowed in and therefore would lose everyone I care about. I don’t have the luxury of traveling like everyone else around me. It disheartens me when I hear about people going places because I’m very envious of them. I wish I had that opportunity but alas, I’m stuck here.
Why don’t you have a job?
My answer. I have a scholarship that covers everything and then some, so I don’t need the money. I would rather spend my time studying, hanging out with friends, and playing video games. And besides, I’m a bum.
Truthful answer. I can’t work because I lack a SS number. I will never be able to have a job I want, even with a degree. It saddens me when people complain about their jobs because I can’t even do that. The only money I have is the one from my scholarship.
Why don’t you have an internship?
My answer. See above.
Truthful answer. See above. In addition, I have already being rejected far too many times by applications that I don’t have it in me to try to find one.
What do you think of life?
My answer. Life is great.
Truthful answer. Life can go fuck itself for all I care.
What is your biggest fear.
My answer. Dying before doing what I want to do, traveling and such.
Truthful answer. Being deported because someone I know and care about slipped with the info on regards to my legal status. Or worse yet, I make the mistake of telling the wrong person.
What do you see yourself doing after graduation?
My answer. I’ll be teaching English.
Truthful answer. I’ll try to make time trying to remain in school because once I’m out, all I will be is an illegal immigrant.
Are you happy with your life?
My answer. Yes. I have great friends and a nice girlfriend. My grades are alright. I have a full ride scholarship. I have a Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, Nintendo 64, and a Playstation 2 with lots of games. I believe that others are jealous of me though. I tend to be happy a lot of the time.
Truthful answer. No. I live a double life for the most part, lying through my teeth in order to keep my cover from those that I don’t find necessary to tell them of my status. It is a burden, a heavy one, because I tend to be jealous of all my friends because of the things they can do and I can’t. I tend to be depressed most of the time; thankfully, my medication allows me to weather through the worse of it. I wish my life was better and could be like everyone else. I hate leading this double life. I hate my life in general when compared to that of my friends.
The Journeys July 26, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in 2008, America, Americans, ICE, Immigration, art, civil rights, human rights, illegal immigrants, illegal immigration, immigrants, inspiration, justice, law, opinion, people, political cartoon, politics, thoughts, undocumented student, undocumented students.add a comment
This political cartoon represents the journeys of the immigrants and the anti immigrants.
I found this over at this website.
New Games to I want July 26, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in 2008, Microsoft, Xbox 360, art, entertainment, games, trailers, video games, videos, youtube.1 comment so far
Video games that have yet to come out that I would love to play.
Gears of War 2. I haven’t played the first one, but I know that by November, I will have.
Fable 2. Haven’t played the first one, and I won’t bother to.
Fallout 3. This is a very interesting trailer to say the least. A world gone to hell…
Resident Evil 5. I don’t need to explain myself do I? This is F**KING RESIDENT EVIL 5!
Dead Space. This is the game I’m most excited about for the holidays. This trailer is f**king terrifying.
Dead Space. Another trailer, this game will be awesome, I hope.
North Carolina likes Undocumented Students July 26, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in America, Americans, Dream Act, ICE, Immigration, civil rights, college, deportation, education, ideas, illegal immigrants, illegal immigration, immigrants, inspiration, justice, law, life, news, opinion, people, school, thoughts, undocumented student, undocumented students.2 comments
Well, this is from the News and Observer, all of it, so all credit belongs to them and the writer of the article, Kristin Collins. I’m busy now, I have a new Xbox 360, but I couldn’t pass the opportunity to post this. Stuff in bold is added by me for emphasis.
RALEIGH - The state Attorney General’s Office says it’s legal for the N.C. Community College System to admit illegal immigrants.
That advice, given to the colleges Thursday and made public today, represents a reversal for the office of Attorney General Roy Cooper, which advised the colleges in May to bar illegal immigrants from degree programs. The colleges took that advice and issued a new policy prohibiting illegal immigrants from enrolling, even at out-of-state tuition rates. Cooper’s office said at the time that post-secondary education might qualify as a public benefit to which illegal immigrants are not entitled under federal law.
But on Monday, Cooper’s office got a letter from federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in response to a request for clarification of the law. The letter, from former Mecklenburg County Sheriff Jim Pendergraph, who now works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said that admission to colleges is not considered a public benefit under federal law.
Federal officials made the same statement to the News & Observer in May, but officials with the community colleges and the Attorney General’s Office said they wanted to wait for a formal letter.
J.B. Kelly, general counsel, advised the colleges in a letter Thursday that it is up to them to decide whether to admit illegal immigrants.
Community College System President Scott Ralls was not immediately available for comment on whether he would lift the ban on illegal immigrants.
Now, I’m pretty happy about this decision and you know what I do when I’m happy. I play video games. Not only that, but I laugh. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS. Maybe the people from NC aren’t as bad as I thought they were.
Fear of Being What We Are July 25, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in 2008, America, Americans, ICE, Immigration, civil rights, death, dehumanization, deportation, discrimination, fear, human rights, ideas, illegal immigrants, illegal immigration, immigrants, law, life, news, people, personal, race, racial discrimination, racism, thoughts, undocumented student, undocumented students.add a comment
Well, that is what it has come down to. Once again, in North Carolina. Again, I feel sorry for undocumented people living in this state. I’m glad I’m not there but I highly doubt my state is any better.
Anyway, it seems that Hispanic leaders have to be afraid because they are pro-immigrant. They have received the usual, profanity filled messages, hate messages, among others, I’ve received the same treatment. But now, they’ve received death threats. I mean, wow, how far are people willing to go.
This is from the News and Observer.
“This is not about immigration,” Bazán said. “This is not about debating policy. This has moved on to another sphere. This is hate.”
Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Greensboro Democrat who sponsored the bill (in-state tuition for undocumented students bill), said she received one phone message warning that “my days are numbered.” She said the message, which included profane insults, felt like a threat.
“I have not seen anything like what illegal immigration elicits,” Harrison said. “It’s revealing a very ugly side of humanity that I’ve never seen before.”
“When you describe immigrants as Third World invaders or murderers, or say that they are swarming or coming in hordes, this is dehumanizing language,” Lauter said. “That kind of rhetoric inspires others who might act out on hate.”
How low does this country have to go before things get better?
Of course, the comment section of the newspaper has comments like the following.
From Stonewall83.
Plain and simple get rid of those mexicans. We don’t need them. This is a country founded on wonderful anglosaxon traditions. Anything contrary is plain unamerican. Get out mexicans!
Buzzaw
People are sick and tired of non whites telling whites to conform to their cultures. This country was intended to be a european only country. Since we have strayed away from that, we have been on a sharp decline.
And I saw other recognizible names from an anti-immigrant website that I won’t mention, which leads me to believe that the rest of the comments are no better. It is sad that this is the norm. But at least we are not being killed on the streets–oh, wait.
Old Video Games I want July 25, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in Microsoft, Xbox 360, art, entertainment, games, thoughts, trailers, video games, videos, youtube.1 comment so far
Well, I’m not sure I’ll be buying all of them. The following are video games already released on the Xbox 360 that I would like to play. Tomorrow, I’ll write video games not yet released.
Call of Duty 4. I’ve seen this in action thanks to my old roommate. Game looks amazing, didn’t play it at all.
Halo 3. I think it is a crime to own an Xbox 360 and NOT own this game.
Dead Rising. This is a cheap game I think, now it is anyway.
Assassin’s Creed. This trailer gives great meaning to the phrase, death from above.
Assassin’s Creed. Yeah, another trailer.
Gears of War. Interesting song to go with the trailer, original. Don’t usually see this in a video game.
Bioshock. I already wrote about this game a long time ago.
Life as a Lie July 24, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in America, Americans, Immigration, anxiety, college, dehumanization, deportation, depression, fear, friends, friendship, ideas, illegal immigrants, illegal immigration, immigrants, life, opinion, people, personal, thoughts, undocumented student, undocumented students.2 comments
I often say that my life is a lie. Some people disagree with me. But it is, it really is. While with my friends and girlfriend, it is not as much. It is their lack of understanding about this kind of life that makes them say that. My life is not a lie as it is with most people when I’m around them. I can thank them for that much, for making my existence easier.
As one girl from the video before said, you have to lie to everyone else about it, even joke about undocumented students and condemn them, in order to fit in. In order to let anyone suspect what you are. You can’t let people even suspect that you are one of the ‘other’. I’ve done so in the past. That is when it becomes obvious that I’m living a lie.
I have to ‘act’ almost all the time. 24/7. Keep up the charade. Not just on regards on being like everyone else, saying I’m legal and such, but also on regards to keeping my feelings in check. That means that when I’m depressed, I don’t act like it. I can’t. I don’t want people to see me and know and talk to me when I’m like that. So, the acting is a full-time gig.
But I’ve failed as an actor. Not totally failed but for someone in my situation, this kinds of failures could lead me to be in great trouble. The last slip-up was with my girlfriend. Or rather, before she became my girlfriend, she suspected that I was what I am. I was too emotional when I spoke about immigration and personalized the problem too much. But how could I not be personal when this is my life, all of this. It is taking a greater toll on me, this acting and I’m not able to do as easily as I did in the past. My failure showed me that. I have to get better, I have to continue the charade as best as I can. Hopefully this summer is helping me recharge for the coming school year because it will be challenging. I will have a new roommate, one that doesn’t know about my situation. With him, I’m not undocumented, I’m not living in fear, I’m not depressed, I’m not a blogger, I’m not everything I am. Hopefully things will go well.
So, lying is a way of life with me. It can’t be helped. By being honest I could lose everything. And for those who don’t understand that, well, I just hope you never have to be in my shoes.
Dream Act Students July 24, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in America, Americans, Dream Act, ICE, Immigration, anxiety, dehumanization, deportation, discrimination, human rights, ideas, illegal immigrants, illegal immigration, immigrants, inspiration, justice, law, life, opinion, people, personal, politics, undocumented student, undocumented students, videos, youtube.add a comment
Another great video. Must watch.
About those opportunities… July 24, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in Americans, ICE, Immigration, anxiety, dehumanization, deportation, depression, discrimination, human rights, illegal immigrants, illegal immigration, immigrants, inspiration, life, opinion, people, personal, thoughts, undocumented student, undocumented students.add a comment
Well, the following is written by Elrandomhero over at his blog, American Wetback. I advice everyone to read it, it is really cool. So, I decided to re-post his entry on my blog because he and I share the same feelings on regards to opportunities. Read on…
In the last few days I have been contemplating something that I shouldn’t be and that’s passing on an internship. Without getting into any incriminating details, I basically passed on an internship opportunity this week because it means putting my self at risk. Again without getting into too much detail, the government has way of knowing everything you do in your life, whether you want them to know or not. Taking on this paid internship would have meant doing things that I shouldn’t be doing in the first place. I am not a legal U.S. resident , thus I cannot legally work or apply for internships that pay. Obviously I have considered the chance that I might still be able to be part of the internship without pay, but I need to focus on other things, despite again passing up such a great opportunity. This is not the first nor the last time I will have to make a decision like this. I have turned down many a job because of my legal status and every time I go through this stupid cycle of semi-depression. Every time I get my hopes up thinking that this time around they’re be some way for me to be able to take on a better paying job, I get denied. I’ve done it so many times now that it has sadly become a routine. People see the type of person I am and want to help me, but what good is that help if the U.S. says I don’t qualify for that help because of my illegal residence. The depression use to be a lot worse a year ago. Ohh man when I got frustrated back then about work, life and my x-girl I would go outside and punch walls till my knuckles bleed. Now adays I just pretend like everything is cool, when in reality I’m still dealing with what happened inside my head. Sometimes all that thinking makes me hungry for junk food that’ll only make me fatter. Passing by on great opportunities is part of my daily life. I don’t get excited about anything anymore really. Why should when I know that I’ll be denied and tossed to the side. I know that there are internships that don’t ask for the things that I lack, but those are hard to come by and sought after, just like scholarships. I know that it’s not impossible to make it because others have and sometimes I look to those who came before me for inspiration. Then again they had the support of family and friends. I on the other hand am grateful and extremely lucky to have the friends that I have, but at the end of the day it’s just me and my dog against the world. That’s what I’m reminded of when I have to turn down great opportunities, it’s me against the world. Somedays I even feel like going to sleep and never waking up ever again. Course those are the days when I’m depressed or bummed out, kinda like today.
Thanks again Randomhero for allowing me to repost this entry.
Another Political Cartoon July 23, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in America, Americans, ICE, Immigration, art, dehumanization, deportation, history, human rights, illegal immigrants, illegal immigration, immigrants, justice, law, life, opinion, people, picture, politics, thoughts, undocumented student, undocumented students.3 comments
This is another political cartoon I like. Enjoy. From the US News and World Report.
It Continues July 23, 2008
Posted by iamashadow in 2008, America, Americans, ICE, Immigration, civil rights, dehumanization, deportation, discrimination, fear, illegal immigrants, illegal immigration, immigrants, justice, law, people, race, racial discrimination, racism, thoughts, undocumented student, undocumented students.add a comment
Again from North Carolina, what’s wrong with these people, I would NEVER want to live there. Anyway, back to the point, again from North Carolina, another sign of the GREAT job the police are doing.
It was another dangerous mother, doing the horrible crime of driving. I’ll just quote the rest of the story, because seriously people, I couldn’t make this shit up even if I was paid to. From the News and Observer.
An illegal immigrant arrested on a traffic violation last month was forced to leave her three children on the shoulder of Interstate 85 in the middle of the night — where they were alone and stranded for eight hours.
An Alamance County sheriff’s deputy pulled Maria Chavira Ventura over just before 2 a.m. on June 14, according to arrest records. He took her to jail for driving without a license and displaying a false license plate, and she was eventually put under a federal deportation order. He left her children, 14, 10 and 6, with a man they barely knew, according to the N.C. Justice Center and Maryland social workers. He was a fellow church member who had been catching a ride with the family.
I’m just shocked by all the hypocrisy in the matter of enforcement. Many anti-immigrant advocates say that their problem is not with immigration, just with illegals. No, that’s a lie. Their problem is with brown people because policies that give immigration powers to police that only go after Latinos. That’s the truth. There is no way to differentiate between legal and illegal residents unless the assumption that all Latinos are illegal is made, which is what the anti people do. And please, don’t say that’s a lie, this is discrimination and demonization of an entire group of people. I thought America was better than this.
