Saturday, May 1, 2010

DO I LOOK ILLEGAL?


In solidarity with those who are fighting for the rights of US immigrants, workers, and human beings everywhere, on May 1st and everyday, Alida Cardos Whaley and Sofia Snow participated in the international call to take pictures with a sign asking,

"Do I look Illegal?"

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

BARACK OBAMA, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20. 2009

Well, Mr. Prezz… we couldn’t agree more. Especially in a time like this. Facing legislations such as SB1070, SB1097, HB2281 – which are all fancy CIA-sounding-codes for RACISM, CLASSISM, DISCRIMINATION, and downright INJUSTICE, America is yet again forced to look ourselves in the face and ask:

“DO I LOOK ILLEGAL?!?!”

Because if you do, we highly suggest you stop tanning, cut your hair, buy some reading glasses, a new pair of shoes, a briefcase, a coffee mug (only an American brew—none of that Costa Rican free-trade sh*t), an “I swear I got my papers” T-shirt and… y’know… whatever helps you look more “legal.” I MEAN, AT LEAST A CLIP-ON TIE OR SOMETHING!!!!

No, but really…

As we have explained over 50 times today in Spanish, this is ART+ACTIVISM. In response to the bills we’ve listed above, which can be found at [CLICK HERE], we decided to participate in the national call (which we discovered on facebook) to take pictures with a sign reading “Do I Look Illegal?” in order to raise awareness, raise reaction, and raise voices.

Every single picture you’ll see (and many that unfortunately didn’t make it) is a product of a conversation, a “FOREAL?!” face, and a willingness to participate in this movement against Arizona’s poor choice in immigration reform. It is not difficult to see that these bills are not only a step back in immigration for this country, but a HUGE flop back in terms of discrimination, racism, classism, and prejudice in general. We’re moving back in history at this point.

Now that we've taken this first step in spreading awareness, the 2nd part of our project is sending this documentation out to Governor Jan Brewer, (1700 West Washington, Phoenix, Arizona 85007), to other bloggers, news sources, our friends, family and acquaintances, and to as many thinking minds and beating hearts as possible.

We hope you participate too! Take a picture of yourself, your dog, your neighbor when she’s not looking. Talk to someone on the bus about how ridiculous this is! We pray our sign that took 5-minutes to make, our few clicks of a camera, and our collection of amazing friends, can inspire at least one other person to dedicate a little time to continue educating and fighting for what we all know is right and true. After all, Mr. Prezz said it himself:

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.

BARACK OBAMA, speech, Feb. 5, 2008

























PEACE out.

8 comments:

  1. saludos a FIRST WABE PAZ IM AM A LATIN HOPE.... SUPER CUPER

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  2. this is a dope idea! salu2 sofia from la finca en ohio jaja
    danny

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  3. Gracias por impulsar y llevar siempre esa consigna, de que todos somos iguales, una sola raza, la raza humana, peace!! PTY 507

    --chosen One--

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  4. Saludos a todos y que siga subiendo el arte!!!

    B-Boy System
    Total Move Crew

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