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ERESEARCH EDUCATION DIALOGUE ACTION RESEARCH

INSIDE:

TRAYVON MARTIN: NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE

THE NEW BOTTOM LINE-RABBI LERNER

CHURCHES FORM COMMON FRONT FOR IMMIGRANTS

GAS DRILLING TASK FORCE DROPS THE BALL

“I’M CHRISTIAN UNLESS YOU’RE GAY”

AP

RIL IS

SU

E 2012

PUBLICATION BY THE DALLAS PEACE CENTER

THE DALLAS PEACE CENTERDALLAS PEACE CENTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTORKELLI OBAZEEGUEST MANAGING EDITORRHONDA VARSANECONTRIBUTING EDITORPATTY BATES-BALLARDDPC PHOTOGRAPHERWALID AJAJ2012 BOARD MEMBERSPRESIDENTREV. RYAN KOCHVICE PRESIDENT/TREASURERJOHN FULLINWIDERSECRETARYZARA TARIQAFTAB SIDDIQUIREV. L.CHARLES STOVALLERIC REECESAM NANCESADDYNA BELMASHKANREV. DIANE BAKERMAVIS BELISLESARA MOKURIALEN ELLISDR. QAISAR ABBAS

THE DALLAS PEACE CENTER is an organizationthat provides uncompromising work for peace

through justice in North Texas and around the world.

Financial support is essential! Your outreach to others isvital as you share in the growth and effectiveness of theDallas Peace Center.

Make your monthly sustaining pledge of $30 toensure another 30 years of peace and justice work.http://dallaspeacecenter.org/suppor-dpc/

7 TRAYVON MARTIN:NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE

PAGE 8-9 THE NEW BOTTOM LINE

PAGE 10-12 EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON’S11TH ANNUAL PEACE CONFERENCE

PAGE 13-14 CHURCHES FORM COMMON FRONT FORIMMIGRANTS

PAGE 15-16 IGLESIAS FORMAN FRENTE COMÚN PORMIGRANTES

PAGE 17-18 PRESS RELEASE: LEADERSHIP FORUM

PAGE 20 TEXAS VOTER ID EVIDENCE

PAGE 21-23 GAS DRILLING TASK FORCE DROPSTHE BALL ON PROTECTING CITIZENS

PAGE 24 VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS DELAYEDFRAC’ING, EARTHQUAKES, AND ORGAN,DAMAGE

PAGE 25-26 A NEW KIND OF POLITICSTHE RACE FOR THE DISTRICT 9

PAGE 27-28 PEACE BEGINS WITH ME

PAGE 29-31 “I’M CHRISTIAN UNLESS YOU’RE GAY”

PAGE 33 JUSTICE FOR VETERANS LEAVING WAR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dallas Peace Center • 5910 Cedar Springs Rd. Dallas, TX 75235-6806 • (214) [email protected]

FACEBOOK: @DallasPeaceCent TWITTER: @DallasPeaceCent WEBSITE: www.dallaspeacecenter.org

CELEBRATE

Dallas Peace Center’s

30th Anniversary

http://dallaspeacecenter.org/suppor-dpc/

as an interfaith, inclusive, progressive, peace and

work for peace through justice in North Texas and around justice organization that providing uncompromising

the world. Your financial support is essential! Your outreachto others is vital! To share in the growth and effectivenessof the Dallas Peace Center, make your monthly sustainingpledge of $30 to ensure another 30 years of peace andjustice work. Become a sustaining member TODAY!

By Pastor L. Charles Stovall

Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Afri-can American 17 year-old student,was shot dead in Sanford,Florida on February 26, 2012 byGeorge Zimmerman. A teenagerwith no record whose father livedin the upscale neighborhoodwhere he was shot, Trayvon wasreturning from the store withcandy for his brother. A neighbor-hood crime watch volunteer,Zimmerman in his 911 call pro-filed Trayvon as being up tosomething and probably on drugs(he wasn’t), and followed him.

In the African American community,we have a saying, “No justice, Nopeace.” This act of injustice — thisstereotyping of an innocent Blackyoung man (No justice) — led tohis violent death (No peace). Re-jecting this terrible example of amuch repeated theme, the commu-nity said, “Not again.” In deathTrayvon was able to beat the ste-reotypes about dangerous youngAfrican American men that hecouldn’t escape in life. When hiskiller was not arrested, an interna-

tional outcry for justice was raised.

One of the most compelling as-pects of this crime is the horren-dous screams for help heard in thebackground of the 911 calls madeby witnesses. As soon as the gun-shot rings out, the screamingstops. Two forensic experts nowsay the person screaming couldnot have been Zimmerman, and soit must have been Trayvon.

The Trayvon Martin case provesthat there is no way we can havepeace if justice is denied. I’mglad that collective voices wereraised in Dallas on March 25 atthe Dallas Peace Center’s vigilfor Trayvon. They were raisedwith voices across the countrycalling for an arrest and a justprosecution. On April 12, theman who killed Trayvon Martinwas arrested and charged withsecond degree murder.

But for six weeks, GeorgeZimmerman was not arrested. Hewas allowed to go freely about hisbusiness and do whatever hewanted to to hide evidence related

to his crime. The Trayvon Martincase has highlighted how far westill are from having a just society.If there had not been the kind ofcommunity outrage and pressureover the non-arrest of Zimmerman,he probably never would havebeen arrested at all.

The actions of some of Florida’slaw enforcement officials appearto point to an intent to sweep thecase under the rug. Why? A recentpoll shows that Americans are di-vided along racial lines in their viewof the case. While 91% of Blacksthink Zimmerman was unjustifiedin shooting Trayvon Martin, 59% ofLatinos think so, and only 35% ofWhites do. Clearly it was only be-cause of the mass outcry and com-munity organization and mobiliza-tion that this case got further scru-tiny, which resulted in an arrest.

But we can’t rest yet. We have tocontinue to be vigilant, becausejust having Zimmerman in custodydoes not complete the need for jus-tice. We need to be watchful overthe entire process. America still is

TRAYVON MARTIN:NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE

continued on page 6

PAGE 5

under the microscope to see whether we will be ajust society.

This case has opened our eyes to the fact that jus-tice is very partial, and very often withheld from Afri-can Americans. But many of us know that what hap-pened to Trayvon is nothing new. We’ve had situa-tions in Dallas that should have received the sametype of public outcry but did not. Last year, TobiasMackey was shot dead in Dallas, TX. Police raideda community, and some young men, including Tobias,ran. He was unarmed and yet he ended up dead,shot eight times. During the same raid, a nine year-

old boy was shot in the arm by the police.

I am concerned about the ongoing war on drugs inAmerica. Maybe Tobias was not a perfect angel, buthe was unarmed, not a suspect, and did not deserveto die. I, along with Joy Strickland of Mothers AgainstTeen Violence and many others believe the war ondrugs, as currently conducted, has to stop. Policeofficers raid communities and they take lives. Therehas to be another way to address the problem ofdrugs because many police officers don’t have thepresence of heart to conduct raids sensitively in theAfrican American community. I am opposed to druguse, but the war on drugs is not a justification fordeath. The injustice of profiling that leads to the deathsof African American young men must be addressed.

Trammel Hurd and Keenan Forge also were killed

by Dallas police officers even though they were un-armed and not involved in a crime. Every communityI know has had something like this happen be-cause we have all been taught to expect AfricanAmerican young men to be on the wrong side ofthe law. We expect police to handle these youngmen, even if it means the use of deadly force.There is no justification for Trayvon’s death.There is none for the deaths of Tobias Mackey,Trammel Hurd, or Keenan Forge either.

I detest every shooting no matter who does the shoot-ing. But we should be able to expect a measure ofjustice from the people who serve in an official ca-

pacity. I believe that the case of Trayvon Martin urgesus to address not just his particular situation, but alsoto look closer at all situations involving unarmed indi-viduals killed by someone acting in an official capac-ity. George Zimmerman applied to the police acad-emy but never became an officer. As a crime watchcaptain, he was using police maneuvers and doingwhat he thought the police should have done. He musthave known that a number of police officers havekilled unarmed individuals with impunity.

He knew that his state has a “stand your ground”law that allows civilians to shoot someone first ifthey believe their life is in danger. New York MayorMichael Bloomberg, Florida State Senator ChrisSmith, the NAACP, the National Urban League,and others have spoken out against these “shoot

continued from page 5

continued on page 7

PAGE 6

first” laws, which amount to legal vigilantism andcover for all types of crimes. Texas has a similar“castle doctrine” law on the books right now.

The role of the justice system is first to gather thefacts. But in their efforts to get the scoop, membersof the media have exposed findings of the case out-side of court, which can be damaging to the pros-ecution. Allowing Zimmerman’s father to provide hisson’s defense and talk about how his son was feel-ing as the events unfolded gives the impression thathis dad was a witness to the shooting. I hope that theintense media coverage of the Trayvon Martin casewill not compromise the prosecutors’ ability to win aconviction if the evidence is what it appears to be.

On the question of profiling, Zimmerman’s attor-ney has suggested that he couldn’t be racist be-cause he mentored a Black child and because he’sHispanic. Those defenses reflect a very naïve un-derstanding of the way racism works. Racism isso pervasive that even Black people can havenegative stereotypes about Black people becausewe are bombarded by negative images all aroundus. All of us are impacted by media presentationsthat portray the worst about Black folk. While somefeed those stereotypes, thank God most of us liveour lives in a way that proves that those stereo-types are not warranted. Clearly, Zimmerman is notinoculated from having racist beliefs about AfricanAmericans just because he is Hispanic.

Also, the fact that someone mentors an AfricanAmerican child says nothing about whether thatperson holds a deep-seated stereotype that Afri-can American men are dangerous. Lots of peoplehave an interest in helping others while they con-tinue to subconsciously believe and act onsociety’s pervasive stereotypes. These days rac-ism most often is subconscious or unconscious,but in no way less dangerous.

The good news is that at least we are at a point inthe Trayvon Martin case where justice can be pur-sued, which was not the case before April 12. Nowit is best to let the system work without such in-tense media scrutiny so that prosecutors can pre-pare a thorough case.

In the meantime, here are some relevant action itemsfor those of us here in the Dallas area:1. Take an inventory of your own subconscious ste-reotypes, even if you are a person who helps others.You are not immune.2. Don’t link all Hispanics with Zimmerman. Remem-ber that there are many individuals of all races whoare on the side of justice.3. If you have been touched by the Trayvon Martincase, look a little closer at all of the unarmed youngmen we have lost in our own community. It continuesto happen. Don’t turn a blind eye just because theperson who died was an adult and may have had arecord. Unarmed people who are just in the wrongplace at the wrong time should not have to pay withtheir lives.4. Join the effort to end “shoot first” laws. The Colorof Change has begun pressuring corporate sponsorsof the American Legislative Exchange Council(ALEC), a big backer of these laws, to end theirmemberships. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, HoustonCongressman Al Green, and local ministers helda press conference in Houston recently address-ing the Texas law. More efforts will develop at thestate level soon.

L. Charles Stovall is Pastor of Community Empow-

erment and Social Justice at St. Luke Community

United Methodist Church in Dallas.


PAGE 7

By Rhonda Varsane

Rabbi Michael Lerner of San Francisco was the

honored speaker at the Dallas Peace Center’s

Roger Kallenberg Spring Lecture on March 15.

Rhonda Varsane’s account of the rabbi’s visit

follows.

Rabbi Lerner comfortably, and in style, joins a healthysized group of people meeting at the UnityChurch of Dallas. Wearing a vest, jacket,and cowboy hat, he has traveled here toshare his concept of The New Bottom Line.

After spending some time with the group,he seems surprised, but pleased, as hesays his “stereotype of Texans has nowbeen broken,” and he now embraces theidea of a chapter of the Network of SpiritualProgressive (NSP) in North Texas, here andnow! A North Texas chapter will surely givehope to every member of the NSP, after all,success … in Texas?

Rabbi Lerner speaks on many subjects,all of which reflect his long history ofbringing people together on equal terms.He continues this connection withdiscussion of his new book, Embracing

Israel/Palestine.

He directs us to focus on the importanceof caring for each other, and the earth,and-in-fact, to see that focus as a “newbottom-line.”

Rabbi Lerner explains, “Instead of it [abottom line] based on money and power,we need a ‘new bottom-line’ which judgescorporations, governments, schools, publicinstitutions, and social practices asefficient, rational, and productive — not onlyto the extent they maximize money andpower, but to the extent they maximize love and caring,ethical and ecological sensitivity, and our capacity torespond with awe and wonder at the grandeur of

THE NEW BOTTOM LINEcreation.” His new bottom line stresses efficiency,rationality, and productivity in all areas of life.

The rabbi says that we all are in a deep spiritual crisis;there is a great hunger to transcend. There arepressures in the work place and in our personalrelationships. We fight and compete, we live and learn

mistruths. The media misinforms and misinterprets,and by giving the narrowest of perspectives, foments

continued on page 9

PAGE 8

the narrowest self-interest in those who listen andsuccumb. We believe we must get the jump onothers first before they get the jump on us.

The same crisis, and the same hunger andmistruths exist in Palestine and Israel. The samesolution of a positive bottom-line of efficiency,rationality, and productivity in all areas alsoapplies. This includes, “Love and kindness, radicalamazement, peace and generosity!”

“So,” the rabbi says, “recognition of Palestineshould be accompanied by a statement re-affirmingIsrael’s right to security, even though there is a majordifference in power between the two sides, the innerexperience of Israel and of its supporters aroundthe world is one of insecurity and fear, so it’simportant to acknowledge fear by offering Israel, oneof the greatest military powers in the world, realreassurance while supporting Palestinianrecognition and membership in the U.N.”

Members of the Network of Spiritual Progressives,http://spiritualprogressives.org passionately seekto manifest our values in the world by inspiringleaders, influencing legislation, and incarnatingcommunity. These are the goals at the heart of theNetwork of Spiritual Progressives. These goals runcounter to the prevailing political and culturalclimate. The Network of Spiritual Progressivesbrings to the national conversation a vital voice formoving our country (and world) toward the profoundspiritual awakening necessary for us to reversemounting environmental destruction, and build aworld of love and peace.

Rabbi Lerner, through his work with Israelis andPalestinians, has gained a deep understanding ofthe cause of the horrific situation in Palestine andIsrael. The people of these two nations constantlyre-live their pain and trauma over and over againbecause they are victims of Post Traumatic StressDisorder (PTSD). The hate and fear is self-confirming, and because it is constantly repeated,it intensifies and manifests as overwhelmingtrauma. PTSD is a feeling of being abandoned byGod and humanity. Yet we can heal the region’sPTSD with a change of heart and a change ofconsciousness.

Healing sounds unrealistic, and the rabbi urges us tobe unrealistic. He offers the Occupy movement asan example of how a group of unrealistic people canchange the consciousness of a nation. We createour own beliefs in our relationships, whether theserelationships are within our selves, with otherindividuals, or on a national, or international level. Wecan choose loneliness, insecurity, and selfishness.We can dismiss others, struggle for power, andblame special interests for all of our problems. Orwe can choose meaning and purpose, and recognizeourselves and our fellow humans for who we really

are – people who care. We can shift from dominationand control to generosity; instead of absorbing theworldview of fear, we can build secure and lovingrelationships.

Our wellbeing depends on all of us. So when we sitto speak with another, let us do so with a more caringperspective for the other, knowing each side hasexperienced the same pain, fear, and distrust wehave. But, now reaching out with generosity andcaring, we will move forward, for these too are thingswe have in common.

And we can do this!


PAGE 9

By Patty Bates-Ballard

After witnessing the Pentagon burning during theterrorist attacks of 9-11 and learning about youngAfrican boys being forced to fight in wars,Congresswoman Eddie BerniceJohnson decided she must dosomething to promote a culture ofpeace. “War is expensive in terms oflife and monetarily as well,” Johnsonsaid in a recent interview. After meetingwith a number of peace groups andlearning about peace education effortsdeveloped in The Hague, she becameconvinced that women are more opento peace and more likely to rejectcombat. So she organized the first AWorld of Women for World Peace

conference in 2001. She held it asclose to Mother’s Day as possiblebecause the first Mother’s Day wasorganized after the Civil War bymothers who did not want any morechildren to die in combat. “We havenot been able to solve very much fromwar,” said Congresswoman Johnson.

This year’s conference will focus on“Women, Technology, &Peacebuilding.” The Arab Springsocial change movements in Tunisia,Egypt, and elsewhere in the MiddleEast have relied heavily on theInternet, social media andtechnologies like Twitter, TwitPic,Facebook and YouTube to promoteand accelerate social protest. Theconference will explore the uniqueway in which technology allowswomen to participate in civicdiscourse because it lacks most of the

CONGRESSWOMANEDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON’S11TH ANNUAL PEACE CONFERENCESaturday, April 28th from 12-2pm at Crow Collection of Asian Art

structural barriers to equal participation that womenface in the public sphere. Panelists will discuss how

PAGE 10

continued on page 11

access to cutting edge technology has enabledwomen to promote peace within their communities,as well as how it has enabled them to be heardthroughout the world.

While the Arab Spring movements have achievedpeaceful change in some countries, in others, therehas been an increase in violence. CongresswomanJohnson said that conference speakers will addressstrategies for using social media to encourage young

activists to work in peaceful ways, because manyhave not had experience working with peacefulstrategies.

Dedicated to using every method available to spreadpeace, Congresswoman Johnson works with womenfrom all over the world whenever she gets a chance.One of her most vivid memories is a meeting shehad with a group of Sudanese women. She said theywere highly educated women who were simplypleading for help to seek peace. While some had

been afraid to speak out against violence, they toldher they were just fatigued with war and had come tothe point that they were willing to speak out in spiteof the threat to their lives. Johnson said she has beenpleading for years for women to join the Middle Eastpeace negotiations because she believes they wouldmake a difference.

Congresswoman Johnson believes that technologyis an important tool that anyone can use for peace.She encouraged all of us to post messages aboutthe value of peace and the costliness of war on human

life as well as on our pocketbooks. She alsoencouraged Americans to connect directly withwomen and men in other countries through socialmedia. When people from different parts of the worldshare their experiences, she said, they learn howmuch they have in common. Johnson has seenwomen become more vocal after realizing there areothers who share their experience. But she is also



PAGE 11

aware of some women who believe that the U.S. does not support peace in their countries. Personalexpression of wishes for peace through social media can counter those beliefs. “Every voice lifted on behalfof peace is a useful voice,” she said.

Congresswoman Johnson identified education and communication as two of the most important strategiesfor promoting peace and justice, because when young people feel respected for their opinions, they aremore open to alternatives to war. Some of the strategies Johnson embraces are respecting differences,listening to all opinions, anger management, and taking peaceful roles. But she doesn’t stop there.Congresswoman Johnson said civil disobedience is certainly another viable strategy, and she voiced supportfor the Occupy Movement. She said it is valuable because it has increased public discourse and questionedan out of control system in a way that has gotten the attention of the perpetrators. “I’ve actually madecontributions to support the group because sometimes that’s the only way you can get attention,” she added.

Johnson believes that technology is a vital tool for helping educate and bring people together, but, shestressed, “It tends to be people who make a visible display that get attention.” There is a buffer whencommunication comes through the television or on Facebook, Johnson said, “but when people physicallycome together and say we’re not going to take this anymore, it’s impressive.”

“Women, Technology & Peacebuilding”

A World of Women for World Peace conference

Trammel & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art 2010 Flora Street Dallas, TX 75201

Saturday, April 2812:00-2:00 p.m.


PAGE 12

Limited seating/RSVP not required FREE

Confirmed Speakers

Background

Join Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson for an afternoon discussion about how women in conflict zones are using technology as a tool of empowerment in political and social conflict. The very same women who are victims of war and aggression are currently promoting different peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peace-building activities in their own communities using technology to further the process of conflict resolution.

Vivienne O’Connor, United States Institute of Peace

Linda Higdon, Founder of the The Global Room for Women

Farzaneh Milani, Professor of Persian Literature and Women’s Studies and Chair of the

Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures, University of Virginia

A World of Women for World Peace taps into the role of women as peace makers and peace keepers. Congresswoman Johnson began A World of Women for World Peace to bring greater visibility to the women who are victims of war and aggression and the women who lead peacemaking, peacekeeping and peace-building activities in their communities. She started this conference in 2001.

4

PRESS ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts:

Pastor Lynn Godsey 214--562-1500

Adriana Cadena 915-253-2262

Kelli Obazee 214-823-7793

Douglas Interiano 817-922-0493

SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 20121:00-4:00 PM

Unprecedented coalition forms to educate church and community leaders on little

known “Prosecutorial Discretion” process in immigration cases

Dallas, TX – An “Informational Forum on Prosecutorial Discretion” for church and community leaders

will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the University of Texas at Arlington’s Texas Hall from 1:00-

4:00pm. The forum will provide information about seeking prosecutorial discretion before the Department

of Homeland Security which can help some immigrant families avoid deportation. The event is expected to

draw hundreds of leaders from the Metroplex.

In response to the public’s need for more information about this little known process, Pastor Lynn Godsey,

President of the Hispanic Evangelical Alliance of the Metroplex (AHEM for its Spanish initials), has

coordinated the DFW Defense Team. The team will inform faith-based and community leaders on how to

assist families who may qualify for prosecutorial discretion and how to help them connect with non-profit

HELPING IMMIGRANTS AVOID DEPORTATION:A LEADERSHIP FORUM

PAGE 13


3

agencies accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals and to immigration attorneys who can assist

them in the process.

“All churches, regardless of religious affiliation, are composed of families,” said Pastor Godsey. “Our churches

are suffering due to the separation of our precious families because of our broken immigration system. As

pastors, we have no problem with our federal government deporting those who are on their high priority list,

such as terrorists, and criminals, but we must do what we can to stop the separation of children from their

fathers, mothers, and grandparents — from their families,” Godsey added.

He said that many church attendees qualify for some form of relief through Prosecutorial Discretion, and

that the Defense Team will be seeking administrative closure to these cases. In the case where a parent

has to work, the team will help that parent apply, via those who are accredited and approved to do so, for a

work authorization permit. Pastor Godsey concluded, “Our church goers are not criminals, and it breaks our

hearts as clergy to see them come to church with a Bible in hand and an electronic bracelet bolted to their

ankle. We are praying that Congress will soon pass a just Immigration Law.”

Adriana Cadena, Director of RITA (Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance) said her organization’s role in

the effort is to bring accredited community organizations and immigration attorneys to the aid of church and

community leaders. “Every day,” said Cadena, “another person is separated from their family without even

knowing that their case may qualify for Prosecutorial Discretion.”

Last summer, John Morton, Director of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a memorandum

stating that the agency would begin to clear low-priority deportation cases from the system so that officials

can focus on those individuals who actually pose a threat to our communities and national security. Known

as the Morton Memorandum, the document identifies the factors agents must consider when applying

“prosecutorial discretion” in cases of individuals caught in the deportation system. For example, immigrants

who were brought to the U.S. as children, and those with strong ties to family and community may have the

opportunity to benefit from this discretion.

# end #


CHURCHESFORM COMMON FRONT FOR IMMIGRANTS


PAGE 15

By Julián Reséndiz/Al Día

of 300,000 cases pending deportation and instructedthe Justice Department to focus on deporting criminalaliens and to suspend the removal of low risk immi-grants. Some of these people would even be eligiblefor a work permit, according to a memorandum fromthe federal government.

Beneficiaries of the policy would include victims of vio-lent crime, workers who will have to leave their familieswithout support, people brought into the country fromas young children, and people who have long been inthe country.

“The exercise of prosecutorial discretion in certain re-moval cases is not a new law or path to legalization,”said certified immigration attorney Liz Cedillo. “Peoplemust receive accurate information, which is the goal of

are one of the pillars of thechurch, and when a family loses one member, the en-tire congregation suffers,” Pastor Lynn Godsey says.

That’s why the president of the Hispanic EvangelicalAlliance of the Dallas Metroplex began a campaign tohelp immigrants facing deportation proceedings to uti-lize the initiative of federal prosecutorial discretion.

“We realize all our churches, whether synagogues,temples or churches, may be full of people whoqualify for prosecutorial discretion. We are bring-ing together community groups, religious leadersand immigration lawyers to bring information tohelp our brothers and sisters,” said Godsey, headof the new DFW Defense Committee.

In August, the Obama administration ordered a review

“Families


PAGE 16

this community effort, and not be fooled by unscrupu-lous individuals who may mislead them into believingotherwise. When an individual has been placed in re-moval proceedings, he or she should seek a reliableattorney or accredited organization to understand whatoptions exist to seek administrative closure or someother possible remedy,” she said.

Godsey said the De-fense Committee willexplain to Metroplexreligious congrega-tions the requirementsfor prosecutorial dis-cretion, including whois eligible, the docu-ments required for fil-ing, and the degree ofscrutiny they will face.

Once pastors, activ-ists, and volunteershave connected with apotential beneficiary ofprosecutorial discre-tion, they will refer theindividual to an attor-ney licensed to prac-tice immigration law orto a group like Catholic Charities Immigrant Project orthe Baptist Center for Immigration, who will help withthe paperwork.

“We know that notaries will try to deceive our people,telling them that there is a new law and taking theirmoney. Part of our initiative is to educate people aboutthe fraud,” said Godsey. “We don’t do this for money.We do it because God tells us to help our brothers.”

“99% of people who want to help go to church like ev-eryone else and praise God like anyone else. The onlydifference is that we are lucky enough to be a citizen orhave papers, and they do not,” he said.

He said the DFW Defense Committee will meet weeklyand try to talk with the new regional director of the immi-gration agency. The current director resigned amid aninvestigation into the mishandling of cash belonging toimmigration detainees.

Rafael Narvaez, an activist from San Luis Potosi, andRoberto Corona, of Southern Methodist Universitywho heads the pro-immigrant advocacy groupPeople Without Borders, said they were eager tocontinue participating in the DFW Defense Commit-tee.

“This is a community effort to tell people, do not be

fooled by people who are going to give false in-formation. Maybe it is going to help, but you haveto learn very well,” Corona said.

“I have significant contact with the immigrant com-munity and see that there is much misinformation.It is best that people who have no documents con-nect with credible organizations that are lookingout for their safety,” said Narvaez.

Godsey said the effort that began in the Dallasarea - from a conversation he had with Congress-man Luis Gutierrez of Chicago in December -could become a national crusade. “In April I will ...give workshops in San Francisco, North Carolina,Seattle, San Antonio and Lubbock. The purposeis to expand this effort,” he said.

http://www.aldiatx.com/news/2012/mar/28/iglesias-y-activistas-forman-frente-contradeporta/

Iglesias formanfrente común por migrantes

JULIÁN RESÉNDIZ/AL DÍA | 3/28/2012, 5:29 p.m.

Las familias son uno de los pilares de la iglesia, y cuando una familia pierde un miembro, toda la congregaciónlo resiente, afirma el pastor Lynn Godsey.

Es por eso que el presidente de la Alianza Hispana Evangélica del Metroplex inició una campaña paraayudar a los inmigrantes que enfrentan procesos de deportación a ampararse bajo la iniciativa de discreciónprocesal del gobierno federal, y a protegerse de aquellos que les quieran vender falsas esperanzas.

“Nos damos cuenta de que todas nuestras iglesias —llámense sinagogas, templos o congregaciones —podrían estar llenas de gente que califica para la discreción procesal. Estamos reuniendo a gruposcomunitarios, a líderes religiosos y a abogados de inmigración para traer información y ayudar a nuestroshermanos”, dijo Godsey, titular del nuevo Comité de Defensa DFW.

En agosto, la administración del presidente Obama ordenó la revisión de 300,000 casos pendientes dedeportación e instruyó al Departamento de Justicia a enfocarse en deportar a extranjeros criminales y


PAGE 17

suspender la remoción deinmigrantes de bajo riesgo.Algunas de estas personas, inclu-sive, tendrían derecho a unpermiso de trabajo, según unmemorando del gobierno federal.Entre ellos estarían las víctimas decrímenes violentos, lostrabajadores que dejarían a susfamiliares sin sustento, los jóvenestraídos al país desde muypequeños y personas que llevanmucho tiempo en el país.

Ya se sabe de casos en losque las deportaciones han sidosuspendidas, pero hay que aclararal migrante que no se trata de unanueva ley de legalización y que nose deje engañar por personas quele prometen arreglarle papeles oconseguirle un permiso de trabajoa cambio de dinero, dijo laabogada certificada deinmigración Liz Cedillo.

“El caso debe estar cerradodefinitivamente y deben existirotras circunstancias para ganar unpermiso de trabajo”, advirtió.

Godsey dijo que el Comitéde Defensa DFW informaría a lascongregaciones religiosas sobrelos requisitos para la discreciónprocesal, incluyendo quiénes sonelegibles, qué documentosnecesitan presentar y qué tipo deescrutinio deben enfrentar.

Una vez que los pastores,activistas o voluntarios encuentrena estas personas, las encausaránhacia abogados certificados en lapráctica de ley migratoria o agrupos como Caridades Católicas,Proyecto Inmigrante o el CentroBautista de Inmigración, para quelos ayuden con sus trámites.

“Sabemos que habránotarios que tratarán de engañar anuestra gente, diciéndoles que hayuna nueva ley y tomando su dinero.

Parte de nuestra iniciativa consisteen educar a la gente sobre elfraude”, dijo Godsey. “Nosotros nohacemos esto por dinero, lohacemos porque Dios nos diceque debemos ayudar a nuestroshermanos”.“El 99% de la gente que queremosayudar va a la iglesia como

cualquier otra persona y alaba aDios como cualquier otra persona.La única diferencia es quenosotros tenemos la suerte de serciudadanos o tener papeles, y ellosno”, dijo.

Agregó que el Comité deDefensa DFW se reunirásemanalmente y tratará dialogarcon el nuevo director regional de laagencia de inmigración. La actualdirectora renunció en medio de unainvestigación sobre la pérdida dedinero que sufrieron inmigrantesdetenidos en centros del gobierno.

Rafael Narváez, activistaoriginario de San Luis Potosí, yRoberto Corona, un empleado dela Universidad Metodista del Surque preside el grupo de activismoproinmigrante Pueblo SinFronteras, dijeron estar ansiosos

de seguir participando en elComité de Defensa DFW.

“Este es un esfuerzo para(que la comunidad) no se dejeengañar por personas que le van adar información equivocada.Puede que sí vaya a recibir ayuda,pero tiene que informarse muybien”, dijo Corona.

“Yo tengo mucho contactocon la comunidad inmigrante y veoque hay mucha desinformación. Lomejor es que la gente que no tienedocumentos se arrime a lasorganizaciones para que vayasobre seguro”, dijo Narváez.Godsey agregó que el esfuerzoque inició en el área de Dallas —a partir de una conversación quetuvo con el congresista LuisGutiérrez de Chicago en diciembre— podría convertirse en unacruzada nacional.

“En abril voy a… dar talleresen San Francisco, Carolina delNorte, Seattle, San Antonio y Lub-bock. El propósito es expandir esteesfuerzo”, dijo.http://www.aldiatx.com/news/2012/mar/28/iglesias-y-activistas-forman-frente-contra-deporta/


PAGE 18

ONE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Dallas Peace Center’s(DPC) Peace Education Program

The Dallas Peace Center’s (DPC) “One Makes a

Difference” curriculum provides: a strong intellectualand ethical foundation which encourages academicexcellence, enhance self-esteem, increasecommunity understanding, civic engagement andinspires future global leaders. The curriculum isinspired by the simple and profound belief that


The goal of the program is to encourage participantsto piece together their personal stories and historiesin a way that clarifies their understanding ofinterconnectedness and peace. When young peoplehave the opportunity to share their knowledge in agroup, they can teach each other a lot. Each personin the group is a teacher, learner, and listener creatingnew knowledge and relationships of trust. The twelvetwo-hour sessions included in the


program incorporate heart/mind coherence, self-awareness, conflict resolution, non-violentcommunication and civic engagement. Join us aswe launch a program that empowers our youth tocharter their destiny for success.

For more information:[email protected] call 214-823-7793

The Department of Justice toldthe panel in the Texas voter IDcase in a brief filed Wednesday,April 11 that depositions of Texaslegislators were needed be-cause even on the limited pub-lic record, there was “substan-tial indicia of discriminatory pur-pose, including the anticipatedeffect of S.B. 14, the historicalbackground leading up to pas-sage of the bill, and the natureof legislative debate.”

The State of Texas had earlierasked the court to block thedepositions of 14 Republicanlegislators involved with thevoter ID bill’s process throughthe legislature.

The DOJ brief cited, amongother things, the failure of bill pro-ponents to address substantiveconcerns or answer questions infloor debate about the bill’s im-pact on minority voters, the re-fusal to consider amendmentsthat would have lessened theimpact on indigent voters, and

the refusal to fund studies totrack the law’s impact or to edu-cation programs targeted atlow-income and minority voters.

DOJ said that the state’s requestto block the depositions sought“to shield from discovery the verywitnesses it identified in its ini-tial disclosures and responsesto interrogatories” and that the

TEXAS VOTER ID EVIDENCEOF DISCRIMINATORY INTENTBy Michael Li

DOJ says circumstances around

enactment of Texas voter ID offer

substantial evidence of discrimi-

natory intent

“facts are more than sufficient todemonstrate that depositions ofTexas state legislators and dis-covery of the documents law-makers considered are war-ranted.”

The DOJ brief can be found here:https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxeOfQQnUr_gVllfRG4xcWI3U1E/edit?pli=1

Michael C. Li (Twitter: @mcpli) is a Dallas attorney and recently became the Executive Director of

Be One Texas. Read more on Texas politics at his blog, http://txredistricting.org/

PAGE 20

BY MARC MCCORD

Natural gas drilling may be com-ing soon to the City of Dallas’ resi-

dential neighborhoods, city-ownedparks and floodplains. The ques-tion is, how safe will it be?

Concerns about frac’ingThe heavy industrial activity re-quired to release natural gas,called slickwater hydraulic fractur-

ing (hydrofrac’ing or frac’ing forshort), involves blasting harshchemicals and water into solid un-

derground rock. If you have beenfollowing the news carefully, youknow that many communitiesacross the country have learned the

hard way that frac’ing pollutes air,water and soil, reduces real estate

Gas Drilling Task Force Dropsthe Ball on Protecting Citizens


PAGE 21

value, causes serious and harm-ful, sometimes fatal, health effects,adversely affect safety, createsmajor traffic problems, and inter-

feres with the quality of life we ex-pect as a minimum when living ina major city.Natural gas exploration and pro-duction in the Barnett, Haynesville,and Eagle Ford Shales of Texas,as well as other shale formationsnationwide, is implicated in tre-mendous infrastructure damagecaused to roadways, parks,bridges, dams, spillways, leveesand the very foundations of resi-dential homes. Frac’ing and injec-tion wells also have been linked toearthquake activity in Ohio, Okla-

homa, and Texas (just down theroad in Cleburne and other cities.)The consequences of frac’ing op-erations exert great financial ex-pense to citizens in the form of

state and local taxes, municipalbonds, insurance and insurancepolicy deductibles, and other formsof “taxation” that cause us to spendmore of our money to subsidize anindustry that profits from its en-deavors by producing and sellingits products to us.

The Dallas situationDallas’ current natural gas drillingordinance is out-of-date, consider-ing what we now know about thehydraulic fracturing process andthe risks associated with it. While

cities are legally prevented frombanning frac’ing by the State ofTexas, cities can place conditionson drilling. Several cities acrossthe country have suspended natu-ral gas drilling while more re-search is conducted. Respondingto pressure from local citizens,the Dallas City Council post-poned proposed drilling eighteenmonths ago, appointing a taskforce to conduct further study.

The parts of Dallas slated for drill-ing are mostly in the southwesternand northwestern sectors, poten-tially adding a new chapter to his-torical environmental justice is-sues of lead smelters and lackof protection from flooding thatthese parts of our city have weath-ered. Even so, we all drink thesame water and we all breathe thesame air. What adversely affectsany of us affects us all. On Tuesday, February 28, 2012,the Dallas Gas Drilling TaskForce met for the final time toconclude their discussions andfinalize their recommendations tothe Dallas City Council. Their re-port will inform the re-write of theDallas gas drilling ordinance.

However, the work of the TaskForce will not protect Dallas fromthe dangers other cities have ex-perienced. Among other concerns,the task force recommendationsinclude weakening or the continu-ation of weak protections for resi-dential areas, floodplains andparks. The full set of recommen-dations to the City Council is ac-cessible online. Some of the moreegregious recommendations are:· Inadequate protection frompipeline explosions in residen-



PAGE 22

tial areas;· No required training of emergencyfirst responder personnel to man-age blow-outs, spills or other acci-dents;· Inadequate prohibitions againstmunicipal water usage duringdroughts;· Compression stations may bepermitted on well sites even in resi-dential areas;· Drilling allowed in residential ar-eas, park lands and floodplains;· Setback requirements are far tooinadequate to protect citizens andproperty;· Inadequate requirement for full dis-closure of chemicals used;· Inadequate bonding requirementsto cover emergency response andremediation costs;· Inadequate site inspection re-quirements by city gas well inspec-tors.

This list represents just the worstrecommendations; there are sev-eral others that are troublesomebecause they fail to protect publichealth and safety, property and theenvironment. Because the work ofthe Task Force left a lot to be de-sired, it is incumbent upon citizensto become active in demanding astronger ordinance from our CityCouncil.

What you can doThere is still time to take a standfor yourself, your family, and yourfellow Dallasites!

The Dallas City Council will take updiscussions and possibly vote onaccepting Task Force recommen-dations for re-writing the DallasGas Drilling Ordinance very soon.Public input will be accepted dur-

ing this period, though speakers atCity Council meetings will be lim-ited to three minutes, and it is pos-sible that the entire time allocatedwill be limited to a set period thatmay not allow input from all citizenswho wish to address this issue.After the Council finalizes its de-cisions on modifying the existinggas drilling ordinance, theirchanges will be sent to the Officeof the City Attorney who will re-

write the ordinance to meet legalrequirements. Then, the languageprovided by the City Attorney willbe sent back to the City Councilfor discussion and a vote to ac-cept or reject the new ordinance.

It is highly unlikely that the City Coun-cil will vote against the language pro-vided by the City Attorney’s Office,and it is entirely possible that the finalvote will be placed on a consentagenda without public discussion orinput. Therefore, it is imperative thatcitizens contact City Council mem-

bers immediately to voice concernsabout Task Force recommendationsand to request a stronger gas drillingordinance that protects the health andsafety, property values and environ-ment for all Dallas citizens.

Please contact the organizationcoordinating citizen efforts,FracDallas, TODAY and get in-volved. This may be our last oppor-tunity to affect changes in our gas

drilling ordinance that comply withwhat is necessary to protect usagainst a heavy industrial activitythat has a history of causing harmin pursuit of corporate profits.Marc W. McCord

FracDallas http://fracdallas.org/

[email protected]

FracDallas is a group of commu-

nity-minded citizens seeking to in-

fluence our Dallas City Council to

strengthen our currently inad-

equate gas drilling ordinance for

the protection of people, property

and the environment.


PAGE 23

VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS DELAYEDBy Rhonda Varsane

Due to the redistricting process and a new map whichhas voting precincts split by county commissionerprecinct lines, the voter registrar’s office is workingaround the clock to get voter registration informationupdated before the April 25 deadline so voters willreceive, by mail, voter registration cards.

So, what should you do if you still don’t have a 2012voter registration card? First, if you have not movedand were registered you are still registered to vote. Ifyour card expired in December, your voter registrationdid not. Confusing? Yes, if you are not sure you are

registered to vote you can confirm your status onlinewith the Secretary of State’s office, the link in Texas is:https://team1.sos.state.tx.us/voterws/viw/faces/SearchSelectionVoter.jsp

While expired, the old voter registration cardsare still “a valid form of government ID” and canbe used to establish proof of residency. If youdon’t have your old card, prepare to show yourdriver’s license or have a utility bill handy forwhen you show up at the polls.http://galvestondailynews.com/story/305918

A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) team has foundthat a sharp jump in earthquakes in America’sheartland appears to be linked to oil and naturalgas drilling operations. A six-fold surge in earth-quakes in the last few years corresponds to a na-tionwide surge in shale drilling, which requires dis-posal of millions of gallons of wastewater for eachwell. The report says that the unprecedented seis-micity rate changes are almost certainly manmade.http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/04/06/459711/shale-shocked-increase-midcontinent-earthquakes-almost-certainly-manmade-usgs-report/"

Hydraulic fracturing companies used 2-butoxyethanol (2-BE) as a foaming agent or sur-

factant in 126 products. According to EPA scien-tists, 2-BE is easily absorbed and rapidly distrib-uted in humans following inhalation, ingestion, ordermal exposure. Studies have shown exposureto 2-BE can cause hemolysis (destruction of redblood cells) and damage to the spleen, liver, andbone marrow.

The hydraulic fracturing companies injected 21.9million gallons of products containing 2-BE be-tween 2005 and 2009. They used the highest vol-ume of products containing 2-BE in Texas, whichaccounted for more than half of the volume used.EPA recently found this chemical in drinking waterwells tested in Pavillion, Wyoming.

FRAC’ING, EARTHQUAKES, AND ORGAN DAMAGE

PAGE 24

The race for the District 9 seat on the Dallas school boardmakes clear that it’s time for a new kind of politics insouthern Dallas.All elections have at least one centralissue. But in District 9, the central issue — the closure of11 schools, a number of which are in the district — canbe misleading. By focusing on this one topic, theincumbent, her challenger and supporters of bothcandidates are missing the opportunity to develop and

promote a comprehensive agenda to address otherconditions that have led to these schools’ closure.

Trustee Bernadette Nutall’s vote was a dauntinglyunpopular decision. Yet keeping underpopulated schoolsopen jeopardized $125 million in the district’s Title I

A NEW KIND OF POLITICSTHE RACE FOR DISTRICT 9

funding. The Dallas Independent School District, likedistricts throughout Texas, was forced to hack away atits budget after the Legislature made $5 billion in cuts topublic education funding.

Nutall’s challenger, Damarcus Offord, a young Lin-coln High School graduate and college freshman,and others were angered by her school-closure vote.In an intemperate presentation to the school board

the night the vote was taken, Offord threatened pro-tests at the homes of the trustees who supported theclosure and ominously implied more forceful action.Such impotent anger is unbecoming of someoneseeking public office. Emotional and political matu-


PAGE 25

By Reverend Gerald Britt

impact on the education of District 9 students. They needa trustee to promote strategies to help children fromhomeless families or poor neighborhoods. A big part ofthat equation is helping fight food insecurity and the lackof access to health care — inarguable barriers to stu-

dent achievement.

Nutall and Offord havetime during this cam-paign to promote suchstrategies. Offord’ssupporters also couldwork with him to de-velop real solutions —and show him to be aserious alternative toNutall. Offord’s agedoesn’t have to be a li-ability. But the collegefreshman must domore than excite acrowd with incendiaryor inspirational rheto-ric. He must demon-strate the maturity andsavvy to connect thedots between Austin

politics and its policy implications for the students in

District 9.

District 9 residents need someone to do more thanparrot their frustrations; they need an advocate who canbuild a strong constituency for public education amongparents, businesses and institutions within the district.

Single-issue, reactionary politics can be the begin-ning of a grass-roots movement that changes the struc-ture of a public institution. But without substance, it canjust as quickly become a counterproductive grass fire.Southern Dallas, indeed all of Dallas, needs betterpolitics than that.

The Rev. Gerald Britt Jr. is vice president of public policy

at CitySquare. His email address is [email protected],

and he blogs at changethewind.org.

http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/latest-columns/20120328-gerald-britt-disd-district-9-race-reflects-need-for-new-politics.ece

rity is needed to develop and promote a strategy tohelp this community deal with the current decisionsand to organize to fight deeper cuts looming in nextyear’s legislative session.

The anger and frustration of Offord and his supportersaren’t unwarranted. But stoking anger and frustration won’tkeep the affected schools open or address deeper is-sues such as poverty or the disproportionate disciplineof black students in DISD. Neither will anger be sufficientto address the lack of economic development and non-strategic neighborhood revitalization, which has led tothe failure to attract young families or to stop ed theirmigration to the suburbs. These issues, directly or collat-erally, are the deeper roots of the school closures.

Vague prospects for the reopening of the schools callfor a trustee who understands that the Independent inDISD doesn’t mean ignoring the district’s interdepen-dence. District 9 needs an activist trustee who joinswith and connects parents, community leaders and thecity of Dallas to restore the health, safety and eco-nomic viability of the neighborhoods where theseschools are located.

Voters need a trustee who’ll speak about poverty and its


PAGE 26

On April 22nd we celebrate EarthDay, which began in 1970 as away to raise human consciousnessabout environmental concerns. Itoccurs to me that it is also is anopportunity to consider two con-cepts directly applicable to peace:awareness and oneness. I’m notsure why we don’t celebrate EarthDay every day of the year, but atleast we have setaside one day tohonor and recog-nize our relationshipwith our MotherEarth. Like somany other things inlife, our relationshipwith the earth is areflection of our in-ner feelings,thoughts, and rela-tionship with our-selves.

Recently I wasasked what peaceactivism has to dowith Earth Day . . .or was it what EarthDay has to do withpeace activism? Tome, the answer isobvious, because Isee that people who are concernedwith peace issues generally arealso very concerned with environ-mental issues. The connectiongoes far beyond war issues, wherethe obvious environmental effectsof bombing and destruction are

easily seen. The connection reallyis rooted in the recognition that ifthe environment is toxic and doesnot sustain life, the people who livein that environment are not likely tobe at peace. Instead, they will bein a constant state of fear, depres-sion, or hopelessness. Conversely,when the environment is main-tained and improved, we feel agreater sense of peace and secu-rity. People who are sensitive to

and who understand the source ofpeace also tend to understandthat peace extends beyond ourhuman interactions to this placewe call Mother Earth, and theyfeel the need to protect, em-brace, and honor it.

When we become aware of the im-pact each of us has on the envi-ronment, we are more likely thento take action to bring aboutchange. When we recognize thateverything in the universe is con-nected, we understand that wecannot separate ourselves fromthe consequences of any of ourthoughts or actions, no matterhow inconsequential they mayseem at the time. How many

times have wedropped sometrash on theground, or threw acigarette butt outthe window, neverto be thought ofagain? But if weare aware of theconsequences ofeach of these smallactions, we mightwell do somethingmuch different, andby doing so, be inintegrity with our-selves and the lawof the unity of life.Nonviolence ex-tends from our per-sonal selves, not justto our brothers andsisters, but to theearth as well; to ev-

ery living thing. When we act in away that violates the unity of life bypolluting the air, by wasting re-sources, or by not paying attentionto our actions, then we will find ourhealth, our peace of mind, and our

BEGINS WITH MEPEACE


PAGE 27

By Len Ellis,DPC Board Member

happiness seriously compromised, just as the environment is compromised.

Each of us is responsible for what is bought and sold in stores, the amount of carbon dioxide being pumpedinto the atmosphere, and what is dumped into our lakes, rivers, and oceans. Each of us can begin toheal the environment by changing our daily habits. As mentioned, this earthly environment is a re-flection of our internal environment. Specifically, the way we think affects the way we treat the earth.When we pay attention to our internal environment, and when we are aware of our actions, we are notonly making ourselves more secure, fulfilled, and at peace, but we are also making an importantcontribution to the health of the environment.

Whether we are learning techniques to be at peace with our neighbors, or with the earth, the goal is the same– to provide a world that works for all by developing awareness and implementing strategies that enhanceand protect our environment. I can examine my attitude and actions about the environment and make changes.I can take responsibility for my footprint on the earth, because peace begins with

ME!


PAGE 28

Dan Pearce, blogger for Single Dad Laugh-ing, wrote a compelling personal plea in November2011 on behalf of his friend Jacob, who is gay. Jacobis 27, and lives in a community where being gay is stillvery “frowned upon.” Dan had been strug-gling for some time with the idea of writ-ing such an appeal, but never seemed tofind the words he wanted. When Jacobtold Dan that he is the only friend he hasthat knows he’s gay, because all the otherpeople he’s told have “ditched him,” Danknew he had to write.

He quoted Jacob, “You don’tknow what it’s like, man. You don’t knowwhat it’s like to live here and be gay. Youdon’t know what it’s like to have freakingnobody. You don’t know what it’s like tohave your own parents hate you and tryand cover up your existence. I didn’tchoose this. I didn’t want this. And I’m sotired of people hating me for it. I can’ttake it anymore. I just can’t.”

Dan, who lives in the same com-munity as Jacob, wrote that he has heardthe hate. “I’ve heard the disgust,” Danwrote. “I’ve heard the disdain. I’ve heardthe gossip. I’ve heard the distrust. I’veheard the anger. I’ve heard it all, and I’veheard it tucked and disguised neatlybeneath a wrapper of self-righteousnessand a blanket of “caring” or “religious”words. I’ve heard it more times than I careto number.About gay people.About people who dress differently.About people who act differently.About fat people.About people with drug addictions.About people who smoke.About people with addictions to alcohol.About people with eating disorders.About people who fall away from their faiths.About people who aren’t members of the dominant lo-cal religion.

“I’m Christian unless you’re gay”About people who have non-traditional piercings.About people who just look at you or me the wrong way.I’ve heard it, and I’ve heard it over, and over, and overagain. Hell, in the past (and to some degree in thepresent) I participated in it. I propagated it. I smugly tookpart in it. I’ll admit that. And I did so under the blanketing

term “Christian.” I did so believing that my actions weresomehow justified because of my beliefs at the time. Idid so, actually believing that such appointments were


PAGE 29

By REDA staffwith acknowledgement to the Single Dad Laugh-ing Blog at www.danoah.com

done out of… love.”Dan said he has heard the

same type of stuff in other parts ofthe country, on television shows andradio programs, and even aroundhis own family’s dinner table fromtime to time. He said he’s heard itnot just from Chris-tians but from Bud-dhists, Hindus,Muslims, and fromJews.

“God hatesfags.” “God hatesaddicts.” “Godhates people whoshop at SalvationArmy.” “God hatespeople that aren’tjust like me.”

Dan wroteabout how all reli-gious leaders havetaught love ratherthan judgment.“They never said,love everybody ex-cept for the gays.Love everybody ex-cept for the home-less. Love every-body except for thedrug users. Loveeverybody exceptfor the gang mem-bers, or those cov-ered in ink, or thespouse abusers.They didn’t tell us itwas okay to love everybody with theexception of the ‘trailer trash,’ thoseliving in poverty, or the illegal immi-grants. They didn’t tell us it was okayto love everybody except for our ex-lovers, our lovers’ ex lovers, or ourex-lovers’ lovers. The mandate waspretty damn clear, wasn’t it? Loveothers. Period.”

Dan asked his readers to put

aside the question of whether livinga homosexual life is a sin.

He wrote that to put our armaround someone who is gay, orsomeone who has an addiction,somebody who lives a differentlifestyle, someone who is not whatwe think they should be, has nothing

to do with enabling them or accept-ing what they do. It has nothing to dowith encouraging them in their prac-tice of what you or I might feel or be-lieve is wrong vs right.

He said that it has everythingto do with being a good human be-ing. A good person. A good friend.He asked, “To put our arm aroundsomebody who is different. Why is

that so hard?”Dan asked his readers to considerwhy so many of us have a need toshun and loathe others and feel bet-ter or superior to others. He calledthis shunning bullying; “sneaky, hurt-ful, duplicitous, bullying.” He said thatthe message we’re sending is, “I’m

Christian, unlessyou’re gay.”

Then hewrote that this be-havior has to stop.He made a simplerequest.

“Today. To-morrow. Next week.Find somebody,anybody, that’s dif-ferent than you.Somebody that hasmade you feel ill-willor even …gulp...hateful. Somebodywhose life deci-sions have madeyou uncomfortable.Somebody whopractices a differentreligion than you do.Somebody whohas been lost to ad-diction. Somebodywith a criminal past.Somebody whodresses “below”you. Somebodywith disabilities.Somebody wholives an alternative

lifestyle. Somebody without a home.Somebody that you, until now,

would always avoid, always lookdown on, and always be disgustedby…Because what you’ll find, and Ipromise you this, is that the moreyou put your arm around those thatyou might naturally look down on, themore you will love yourself. And the



PAGE 30

more you love yourself, the less need you’ll ever have tofind fault or be better than others. And the less we allfind fault or have a need to be better than others, thequicker this world becomes a far better place to live.”

He asked for his readers to respond with theirown individual struggles. He received many, many re-sponses. Recently, Dan posted the following responsefrom a reader:

Hello Mr. Pearce,I am the Christian mother of a 15 year oldteenage boy and about a month ago hecame home from school with a copy of yourarticle “I’m Christian, unless you’re gay”. Theteacher gave his class a homework assign-ment to read it and write a 500 word essayabout “what it meant to them.”He came home and showed me your ar-ticle and asked me what I thought about it. Iread just the title and became furious at histeacher and at you (even though I know youhad nothing to do with her handing out theassignment). Anyway, I confiscated it fromhim and told him he wasn’t to do anythingwith it till I had a chance to read it first.And then I got madder and madder as I readit as I felt like it was a direct attack againstour beliefs and our Christian religion and thatit was promoting homosexuality, a practicethat around here is a huge “sin.”

I gave my son an earful about ho-mosexuality and God and told him that hecould tell his teacher that he would not beparticipating and if she had a problem, shecould come talk to me and then I threw thearticle in the trash. My son didn’t say any-thing just walked into his room and shut thedoor.

Long story short, a couple hours later it was sup-per time and I still hadn’t seen him come out of his room.I didn’t expect it to be that big of a deal to him but I wentand knocked and told him to come out, he didn’t answerso I opened his door and he wasn’t there, he had left thehouse and gone somewhere. Of course I got more madand tried to call him but he sent it to voicemail. I sent hima text and told him he better get home and he wasgrounded.

This is the text he sent me in return: “I don’t care.I’m at my friend’s house writing that essay and I’m not

coming home till you read it.”I think you would have seen steam coming out of

my ears if you saw me. I started preparing to go talk tothe school the next day. I sent a few angry texts to my sonthat he didn’t answer. I got the article out of the trash so Icould take it into the school and get this teacher fired. Myanger got a little out of control and while I was sitting therefuming and planning what to do, I got another text frommy son that said “Just emailed it. Love, Jacob.”

My son’s name is not Jacob, and it took me aminute to realize that he was talking about your friendJacob in your article. And when I realized that I suddenlystarted shaking in fear and anger at what he might betelling me. I started out of control crying because I couldn’thandle having a gay son and what if that’s what he wastrying to tell me? After a long time I finally got the courageto go look at my email and see what he had sent.

And this is what he wrote. (Click here to read the son’sbrilliant essay.) http://www.danoah.com/2012/04/a-teens-brave-response-to-im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html/2/


PAGE 31

Wine and Hors d’oeuvres Reception Interfaith Peace Chapel5910 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas, TX 75235

Saturday, May 5, 2012, 5–10 p.m.

John Michael’s “revelatory, PG-rated performance work details the unique genesis of his own coming outjourney with gritty humor, pathos and an honest, dark conviction fit to delight Lenny Bruce. Tune in as herefines his work and plumbs gay identity and respect issues. A Dallas native and Jesuit High School graduate,his one-man show is fresh, focused and engaging.” Alexandra Bonifield, Dallas Theater Examiner

It took me fifty years to build my walls

and ten years to tear them down…

now I am free.

I have learned to appreciate

and value other people

and I have learned that it’s alright

to share myself through my art.

And the Walls CameTumbling

Down An Art Show by

A McTolerant

One-Man Show

Written and Performed

by John Michael

“Would You Like

Guys

With That?”

Interfaith Peace ChapelSat. May 5, 7:30 pm5910 Cedar Springs Road

$5 for Students with ID $15 for Adults

A benefit show for

A benefit performance for

By Rhonda VarsaneSo many questions must be an-swered.

Is ‘justice’ for veteransbased on the hardships veterans’experience?

Can ‘justice’ be based onsomething which is not justified [thewar]? Will ‘justice’ ever be removedfrom one’s sex, nationality, age, so-cial economic stance and the otherareas of discrimination?

Is ‘justice’ even fair? By defi-nition, ‘justice’ is a hard concept.Sometimes ‘justice’ is defined interms of equality—everyone shouldbe allowed or have the sameamount of ‘justice,’ regardless ofhow hard they work, or “what theyput in.” Other people define ‘justice’in terms of equity—people shouldget benefits in proportion to whatthey contributed to producing thosebenefits. http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/ peace/problem/defjust.htm

So where is the ‘justice’ forVeterans leaving a war? Can thisbe made a reality? If so how? Doesthe justice come from what hasbeen, or from what is before them?

Is there ever ‘justice’ for thesacrifices our young men andwomen have experienced?

Justice in their hopes, intheir minds, in their future?

Does the pride in otherseyes, or the waving of the Ameri-can flag share justice?

Can the shaking of a handand the truth when spoken, “Thankyou for your service” show justice?Is justice making effective medicalcare available, replacing the time

Justice for VeteransLeaving the War Behind

PAGE 33

lost with families, or a cure forPTSD? Is justice something we findwithin ourselves, or something tan-gible, which can be seen andtouched?

Judy Sullivan, an art teacherin a small town outside of Dallas,was quick to say, “The justice forveterans leaving the war is how wetreat them.”

Davis, an older man, ex-plains it depends on the war. WorldWar II vets were well taken care ofand were welcomed home withhelp with housing and school. Afterthe Korean War, veterans started to

feel cheated, he says.Then the Vietnam vets were

blamed, forgotten, spat upon, andgiven little if any healthcare. “Manyof the young veterans from the lastthree wars have survived due to ad-vances in medicine, but they havemissing limbs, PTSD, and otherhealth problems that left society witha new group of veterans.

So I would like to ask you, “Whatis the ‘Justice’ for Veterans,Leaving the War Behind?”Respond to:[email protected]

Regional Human Rights at Home Convention www.DallasPeaceCenter.org

SAVE the Date: JUNE 30, 20129:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

HuRAHOVER 25 ORGANIZATIONS ARE COMING TOGETHER

TO DEVELOP A PROGRESSIVE HUMAN RIGHTSAGENDA FOR THE 2013 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

Building A Human Rights Vision for a New Society: We commit ourselvesto work together for a human rights framework which protects civil, political,economic, social and cultural rights of all people based on these principles.

Universality

All human rights must be granted to all people, as individuals, as families and ascommunities without exceptions.All policies and systems must be designed so that everyone is included, and no one is left out.We will not sacrifice one community for another.

Equality and Equity

To achieve equity, resources should be distributed according to the needs of people.

Public Goods

The basic resources meet the basic needs of people should be shared as a public good,and not sold in the market for profit. (Schools, justice, clean water, access to health,housing etc.)

Participation, Transparency, and Accountability

Governments must involve people and support their participation in decisions about how theirhuman rights must be secured.The government should be open about the information and decision-making processes.It is not enough to recognize human rights. There must be means to hold governmentsaccountable for failing to comply with human rights standards.

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Our society must be equal in that virtually all people enjoy their rights and have their needsmet.

TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTBy Brooke Harper-Patterson, Senior Field Organizer, Global Trade Watch

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) has been conducted without transparency. Despite a worldwide

campaign to release the draft texts of the negotiations, negotiators have only released a memo of understanding, stating

that they would not release the text until four years after an agreement is met or the talks conclude. While over 600

corporate advisors have access to the text, members of Congress, journalists, and stakeholders do not.

(TPP) is a new trade agreement between the United States, Australia, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Brunei, Singapore,

Vietnam, and Malaysia. Currently Japan, Canada, and Mexico would also like to join the trade agreement. It would serve

as a docking agreement for countries along the Pacific Rim to joi

From leaked documents from our international allies we have found several troubling provisions in TPP

1. It would offer incentives for corporations to invest and offshore jobs in other countries at a time when the US has soaring

unemployment rates.

2. It would decrease access to medicine by giving pharmaceutical companies extended monopolies over patents and

limiting the production of generic drugs, which are used in low income countries for programs such as PEPFAR (the

President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and to provide access to lifesaving drugs. It would also ban formularies which

are used by Medicare/Medicaid, Veteran’s health programs and state healthcare plans to negotiate lower drug prices. For

countries that have socialized medicine programs such as Australia, New Zealand, and Japan it would increase the costs of

drugs dramatically.

3. TPP would weaken labor provisions. While offshoring jobs to low cost alternatives such as Vietnam, the labor chapter

of the Agreement does not include elements of the International Labor Organizations’ conventions or even state that it

would enforce labor right provisions.

4. Intellectual Property would stifle innovation and change the way that we use the internet. Countries would be forced to

adapt sanctions to punish those who infringe on copyright violations. The tech world has described the IP provisions in

TPP as being worse than ACTA and SOPA. Furthermore, intellectual property provisions in TPP would also hinder

medical advances. Pharmaceutical companies would be empowered to extend patents for any changes made to the

formulary of a medicine independent of whether or not it increased the medications efficacy. (For example if Tylenol were

still under patent and they changed it from a pill to a capsule they would be able to extend the patent for another few years,

even if it did nothing more to cure your headache).

5. Corporations would have increased power to attack our domestic laws through the investor state provisions that are

included in TPP. Examples of past investor-state cases brought against countries are Metalclad vs. Mexico when the

corporation sued Mexico for not permitting a waste disposal facility in an area that they had declared an ecological safe

zone. Mexico had to pay out millions of dollars to the California company. Under investor-state provisions in NAFTA and

CAFTA, there are over $12 billion in pending claims from investor-state suits all having to deal with environmental,

transportation, and health laws none of which have to do with trade. For More Information, Contact:

Brooke Harper-Patterson

Senior Field Organizer

Global Trade Watch

[email protected]

202-454-5133

Bob Cash,

Texas Fair Trade Coalition

[email protected]

512-912-6630

PUBLICCITIZEN

1600 20th Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20009

www.citizen.org

202-588-1000

OccupyTEXAS

fb-OccupyTEXAS ops

Rhonda Varsane

[email protected]

972-948-7657

For info on events RSVP:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheetviewform?formkey=dHdJX2U5SGpFbEZieTc5X0JKWFF4MHc6MQ&fb_source=messageOccupyTEXAS ops (facebook) 1-972-948-7657 [email protected] (e-mail)

OCCUPY TEXAS

CALL TO ACTIONOccupyTEXASAS PART OF THE 99%

RELEASE AN OFFICIAL

CALL TO ACTIONIN SOLIDARITY WITH:

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS, AFL-CIOINTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF MACHINISTS

TEXAS AFL-CIOSIERRA CLUB (NATIONAL AND LONE STAR CHAPTER)

TEXAS FAIR TRADE COALITIONPUBLIC CITIZEN/GLOBAL TRADE WATCH

CITIZENS TRADE CAMPAIGN

AGAINST TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (TPP)ASKING FOR SUPPORT FROM ALL THE 99% TO DISTRIBUTEFACTS, TEACH, ASSEMBLE, PROTEST AND STOP THE TPP

OCCUPY AMARILLO

OCCUPY DALLAS

ReDA April 2012 Issue

Documents

Transcript of ReDA April 2012 Issue