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| Dr. Roberto Cintli Rodriguez |
Thanks to University of Arizona Mexican American Studies professor, Dr. Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez, for allowing many of us to be a part of this shared statement of what we believe.
-Angela Valenzuela
After being under relentless assault by the current president for some 3 years, on August 16th, the nation’s mainstream media – its opinion writers – are finally striking back. On this day, some 100 of the nation’s leading newspapers are set to publish columns in defense of the 1st Amendment, and against his continued calls to censorship and violence against the press. When a would-be dictator dehumanizes community after community, and also the press, it is good to see the media fight back. Aside from being a professor, as a life-long member of the media, this is my way of weighing in. Here, I asked mostly red-black-brown friends and colleagues from across the country, to not simply take part in this defense, but to also present, in the form of a call out, his v. our world views.
To the current occupant in the White House: You believe that misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia and white supremacy are the true ideals of this nation. We believe that all people are full human beings, entitled to full corresponding human rights.
You believe that you must Make America Great Again. We believe that the lands of our ancestors have always been sacred (Michael Yellowbird, Dir. Tribal and Indigenous Peoples Studies, N Dakota State Univ.). ----
You believe the earth is to be plundered by humans. We believe the earth is sacred and alive (Dulcinea Lara, U of New Mexico). ----
You believe we should be exterminated. We believe you cannot survive without us (Olga V Gonzalez, MeXicanIndia, author, mother, Denver). ----
You believe in oppression. We believe in social justice (Isidro Ortiz, San Diego State Univ). ----
You believe in actions without consequence and the objectification of women, in terracide, in more and now and in self-image. We believe in the sacred circle, in mother earth/earth mothers- source of life and sustenance, in the seven generations and in self-determination (Maria Vai Sevoi, Calpolli Teoxicalli, Arizona). ----
You believe that imprisoning children is good policy. We believe: that children are sacred and that violating their rights is a blatant violation of due process and ungodly (Angela Valenzuela, UT Austin). ----
You believe in separation and competition. We believe in interconnectedness and love (Aly Wayne, NY, undocumented, world citizen). ----
You believe that Mexicans are rapists and drug dealers, "bad hombres.” We believe Mexicans and all immigrants contribute to the overall richness of the American experience (Dyana Ortelli, Los Angeles actress). ----
You believe climate change is a hoax. We believe in caring for this our only home (Devon Peña, U of Washington). ----
You believe you own this land, the water and all its abundant resources. We believe this land is our Sacred Earth Grand-Mother who loves all her grandchildren, be they white, red, yellow or black and this land is be shared (Henrietta Mann, Cheyenne educator). ----
You believe in the golden rule of wealth-based privilege, autocratic power, and violence. We believe in one Creator, the sacredness of all life, and the life affirming ways of love (Frank Acosta, Acosta & Associates, Whittier, Calif). ----
You believe the earth is to be plundered by humans. We believe the earth is sacred and alive (Grace Sesma, Cultural practicioner, S. Calif). ----
You believe in inciting the poor and afraid to do your bidding so you can profit immensely at their expense. We believe in fairness and opportunity for all, and to open dialogue to unite the citizens – not to divide our country even further than you have (Robert Castro, Dir. community-based org, N. Calif). ----
You believe in rule by hatred and fear. We believe in revolutionary love (Gail Perez, U of San Diego). ----
You believe America was once great. We believe the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, having survived invasion, settlement, genocide and colonization, will also survive you and the ravages of your neo-liberal world order (Marcos Aguilar, principal Semillas, Los Angeles). ----
You believe some animal species will perish as a result of border enforcement policies and that some people will perish from thirst in the desert as a result of border enforcement policies. We believe the Endangered Species Act must be upheld and that water and life are sacred (Maria Aparicio de Rodriguez, Arizona attorney). ----
You believe that you are making America great again We believe that our greatness is ahead of us, not in the rear-view mirror (James Michael Brodie, writer, Maryland.) ----
You believe that our society can and should be divided by race, class, gender, sexuality, nationality and physical ability We believe, that human life is interconnected and interdependent (Irene Vasquez, Dir. Chicana/o Studies, U of New Mexico). ----
You believe in defending your immoral actions through hate, bigotry, and lies. We believe in acting through love, compassion and truth (Cristina Devereaux Ramirez, U of Arizona) ----
You believe in “melting,” in the pot of continual cultural genocide. We believe in the beauty of our differences - rooted in love for ourselves and each other! (Bryant Valencia, U of Arizona grad student). ----
You believe in exploitation. We believe in liberation (Gilda Ochoa, Pomona College). ----
You believe Grandma Earth is yours to destroy & ravage for profit. We believe Grandma Earth deserves to be protected & nurtured for all, especially our children (Sandrea Gonzales, MA LPCC, New Mexico). ----
You believe that truth is only what serves you. We believe that truth serves a greater purpose (Javier San Roman, educator, Los Angeles) ----
You believe in objectifying women and demonstrate this in your comments and gestures toward women. We believe women should be honored and respected and never objectified (Leilani Finau, musician, Seattle). ----
You believe that the racist dogma that you spew is truth. We believe that non-Indigenous Science has not caught up to Indigenous Orality (Dan Smokeas, Western University, Canada). ----
You believe in the rhetoric of Manifest Destiny We believe the destiny of all people is made manifest by our personal, spiritual beliefs and convictions (Charlie Eaton, CSUSB). ----
You believe you uphold the taming of a continent. We believe we have never been tamed. We are not animals, and our existence is our continued resistance (Yaotl Mazahua, musician, Aztlan Underground). ----
You believe only some people carry value. We believe: that all people and life is sacred (Debra Camarillo, Latino Commission, N. Calif). ----
You believe you are descendants of the founding fathers. We believe we are people of the earth, descendants of indigenous ancestor warriors, whose sun will shine once again (Raul Adaír Ochoa, Houston human rights activist) ----
You believe your own hate-filled lies. We believe in the strength, dignity and truth of our people (Andrea Serrano, writer, New Mexico) ----
You believe you are protecting this land from we who belong to it. We believe that we are part of this land and will do everything we can to preserve it (Enrique Cardiel, Raza Unida, New Mexico). ----
You believe in lies and hate and allowing police to hurt our people. We believe in protecting our people and also in Truth and Love for Justice (Laurie Valdez, San Jose human rights activist). ----
You believe in sowing division and hatred while benefiting from financial gain. We believe that you will die and cannot take it with you, and eventually the people, and the working class, will achieve justice, welfare, and peace (Manuel J Hernandez, ASU). ----
You believe in hate. We believe hate will be overcome by love, justice and struggle (Dolores Delgado Bernal, Cal State LA). ---- Your beliefs are morally bankrupt. Our beliefs are based on a morality of love and empathy (David B Chon PhD, Califaztlan). ----
You believe: the US dollar and profits reign supreme We believe: you cannot put a price on Justice, Integrity and Compassion (Jan Laskin, Esq., Maryland). ----
You believe in inflicting pain and suffering on our children We believe that all children are God's gifts and hold the future in their hands (Rosie Castro, San Antonio) ----
You believe in taking children from their families. We believe in creating stronger families and communities (Frank Blasquez, Tepatzin, New Mexico) ----
You believe: We are defeated. We believe: Ancestrally, we know this place--we've been here before. We have already won (Terican Gross, ). ----
You believe in selling natural resources for profit. We believe we must protect our Mother Earth (Lilifor Arte, Los Angeles Artist). ----
You believe black and brown people are a threat to western civilization. We believe western civilization is the largest threat to this earth and all life forms (Roberto D. Hernandez, San Diego State Univ). ----
You believe in building the biggest military around the world. We believe in building International solidarity and practicing it now (Cynthia Diaz, human rights activist, Arizona). ----
The friends and colleagues I surveyed here are the mirror opposite of everything he stands for; a backward looking world on the march towards apartheid. As such, I am confident that most people do not want to be a part of his future. And yet, amid this frontal assault on the “enemy of the people” and the debasement of the 1st Amendment, we are also conscious that for some communities, particularly communities of color, the media has traditionally been hostile. In fact, as an institution, it has generally always been problematic, through the normalization of harmful stereotypes and myths, that often leads to both our criminalization and lethal racial profiling. Their practices have also invisibilized many of our communities. More so, the mainstream media is the one institution that has always functioned as cheerleaders for illegal wars, and nowadays, permanent war. Yet despite that history, most of us defend the media against those that would remand us to state-run or controlled media (akin to FOX News). When this disgraced president is driven from office, it is also hoped that the same media take a step forward and never return to those practices that have in fact been historically detrimental to our communities.
Rodriguez, a PhD in mass communications, is an associate professor in Mexican American Studies at the University of Arizona and can be reached at: XColumn@gmail.com.
