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Indybay Feature

Fighting the power: Meet the Brown Berets

by DaveyD (Reposted)
One thing that we should note about the Bay Area is that it's the home of political activism and movements. As the immigration debate rages on, we should note the increased visibility of the Watsonville Brown Berets.

The Berets of course have a long and rich history that dates back to the 1960s. But like their comrades in the Black Panther Party, they saw their influence and ranks diminished by the Cointelpro tactics of the FBI.

In 1967, young Chicanas and Chicanos from the barrios of East Los Angeles came together and established the Brown Berets in order to address issues that were impacting their communities negatively. The Brown Berets fought against police harassment, inadequate public schools and education, the lack of political representation and the Vietnam War draft. The Brown Berets became a symbol of resistance and hope within the Chicana and Chicano community and flourished throughout the barrios of this country.

Influenced by the legacy of this organization and similar conditions that existed in the '60s, a group of Watsonville students decided to reactivate the Brown Berets in 1994. The Watsonville Brown Berets studied that history, linked up with the founders and OGs of the past and re-birthed the Berets in 1994 after the tragic killing of a young Latina. After putting in work for more than a decade, the Brown Berets have been in the forefront of helping elevate the mind state of troubled youth, and they've been knee deep in the immigration debate.

Incorporating indigenous spirituality and international liberation struggles, the Watsonville Brown Berets are one of the most active local youth organizations fighting for progressive change and barrio peace. In recent months they've hooked up with Immortal Technique, who is doing a big event April 17 in Watsonville along with "Lyrical Swords" author Adisa Banjoko. Also in the building will be Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. and his organization, the POCC.

Last night, during Immortal Technique's show in downtown Oakland, Hampton along with the POCC showed up at least 20-25 deep with local cats from West Oakland, POCC members and local Muslims. They came out on stage and spoke to the sold out crowd and got everybody hyped as Hampton spoke about the need for us to be on the same page and support this struggle over immigration alongside our Latino brothers and sisters who are catching hell from all sides.

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http://www.sfbayview.com/042606/brownberets042606.shtml
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About Jobs taken by the SO called " Illegal Immigrants take from "Americans , this is not true, I had many Americans not wanting to work in my warehouse, for minimum wage, that is all that I could be give, due to competition from aboard, mainly the far east.

It is not the poor Illegal that comes to feed their family across the border for 4 bucks and hour, ( also if you pay 35 bucks and hour to for picking lettuce, think how much it would cost you to eat ?) then you would blame the government. Stop blaming either the government or the immigrant. Each person is to blame for their own success or failure. I am a Immigrant that came here Legally, I owned a corporation before I even landed in JFK, and my corporation employed 70 Americans. My question is simple, Show me an American willing to work for minimum wage?

The Corporations have outsourced the jobs overseas because of one thing, COMPETATION " HERE IS A SMALL BREAK DOWN, The countries in Asia basin are trading within themselves, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand etc.. Europe, has UNIFIED and are trading within themselves, they have even made their monetary system unified the EURO Dollar. The Arab nation started dealing within their own countries, what's left is Africa who is a poor nation economically, They have many natural resources, yet they have to learn to come together and start using their natural resources. Then there is our Good Old USA:) Which I LOVE AND WILL GIVE MY LIFE FOR

. We cant compete because the Corporations are forced to show profits and meet the estimates on their stocks every 12 weeks, which dose not give them a long term investment strategy, the labor costs are high, heating, insurance, social security, the unions, leasing, Research & Devlopment, production costs are high, advertising, state, city and local taxes, Payroll, by the time the corporation finishes paying all these , there is nothing left to show as Profits, SO WHY SHOULD THE CORPORATION KEEP FACTORIES IN USA?? SHOW ME ONE GOOD REASON ? heck, Even FORD is closing factories and moving them overseas, that is what's HURTING AMERICA, "NOT" THE POOR MINIMUM WAGE IMMIGRANT,

There must be a change in our own perception, First We the People must be willing to roll up our sleeves and do what's needed to bring back our Nation on track, which might include, , learning the skills for today's job requirements, Learning skills that employers look for when they bring in one million Professionals every year.

What Can WE DO to KEEP Those 1 Million jobs here? moving to another state, Relearning new Skills,etc.. How can America start its new journey into the New 21 St century and be competitive? This is what we should concentrate on as a Nation. We have lost our world market shares and now need to Regain it FAST, Which will not be easy. Fighting over Immigration is not the answer to Americas woes, Building the proper Economic infrastructure for competing with the upcoming world economies, China, India, Europe. I know this that anyone that wants a minimum wage job will always find it. Those that want job security are looking at pink clouds, Those days are gone. THERE IS A FEARCE WORLD COMPETATION From upcoming nations that have over a billion low wage workers.

We must FACE the realities of TODAYS ECONOMICS and stop blaming others and other nations for hurting our economy, THE WORLD HAS CHANGED IN THE PAST DECADE!! Lets Stop The HATRED,We are a NAtion Of Compassion, Lets not forget that, and start looking for solutions. "

According to forecasts based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the domestic labor-force must expand over the next few years in order for the United States to maintain at least 3 percent annual growth in its GDP. Since not enough people are being born to sustain this expansion, there's then a demographic challenge. The natural candidates to fill the gap are immigrants.

Additionally, guest-workers and immigrants are good for the economy. With a low 4.7 percent unemployment rate, current workers, including illegal migrants, have been clearly absorbed by the labor market. And guest-workers who work for lower wages keep costs down, passing the benefit to consumers. Immigration isn't all blissful: Unlike commodities, newcomers bring cultures and hence potential complications, which is partly why assimilation and accommodation are essential. On the whole, however, immigrants bring many benefits.

Although restrictions are necessary and punishment is needed for those who have broken the law, the case for welcoming new guest-workers and regularizing the status of illegal immigrants is compelling. It has to do with growth and competitiveness.

The debate on immigration reform shouldn't be about ethnic identity, voting blocs or entitlements. We'd be far better off by turning to hard work, opportunity and prosperity. That's what immigration has brought to America and that's what it can still contribute by setting the sight on the future.
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