No Hate Crime in my world

• By NARMELIN OVRAHIM

Representing the Modesto Peace Life Center, board member Narmelin Ovrahim passionately delivered this address at the Say No To Hate Rally, Sunday, October 12, 2003.

These are verses from a 700 years old poem in Farsi which is the basis for the non-western humanitarian tradition of my homeland — Iran. The same tradition which my countrywoman, Shirin Abadi, the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner, comes from.

The children of Adam are members of the same body
For in the Creation, they were created of the same spirit
If one member is injured by the time
Other members will not be at rest

This tradition of compassion and activism has motivated me to speak out on the injustices that I and other members of my community have experienced in this country.

I arrived in this country in 1984 and have raised four children ages 13 to 19. They have attended public school system where they have been subject to much subtle discrimination. Such as:

1. Taking my youngest child to the office by the assertion of one teacher that she had seen him trying to pull out a pole, and intimidating him by not giving him the opportunity to explain. My son, innocently, was trying to straighten the tilted pole.

2. Placing my younger daughter in a ghetto corner of the classroom among other immigrant children to color a book in first and second grade while the rest of the class was on track.

3. Giving low grades to my older daughter’s schoolwork and tests while the same child repeatedly received 99% percentile score on the state and national tests.

4. School administration allowing verbal abuse by school mates after 9-11 and not heading off the problem to prevent such behavior. As a result, my older son who is named Oshanna, the name which translates to Hossanh (as used in Palm Sunday), has been called Osama Ben Laden and ridiculed for his gorgeous uni-brow. And my older daughter was told that it was her cousins who blew up the WTC. While my younger daughter has been asked to decide whether she is American or not. And yet, my youngest is given the silent treatment by his schoolmates.

There are many examples of such silent and subtle acts of discrimination and prejudice which take place in our schools every day:

1. My neighbor's son tells me that whenever they get to the class few seconds late they are sent to the office for tardy, but any other white students who come right after them are allowed to take their seats.

2. A white friend of my daughter told me very casually that the privilege of getting off campus for lunch is for the white rich students and does not apply to other students.

3. Subjective grading is another effective tool for racist teachers to discourage our children. A compassionate teacher tells me that she meets and works with the immigrant parents to motivate the students and every time, her work is sabotaged by the racist individuals —  from the janitor, yard duty person, librarian to office staff and principal.

4. Acquaintances, a Middle-Eastern brother and sister, were intimidated and followed around by the campus security people and searched without being given any reason. And when their car was damaged while parked on the campus parking, they were told by the administration that it would be better if they don't bring their car all together. The siblings have left the country for this, as well as for the harassment that their mother had to face every time she left her house because she would wear the veil, according to her faith. The irony is that this country was founded on freedom of worship, and we take pride on allowing all sort of freedoms for women but I guess a woman is allowed to become a sexual object and not to follow her faith teachings.

These are just a few common ways which our children are being conditioned to accept their inferior status in the society. These behaviors are in fact forms of psychological lynching which of our children, our young and innocent, face every day. These are Crimes. These are Hate crimes.

These acts of white supremacy are not isolated. The same pattern holds for many other governmental policies. Just looking into foreign policy, we will see many more examples of subtle forms of crimes or Hate crimes. Such as:

1. Putting gag-orders, and cutting financial aid to reproductive health centers around the world that provide information and basic health care to women and infants. Depriving women and children in developing countries of basic health care and information is a Crime. It is a Hate crime.

2. Depriving millions of Africans population of life saving AIDS medication to preserve multi-national pharmaceutical corporation profit margin is a Crime. It is a Hate crime.

3. Giving $16 million per day to the government and military of a country which violates human rights of Palestinian people by atrocities such as destroying homes and villages, building walls to separate families and communities, using one-ton bombs in civilian neighborhoods, murdering peace activists and reporters, and much more, is a Crime. It is a Hate crime.

4. Murdering as many as 35,000 Iraqis, by some estimate, to satisfy the ego of one white racist man in the White House is a Crime. It is a Hate crime.

It is time to face the white supremacy face on and challenge every form of hate crime, from the subtle actions of those in position of authority in our public schools to the global racism imbedded in the foreign policy of our government.

It is time to end once and for all, any and all forms of Hate Crimes.

No hate crime in our schools

No hate crime in our town

No hate crime in our world

And NEVER in our name

(Slightly edited for publication.)

Stopping globalization

By CAROLINE MITTON

The next international trade meeting will be in Miami, November 18 - 21. Discussing Free Trade Area of the Americas, it is a continuation of the attempt to get international trade freed for the multinationals' benefit — this time only for North and South America.

We've been told for years that there was no alternative, so we just had to get used to globalization as it is being devised. Of course, this is nonsense — anything made up by people can be remade by other people — preferably in a sustainable, people-friendly system.

In The Case Against the Global Economy, economist David Korten explains the difference between the market system that Adam Smith was talking about and the capitalism that we are now living under. Smith thought of a competitive market as being comprised of small buyers and sellers. He assumed capital would be rooted in a particular place, with those who owned business assets being directly involved in their management. Economics writer William Greider says we are not seeing Adam Smith's "invisible hand" at work in our economy but that of the school yard bully.

According Greider, Korten and others, one major problem is our laws for limited liability corporations. The original charters for corporations in our forefathers' time had very limited power and were for a set period of years. At the end of its term, the corporations were disbanded or its charter was renewed for another defined length of time. But now, our courts treat corporations as people, with all of the rights, but none of the responsibilities, of people. And unlike people, they don't die, but continue to grow and amass money and power.

Because today's corporations are only concerned with making money, they consider people as just one other input, and a troublesome one at that. So they are being gotten rid of as soon as is practicable.

Another major problem is that money is now moved around the globe in the time it takes to click a mouse. The company not making a profit right now, risks losing its funding. This means there's no long-term planning nor consideration for anything but short-term gains.

Obviously this cannot continue indefinitely, but how to stop it? Are there really no alternatives?

There are, and the numbers of people working them out are growing and becoming more visible. The underlying theme of all of them is, "Who do you want making your decisions for you? A multinational corporation? Or democratic decision-making with local input?" Alternative suggestions are:

1. Bring government back to the people — local or regional for all of those things that can be handled there, with national and international government being limited to only those problems that cannot be handled by the smaller units.

2. Put restrictions on financial activities, particularly international speculation and ploys such as getting a Bermuda mailing address to avoid paying U.S. taxes.

3. Foster and protect local business and farming to strengthen our local economies. We need to replace destructive monoculture agribusiness with traditional smaller, varied farms that are sustainable and do produce enough food.

4. Restrict trade to what is necessary. A good deal of trade at the present time is unnecessary. Why are our taxes going to pay subsidies to large agribusinesses so they can ship corn to Mexico? We make olive oil right here, but the large grocery chains want a standard product, so instead stock their shelves with olive oil shipped from Italy.

In fact, some say that all the processing, packaging and worldwide shipping is the second greatest cause of global warming. The best thing we could do for our planet’s health is to restrict trade, rather than expand it.

That the resistance to the present plans for globalization is getting organized and growing is very encouraging. But, absent in all of the proposals is HOW to dismantle the WTO and rein in the multinationals. In other words, who is going to bell the cat?

I believe the thinking is that the government officials in the various countries, seeing the size and determination of the opposition, will then work to change or derail globalization as it is now being promoted. But that won't be easy. Those now in power aren't about to give it up without a fight. As a pale shadow of what might come, the Miami City Council considered an ordinance banning groups of more than three people during the FTAA meeting. National public outcry caused them to rethink this, but the fact it was even seriously considered is worrisome.

What can you do? Buy from local merchants and farmers, write letters, get involved with local government — and anything else to strengthen your community. It doesn't sound like much, but the present globalization structure is weakening, and if we all keep pushing, we can topple it.

Local ACLU to elect board November 17

By JAMES COSTELLO

The election of board members to the newly forming chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is scheduled for Monday, November 17th, 7 p.m. in the Stanislaus County Library’s Community Room, 1500 I St., Modesto. Nominations can be made the night of the meeting.

About 50 people met on September 25, 2003 in the library’s Community Room to further pursue the formation of the local ACLU chapter

Various people spoke about issues the new chapter could become involved in including the Patriot Act and police harassment. One young man detailed multiple incidents of apparent harassment of young people by Patterson police. It was suggested that a forum be held in Patterson for the local community to address this issue.

A nominating committee seeks board members for the new chapter. Members of the nominating committee are Tracy Herbeck, Fred Herman, Martin Zonligt, Wally Williams, Ken Kohler, and Ed Buettner. The board could have up to 18 members.

Local candidates present stark choices

By LEE RYAN MILLER

The League of Women Voters recently hosted a series of candidate debates for Modesto City Council, Modesto City School Board, and mayor of Modesto. Although the candidates agreed on many issues, their answers sometimes revealed key philosophical differences. Below is a summary of how the candidates answered some important questions:

CITY COUNCIL CHAIR #1 (vote for 1)

Supports limits to urban growth/preservation of farmland. 

Bob Dunbar Did not answer

Dave Lopez: Yes

Jeff Perine: No

Supports 1/2 cent sales tax increase to pay for transportation improvements.

Bob Dunbar Did not answer

Lopez: No

Perine: No

CITY COUNCIL CHAIR #3 (vote for 1)

Supports limits to urban growth/preservation of farmland.

Bill Conrad: No

Garrad Marsh: Yes

Supports 1/2 cent sales tax increase to pay for transportation improvements.

Conrad: No

Marsh: Yes

CITY COUNCIL CHAIR #6 (vote for 1)

Supports limits to urban growth/preservation of farmland.

Todd Hand: No

Brad Hawn: Position unclear

Mike Vanden Bosch: No

Dale Williams: Yes

Supports 1/2 cent sales tax increase to pay for transportation improvements.

Hand: No

Hawn: Maybe

Vanden Bosch: Maybe

Williams: Maybe

SCHOOL BOARD, 2-YEAR TERM (vote for 1)

Supports teaching "creationism" in addition to evolution.

Robin Brown: Yes.

Armando Flores: Yes, but teach evolution in science and creationism in religious studies.

Supports recent decision of Board to award a promotion and salary increase to an administrator, despite budget cuts.

Brown: No

Flores: No

SCHOOL BOARD, 4-YEAR TERM (vote for 3)

Supports teaching "creationism" in addition to evolution.

Connie Chin: Yes, but teach evolution in science and creationism in religious studies.

Dickason: Yes, both should be taught in science classes.

Odessa Johnson: Yes, but teach evolution in science and creationism in religious studies.

Gary Lopez: Yes

Belinda Rolicheck: Yes, but teach evolution in science and creationism in religious studies.

Rickey McGill: Yes

Supports recent decision of Board to award a promotion and salary increase to an administrator, despite budget cuts.

Chin: Yes

Ted Dickason: Yes

Johnson: No

Lopez: Yes

Rolicheck: No

McGill: No

MAYOR OF MODESTO

How to address problem of homelessness.

Beverly Finley: Crack down on panhandling and evict from parks.

Steven Grenbeaux: Foster economic development to provide jobs.

Jim Ridenour: Crack down on panhandling and evict from public spaces.

Carmen Sabatino: Use federal grants to provide services.

Tenth Annual Inter-religious Thanksgiving Celebration features streamlined service

Submitted by MARK HASKETT

InnerFaith Resources will be joined by the informal coalition of Modesto clergy which calls itself the "Lesser" Ministerial Association in sponsoring this year's Inter-Religious Thanksgiving Celebration Monday November 24 from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. in the Modesto Church of the Brethren, 2301 Woodland Ave.

Hosted once again by the Modesto Church of the Brethren and by new co-pastors Russell & Erin Matteson ,the Celebration will feature a streamlined format, with shorter, more targeted presentations.

Thankfulness and gratitude is what it's about, and celebrating that theme from different religious and cultural perspectives can be tremendously inspiring."

The Celebration will offer readings, music and other presentations on Thankfulness not to exceed six minutes each from Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Native American, and Unitarian-Universalist traditions. Attendees are asked to bring canned goods and/or financial donations for a collection on behalf of the local emergency food bank.

Modesto homeless team up with Food Not Bombs to oppose capitalist waste and class hierarchy

By DOUG GILBERT

Food Not Bombs, or “FNB”, a worldwide movement, totally decentralized with autonomous chapters all over the world, became an outgrowth of the anti-nuclear movement in the 1980's. Seeing the immense expenditures on war-making in the richest country in the world, this group reacts by giving the homeless a face, and "a plate for capitalist waste."

Sometimes the food that will be thrown away is collected from the Farmers Markets, or from the dumpsters of corporate businesses that succeed on surplus, or by other means such as "market evasion." The local Food Not Bombs group collects and distributes food, clothing, soap, books, political literature, condoms, toys, and other useful items to the homeless at the following times:

Modesto: Sundays: 5 p.m., Tower Park, 17th and G St.; Tuesdays: 5 p.m., Graceada Park, Needham St.

Turlock: Saturdays: 5 p.m., Central Park, by the Commerce Building.

Unemployment statistics confirm that many people's desperate situations are caused by our economic system. Not just a feeding program, Food Not Bombs also engages in political action. The group's members believe that the state and hierarchical structures have to go, but for the time being, they work toward changing the Gospel Mission, and other institutions that they believe prey on the poor.

This area’s homeless people also deal with "sweeps" conducted by the police to clear some areas in which the homeless live, or to crack down on those trying to organize. Homelessness is not a new problem in this country. Modesto, like other cities, has struggled with it for some time. Where to house the homeless? The pillars of private property ownership are not giving us any answers. Statistics show that the numbers of homeless women and children are growing.

In the U.S., while billionaires have received massive tax cuts, millions are out of work, over four million children have no health care, and we are squandering our riches on war. Particularly demeaning is the treatment of the families of soldiers whose pay scale is below what families need as a living wage. No wonder Food Not Bombs opposes an economic system that eats up such a large part of our natural resources, and is totally unsustainable.

Other local institutions meet various needs for homeless people if the homeless meet certain requirements. The Gospel Mission, for example, requires all who come in to accept religious services as a condition of receiving food and housing, and has strict restrictions on who you can talk to and associate with at the Mission. The Mission's programs are not geared at job training, or elevating people from their standing, but trying to get them into a work program to do jobs at the Mission, and to accept the Mission's religious views. The Mission has also been documented as telling homeless activists in this area that if enough "dirt is uncovered" about them, they will shut down leaving all homeless out on the street. This leaves Food Not Bombs in a difficult spot, attempting to organize with the homeless people while, at the same time, trying not to get them kicked out of the one place giving them a place to sleep. Some homeless people do not feel they are treated with respect and equality at the Mission.

ACTION: The answer to all of this may be your help. Simply volunteer or call Food Not Bombs to see what you can do. We need people to collect food, help us cook, and organize with us. If this group is about elevating people from where they are in the present, then let's elevate ourselves from participating and engaging in hierarchical structures. For too long we've allowed ourselves to submit to illegitimate authority. Now it's time to place control into our own hands. This is what autonomy looks like, but it's up to you to put it into action. Instead of set standards of "homeless", and "food servers," let's all fall back into the category of "human beings." Raise questions, bring up ideas, make this loose organization become what this system is not!

Call to Help Us!: 604-6028.(Joe). Email: modanarcho@yahoo.com

Options for the homeless

By MYRTLE OSNER

A recent Modesto Bee article and a TV news item pointed to the plight of Modesto’s homeless as well as to that of homeowners living near places where homeless people camp along the river.

Doug Gilbert explains in his article that "Food Not Bombs" feeds homeless people twice a week, every Sunday at Tower Park, and every Tuesday at Graceada Park. They also collect and distribute clothing.

Stanislaus County has an estimated 3000 homeless persons. Turlock has been struggling to open a facility, after removing a camp under the freeway, and Modesto Community Housing and Shelter has emergency housing for families at the Travelodge on Kansas Ave., with very limited space. The Redwood Center for women and children is limited to women who have drug problems and agree to rehabilitation. It is sponsored by Interfaith Ministries and is not a religious program.

Stanislaus County Housing Collaborative meets every Third Thursday at the Housing Authority offices on Robertson Rd., Modesto. The Collaborative includes service providers and non-profit agencies whose goal is to develop plans to assist people to transition from homeless to housing. It focuses on finding permanent housing for the homeless; shelter plus care. During the past year, the group attracted $3 million to Stanislaus County for rental assistance. One step at a time, the City of Modesto is recognizing the need and planning to find a place for a day care facility. The Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhoods Department is applying for funds.

Several area churches have programs for feeding the poor. Much of the food is distributed by an inter-county agency, Harvest of Hope, which has access to government surplus and accepts day-old items from groceries, as well as donations from churches, groups, and individuals.

Golden Valley Health Center, a private non-profit secular organization, provides medical care for indigent, uninsured and Medi-Cal patients in Stanislaus and Merced counties. Clinics for dental patients and family practice exist in west Modesto, Patterson, and Newman. The Modesto Women's Clinic, and two pharmacies are part of this program.

"Affordable housing remains a crisis issue in Stanislaus County. This combined with the lack of jobs that pay a living wage, and a crisis in child care, make it difficult for many families to stay sheltered, clothed and fed," writes Dr. Mimi Poinsett, local pediatrician. Many people who have full time jobs cannot find housing they can afford. A living wage in the Central Valley is considered $10 an hour; the mandated minimum wage is much lower.

Habitat for Humanity provides livable dwellings around the world and is active all up and down the Central Valley. Those served are not homeless, but Habitat may prevent families from becoming homeless even though it serves a relatively small number of people.

More needs to be done. When the candidates for City Council and Mayor were asked, at a recent forum, what they would do about homelessness, the answers ranged from bringing in more industry, to provide jobs, to police sweeps, and to "I don't know." Obviously, this is not a problem that can be solved by city or county government alone. There are many causes for homelessness. We are still living with the legacy of the shameful closings of state mental hospitals, when many patients were sent home to be "cared for by the community". But solutions must be found, and soon.

OPINION: School board must uphold the Constitution

By SOLANGE G. ALTMAN

Modesto is a community of significant religious diversity. In 2000 the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies reported there are 105,628 Catholics, 11,538 Assembly of God adherents, 10,465 Baptists, 10,444 Mormons, 4,538 Methodists, 3,292 Assyrian Apostolics, 500 Jews and around 300 Muslims among the 195,446 who worship in Stanislaus County.

Because of such diversity it is incumbent that whoever is elected to the Modesto School Board and sworn to uphold the Constitution fully comprehend and follow the spirit of the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses of the First Amendment.

The Free Exercise Clause allows students to engage in private religious expression in public schools. The Establishment Clause however almost always prohibits school endorsement of religious expression.

At the League of Women Voters forum Modesto School Board candidates were asked if evolution and creationism should be taught in science classes. In response, incumbent Connie Chin and candidate Ted Dickason endorsed the teaching of "intelligent design" along with evolution.

Intelligent design and creationism are religious theories of creation. Creationists usually subscribe to the version of creation of Genesis. Proponents of "intelligent design" refute principles of science and evolution as unproven, and contend that God's intervention is the only reasonable explanation. Both views are religious.

The Supreme Court in Edwards v. Aguillard held it unconstitutional to require educators who teach evolution also to teach creationism. In Freiler v. Tangipahoa Parish Board of Education the 5th Circuit struck down a school board rule requiring teachers to read a disclaimer that said "the teaching of evolution is not intended to influence or dissuade the Biblical version of Creation or any other concept."

From the statements of Mrs. Chin and Mr. Dickason it is apparent they want their religious views taught in science classes even though it would be unconstitutional. They are not the only ones who believe this way. Modesto School Board members Cindy Marks and Nancy Cline have also endorsed the teaching of creationism in science classes.

Most likely it was because of Mr. Dickason's support of "intelligent design" that he was favored by Chin, Marks and Cline for appointment to the school board vacancy six months ago over Armando Flores. Mr. Flores has studied constitutional law, has mediation experience, and would be more likely to mediate disputes relative to separation of church and state than to create them.

If Mrs. Chin and Mr. Dickason are elected to the board there will be a majority that supports the teaching of religious creation or "intelligent design" along with or instead of evolution in science classes.

How will this effect Modesto? When the Kansas School Board voted to drop Darwin's theory of evolution from public school science standards and allow alternative theories to be taught, Kansas Governor Bill Graves called the vote "an embarrassment." Voters can spare Modesto additional humiliation by electing board members who respect the religious diversity of our community, understand the meaning of the first amendment, and will uphold their oath to the Constitution.