In Florida, an Initiative Intended to End Bias Is Killed
"An obscure ballot initiative in Florida intended to end a legacy of bias against Asian-Americans was defeated Tuesday, apparently because voters incorrectly assumed it would prevent illegal immigrants from owning property."
Also, in my home state of Nebraska, they banned affirmative action. And we all know about Proposition 8 in California. There were similar referenda in Arizona and Florida. Obama is President-elect, and the symbolism (and potential) in his presidency is very potent, but there is obviously much more to be done, especially in light these setbacks. As I have been reminded by various blogs and commentators, progress is not linear, and we can't stop now.
Lerner East Ramp Lounge
On my Google Reader today: After Obama Win, Black Muslim Teen Beaten With Bat on Staten Island.
Overheard in the Barnard Economics computer lab:
"So after the election, this guy I know said, 'I can't wait until Obama gets shot.'"
"God, that's terrible."
"People in the Midwest suck."
"He's going to have to ride in the Popemobile."
Also overheard:
A friend from North Carolina was coming back to Barnard after Election Day. While on the plane, some (obviously Republican) guys talked about their disappointment over the President-Elect. One of them stated, "Whatever, he's going to get shot anyway."
YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES.YES! WE! DID!
Just a friendly reminder to VOTE! DO IT! DO IT! And if you encounter problems, report them! YOU HAVE AGENCY!
Okay, pre-election anxiety kicking in, obviously.
Have a wonderful Tuesday, folks.
In the vein of last year's Max Karson incident, Vent Magazine sent a Facebook message about a new bout of racism that occurred in Boulder, Colorado:
A 22-year-old Asian-American was repeatedly punched in the face early today in Boulder and forced to say "I love America," Boulder police reported.This is so sad. I love Team America, so I'm almost positive that the song the attackers were singing is "America! Fuck Yeah!". But the movie is a satire of American politics, and the song is meant to be ironic. What is it with people not understanding comedy and turning it into something ugly and sad instead?That attack and a reported sexual assault led to condemnations from both university and city officials.
The Asian-American victim told investigators that he was walking in the area of 10th and Marine streets with friends about 1 a.m., singing a song from the movie "Team America." He said they were confronted by four men.
One of the men — described as being a blond white male about 19 or 20 — said, "Do you think you are an American?" called him a "Chinaman," punched him in the face "multiple times" and told him to say that he loved America, police said.