¡Si, se puede!

It was the first time on the Metro in Los Angeles for my partner and myself. I thought it would be an easy trip, no big deal. We arrived at the Hollywood & Vine Station, parked our car and made our way to the machine to purchase cards.

It took a few minutes for us to figure out exactly how the machines work, but we did it. Then we headed toward the trains, but couldn't find a place to swipe our cards. On the platform, I asked a stranger if we did something wrong, because we didn't swipe our $3.00 All Day passes. He informed us that the Metro works on an "honor system," riders are expected to buy a pass, but you don't really have to use it. (Although at random times there are guards watching who will stop you if you don't purchase a pass.) I was flabbergasted! I'm from New York! If the NYC transit worked on an honor system, they wouldn't make a dime! How innocent. How naive. How L.A. I love L.A.!

When the train to Union Station in Downtown L.A. arrived, it was packed! Sardines have more room. Absolutely no one was able to board a train heading downtown. Why? Because we were all heading to a demonstration against proposed Federal legislation that calls for building a 700 mile wall along the Mexican border and making felons of illegal immigrants and all those who offer them help. When I first heard of this bill a few weeks ago, I was deeply ashamed of my country. So this morning when my partner mentioned he might like to go to the demonstration, I was down for the cause.

We wound up taking the train going in the opposite direction to North Hollywood. The end of the line was three stops back, but this was the only way we could get on board because the people united were out in force. When the train arrived at the last stop, it was immediately filled by Latinos from many different countries. Men, women, children and enfants squashed against each other and the doors, but it didn't matter. The mood was light. There was laughter and excitement in the air as our packed train made it's way to Pershing square where we all headed for the demonstration.

The streets were filled with people waving flags from Mexico, Guatemala, the United States and other Latin American countries. They were holding signs delcaring themselves hard workers, not felons. My partner and I joined the march in the middle of 3rd Street, chanting "¡Sí, se puede!" which means, "Yes, it's possible!" Possible to be free. Possible to pursue dreams and aspirations. Possible to feed families, and support relatives back home. Possible...

As we chanted along in Spanish, my partner noted that we were like the White people on Showtime At The Apollo, nervously chanting "wop-wop!" with a crowd Blacks. I laughed, because it was true, and we did feel a little out of place. We were the only Black faces we could find in a sea of brown, with a few speckles of White. Many people smiled and nodded at us, thanking us for our support and solidarity. We were there because the immigration issues that will be debated next week affect us all. Many of the best people I know have immigrated to the United States for opportunity. People that I dearly love, are still struggling for a fair shake, a chance to pursue dreams and live openly and freely as they could never do in their own countries.

As we marched, and I looked at the people and their beautiful children, felt their passion and determination I wondered what was happening to my country. Since 9/11 the threat of terrorism has been used to promote racism. Politicians scare people into believing that our security is compromised by people seeking the same opportunites the Pilgrims, Irish, Jewish, Italians, and other ethnic groups have sought. (My people happen to have been "imported" to be enslaved.) Conservatives paint the majority of immigrants with the same brush used on those who disobey laws and fill prisons in this country. It's always the case, the misdeeds of the few seem to outweigh the good deeds of the many. And the rantings of the ignorant fuel hatred in the fearful leading to dog fights amongst the 'have nots' for scraps from the tables of the 'have alls'.

There is an insidious hatred filling this country, and it's growing at an incredible pace. INTOLERANCE is the new BLACK. Intolerance against immigrants, against homosexuals, against the poor, against the elderly, against the sick, against those who speak out against the government. We are whittling away our own constitutional rights, because we are encouraged to not feel safe. It's "V FOR VENDETTA" right before our very eyes.

As I marched with a crowd 500,000 strong, I was doing it for my children to come. I was doing it because I don't want to live in a Police State, and that is exactly where we are heading when legislation such as this is passed by the House of Representatives! Who the hell are these people? They don't represent me.

It's not easy to open your doors, or to open your hearts to the "others." But they are people just like us, the majority just looking to make better lives. They are people who love this country, work hard, and share their rich and wonderful cultures, which only enhances ours. What are we so afraid of? If we change what the Statue of Liberty, what the United States of America has always stood for because of fear, then the terrorist have won.

The chants of the marchers still ring in my ears, because it is the truth, and the truth can't be denied.
"¡Aquí estamos, no nos vamos!" We are here, we are not going!
DEAL WITH IT!