A-Infos (en) The Internet Anti-Fascist: Sun, 3 May 98--2:26 (#107)

[Paul Kneisel <tallpaul@nyct.net>]

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             The Internet Anti-Fascist: Sunday, 3 May 98 
                       Vol. 2, Number 26 (#107) 
______________________________________________________________________ 
 
                     ANTI-FASCIST ACTION ALERT #37
                   "Enemy Property" Database in U.K.

"This site contains summary details of some 25,000 records ... relating
to property in the UK seized between 1939 and 1945 from commercial
organizations registered and individuals resident in countries with
which  Britain was at war."

The U.K. government is using these properties to seed a fund "to allow
for the restitution of assets to victims of Nazi persecution."

<http://www.enemyproperty.gov.uk/>

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                INTRODUCTION TO THE ROBIN BLUE ARTICLE

An Irish reader called me with a joyful report of how her adopted Afro-
Euro son had just wished her a happy Cinco de Mayo holiday. It was a
wonderful example of the type of broad, universally-enriching
multiculturalism I've written about before.

Then Allen and Angel Steadham of the Interrace Haven web site were kind
enough to send me Blue's article below, showing the reverse side of
bigotry and hate, both individual and institutionalized.

                                - - - -

                            CALL FOR ACTION
                             by Robin Blue

Some of you may know me through my speaking and sharing of my life,
some of you may be members of my family, some of you may be my
coworkers in my battle against oppression of all sorts, and some of you
may have read different things that I have had published on the web
regarding racism in the Portland Metropolitan area.

I am writing this as a plea for each individual to take a personal
stand in the war against racism. We live in a world where hatred is
freely spreading everywhere, and adults are breeding this hatred in
their children. I am asking those of you who work with children, or the
public to re-think your own attitudes toward racism.

Many of us live in a state of denial, and choose to believe that this
isn't happening, but it is. All over the world. I am asking that you
think about the way that our system handles crimes against anyone
different than they, and to strive to make change. I have written
lengthy articles about racism, and how it has affected my life, and my
family, but never has it hit me as hard as it has at this very moment.

Saturday morning, May 2nd, my 7 year old son was shot with a Co2 high
powered pellet rifle, but the 12 year old boy who has been taunting him
by calling him racial names, having other children throw bricks at my
son and his friends. My son is OK, very luckily though. He had to have
his wrist cut open to remove the pellet, because it was lodged deep in
his skin, and was too large to remove with an instrument alone. The
shot was fired after my son was called a nigger, and was fired from 30
feet away. 

Jordan is a small little boy, and when he saw the gun, hid behind a
mail box, and was still hit. This happened yards from my own home. The
boy, (who has been involved with Juvenile authorities for other violent
crimes) was babysitting. He was in the presence of grown adults who
took the rifle from him after my son was shot. 

The police were called, and after 45 minutes, never arrived. While my
son was in the hospital, the RN made a 911 call and reported a 7 year
old boy was being treated for a gunshot wound. The police never came to
the hospital. They did arrive at my home hours after our return from
the hospital. The boy was arrested, and I am now waiting for the
Juvenile authorities to come to question us about this matter. 

My primary concern is the well being of my child. He could have been
killed if he had been just a few feet closer than he was. The doctor
stated that the size of the pellet, and the speed in which the rifle
delivered it was comparable and just as strong as if he had been shot
with a 22 caliber bullet. If he had been shot in another area of his
body, I could have lost him. I have him here, and he will be fine. 

My request to you is simple. Find out about Police response times in
your area, look at the statistics. Be aware of how our system works and
responds to matters involving any diverse or oppressed group of people.
Look at our children, and know that racism is a learned behavior. The
shooter was only 12 years old. Encourage diversity among our children.
When an isolated group of children learn that children are children who
play, and learn, and love, just the same as them, they have a chance to
unlearn the behavior that they are taught. Please examine your local
laws, that allow violent offenders out of their reach. This child was
living in a group home, but allowed to babysit other children. Another
thing I ask, is that you rethink what ever personal view you have
regarding the use of violent toys. I have been guilty of allowing my
children to play with them. This has caused me to reevaluate this
thought pattern, and given me a whole new set of feelings. Most of all,
I ask everyone to acknowledge the pain and suffering that so many of us
feel on a daily basis. Do not say that things will never change. If
everyone had that attitude, nothing will. All it takes in one voice,
one person to break silence, on person to stand up for what they
believe in, one person to be brave enough to go against the norm. I am
not asking anything difficult. Some of us have it inside to be born to
activism, but you do not have to be bold. Your voice, or letter, or
phone call, or personal expression to another human being can make a
difference. One will lead to another and another, and another.....My
son was lucky, many have already died in this battle, many more will.

Thank you, and feel free to forward this to anyone you like.

Robin Blue
<myvoice@teleport.com>

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                         WHAT'S WORTH CHECKING

Associated Press (no author), "Colombia Party Activist Murdered," 17
Apr 98
<ftp://ftp.nyct.net/pub/users/tallpaul/publish/story/story217.txt>

Craig Hudson (Campaign Against the National Front in Dover), "[Dover]
Anti-Fascist Update," 17 Apr 98
<ftp://ftp.nyct.net/pub/users/tallpaul/publish/story/story218.txt>

Henry McDonald (The Observer), "Race crimes ignored as Met exploited
Combat-18's links with Ulster loyalists," 5 Apr 98 
<ftp://ftp.nyct.net/pub/users/tallpaul/publish/story/story219.txt>

CAIR (no author), "Talk Radio Manager Apologizes For Offensive
Promotional Announcement," 10 Apr 98 
<ftp://ftp.nyct.net/pub/users/tallpaul/publish/story/story220.txt>

CAIR (no author), "CAIR Secures the Rights of Muslim Worker to Attend
Jumaa Prayer," 10 Apr 98 
<ftp://ftp.nyct.net/pub/users/tallpaul/publish/story/story221.txt>

Rick Fast (editor--Menmonite Central Committee), "Sanctions `planting
seeds of violence, vengeance'," 16 Apr 98 
<ftp://ftp.nyct.net/pub/users/tallpaul/publish/story/story222.txt>

Tyra Lucile Mead (San Francisco Chronicle), "Anger Over Ku Klux Klan
Flier Hate Literature Wrapped Around Sata Rosa Paper," 17 Apr 98
<ftp://ftp.nyct.net/pub/users/tallpaul/publish/story/story223.txt>

Richard Cole (Associated Press), "A new way to pitch Klan message: The
group wraps its leaflets around free local papers and takes them door
to door. Publishers are upset. ," 18 Apr 98 
<ftp://ftp.nyct.net/pub/users/tallpaul/publish/story/story224.txt>

Lorraine Forte (Chicago Sun-Times), "Trial to begin in teen's beating,"
20 Apr 98 
<ftp://ftp.nyct.net/pub/users/tallpaul/publish/story/story225.txt>

Seth Lubove (Forbes), "New Age capitalist: John Mackey says he wants to
make the world a healthier and happier place. The unions want to put
him out of business. ," 6 Apr 98 
<ftp://ftp.nyct.net/pub/users/tallpaul/publish/story/story226.txt>

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                     AFL-CIO SPONSORS UNION SUMMER

Union Summer, a 4-week educational internship sponsored by the AFL-CIO,
is currently seeking applicants for this summer!!

Accepted applicants are placed in one of a number of sites around the
country.  Interns participate in educational trainings on labor and
organizing and work alongside veteran union organizers on campaigns to
help workers fight injustice on the job.  

Interns are provided a stipend of $210/week.  In most locations,
housing is provided.

The deadline for applications is June 1, 1998.  To get an application
or more information, contact Union Summer at 800-952-2550 or
202-639-6220 (in DC), or at unionsmr@aol.org.

The application can also be found on the Union Summer website at
<www.unionsmr.org>.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

_____________________________________________________________________  

                               FASCISM: 
  We have no ethical right to forgive, no historical right to forget.  

      (No permission required for noncommercial reproduction) 
 
                               - - - - - 
 
                       back issues archived via: 
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