¡Si Se Puede!

My mexican culture is rich in men and women who stood up against injustice and inequality. They had their backs against the wall, fought seeming impossiblities for what they believed in but it wasn't until 1972 that a phrase was coined that would capture the spirit of those individuals before us and many ahead. More than being a simple idea it defined a man's convictions. More than a juxapose of words it became a protest anthem. It has a thunderous resonance in any language it's uttered. More recently it's been adopted by the 2008 democratic presidential candidate Barrack Obama for his pursuit of CHANGE.

In 2006 my mother crossed 5 state lines to join La Gran Marcha, a protest in downtown Los Angeles against the proposed congressional legislation H.R. 4437 which would have raise penalties for illegal immigration and classify unauthorized immigrants and anyone who helped them enter or remain in the US as felons. As I stood beside my mother on the steps of city hall I have to admit I wasn't knowledgeable of the reasons why over 500,000 people were protesting other than a vague idea of an injustice being done to illegal immagrants in our country. I remember thinking it was a site to see not realizing how this piece of legislation could have affected so many I knew, many of whom were my friends and relatives.

H.R. 4437 never passed the senate floor. Through out this fight the chant was heard.

Throughout American history, there have been moments that call on us to meet the challenges of an uncertain world, and pay whatever price is required to secure our freedom

-Barack Obama

We have reached one of those moments. We have to answer the call and seek change. What price are we willing to pay not too?

In 29 days, on November 4th we are given the chance to elect the next president of the United States of America and that's one our fundamental rights we can't take for granted. Don't be apathetic to it. Don't turn your head from it. You owe it to those who fought to give you the right for your voice to be heard, you owe it to future generations but most important of all, you owe it to yourselves.

Our country has been in a bad spot for 8 long years and we've reached a time for a CHANGE. Much like in everything aspect of my life I carry a HOPE in my heart through the darkest skies that things will be better. It's a HOPE carried in those three meaningful word associated with civil rights. It's a HOPE I see in Barrack Obama. I know for a long time it's been hard to have HOPE. We may lose HOPE in our government but we should never lose hope in our country and those in it.

"When we are really honest with ourselves, we must admit that our lives are all that truely belong to us. So it is how we use our lives that determines what kind of men we are. It is my deepest belief that only by giving our lives do we find life. I'm convinced that the truest act of courage, the strongest act of manliness is to sacrifice ourselves for others in a totally non-violent struggle for justice. To be a man is to sacrifice for others. God help us to be men"

-Cesar Chavez

Today is the last day to register to vote and I hope this hasn't reached those who haven't by days end or anytime there after. If it has do it. Let your voice be heard.