Posted on 12/23/2004 9:40:22 AM PST by LNewman
Mary and Joseph's futile search for a room at the inn in Bethlehem might ... seem an unlikely inspiration for skits about police brutality, class inequities and job discrimination in Santa Monica.
SNIP
"Cholo!" roared one youth playing the role of a police officer, as he scuffled with Jesse Tovar, a 16-year-old student from University High School in Los Angeles, cast as an "innocent person of color." "You're from a gang, huh?"
"Racista!" retorted Tovar, the son of Mexican immigrants. Later, he said he identified with the rejection faced by Mary and Joseph as young, poor migrants from another land.
SNIP
But several churches are using posadas to connect the biblical story with such modern issues as immigration, affordable housing and labor rights.
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Hernandez, a 40-year-old Salvadoran native who has worked as a Hyatt housekeeper for seven years, said she finds special connections with Mary's struggles.
"She was an immigrant to Bethlehem who fought for a decent place to stay," Hernandez said. "I'm asking for a decent contract."
The hotel posada was among the nine organized by a coalition of religious, legal and labor organizations highlighting issues facing immigrants in Southern California. Other nights have focused on such issues as working conditions at Wal-Mart stores, access to healthcare in Maywood, housing struggles of mariachi players and efforts of former bracero workers to recover lost pay.
A posada tonight, scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, will call for legalization of undocumented immigrants.
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"Just as the Holy Family was denied shelter and forced to suffer, migrants are being denied hospitality and refuge and forced to cross through inhospitable and dangerous terrain — in many cases, losing their lives," said Christian Ramirez, program director of the Quaker group's San Diego office.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Navidad ping
St. Anne's pastor, Father Mike Gutierrez, said he began introducing the politically tinged posadas three years ago. Previous themes included the effect of rent decontrol on poor families in Santa Monica and the battle for higher wages among the city's hotel workers.
I 'll look, but I'll bet rent control is not in my version of the Baltimore Catechism.
ping
There is no shortage of idiots.
The Catholic Church was all but lost to the lefties/izquierdistas and gays/mariposas a long time ago.
Californians, get and push the petition!!!!!!!!!
http://www.saveourlicense.com/
The mass media always gets the female cub reporters to write these illegal immigrant sob stories. To bath us in the emotional afterglow of this vibrant 3rd world culture.
Mary and Joseph were not immigrants, they were travelers. They were going to BE TAXED. (How ironic.) They did not break any laws, and were not looking for work or benefits.
Ignorance is a powerful force in today's urban landscape.
THANK YOU!
And, Merry Christmas.
gag
Mary and Joseph were not immigrants, they were travelers.
Joseph was an entrepeneur (he was a carpenter you know)...of course he was taxed!
...One day the emperor sent notice that all persons were to register for a new tax. They were instructed to return to the towns of their birth. Joseph and Mary left Nazareth for Bethlehem.
Some of the folks quoted in this article might want to re-read the story.....
Why do their "rights" always involve the confiscation of the working peoples' money? Taxes to provide for the immigrants who can't make in on their own are already unbearable --- but just like their president -- it's always "we're going for more!! we're going for more!!"
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