Yes it is Christmas time again, and usually I would be cheerful, but it is hard not to feel in a bah humbug mood knowing, we are about to send more troops to Iraq and in the name of national security, there is a war on minorities.
It is interesting that a country dubs itself “land of the free” has locked up 2+ million men, women, boys, and girls – most of them people of color. For the most part, a large majority of these people are simply prisoners in limbo because of this nation’s broken immigration policies. The only requirement for being a prisoner was to be unlucky enough to be picked up and imprisoned for being brown and looking for the American dream.
As we spend this time with our family, please take the time to enjoy the moment, because outside our safe surrounding there will be no smiles in the eyes of these children who are locked up, no sounds of joy echoing through the living room, no nothing.
The song that comes to mind is the song done in 1984 (if that isn’t weird enough, in an Orwellian way) by Band Aid, Do they know it’s Christmas. Although the song was written specifically to raise awareness of the famine that had hit the people of Ethiopia; unfortunately, 22 years later, humanity for the poor and people of color has plummeted. What is worse, no matter how many are locked up or killed by the organized leveling of a country, or the terrorizing of it’s own citizens, the Republican Party, the conservative fringe of the Democratic Party, and the US press will bat an eyelash. The song still powerful, even after 22 years. Do the huddled mass know it’s Christmastime?
Do they know it’s Christmas?
It’s Christmastime,
there’s no need to be afraid
At Christmastime,
we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty
we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
at ChristmastimeBut say a prayer,
pray for the other ones
At Christmastime it’s hard,
but when you’re having fun
There’s a world outside your window,
and it’s a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing
is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring there
are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it’s them
instead of youAnd there won’t be snow in Africa this Christmastime
The greatest gift they’ll get this year is life(Oooh)
Where nothing ever grows
No rain or rivers flow
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?Here’s to you raise a glass for everyone
Here’s to them underneath that burning sun
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?Feed the world
Feed the world
Feed the world
Let them know it’s Christmastime againFeed the world
Let them know it’s Christmastime again
¡Feliz Navidad amigos!
