The Search for Reason in Arizona-Preserving my Memories

By

Rodolfo F. Acuña

People have memories of special places — spaces that they periodically revisit. I often get off the freeways and drive through the streets of Los Angeles to savor my memories. Last week I revisited Tucson, where my mother was raised and where at the age of five, when arriving by Greyhound, we stayed in an adobe house in nearby downtown. The memories were such that as a five year old I walked through the streets guided by a felling of dejá vu—memories of my ancestors who lived there since the 1770’s. Last week I returned to Tucson, attempting to find answers to the irrationality as reported in the media.

It was a calming and upsetting experience: the people were the same—it was like stepping back fifty years in time. The houses without lawns, the potted plants and various colonias with historic names like Barrio Hollywood, Menlo Park, Barrio Sin Nombre, to name a few. These remembered spaces contrast to what is happening in Arizona—events that are polluting the environment, and intruding on my memories.

I returned to Los Angeles with a feeling of anticipation that was heightened by an inability to communicate. A sense that things would get worse as Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vies with Sarah Palin to give opportunism a bad name and as the media abandons its code of professional ethics. This opportunism has created an atmosphere where communication is impossible—not because of what used to be called a language barrier but because the xenophobes in Arizona are redefining history and the meaning of words. It is as if Nicolaus Copernicus and René Descartes had never lived and irrationality had become the norm.

For the xenophobes disruption is an end in itself. The purpose is not to learn the truth or find solutions. They intentionally distort any oppositional discourse to appear unreasonable. In their logic armed, Tea Baggers are reasonable as they scream and openly carry guns. They gorge their delusions by calling themselves patriots. In contrast student protests against higher tuition fees are portrayed as terrorist; peaceful immigrants who only want what Euro-Americans have are called illegal. Plainly the xenophobes believe they have the right to define reason because they say so.

During a conversation, a disgusted reporter told me that coverage of HB 1070, the legal justification to pick up and deport Mexicans and Latinos, and SB 2281, the bill outlawing the study of ethnic studies in the public schools and that builds the pretext for the censorship of books as well as the groundwork for the suppression of political literature, was initially fair but that a backlash had set in. He was disgusted since after 20 years on the beat he saw it as a deliberate breach of the journalistic ethics to “strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty.”

Two interviews with Tucson ABC’s KGUN 9 confirmed these fears. The reporters were less than probative and defended Tom Horne, the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, and Joseph M. Arpaio.

The failure to communicate began with the title of my book that xenophobes are seeking to ban, Occupied America. They asked, wasn’t this an example of anti-Americanism? I explained that the title applied to the occupation of the Americas by Europe in 1492. The word America applies to the entire western hemisphere; Chileans, Venezuelans, Central Americans, and Mexicans are Americans. Completely dismissing what I had said, both reporters continued to distort the meaning of my words and asked me whether “occupied” did not in fact refer to the reconquista of Mexico’s former territory. I explained that the word reconquista was historically used to refer to the Christian retaking of the Iberian Peninsula from the Moslems. Most Latinos do not relate to Spain—and that Horne and others were intentionally distorting the meaning of the title.

It was clear that we were not speaking the same language. They were obsessed with the word “occupied.”they had called Horne who insisted that occupied meant la reconquista. They did not have the foggiest notion that in its broadest sense “occupied” is a metaphor for unequal access to education, housing and income in all of the Americas, an inequality that is measured by the hue of the person's skin. According to their logic, institutional racism does not exist. Exploring the topic in a dispassionate way is impossible.

It was clear that the Pearce, Horne, Arpaio and the reporters would not be satisfied until I said that Mexican Americans and Latinos wanted to overthrow the government. It would have been too much for them to pick up a dictionary or to listen to what I was saying. No matter if I had a PhD, I was still greasers to them.

How is civil discourse possible with people who do not read? Who don't understand the meaning of words? Who have a seriously flawed epistemology?

I do not want to imply that all Arizonians are bigots. After all, the Tucson and Flagstaff City Councils condemned the racist laws—as well as the legislators and the governor. Law enforcement officers in Pima County in no uncertain words damned 1070 and 2281. However, I want to underscore the xenophobes’ lack of reason. An example is the media that uncritically reports that crime is rampant in south Arizona and on the border. The FBI reports contradict these assertions and state that the border is “relatively safe.” The racist xenophobes accuse the FBI of being part of Obama’s conspiracy. End of discussion.

Naturally, I resent Horne’s singling out Occupied America for banishment from Arizona. But I am more offended by their attacks on La Raza Studies in the Tucson Public Schools. Even the Jewish Anti-Defamation League of which Horne was a member has criticized him. Bill Strauss, its regional director, concluded after investigating Horne’s irresponsible charges: “Exploring one’s culture and roots is important to the overall identity that we all carry. We found there were baseless charges made about the program [La Raza Studies] and that it’s not anti-American ...We also found that it turned dropouts into students and then into high school graduates.” It also found the Tucson ethnic studies program “promoted pride and a sense of belonging, impelling Latino youth and attracting them to the classroom."

In a rational society, this would have been front page news. But, the truth be told, the xenophobes cannot handle the truth. Thus, they rewrite history and the media is in collusion.

Part of this erasure of history is the argument of Arpaio and his clones that Mexico and the other Latin American states are ingrates—look at how much the United States has done for them. The argument goes that Latin Americans are poor because they are corrupt. As a consequence, they are swarming into the United States with drugs. Hence, the U.S. has the right to defend itself and secure its borders.

This argument underlies what I liken to the Catholic Church’s response to Copernicus. For their argument to work, the sun had to revolve around the earth. In the same vein, the United States never invaded Mexico and narcotics are a Mexican problem. They also allege that Euro-American taxpayers have generously sent Mexico foreign aid.

I engaged the inquisitors over the War on Drugs, and I pointed out that as good free marketers they should realize that the demand determines the market. Drugs are coming in from Latin American because of the U.S. market. Hence, it can logically be argued that this country is corrupting Mexico.

Their solution is to build a Berlin-type wall and crackdown on so-called illegal immigrants. Fact: the so-called Mexican drug corridor was forged by U.S. policy that cut sea lanes from South America and forced drugs to be transported through Middle America. U.S. policy begot the cartels, violence and corruption.

Contrary to popular myth, prior to the War on Drugs, the United States gave little foreign aid to Mexico. Up until recently, Mexico a country of 114 million people received $15 million annually in non-military foreign aid. Now, Mexico receives just under a billion dollars in the form of military aid—arguably a subsidy to U.S. arms dealers.

The so-called War on Drugs costs over $8 billion annually. A rational discussion would consider the alternative of investing this wasted capital on building Middle America’s infrastructure to create jobs. However, it is easier to make the undocumented immigrant scapegoats than to discuss solutions.

As I mentioned, you cannot reason with people who argue that the sun revolves around the earth. They have the truth, so why listen? Why test their assumptions?

I believe that it is a mistake to act like Barack Obama, and to think it is possible to win the hearts and minds of racists. Their distortion of language has a purpose: it creates doubt and it confuses the response to injustice. It whittles away at our liberties. Remember the Greeks knew since the 3rd century BC that the earth revolved around the sun, but the inquisitors were successful in saying no for over 1700 years.
Inevitably, the lesson is that if not challenged, the irrational becomes a doctrine.

Words have meanings and should not be changed to distort reality. Political disruption has a social purpose, but the end should be to bring about justice and promote humanitarian ends—not to prove one’s delusions.

Racism, sexism, homophobia and xenophobia are wrong and their meaning cannot be compromised. Brewer, Pearce, Horne, Arpaio and the gaggle of reporters who uncritically report their anti-Mexican venom are racist. As a community we must pressure our institutions and educate the electorate. The Church should excommunicate the racists. Latino voters must act out their self-interests and vote—the laws are directed at them as a people.

My sister tells me that I should stay away from Arizona—the people there are crazy. She says that I am old to be saving the world! I respond that I have no choice but to fight. I want my memories. What good are the places without the people? I am proud of my parents who crossed la linea without papers, and want to preserve their memory, we must fight.

Dr. Rudy Acuna is a senior faculty member in the Chicana/o Studies Department at California State University, Northridge. Please offer your comments on this blog.

The "FREE" Movement

The following pictures are of Plaza Community Services' FREE clothing distribution event that occurred in November. Over 1,000 people were present at the event, where 500 Turkeys were given away by El Super Supermarket.

What's Your Mission?

In these tough economic times, it is sometimes difficult to stay true to your mission and not "chase dollars." At the same time, this is a perfect time to take a look at the difference between raising funds and altering the core of your agency. If you have an annual dinner, that doesn't mean you are going into the catering business. Likewise, if you add an auxiliary service to your core programs, that doesn't mean you are losing the vision of your organization.

These days, funders want a whole lot more for less. They want collaboration, non-duplication, and maximization. The increased expectations in funding contracts and the dramatically reduced number of such contracts make this an excellent time for nonprofits to expand their idea of service to their clients. On one of the nonprofit Boards I sit on, we recently took on a contract that requires we do HIV testing and counseling. The organization had never done this before and didn't have the infrastructure to take on such an endeavor. In looking at our community partners, however, we identified an agency that was to become our subcontractor. Needless to say, the partner agency was thrilled and so was our organization. Perhaps most amazingly, we have seen a marked increase in clients requesting the HIV testing and counseling! We didn't plan on delivering this service, but it is certainly needed.

Many things we can deliver to our clients make the provision of our core services easier or more valuable. Food pantries, family counseling, and youth services are just some of the things that allow us to serve our clients better - even though the add-on services weren't part of our core services.

As you look at new contracts, grants, and other funding opportunities, open up your mind to all possibilities. Look for ways to include community partners and ultimately provide more value for your clients.

How Well Are You Doing?

The Third Sector, a British website focused on nonprofits, noted that nonprofit organizations had no interest in tracking performance. Funders in the UK could not even get input from organizations who had received money to track performance. One interviewee noted, ""When it comes to measuring impact, charities suffer from a culture of avoidance and a lack of ability, and one reinforces the other." Across the Atlantic, we face the same dilemma.

Very often, we see nonprofit organizations started by a singular individual who possesses amazing powers of motivation. These people usually create something of a cult of personality where they are the mission and the mission is them. Such leaders tend to carefully monitor every aspect of the organization's performance and there is an entrepreneurial spirit in all the nonprofit does.

As a nonprofit matures, however, leadership changes and normalized job structure develops. Departments are created, tasks are methodically delegated, and the entrepreneurial nonprofit begins to conduct business as usual. At this point, the effect of the nonprofit's business as usual approach is no longer measured by a continuous feedback loop between the founding leader and the target population. When those you serve request service, there is now a formalized process through which they must navigate. It is the process that becomes the focus, not the outcome.

With such an emphasis on processes, it is no wonder nonprofits do not want to measure performance. It is difficult and would require a complete paradigm shift to focusing on achieving the outcome for each client as a measure of success as opposed to claiming success when a client simply comes to us for help. While such paradigm shifts appear daunting and take time, there is a way to begin the process painlessly by encouraging your staff to consider our organization their client. A mentor of mine encouraged me to do this and although it takes time to develop the mindset, ultimately the focus is entirely on the outcomes of the organization. By encouraging each employee to consider themselves someone who has been retained for a specific area of expertise, employees can focus on delivering the highest quality of service with results being the only measure of success.

Whether you being measuring your success or not, others already are. Other nonprofits know how well you are doing and current and potential funders know how well you are doing. Do YOU know how well you are doing?

What Would Happen if Your ED Didn't Show Up Tomorrow?

• Succession Planning. The name certainly doesn't conjure up images of a fun project. Nonetheless, most nonprofits do not have a plan to get them through a period where they lose their primary leader, the Executive Director. Failure to plan for the absence and replacement of an Executive Director can throw an agency into turmoil that will shake the very foundation of the organization.
  
  Executive Directors impact a wide variety of elements in a nonprofit organization from day-to-day operations to major funding streams. In addition to the fundraising problems that may occur with the departure of an Executive Director, there may be equally large problems with the execution of contracts the Executive Director was written into. Many contracts contain an expectation that the Executive Director fulfills an operative or supervisory role and failure to do so may jeopardize the entire contract. There are some key questions a nonprofit board should consider when contemplating a succession plan:
  

Is the Board of Directors able to hire a new Executive Director?

Is the job of the Executive Director realistic?

Is the salary of the Executive Director sufficient to attract qualified candidates?

Can the Board cover any gaps in fundraising?

If the Executive Director were to suddenly leave, who would assume their duties?

Discussing these questions will help the Board to contemplate action prior to an Executive Director's departure. In addition to funding and operational activities, the Board should consider the media strategy it will use to explain the loss of the Director and the steps being taken to replace him or her. This will be very important in terms of maintaining confidence in the organization from both the staff and the community perspective.

While leadership change can be difficult, planning in advance for the replacement of an Executive Director can help to keep the organization running smoothly, in compliance with all contracts, attractive to funders, and able to attract qualified candidates. Truly, a little succession planning does a long way!

Preventing the Swine Flu

There are currently 64 cases of Swine Flu in the United States. There has been 1 reported death. The rapid spread of the Swine Flu has created the concern of an international pandemic. Now is the time to make certain your nonprofit's employees and clients are aware of the Swine Flu and what steps can be taken to avoid catching and spreading the illness.


The Center for Disease Control recommends the following:


Stay Healthy.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

The Swine Flu virus is very fragile and must be contained in water droplets to survive being spread from one person to another. Many countries, particularly Mexico, have instituted the wearing of surgical style masks to help prevent the spread of the Swine Flu. Such masks are effective, however the measures taken by the CDC above are equally important.

Many nonprofits have a large number of people who come for services each day. It is very important that staff mandate each client disinfect their hands with antibacterial wipes or antibacterial hand gel. Similarly, clients must be provided with tissues to cover their mouths when sneezing and coughing. Any client who is displaying flu-like symptoms must be sent home immediately. Likewise, staff who display flu-like symptoms should be sent home immediately.

While nonprofits should always take great care to protect clients and staff, an event such as the spread of the Swine Flu gives creates a situation where ordinary care is insufficient. Scrutiny must be given to normal safety precautions and additional precautions must implemented to prevent the spread of this unusual virus. Only by taking immediate steps to protect clients and staff can they be protected and the spread of the Swine Flu stopped.

It IS a business!

For a long time I have heard people say they don't work in the corporate world, they work for a nonprofit. Nonprofits are actual corporations, they are simply nonprofit corporations. There is an everlasting misconception that nonprofit work is fundamentally different from the "corporate world" and therefore share little in common.

The truth is that nonprofits and for profits are fundamentally the same. There are the same issues with human resources, regulatory compliance, marketing, research and development, and sales. "Sales?", you say. Yes, sales!

For-profits sell widgets. Nonprofits sell units of service. Without making a value judgement on which is better - widgets or units of service, understanding that the mechanisms that allow for the consumption of widgets or units of service are nearly identical.

When a for-profit company decides to create a widget, they get the research and development department to come up with an idea. This idea is tested, modeled, and brought before potential investors. If the for-profit is successful, investors invest, the widget is made, the widget is sold, and enough revenue is generated to allow the widget to be produced indefinitely.

When a nonprofit decides to create a social service, they do research on the social problem and the best solution to come up with a program society can benefit from. The program is tested, modeled, and brought to potential investors such as individual donors, corporate sponsors, foundations, and government funders. If the nonprofit is successful, investors invest, the program is given enough money to start, units of service are delivered, and enough revenue is generated to allow the program to be operated indefinitely.

In nonprofits, like for-profits, there are quality control concerns, contractual obligations, and productivity quotas. In both, there are hirings, firings, 401k's, and medical insurance concerns. Aside from the difference between the unit of service and the widget, the differences are strikingly small.

The real difference comes in the perception of the nonprofit. Many who enter the nonprofit arena are dismayed to find out that the real service to the community lies in the ability to run a nonprofit successfully. The ability to do this lies in careful management of employees, the bottom line, and the Board of Directors. These responsibilities are a welcome challenge to the person who understands a nonprofit is not just like a business, it IS a business!