Governor Jerry Brown Signs in The Dream Act

Today is a day to be celebrated.

Jerry Brown annouced that he is signing into law the anticipated Dream Act. The plan is for him to meet with Assemblyman Gilbert Cedillo this afternoon at Cal State LA for an announcement and speech to follow. This legislation is monumental in the fight for the rights of undocumented people.

In the past, college student who were undocumented were able to pursue a degree, but were denied crucial financial aid, and their degrees weren't considered valid after they graduated. Despite being educated, employers wouldn't recognize their credentials.

With the Dram Act in effect, undocumented young people have the opportunity to get on a path to citizenship if they either enlist in the military or better yet, complete a degree program in college. Not only is this beneficial in assisting a marginalized people in gaining some upward mobility, but educating a larger portion of a population normally mired by poverty will greatly improve our relationships and strengthen our social fabric. America needs more educated people in the work force. We need to eliminate poverty. Giving these people a chance at fully integrating into American society and contributing either with brain or brawn (in the case of the military) will forge a greater sense of unity within our community and self-dignity.

There are some stipulations to the bill.

- The individual must have entered the states prior to being 16-years- old.
- Must be between 12-35 upon application
- Must have lived in the U.S. for five consecutive years
- Have a "good moral character" (Too vague if you ask me)
- Must be a high school graduate or at least have a GED

This legislation was in the pipe for years. Beginning in 2009, the Dream Act was drafted by Senator Richard Durbin and Representative Howard Berman. Though not in effect at the Federal level, California's passage marks a huge milestone in the advancement of our society. We can look towards coming together as a people and helping one another along with promoting personal and cultural growth.

Today is a happy day.

Rain Storm

A slow rumble
Stirring that cavernous place
Between ribs
Rubbing together softly
Growing steadily
Beating a tenacious war cry
Drenched in humility
Lightning
Ripping above
Tearing
Jarring
Cleansing
Comfort
I am home.

Try

Walls
Maintain "order"
Compartmentalize
Capitalize differences
From over here the sky appears to be painted a monotonous grey
Dripping with regret
Odd, over here heavens once azure now a putrid mess
Swollen with contempt
Messages passed between fissures
A whisper and a glance
Just for a glimpse beyond these walls
The other side
Is it truly green?
Plasma, bile, aspirations alike
Do we not all dream?
Synchronicity discovered in the least expected places
Celebrate what's shared
We'll work on the rest.

Sink or Swim

Vicious repetition
Compulsion
Self-destructive memories projected
"The past is a corpse that must be buried"
Searing truth
Etch these words
Reaffirming mantra
A house of cards
Ever-escaping trust
An illusive mistress
A requiem to today
Tomorrow
Yesterday
Need more vitamin D
Cerebral anemia
Find a crack
Let the light in
Change
Expecting different results every time
Break the cycle
Seek comfort
Enveloped
Unarticulated sincerity
Remember this.

Sensory Overload

Entropy passing along like a fierce dream
Robbing breath from lungs
Speak
Before words are rendered senseless
Lips moving
A wet tempter flapping
Cutting
Flicking
Caressing ivory incisors
A crimson river dripping forth
Precision in the inflections
Ocular orbs spinning
Left, right, up, down
Pin-points shifting to saucers
Desire
Remnants
Intoxicating scent, faintly suggestive
Lose control
Slip away
Aural distortion
Snap out of it.