An Open Letter To My Sister

You raised me.

You were my mentor.

You taught me right from wrong.

You taught me how to get into trouble.

You showed me how to think for myself through your actions.

You showed me how to stand up for what I believed in, no matter the cost.

You taught me integrity and honesty.

You taught me sarcasm.

You introduced me to Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.

You really liked my pretend journalist name, Naida States.

You showed me a world of culture I otherwise would not have experienced.

You were there to comfort me when I felt bullied, sad, angry, confused.

You were right there with me, helping to fight those rough battles at home.

You were always a leader and showed me that it was okay to be different and to question everything.

You didn’t deserve to be hit because of who you are.

You didn’t deserve to be yelled at because of who you are.  

You didn’t deserve to be kicked out at 18 years old because of who you are.

You didn’t deserve to be one year away from graduating college and have the rug pulled out from under you because of who you are.

You didn’t deserve to be beaten by a group of drunken frat boys because of who you are.

Today is a day for you, my dear sister. 

People like you make a difference in this world. Today is a day that shows there are more of you out there who believe in humane ideals. Today I see a light at the end of the tunnel. 

I am proud to know you and proud of everything you stand for. I love you! 

Maryland & the DREAM Act

     In a surprising turn from what was once one of American history’s slave states, Maryland adopted the Dream Act, offering in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants.  Opponents of the Dream Act believed that it would never pass, citing that “native-born and legal residents would never give undocumented students the same leg up as their classmates enjoy.”  Further, Maryland voters approved a measure, allowing same-sex marriage within its borders.  Maryland voters also approved a proposal that lifted certain bans on gambling.  The article states that, although all the ballot measures are significant, Maryland’s Gov. Martin O’Malley believes the Dream Act and same-sex marriage are the most significant: “[O’Malley] argued that they were both about the value of inclusion.”  
This article interested me because, having just read Frederick Douglass’ narrative, it seems as if Maryland has an evil twin sister locked in the closet – and someone finally threw away the key.  Maryland was adamant about its slave-state status back in the day, and the fact that it is now one of the most progressive states in the union should send a message to other states about the idea of tolerance.  Further, Maryland has it spot on with respect to the Dream Act.  I feel that our country is so opposed to the idea of letting in “brown people” that we forget how we got here.  What happened to land of the free – ‘watch-your-step-getting-off-the-boat-what-is-your-name-and-welcome-to-America’?  Maryland, thank you for showing us that the popular vote – the will of a state’s citizens – can prevail in positive ways instead of leading to oppression.  

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-11-07/opinions/35503266_1_ballot-measure-popular-vote-illegal-immigrants