I met Erin Siegel a few years back when she was first laying the foundation for her debut book Finding Fernanda. Erin is an award-winning investigative journalist and Oakland resident (cue my pride surge). She explained the heartbreaking subject of international adoption corruption and how she would examine it in… Read more
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I feel that if I do, I’ll end up with a reverse pressure to break them. If I commit to reading more, I would end up not picking up a book, or if I commit to eating healthier, I would end up having a… Read more
October is Filipino American Heritage Month! This month Governor Brown also signed a slew of bills into law. As a Filipino American, I am excited about the Filipinos in World War II School Curriculum Act and the California DREAM Act.
The Filipinos in World War II School Curriculum Act asks… Read more
Assignment for a recent fifth grade class: “Imagine a magic genie has given you three wishes. Write three paragraphs about your three wishes.”
I had expected dreams of hot cars or big houses, but not “papers so my parents wouldn’t be afraid” or “make it so my uncle can come… Read more
Immigrant Day in Sacramento has the feeling of family reunion combined with a big social justice rally. This day is a special occasion where organizations, advocates and allies statewide join forces to lift up the voices of the immigrant community and lobby legislators on the pressing issues that communities and… Read more
May Day—also known as International Workers Day—has been a very sacred day for me. It means workers rights, immigrant rights, human rights, hand made protest signs, paletas, solidarity, chants, strollers, grandmas, marchas, community and a renewed sense of spiritual and political strength! It is historically rooted in the… Read more
A Guest Opinion piece by Aja Minor
So-called “Secure Communities”, “S-Comm” or “In-Secure Communities” as it has been dubbed is the most recent attempt of ICE-DHS to control the immigration “problem”. This anti-immigrant program allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and local law enforcement… Read more
In February of 1917, Congress passed laws preventing immigration by “feeble-minded persons”, “criminals”, persons “mentally or physically defective” or anyone from Asia. Immigration from China had already stopped after a similar Act in 1882. Popular stereotypes at the time depicted Chinese immigrants and other Asian groups as barbarians only capable… Read more
As the year draws to a close, the Ella’s Voice Team decided to look at some of the important stories, highlight some awesome Orgs, and throw some shine on the individuals that helped to shape Oakland in 2010. Here are numbers 6-10 (NOT listed in order of importance or inspiration).… Read more
Never, once in my life have I had an inkling of desire to serve in the military. I remember my friend in High School, Nicki, telling me that her college aspiration was to attend the Naval Academy. My immediate reaction was… “Why?” Her plan had something to do with… Read more
