News (Grand Rapids, Michigan News Blog)

What relationship does environmental contamination have to human cancer?

To address that question, Calivn Colleges January Series turned to author and biologist Sandra Steingraber. Steingraber is a cancer survivor and it was her contracting of cancer that led her to investigate the causes of that cancer. Her investigation has led her to write several books on cancer and its links to environmental contamination. She has also become an outspoken critic of policies that destroy ecosystems.

Steingraber began her talk by sharing her personal story of being diagnosed with cancer while she was an undergraduate student in college. Over the past 30 years she has lived with a sense of uncertainty, since she undergoes constant testing to see if her cancer has resurfaced or mutated in another form. The former of cancer that Steingraber contracted was bladder cancer, one of the most common forms.

Cancer and the Environment

In her early interactions with the medical community, she discovered that there was little to no interest in environmental issues as it relates to cancer. She noticed that none of the literature in her doctor's office addressed environmental issues related to cancer. The medical establishment was only interested in her "medical history."

In her research for her first book, Living Downstream: A Scientist's Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment, she discovered that the watershed and river near to wear she grew up in Illinois had high levels of toxins.

She also addressed the relationship between the crumbling economy and destruction of the environment. She gives the example of how pollination by bees has been impacted because of environmental contamination, a contamination that has resulted in less pollination, which leads to less food crop production.

She then presented the audience the idea of what would happen if the same urgency that the US now seems to be devoting to the economic collapse--was applied to the ecological catastrophe we now face. She cites mammal extinction increases, ocean pollution, air pollution, and climate change as proof of this catastrophe. What if politicians were presented with this information and they devoted a great deal of energy and money to reversing negative environmental trends? This Steingraber says, is not likely to happen.

Chemicals in Children

Once Steingraber became a mother, this awareness of the delicacy has increased and she now sees environmental justice as a human rights issue. Steingraber believes that an environmental human rights movement must come together and must confront the current human suffering that is directly tied to the destruction of the environment. How this happens is no easy task.

Steingraber mentioned that even with all the knowledge we have of the negative consequences of chemical contamination, only 5 of the 80,000 chemicals that are licensed in the US have ever been banned. She said that research now shows that there are typically over 200 chemicals that can be detected in the umbilical cord of pregnant women. Steingraber says this reality should force us to rethink what "pro-life" really means.

After birth, Steingraber says that some pollutants impact the respiratory systems of children and even cause early pubescence with US girls, the consequence of which lead to an increase of breast cancer when those girls grow up.

Building an Environmental Human Rights Movement

Steingraber believes that chemical reform will be a large part of this new environmental human rights movement. She says that because of feminism, she has had the opportunity to link her personal cancer to environmental destruction, unlike Rachel Carson, who wrote the groundbreaking book Silent Spring. Carson also had cancer, but was not able to publicly link her cancer to chemical contamination since her body was not an acceptable source in the academic world in the late 1950s.

She gave other historical examples of how social movements have made significant progress to radically change the world. Steingraber focused on the US abolition movement as an example and asked the audience if they could image what it was like to have legal slavery and how the US economy benefited from that. She hopes that an environmental human rights movement will make such a change wherein future generations could never imagine how companies can profit off contamination of the planet.

Yesterday, the United States Senate passed a resolution supporting Israel's ongoing attack on Gaza. The resolution was described as "A resolution recognizing the right of Israel to defend itself against attacks from Gaza and reaffirming the United States' strong support for Israel in its battle with Hamas, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process."

While no vote was record for the resolution--it was instead passed by a voice vote--Michigan Senator Carl Levin was a co-sponsor of the resolution. The resolution that was passed was largely the work of the "pro-Israel" group the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) who circulated a draft resolution that is quite similar to the final resolution. Following the resolution's passage, AIPAC expressed strong support for the resolution.

The resolution gives lip service to promoting a "cease-fire in Gaza as soon as possible," but it is clearly designed to encourage unquestioning support for Israel's attack on Gaza. Following a long list of "whereas" statements supporting the Israeli version of what is happening now and what has happened over the past several years in Palestine, the resolution makes a number of demands of Hamas but says nothing about Israel's actions. Instead, it begins by expressing support for Israel's actions and makes demands that Hamas stop manufacturing rockets, that the Palestinians "diminish the appeal and influence of extremists in the Palestinian territories." The resolution even goes so far as to praise Israel for its "humanitarian aid to Gaza" during the assault.

Perhaps the most telling words uttered by a Senator in relation to the resolution came from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell who said, "The Israelis... are responding exactly how we would."

A similar resolution is expected to be approved today in the House of Representatives.

Headlines from Democracynow.org, a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US.

Israel Continues Gaza Attack as Security Council Calls for Ceasefire

Israel continues its devastating assault on the Gaza Strip despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire. Overnight, Israel launched more than fifty strikes, killing at least twelve Palestinians. Seven people were killed in a bombing in northern Gaza, including an infant. At least twenty-four Palestinians were killed on Thursday, including three elderly people fleeing their home. Palestinian militants responded with around six rockets into southern Israel earlier today, causing one injury. At least 60 percent of Gaza's 1.4 million people have no electricity, and many are without clean water. Gaza's fragile sewage system also risks collapse, stoking fears of a worsening health crisis.

Palestinian Toll Reaches 778; At Least 200 Children Killed

Overall, the Palestinian death toll stands at at least 778, including more than 200 children. At least 3,250 Palestinians have been injured. Thirteen Israelis have died over the same period, four by friendly fire. The Security Council voted fourteen-to-nothing for the ceasefire, with the US abstaining. The measure calls "for an immediate, durable and fully respected cease-fire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza."

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki: "Israel, the occupying power, must immediately implement this resolution. Aggression must cease so that we all may have the opportunity to work to heal the wounds of our people and to rebuild what the brutal Israeli war machine has destroyed in Gaza."

UN, Red Cross Suspend Relief Work After Lethal Israeli Attacks on Aid Convoys

The measure came hours after the UN shut down major aid operations in Gaza after Israel attacked one of its aid convoys. Israeli snipers killed two Palestinian aid workers who were reportedly trying to retrieve the body of a colleague who had been killed in a previous Israeli attack. The killings reportedly came during the three-hour pause to the bombing agreed to by Israel to allow humanitarian relief.

UN relief spokesperson Christopher Gunness: "I can confirm that UNRWA has suspended its operations in Gaza because of staff security. We've had a shooting of a driver in a convoy clearly marked as a UN vehicle. There have been a number of attacks in which UN facilities have been hit with direct hits and others. We've had no choice but to suspend our operations until we can get guarantees of the security of our staff. We've lost--our staff have been killed. We've had no other choice."

The UN says it's lost all confidence in Israeli pledges. Israel has attacked several UN and medical installations this week, including a UN school where forty-six civilians were killed.

WHO: 21 Palestinian Medical Workers Killed in Gaza Attack

According to the World Health Organization, twenty-one Palestinian medical workers have been killed and another thirty injured in the Israeli assault on Gaza. The International Committee of the Red Cross, meanwhile, said it would scale back aid operations for at least one day after one of its convoys also came under Israeli fire.

UN: 30 Died in Israeli Shelling of Crowded Home

The Red Cross made the announcement as it accused Israel of blocking access to a bombing site where several emaciated children were found next to their dead mothers. Overall, dozens of dead civilians were found in a one-block span of the neighborhood of Zeitoun. Red Cross mission chief Katrina Ritz described the bombing's aftermath.

Katrina Ritz: "I think one of the big shocks was that these people were very weak. They were children, children being next to their dead mother. There were no assistance given to these people. There were around eighteen wounded which have not had medical aid, and very, very weak people. The children could hardly stand. There was no water for them. There was no food. And they were with all the dead bodies."

In a report Thursday, the UN said thirty of the victims killed in the Zeitoun attack had been taking shelter in a home on orders from the Israeli military. More than 100 Palestinians had been evacuated there and told to stay indoors. Palestinian paramedic Attia Barami was among the first to reach the victims.

Attia Barami: "The Red Cross got permission for us for three ambulances to enter the northern area of Gaza. We found bodies that the tanks drove over. The medics checked the bodies and found damage at the cellular level, and bodies. This baby girl, age five months, she has been dead for more than two days. The dogs ate parts of the baby's body. This baby was burned because you can see her face and body are dark and charred."

Most of the dead were members of the same extended family, the Samounis. The death toll was initially lower but rose as more bodies were pulled from the rubble.

Vatican Official Compares Gaza to "Concentration Camp"

The Israeli attack is under increasing international criticism. On Thursday, a high-ranking Vatican official, Cardinal Renato Martino, compared Gaza to "a concentration camp." Speaking to an Italian daily, Martino said, "Look at the conditions in Gaza. More and more, it resembles a big concentration camp."
Carter: Israel Broke Gaza Truce

Meanwhile, former President Jimmy Carter has denounced the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip. Writing in the Washington Post, Carter criticizes Israel for breaking the six-month ceasefire by launching its November 4th attack that killed seven Hamas militants. He also faults Israel for failing to uphold its commitment to ease the humanitarian blockade of Gaza.

Protests Worldwide Decry Gaza Attack

Protests, meanwhile, continue worldwide. On Thursday, more than 40,000 people demonstrated in Oslo, Norway, denouncing the attack on Gaza. According to Al Jazeera, other rallies were held in Venezuela, Tehran, Khartoum and Sarajevo. In Canada, around thirty activists occupied the Israeli consulate in Montreal. The action came one day after a group of Jewish Canadian women occupied the Israeli consulate in Toronto. In New York, hundreds gathered on Wednesday to respond to Mayor Michael Bloomberg's open support for the Israeli attack. Bloomberg visited Israel last week and gave interviews backing the assault on Gaza. New York City Council Member Charles Barron said Bloomberg doesn't speak for all New Yorkers.

New York City Council Member Charles Barron: "My message to Bloomberg is shame on you. How dare you speak for all New Yorkers and ignore the fact that 560 people died, and many of them innocent women and children? How dare you go to Israel and not talk to the Palestinian people? How dare you act like you speak for all New Yorkers? Well, you don't."

Protests also continue in Israel. Israeli peace activists Uri Avnery and David Wilner were among those demonstrating in Tel Aviv.

Uri Avnery: "We are here to protest against the war, which we consider inhuman, immoral, totally unjustified and unnecessary. We believe that if we had agreed to talk with Hamas, this problem would have been laid aside a long
time ago."

David Wilner: "A massacre and violence is not the way to bring peace to both nations, the Israeli and the Palestinian nations."

Senate Affirms Support for Attack on Gaza

As the United Nations and the Red Cross condemned the Israeli assault on Gaza, the US Senate approved a measure overwhelmingly supporting the attack. The non-binding measure passed by unanimous voice vote. Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell both spoke in favor of the Israeli invasion. Reid said, "When we pass this resolution, the United States Senate will strengthen our historic bond with the state of Israel, by reaffirming Israel's inalienable right to defend against attacks from Gaza, as well as our support for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process." The House is expected to pass a similar measure today.

Kucinich Calls for Probe on US-Supplied Weapons to Israel

Congress member Dennis Kucinich has been one of the few lawmakers to speak out against the US-backed attack on Gaza. Kucinich has asked the State Department to probe whether Israel's use of US-supplied weaponry violates the 1976 Arms Export Control Act.

Report: Obama to Hold Talks with Hamas

The Guardian of London is reporting, meanwhile, the incoming Obama administration is planning on reversing the Bush administration's refusal to negotiate with Hamas. The Guardian says President-elect Obama is leaning towards authorizing low-level contacts with Hamas that could eventually turn into more serious talks. Hamas has said it would support a settlement with Israel based on a full Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 borders. The Bush administration has refused to recognize Hamas despite its 2006 victory in Palestinian elections.

Brennan Appointed Obama Counterterror Adviser

In other news, Obama has appointed former CIA official John Brennan as his top aide on counterterrorism. Brennan had been Obama's top candidate to head the Central Intelligence Agency but was forced to withdraw from consideration amid protests. Brennan has publicly supported the CIA's policies of so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques" and extraordinary rendition. Brennan's new position doesn't require congressional approval.

Congressional Report Faults Treasury on Bailout Oversight

The Obama transition team, meanwhile, is reportedly working feverishly to overhaul the $700 billion bailout of Wall Street. The Washington Post reports Obama aides are focusing on setting clear restrictions on the condition for government aid. The Treasury Department will need congressional approval for the second $350 billion installment of bailout money. Obama spoke about the economy on Thursday.

President-elect Obama: "We should have an open and honest discussion about this recovery plan in the days ahead, but I urge Congress to move as quickly as possible on behalf of the American people. For every day we wait or point fingers or drag our feet, more Americans will lose their jobs, more families will lose their savings, more dreams will be deferred and denied, and our nation will sink deeper into a crisis that, at some point, we may not be able to reverse."

A congressional oversight report expected for release today criticizes the Treasury Department's handling of the bailout, faulting what it calls "significant gaps in Treasury's monitoring of the use of taxpayer money."

25 Gitmo Prisoners Force-Fed

At Guantanamo Bay, ten percent of prisoners are now being reportedly forced-fed. The Pentagon says twenty-five of the 250 prisoners are being fed through tubes up their noses.

105 Arrested Protesting Oakland Police Shooting of Unarmed Man

And an update to yesterday's headline on a protest Wednesday in Oakland. At least 105 people were arrested demonstrating against the killing of an unarmed transit passenger by a Bay Area police officer. The officer, Johannes Mehserle, resigned earlier Wednesday before he was to meet with investigators. Cell phone videos show Mehserle pulling out a gun and shooting twenty-two-year-old Oscar Grant in the back while he was lying face down on the ground on a subway platform. Grant worked as a butcher at an Oakland grocery store and was the father of a four-year-old daughter.

Another rally is planned for downtown Grand Rapids to protest Israel's ongoing attacks against Gaza:

Please come express your solidarity with the people of Gaza. Join with groups across the country on this national day of action. Rally and other actions at the Federal Building at 4pm-5pm, bring Palestinian Flags, bullhorns, and signs. Wear your colors: Red, White, Green, Black. Wear your Palestinian scarves & shirts!

Please plan on attending, unity is needed in these troubled times. Free Palestine and end the occupation.

Why: We are rallying for the the brutality and murder of many helpless Palestinian civilians!

Who: Please invite all family and friends to this event. We have to make our voices heard.

Where: Federal Building, 110 Michigan St NW, Grand Rapids, MI

When: 4:00pm

Lest Israel's bombing of schools isn't enough motivation, you might also consider that the US supplies Israel with massive amounts of military aid and that Michigan's own Democratic Senator Carl Levin is heavily supported by the so-called "Israeli Lobby" that supports the current attacks.

Headlines from Democracynow.org, a daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 650 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the US.

Palestinian Toll Passes 700; Around One-Third Children

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes in the southern town of Rafah as Israel intensifies its assault on the Gaza Strip. Palestinians reported dozens of Israeli air strikes overnight, with attacks hitting homes, mosques and tunnels. Earlier today, the UN said Israeli forces fired on one of its relief convoys trying to pick up supplies. Al Jazeera reports at least one Palestinian was killed and two others injured. At least twenty-nine Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks Wednesday, including a family of four traveling in their car in Beit Lahia. The Arabic news channel Al Jazeera reports the Palestinian death toll stands at more than 700 overall, including 219 children. More than 3,000 Palestinians have also been wounded. Ten Israelis have died over the same thirteen-day period, including seven soldiers, four of them by so-called friendly fire.

School Bombing Toll Reaches 46 as Israel Retracts Claim of Militant Fire

Another four Palestinians died Wednesday from injuries sustained in the Israeli bombing of a UN school sheltering Gaza civilians in Jabalya, bringing the death toll to forty-six. Another fifty-five were wounded. UN spokesperson Chris Gunness said Israeli officials have privately retracted their widely cited initial claim that Hamas militants were firing from the school.

UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness: "I've been authorized to say that the Israeli army, in private briefings with diplomats, is admitting that the firing that came out of Jabalya yesterday, the militant fire, was not from within the UNRWA school compound, it was from outside the UNRWA school compound. This is a crucial distinction, because serious allegations have been made against UNRWA that the militants were firing from within. In fact, those allegations are baseless. It, as far as we're concerned, illustrates the need for a full and independent investigation. It's been shown that these allegations against us are completely baseless."

The UN is calling for an independent investigation into the school bombing as a possible war crime.

Red Cross Condemns Israel for Blocking Access to Bombing Site

The International Committee of the Red Cross, meanwhile, has issued a rare condemnation of the Israeli government for blocking it from the site of a deadly bombing of Palestinian civilians. The Red Cross says Israel barred aid workers for four days from reaching victims in the neighborhood of Zeitoun. Israeli soldiers reportedly tried to chase the rescue workers away. When they finally arrived, the workers found fifteen bodies, along with several children still barely alive. The children were lying next to their dead mothers. In a statement, the Red Cross said the Israeli military has "failed to meet its obligation under international humanitarian law to care for and evacuate the wounded," calling the episode "unacceptable." Other sources have reported a higher death toll in the Zeitoun attack. The Daily Telegraph of London reports the bombing could have killed between sixty to seventy members of the same family.

Lebanese Militants Fire at Northern Israel

Meanwhile, militants in southern Lebanon have opened fire on Israel, with three rockets hitting the northern town of Nahariya earlier today. Israel responded with mortar fire into Lebanon. No one has claimed responsibility for the firing from Lebanon.

Fighting Suspended for 3-Hour Aid Delivery

Aid workers were given a three-hour halt to the fighting Wednesday to try to deliver desperately needed supplies. But European Commission official Simon Horner said the brief lull doesn't even meet the bare requirement for delivering aid.

Scott Horner: "Yes, three hours is a bit of a help, but it's really not even the bare minimum. It's just a slight assistance that allows inhabitants of Gaza to get out to reach supplies where they're available inside the Strip, but an awful lot more needs to be done. And ultimately, of course, what we want is a sustained ceasefire, followed up hopefully by a political solution, in order to ensure that the humanitarian needs are addressed as quickly as possible."

The UN says more than one million Gazans are without electricity or running water.

EU Backs Egyptian Ceasefire Proposal

Israel has continued the Gaza assault despite claiming it's in "fundamental agreement" with an Egyptian and French ceasefire proposal. The plan calls for an end to the fighting, followed by talks on lifting the economic blockade of Gaza and securing its borders. Israeli officials are expected to travel to Egypt today.

European Union policy chief Javier Solana: "The initiative of President Mubarak, we welcome it and we support it. We were working with him last night and had been well received by Prime Minister Olmert, by leaders of the region, and I hope very much that that will be the stone upon which we can construct a ceasefire that I hope will be coming very soon."

UN General Assembly to Meet on Gaza Attack

Meanwhile, the United Nations General Assembly will begin a two-day emergency session today over the Gaza attack. General Assembly president and former Nicaraguan foreign minister Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann called the session in response to his reported opposition to the US refusal to authorize a Security Council-backed ceasefire.

Palestinian, Israeli Protesters Condemn Attack on Gaza

Protests continue against the Gaza attack. On Wednesday, more than 1,000 Palestinians gathered in the West Bank city of Hebron. And in Israel, hundreds of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv.

Israeli protester: "I came to protest against what my government is doing in Gaza: killing civilians, children, women, that are stranded in their houses with nowhere to go, with no fuel, no electricity, no water. This is absolutely violation of human rights."

Jewish Canadian Women Occupy Toronto Israeli Consulate

Meanwhile, in Canada, a group of eight Jewish women were arrested Thursday after staging a sit-in at the Israeli consulate in Toronto. The women were handcuffed, arrested and detained in a police wagon before they were released. The group included the Canadian journalist and activist Judy Rebick. A spokesperson said, "Israel purports to represent all Jews worldwide, and these atrocities are not being committed in our name."

Senate Dems Reverse Opposition to Burris

On Capitol Hill, Democratic leaders appear to have reversed their opposition to allowing Roland Burris to claim President-elect Obama's vacated Senate seat. Burris was appointed by the scandal-plagued Governor Rod Blagojevich, who has been indicted on corruption charges. Democratic lawmakers met Burris Wednesday, one day after blocking his swearing-in on the Senate floor. Burris said he expects to take office.

Roland Burris: "So I'm very pleased this afternoon. I'm happy. My whole interest in this experience has been to be prepared, Roland, to represent my great state. And that is my love, that is my desire, and, very shortly, I will have the opportunity to do that as a junior senator from the fifth largest state in this great country of ours."

Burris is the former Illinois Attorney General. If he is allowed to serve, he would be the only African American in the Senate.

Bush Hosts Obama, Ex-Presidents at White House

Meanwhile, at the White House, President Bush hosted President-elect Barack Obama and three other living US presidents for a rare meeting. Standing next to Bush, his father President George H.W. Bush, President Bill Clinton and President Jimmy Carter, Obama thanked Bush for the gathering.

President-elect Obama: "I just want to thank the President for hosting us. This is an extraordinary gathering. All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office. And for me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary, and I'm very grateful to all of them."

The five then held a private White House lunch, but no details were revealed on their discussion. President Jimmy Carter has been a vocal critic of the Bush administration, calling President Bush "the worst president in history" on foreign policy.

Officer in Oakland Transit Shooting Resigns; 15 Protesters Arrested

And in California, the police officer involved in a New Year's Day shooting of an unarmed transit passenger has resigned. Officer Johannes Mehserle stepped down just before he was set to be interviewed by investigators. Cell phone videos show Officer Mehserle pulling out a gun and shooting twenty-two-year-old Oscar Grant in the back while he was lying face down on the ground on a subway platform. Grant worked as a butcher at an Oakland grocery store and was the father of a four-year-old daughter. He was buried on Wednesday. Fifteen people were arrested in Oakland Wednesday night after hundreds turned out to protest Grant's killing.

We went down yesterday morning to the scheduled National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) trial over the firing of a member of the Starbucks Workers Union at the East Grand Rapids Starbucks to find that the company settled instead of going to trial.

Here's the statement that was read to the media by the Union:

Faced with the prospect of losing another trial in front of the National Labor Relations Board the Regional Director has agreed to let Starbucks settle the charges against them and forego the trial that was to begin today. The union is upset that the Board is agreeing to accept another Starbucks settlement in Grand Rapids instead of holding them accountable in open court. If this most recent settlement is approved it will be 3rd one allowed by the board in Grand Rapids. With the signing of each settlement Starbucks has said they would end their anti-union intimidation and each time it has continued unabated. We can be sure it will continue which is why union membership is so vital.

Had the trial gone on here today in Grand Rapids we would have detailed the same type of union busting activity that Starbucks was found guilty of a couple weeks ago in New York. Internal communications would have been admitted into evidence showing upper management discussions about union organizing in Grand Rapids and speculation about barista's union sympathies. The same type of surveillance and monitoring that was going on in New York. Also, Starbucks selectively enforced the attendance policy, scheduled baristas based on their union sympathies, and gave me less in raises because of my union affiliation. Based on the evidence that would have been presented its unbelievable that Howard Schultz doesn't have knowledge of the huge anti-union operation in place at Starbucks. Its possible hes directing the whole operation.

On July 5th of last year there was a Global Day of Action against Starbucks called by the Grand Rapids Starbucks Workers Union and the Seville (Spain) CNT. The Day of Action was called after Monica was fired from a Starbucks in Seville and I was fired here in Grand Rapids. Over 200 Starbucks were picketed in over 80 cities in 20 countries. We have a message from the CNT with an update of Monica's situation.

"In Sevilla (Spain), the CNT has forced Starbucks to recognise the unfairness of the dissmissal of our organizer Monica. The company compensated the worker with a severance of 45 days per year as the Spanish labor laws mandates. After the global day of action, groups of workers have gotten in touch with CNT in order to join the union and organize within Starbucks. From the Local Federation of Sevilla of CNT we send our greetings to Cole Dorsey and other members of the SWU. The CNT and the IWA will respond to all the international calls for solidarity against Starbucks or other multinational coporations. We will not allow the anti-union policy of such corporations."

There is still a MIOSHA determination that has to be resolved. MIOSHA also concluded that Starbucks wrongfully terminated me. A date will be set for a trial on those charges so we may still get our day in court.

The important lesson of this process has been how important my union membership is. Had I not been a union member and Starbucks illegally fired me I would have just been fired. I happily pay my union dues every month because I know the power I have as a union member can't be produced on my own. The strength of solidarity that we have in the Starbucks Workers Union has produced positive results in every city that Starbucks has discriminated against IWW members. That is why virtually every day baristas join the Starbucks Workers Union. As Starbucks cuts labor hours for baristas nationally the only way we can combat the growing assault on our jobs is the collective direct action through the union. The economy is sinking because of corporate wrongdoing and the only way we will stop the trend and reverse the tide is through our solidarity on the job.

We have another union victory and there will be many more in the future!

by D. John Lee, Ph.D., Originally published in November 2007, Updated in November of 2008

Formally or anthropologically speaking, my cultural background is best described as "Canadian Chinese." The dominant language in Canada when I was being raised was British English. I grew up hearing, speaking, and learning to communicate in the Queen's English. I also grew up participating in and being formed by many "Canadian" cultural events: hockey, entertainment, media, etc. At the same time, my "Chinese Canadian" father and "Canadian Chinese" mother determined that my brother and I would eat rice everyday and regularly visit our Cantonese Chinese speaking relatives. So, my cultural background is a mixture of Canadian and Chinese norms and traditions. I am referred to by some Chinese as a "corrupted Chinese" (English translation) because I cannot speak Chinese. That is, if I was to run for political office, many "Asians" would criticize me as not being "Asian enough" because of my cultural background (i.e. English is my 1st language, not Chinese or some other "Asian" language). These critics would be confusing my cultural background with how I am racially identified. They would be assuming that if I am racially identified as "Asian" I should have been primarily raised in and/or currently participating in some "Asian" culture. (Note that making this assumption is an example of racial stereotyping: i.e. assuming that a person's phenotype (race) is indicative of his or her's culture: i..e. "You are Asian, therefore you must practice the martial arts.")

Racially speaking, I am identified as an "Asian" by the "white" majority. The "white" majority doesn't know, nor do they care, that there are several hundred cultures subsumed under their racial label of "Asian" (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, etc.). The "white" majority is so firmly racialized that they have a difficult time separating their racial identification from their cultural traditions. For example, most "white" American Christians think of their Christianity as being "white" when in fact Jesus Christ never identified himself as "white" and there are more non-white Christians in the world than there are "white" Christians. David Duke, a white KKK racist and presidential candidate several years ago, complained that Kwanza could be celebrated in public schools but Christmas could not, implying that Christianity was the "white" race's religion. Within the "white" racial category are several cultures and ethnicities (e.g. British, Irish, French, German, Dutch, Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Republican, Democrat, Texan, New Yorker, etc.), but as Europeans became "Americanized" they also became "racialized" and thought of themselves racially instead of culturally. The racialization of Americans has become so lodged in the minds of Americans that "American" culture (e.g. individualism, capitalism, fast food, etc.) has become synonymous with "white" so that we have to qualify "American" with racial identifiers: e.g. African American, Asian American, Native American, etc.

The majority of the "black" community is so firmly racialized that they too have a difficult time separating their racial identification from their cultural traditions. (The cultures among Africans brought to America were systematically dismantled when they were shackled on the European slave boats.) Most "blacks" will acknowledge that there are cultural differences among "blacks" (e.g. North vs. South, rural vs. urban, middle class vs. working class, African vs. Caribbean, etc.). However, some will argue that all "blacks" share a culture that is characterized by its own language, food, music, art, dress, etc. These folk are confusing culture with the shared experience of being racialized and having to deal with racial oppression. That is, even though a "black" person may not speak Ebonics, dislike BBQ, and prefer classical over rap music, s/he has a bond with other "black" people because of their shared struggle of enduring racism. Certainly there is a culture in American made up of primarily (not all) people who are identified as "black." This culture is referred to as "Black" (and sometimes as "African American") but it is a culture not a race. Dark skin tone does not determine one's culture (e.g. not all blacks trace their cultural heritage to Africa) and not all members of the "Black or African American" culture have dark skin (e.g. light-skinned Hispanics, Asians or whites raised in urban Detroit).

Barack Obama is racially identified as "black": he "looks" more black than white and most Americans do not use the "multiracial" term. But, because Barack's cultural background is Hawaiian and Indonesian he is being criticized for not being "black enough." What is this all about? If Barack is not intimately familiar with Black English or Ebonics, BBQ, hip-hop, etc., then he is not "black enough." These critics are confusing Obama's cultural background with how he is racially identified. If Barack racially identifies himself as "black" he has to be prepared to demonstrate some knowledge of "Black" culture in America.

I know this gets confusing but making the separation between culture and race really does sort out who Barack is and why he is being criticized for not being "black enough." It will also predict and make sense of how he will posture himself in a multicultural but racialized electorate as he seeks the U.S. presidency. Obama has to be careful if and when he identifies himself as "African American" because (even though his biological father is African) it is not "black" (see NOTE below). Barack cannot afford to racially identify himself as "biracial" or "multiracial" because it would alienate some blacks who would see this identification as a statement that he does not take racism seriously. (Tiger Woods is "black" to most people even though he racially identifies as "Caublasian" which is his mixed-race term. The black community has distanced themselves from Tiger because of his multiracial identification and being married to a "white" woman. In my experience, Tiger rarely comments on or is rarely called upon to advocate for racial justice.) I predict that Barack will self-identify as "black" for primarily political reasons. The most important issues for me will not be how Barack identifies himself or is identified, but what he has done and will do in the areas of foreign policy (war), civil rights, and the ongoing racial/class injustice in the world.

NOTE: The term "Black" was born out of the mid-20th century American civil rights movement as a political statement against "whites" who had given Blacks racist names like "Negroes" and "Coloreds." "Black" identification was a political statement; people who identified as black were demanding racial justice and civil rights. "Black" was beautiful. "Black" was not inferior or sub-human. "Black Power" was a socio-political movement aimed at overturning "white" power. "Black" is not just a label. "White" is not just a label. In our racialized society, the construction of race impacts almost every aspect of our lives. Knowing how and why "race" is constructed (i.e. deconstructing race) is part of the process of healing and dismantling racism. Unfortunately, most anti-racists and social activists in America (scholars included) continue to racialize themselves in an attempt to confront racism. That is, they use the construction of race without discernment: i.e. knowing how and when the construction contributes to the continued racialization and racism within our minds and society. Using the words of the oppressor is needed to communicate with one another. But, the oppressor's words need not continue to frame the discussion or define anti-racist action. This is not an argument against Affirmative Action or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Racial counting or demographics by the U.S. Census is still necessary in order to monitor compliance with Civil Rights legislation. Educators and religious leaders have failed when the majority of the American populace still believes that "race" is a biological and cultural reality rather than a social-political construction. The U.S. government's (i.e. Census Bureau and EEOC) use of racial categories sustains racialized thinking but is also necessary in the dismantling of racism. Some people use "Black" as an ancestral term making reference to the descendants of West African slaves who live in the United States. Determining who is and who is not a descendant of African slaves is extremely problematic. Birth records of slaves are sketchy at best and using "blood lines" for racial membership only adds fuel to the biological myth of race and racial purity.

Postscript - November 2008

Using racialized terminology to label people will continue until there is a significant degree of racial equity in the United States. The election of a President who identifies and is identified as "black" is a significant but still a small step towards racial justice. Unfortunately, because the U.S. is so firmly segregated by race and class, only a small number of people recognize or experience the continued effects of institutionalized racism (e.g. public school funding and real estate steering).

The Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy (GRIID) is offering another one of its popular classes. This winter, GRIID will conduct the following class:

Media & Propaganda in the US

This new six-week GRIID class will examine the role of media and Propaganda in the US over the past 100 years. We will look at the origins and function of the public relations industry, the role of corporate media, a case study of government propaganda and news coverage of the US occupation of Iraq and the role that Hollywood and other popular media plays in government. We will also discuss ways to critically read/watch news and even have participants do a mini investigation of local and national media.

There are no books for this class, but we will be using some essays, articles, documentaries and news media for the class text. Classes will be Monday nights from 7-9pm at 1134 Wealthy SE, in the same building as the Bloom Collective.

Class cost is $20 and begins on Monday, January 26. For more information contact Jeff Smith jsmith@mediamouse.org or Mike Saunders outobol@gmail.com

The Grand Rapids Starbucks Workers Union is circulating the following announcement about an important trial regarding the firing of a Starbucks Union organizer here in Grand Rapids:

AFTER A CRUSHING DEFEAT IN NEW YORK WATCH STARBUCKS ATTEMPT TO DODGE CHARGES IN GRAND RAPIDS!

PACK THE COURTROOM FOR BARISTA RIGHTS!

What:

A trial against Starbucks at the National Labor Relations Board over the wrongful termination of an IWW barista. The proceedings are open to the public.

Who:

Starbucks baristas, supporters from the IWW, the community, and Starbucks management officials.

The IWW Starbucks Workers Union will be represented by attorney Rodger Webb of Webb, Englehardt, and Fernandes.

Starbucks will be represented by David Khorey and Kelly Stoppels of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt, and Howlett.

The NLRB attorney on the case is Brad Howell. Why:

Starbucks' is preparing to fight its second trial against Unfair Labor Practices. Last week, in an 88 page decision, an administrative law judge found, among other things, that Starbucks maintained multiple policies which interfered with workers' right to communicate about the union and about working conditions; terminated three workers in retaliation for union activity; and repeatedly discriminated against union supporters.

After an investigation triggered by charges from the IWW in Grand Rapids, the Labor Board hit Starbucks with a complaint alleging the illegal termination of an employee for union activity.The barista firing at issue in the case resulted in solidarity actions from around the world. Now Starbucks will have to answer for its illegal acts in open court, again!

Despite the fierce anti-union campaign by the world's largest fast-food coffee outlet, baristas around the country continue to join the IWW Starbucks Workers Union to pressure the company on issues of concern including insecure work hours, poverty wages, and unaffordable health care.

Background on the complaint for which Starbucks will stand trial: "Starbucks faces another NLRB complaint", by Lauren Shepherd for the Associated Press, available online

When: Starting Wednesday, January 7th at 10amThursday, January 8th 10am(possibly) Friday, January 9th 10am

Where: NLRB Region 7 at the Federal Building. David L. Basso Hearing Room, 82 Ionia 3rd Floor in Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Press Conference 930am January 7th in front of 82 Ionia

Pornography is one of those issues that either becomes framed as a matter of free speech or morality. Those who oppose it often are labeled as anti-sex feminists. However, there are new voices and new perspectives that are trying to draw attention to the violence in both the production and consumption of pornography.

In a new documentary The Price of Pleasure: Pornography, Sexuality and Relationships, the directors provide a fresh look at an industry that now has an estimated 420 million websites, produces 13,000 new DVDs every year, and is completely intertwined with mainstream media. The Price of Pleasure does not necessarily draw strong conclusions, but it does raise important questions about the pornography industry and what impact it is having in the US.

The documentary begins with a look at how pornography went from being a marginal business that tended to be viewed with scorn to a multi-billion dollar industry that boasts its own lobby. The porn lobby, known as the Free Speech Coalition, challenged legal rulings and some significant cases in the 1990s, particularly cases that paved the way for the power that the Internet would provide the industry as a mechanism for distribution. Now pornography is part of the capitalist landscape with media companies like Time Warner and NewsCorp profiting off partnerships with the porn industry.

Other issues raised in the documentary are how pornography makes commodities out of women & men, the racist elements of pornography, and new trends in pornography, such as "Dorm porn." Dorm porn is a growing phenomenon where college students are making porn as a way of paying for tuition.

One of the most revealing aspects of the documentary was a study done by students and faculty of the New School, where they looked at the most popular porn videos to make some determinations about the content. Pornography defenders have long argued that anti-porn activists always use the "worst" porn examples and make it look like this is all porn. However, as Robert Jensen and Gail Dines have shown in their research, the bulk of porn produced now is what might have been called "extreme" years ago. This is exactly what the researchers from the New School discovered, that the most popular porn videos that were being rented in the US had extreme content. The researchers found that in 89% of the videos they viewed, verbal and physical violence was central to the production.

The documentary includes voices from those in the porn industry, former porn industry workers, researchers, and activists. It is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to understand what the industry is and what impact it can have on our lives.

You can view the trailer online and come to a public screening this Wednesday, January 7 at the Micro-Cinema in the Wealthy Theatre at 7pm.