RIP Chicano Cultural Icon Esteban Jordan

No Rules: The Life & Music of Esteban 'Steve' Jordan from NPR's Latino USA on Vimeo.

Personal Responsibility and Health

"People have a personal responsibility to take care of themselves and their health. But it isn’t right when things outside our control—like where we’re born or how much money we make—affect our health. In the entire city of Detroit—an area of nearly 150 square miles—there are dozens of “convenience stores” but only five grocery stores. An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but you have to be able to buy an apple. And it isn’t easy to get exercise if you have to work three jobs just to get by, or if you can’t easily get affordable day care for your kids. We’re not just talking about the rich versus the poor. On Average, middle class Americans live shorter lives than those who are wealthy, and that’s not right. Money can’t buy happiness, and it shouldn’t buy health. We have to take responsibility for our lives and decisions. But all Americans should have an equal opportunity to make the decisions that allow them to live a long, healthy life, regardless of their level of income, education, or ethnicity."

Social Justice is Good for Our Hearts

In many ways social justice is good for our hearts. What is great is having some science to support what many people know. That being treated poorly creates poor health. Whether it is the greedy concentration of resources in the hands of a few, or the exclusion of sexism, racism, classism, etc.

So read Social Justice is Good for Our Hearts and give some feedback!

Healthy Urban Planning

As New Mexico becomes more urbanized it will have to meet the challenge of growing while still supporting traditional communities. Part of this will be to keep from using up all of the water for cities. While there is plenty of space for growth - there is not enough water for all the growth some want.

Taking this water away from rural communities will reduce the health of those communities and also eliminating part of the economic base. Thus forcing people to the cities - or usually Albuquerque. Reducing the space and water use of Albuquerque is a key for many other things. Maybe the Portland 20 Minute Neighborhood is a good model. What do you think?

Economic Impact of Racial Inequalities

Because we can't just seem to do things because they are the right things to do we need to add economic analysis. Racism costs - go figure!

Too bad

The Albuquerque City Council passed an opportunity to minimize relations with Arizona.

We'll see what it does with the Mayor's proposal to get police more involved with immigration work. There sure is a great deal of work to be done.

Immigration Reform 5/12/10

If we want real comprehensive immigration reform we'd have to deal with:

Repealing NAFTA;

Closing down employers who hire people illegally;

Promoting that other countries enforce strong labor standards and protections;

Deal with universal medical and social services;

Eliminate exemptions for minimum wage in farm work and domestic services;

Ensure a living wage;

Create a rational pathway for citizenship;

and deal with racism in a very real way as a country!