The Pillowman

Public Charge

“It’s hard not to feel like we are turning our backs’ on our own history

If these people are willing to risk their lives

to travel 3,000 miles

and apply for asylum at our borders, we owe it to them to at least look over their application

because at some point

someone

was willing to look at ours.”

That was Hasan Minhaj’s closing of his Netflix show “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj” Sunday’s episode ”Immigration Enforcement”.  This past Thursday’s holiday of Thanksgiving Day is split by US citizens (natural-born and otherwise) as while it is important to be thankful, it’s also important to note how people came to be in the US and what they did once they arrived. Christopher Columbus’s arrival and the first Thanksgiving is not how it is portrayed to and by children, every year and many have grown to understand the importance for not pretending atrocities of generations past did not occur. Until next week, Tuesday, December 4th, you may make your thoughts, comments, appeals, data contributions and anything else about the amendments to public charge established in May 1999.  The two main parts of the changes are (1) that new immigrants (temporary or permanent) must prove that they will not become a public charge while residing in the US, and (2) any immigrants currently in the US who want or need to change their status or duration of stay will need to show similar proof in order to stay in the US.

My question is why, currently there are programs that immigrants may and may not use and regulations about when certain services may become available to them. Making them stricter or creating a fear as illustrated in the second part of the change doesn’t create a larger problem for current immigrants that already go without, but it will create a problem for the rest of the US population. Lessening the services of food stamps and healthcare access when they are already vulnerable will allow any small issue to become a greater threat. Health and wealth are compounding issues, primary care is preventive care and a few extra dollars to start up and get you settled after a traumatic escape, journey and experience can make all the difference for decades to come. Following the events of this weekend with the beginning of asylum seekers from Honduras, running from the gangs and violence this country stands against makes this even more important and defining. Please understand, they just want what we want. To live, for their children to live and have the best chance of a happy life.

Earlier this year, the Miami Herald spoke to a woman who resides in Florida but whose mother lives in Cuba. Her mother, a 70-year-old woman, doesn’t want to live in the US but uses the Visa to visit her daughter and grandchildren. As her Visa was set to expire she reapplied—but was denied, not only unable to get a new Visa but the six months she had to remain on her current Visa before it expired were then cancelled. There is no reason for this, people who speak, act, look, eat and just are different from you are not out to get you. I know it’s long and a lot to read, but please read thru what you can and share your opinion with our Department of Homeland Security (per a few specific instructions) about the changes overall or to amendments that you believe is what is best.

Public Charge Comment Section and Amendment Changes 

Ron Weasley

Ron Weasley is the cliche of cliches. He was the hero’s best friend, the one who (eventually) got the girl and who glowed up  from being a dumb bloke to a great man.

I don’t know if it was his early treatment of Hermione or seeing a bit off ass hat in him when I got older and re-read, but I’m not the biggest fan of Ron. But it might also just be that in comparison to other characters (Hermione’s love of knowledge, Harry’s home life, Neville’s bullying and Luna’s eccentricity) that I’m just missing that connection that I have with other characters. While over time I always felt that Ron was a good match for Hermione, and he would usually be with Harry through thick and thin, even when they’re going after a bunch of spiders but regardless, Ron always stood by Harry. After the first few weeks of school, let’s be honest, the cool factor of Harry Potter had settled (until he killed a Professor, rescued Ginny, was the youngest seeker in century, etc, etc.)Ron had his siblings and less drama, and could’ve had other friends but that first gesture by Harry and the kindness of Ron’s mother brought them together and Ron wouldn’t leave him behind, they had a real friendship. But even when he stood by Harry, he more stood by his truth. showing that you could do both, and that the true support of someone is being there for them, even if you don’t agree with them (within limits, obviously)

While there is a lot we saw of Ron, what we saw the most of and was his most important attribute, as how much he grew; he grew not just into a hero but also into a great person, a wonderful and exemplary human being. many readers have pointed out that Ron had similar viewpoints to Malfoy, he even momentarily got afraid and thought differently of Hagrid when he discovered he was half giant.  It’s important to know that even the classic mean girls or bullies aren’t the only ones who can have bad opinions or beliefs, people are shades of grey. But eventually, people can understand that there isn’t a difference of blood status or between creatures as their aren’t differences between races, genders, orientation; not to bypass, this change was also extremely important for Hermione. 

Along with understanding that the good, funny, charming best pal can be a bit of shit face and how people can change, Ron also matured a lot over the series, and became more comfortable with himself. With most growths there wasn’t a makeover or relationship that changed Ron, but overtime and with the help of his friends he became less jealous and more confident in who he was and that he wasn’t second class to his family or friends. This was important for us, for us to grow with Ron in ways we didn’t grow with Harry or Hermione. We grew with him, more than anyone else.

Dementors

"Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope and happiness out of the air around them....get too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory, will be sucked out of you...you'll be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life.’

It is with our introduction to Dementors that we really feel inside JK Rowling, even for those who dealt with depression, the aspect of it being temporary and out of ones control made the connection difficult--but is becoming more accepted overtime. While some stories show us new worlds, and other stories draw connections from different worlds to our own, others open our eyes to living a better life and all the different ways stories and books and conversations, sometimes we read to find ourselves as we look for ourselves in others. This is one of the best examples, of how JK connected us and brought us forward within ourselves as those right next to us. Her ability to openly and honestly portray pain, loneliness and loss are some of the most crucial elements that people needed to feel connected with in order to survive.

"You do care" said Dumbledore "You care so much you feel as though you will bleed to death with the pain of it"--and we did, we have survived

FINALLY!!!

AMC Picks Up BBC Drama ‘The War Of The Worlds’

AMC’s ad-free service AMC Premiere has acquired BBC One’s HG Wells adaptation The War Of The Worlds, toplined by Rafe Spall, Eleanor Tomlinson and Robert Carlyle.

Argo, Catch me if you can, Milk?

All stories, even documentaries, are subjected to interpretation and a point of view. We choose to dig deeper into a character, see past some flaws or ignore particular qualities because we all come from different perspectives that have been building over our entire lives. The ‘world of Hollywood’ is about dramatization, intrigue and even stories that are unbelievable all on their own get tweaked to be shown on the big screen not only because of time constraints or believability but because otherwise they’d be too hard to follow in the short run. 

While these stories based of true events should promote the idea that it is not 100% accurate, that shouldn’t give these film the license to completely discard the truth because for the stories that are based on actual events, their overall strength comes with their ability to inspire either by the actions that occur during the story and to not translate the truth would not only due a deserve to the real events and the viewers and the films potential, but also to the world that comes after this films release that could have been inspired. (shit sentence i know, I’m tired). Overall my point is that these and other stories while being entertaining and mostly meant to be entertaining and may not be accurate or may put a rosier picture on some truly horrible events or circumstances, if you feel inspired whether out of rage over an injustice or happiness by someone’s success--go with it, change the world, fight for a better society, better world, deeper understanding even in a small scope. Just dig deeper

Charles Minor

Charles’ Best Moment: Season Five, Episode Twenty-Four: Heavy Competition

When he calls Dwight into a private meeting because he see’s Dwight as a good performer and wants to make sure he’s happy, and gives Dwight more responsibility.

Charles’ Worst Moment: Season Five, Episode Twenty-Five: Broke

When he lets him embarrassment and annoyance with Dwight make him not listen to Dwight or question more that the Michael Scott Paper Company is broke.

Charles’ Best Line: Season Five, Episode Twenty-Eight: Company Picnic

When he says to Jim "Must be nice to get a rest from all your rest”

Charles’ Most Memorable Moment: Season Five, Episode Twenty-One: Two Weeks

“I am aware of the effect I have on women”

Vereniging Openbare Bibiotheken en meer

Outside of Amsterdamn, the Netherlands are a wonderful place to live. As one person writes, there is a lot of diversity creating a space of different languages and environments, but while there is a separation between true locals as those who don’t fully integrate (i.e. Learn Dutch) there is still an openness and friendly culture. Even while striving for the achieved academic, educational and intellectual excellence, there is also a note that it is not forced (1).

Focused on overall growth, personal acceptance and diversity the School 7 library in Den Helder won the International Federation of Library Assocation’s best library...in the world (2)

But there is still more. Throughout the country there are various specialized libraries (libraries focused on new immigrants, feminism, Jewish and African cultures) and a focus by the VOB (their library assocation Vereniging Openbare Bibiotheken) that encourage residents to ask for help with legal and business needs, how you can use the resources for advocacy and how proud they are that approxiamtely 50% of their users are under the age of 18 (3)

(1) https://wanderwisdom.com/travel-destinations/Pros-and-cons-about-living-in-Holland-from-an-Americans-perspective

(2) https://www.frameweb.com/news/school-7-library-netherlands-van-veen-mars

(3)http://www.debibliotheken.nl/

Our Shared Universe: Human Experience

What is truly beautiful and most show by JK Rowlings’ Harry Potter series, but also by many other books (Sakura and the 1,000 paper cranes and the new book-to-movie adaption To all the boys I’ve loved before, is that while our cultures are different, part of us are all the same. WE ARE ALL HUMAN. While some believe in the human being split and others believe in the red string; most of us all have similarities with those very different from ourselves and even if we cannot meet these people face to face, we meet them in the stories that reflect ours, but are just slightly different.  

At the entrance to the Peace Park people filed through the memorial building in silence. On the walls were photographs of the dead and dying in a ruined city. The atom bomb—the Thunderbolt—had turned Hiroshima into a desert. Sadako didn’t want to look at the frightening pictures. She held tight to Chizuko’s hand and walked quickly through the building. -- Sakura and the 1,000 paper cranes 

Is this not how the US currently deals with September 11th, there is respect, there is honor, there is fear and confusion. 

Oooooo THE HORROR

This week is apparently Banned Books Weeks and this year, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (pretty much the point of books in MY opinion) released the top 11 books so far calculated as the most banned in 2018. (1) (2)

George by Alex Gino*

A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller*

Captain Underpants series, written and illustrated by Dan Pilkey*

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Drama, written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier*

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

Skippyjon Jones series, written and illustrated by Judy Schachner

The Absolutely True diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten*

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan*

It’s important to note that six of the eleven books (asterisked above) were challenged or banned because of LGBTQIA+ content. As books are meant to open your mind and bring you connection, the hateful reasons behind banning books remind us why PRIDE and representation are so important. This is especially true when looking at the statistics from the Trevor Project, that have found that LGB youth contemplate suicide 3x the rate of heterosexual youth and are 5x as likely to attempt. (3)

Going more off the serious side I cannot understand how a same-sex couple was the only reason listed as people’s issue with Captain Underpants. Seriously? I always thought they were stupid so I stopped trying to read them after a few but with everything else I remember finding (now the word I would use) distasteful, it was not any non-heterosexual relationships. What complete horsecrap.

(1)    https://bannedbooksweek.org/11-challenged-and-banned-books/

(2)    https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/22/us/banned-books-week-2019-trnd/index.html

(3)    https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/preventing-suicide/facts-about-suicide/