New Haven Independent

Posted by: cedarhillresident | October 9, 2008 9:05 AM

Wow Barbara! I heard you speak at the meeting the other night and I was totally thrown off. Not like you at all what changed your mind????

http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/25644

Posted by: True New Havener | October 9, 2008 10:00 AM

Barbara,

What your words expressed to me is that you are a thinking and compassionate person. You are able to see the world not only through your own eyes but through the eyes of others.

To stand up against injustice anywhere is to reduce the threat everywhere.

Stand tall. I have little doubt some will now reach out to call you names. But you stood up for the disenfranchised and given your history, that does not surprise me.

Godspeed.

Posted by: Josh Smith | October 9, 2008 10:12 AM

Barbara, thank you for standing up and supporting the Resident Card. That's exactly the attitude we all need to have going forward. After all, if a significant percentage of our residents are illegal immigrants, and the government makes them leave, who's going to move in to replace them? Who's going to continue to support the local businesses in Fair Haven and the surrounding area? You hit the nail right on the head when you spoke about doing what is right for the community as a whole.

Also, another important point I'd like to bring up in support of the Resident Card is that we let visitors to New Haven (non-residents) have access to our hospitals, police, and fire departments. Thousands of visitors to this city use our resources without paying anything in taxes to this city, save for sales tax, and I don't think that goes to the city -- should we also deny them access to vital services when an emergency occurs? No, of course not. Resources are strained, but we don't deny anyone access to city services simply because they don't pay property taxes here. Why should it be different for illegal immigrants? Some of these immigrants spend much more money over the course of their years here than the casual visitor to New Haven, and both of those groups of people are using our services every day, including police, fire, hospitals, and the library.

Posted by: Fonseca | October 9, 2008 12:02 PM

Mrs. Fair,

I heard you speak Tuesday night and thought how wonderful it was that you as a leader in your community were no longer subscribing to the black versus brown paradox. Your remarks were thoughtful and certainly productive in regards to creating an environment where all people are valued. We need more African-Americans and Latinos to acknowledge their parallel challenges and organize themselves as a force rather than as threat against each others meager resources. With the economic crisis growing, why fight over the same crumbs. All people deserve more.

"We cannot replace humanity with patriotism"

M. Fonseca

Posted by: Alphonse Credenza | October 9, 2008 12:30 PM

The lady may be compassionate, but she is simply incorrect. The ID does not bring a community together, but helps to divide it.

Illegal immigrants flout the law, while who are here lawfully must obey it. Why do you not instead support those immigrants who respect the law of our land?

To the editor:

This article is as "editorial" as it gets.

"Meanwhile, a white suburban-led group, the Community Watchdog Project, has enlisted a handful of African-American New Haveners to portray the city's immigrant-friendly policies as benefiting Latinos at the expense of blacks."

Why don't you write it without so much obvious bias?

How about -- "The Community Watchdog Project claims the city's illegal immigrant-friendly policies benefit illegal Latino immigrants at the expense of blacks who are here entirely legally."

This is rubber journalism -- every possible story that bounces into your court, you take all the way to the basket. Foul!

Posted by: Exiled Italian Shill | October 9, 2008 12:34 PM

Sounds like somebody is running for something?

Posted by: FacChek | October 9, 2008 1:07 PM

In as much as Id cards is concerned, according to The Federal "Real ID act of 2005", enforceable by 2009, the ID program in New Haven is NOT illegal.

On the other hand:

What is illegal is the non compliance by employers of the Federal Homeland security act, regarding the employment I-9 forms, which states in part----------------
"Employees must complete I-9 forms within three days of hiring.

The employer must examine and record documentation that proves the employee's identity and employment eligibility. The legal threshold for examining these documents is that the documents must appear to be genuine and relate to the employee. This means that employers are not liable if employees present them with false documents, as long as the employers are -- and remain -- unaware of the fraud".

It is in this area that illegal immigration is being fostered in New Haven and elsewhere.

Posted by: Deuce | October 9, 2008 1:14 PM

How about encouraging illegals to become legal? Couldn't they be directed through the proper process?

Posted by: Edie | October 9, 2008 2:31 PM

Compassion is fine as long as it does not put an unecessary hardship on individuals whom it should not (namely the taxpayer). It is a noble concept to want to help others, but at what cost to others. We are in a economic crisis right now and taxpayers whose families have lived here for 30 years or more and have contributed greatly to the funds that are being used by illegal immigrants are themselves being affected negatively by the presence of illegal immigrants. I can feel sorry for them, without allowing them to destroy my quality of life.

Posted by: Josh Smith | October 9, 2008 3:16 PM

They could be directed through the proper processes, but apparently, that's not one of the "goals" of the CWP. One has to ask why this is -- if their true goal was to get illegals out of this country, that would surely be the easiest way to do it. After all illegal immigrants were naturalized, none would remain. :)

Forget that group, maybe someone should start the Community Citizenship Project (CCP), which guides illegal immigrants through the process of obtaining legal citizenship and sees it through until naturalization occurs. That would be a million times better of a way to end illegal immigrants being here, as they wouldn't be here illegally anymore. No one winds up being shipped away to other countries, and everyone would be able to legally access city services, which is a better solution for everyone. Plus, we wouldn't have to empty out the Treasury again (like we did with the $700 billion bailout bill) to ship everyone home.

By the way, the ID cards aren't seeing a dime of public taxpayers' funds, as is so commonly portrayed by opponents of the program. The ID Card project is fully privately-funded through contributions from foundations.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | October 9, 2008 4:16 PM

I am for the ID card. And most know that.

But again I to heard the speech, it was killing her. I hardly ever agree with barbara but one thing she is, is a strong woman that stands by her convictions, even with at the most part persecution for those ideas! So I always admired that part of her. My guess is that she got what she wanted the box gone on applications. And I am sure her boys will now be applying for jobs in the city. BRAVO barb great job.
So we can share the news with the community at large that you support the ID card. Great news!!

Posted by: For Real | October 9, 2008 5:56 PM

CedarHill:

You seem to imply that Barbara's motives were less than pure. Anyone who knows Barbara can vouch for her integrity and uncompromising stance on issues of justice. Perhaps she, like the rest of us, has come to realize that the ID card is about advancing a progressive agenda, and that hate groups like the Community Watchdog Project care as little about black folks as they do about immigrants. The CWP has been shamelessly hawking hate to the black community and unless people like Barbara stand up for what is right we will all fall.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | October 9, 2008 7:43 PM

For Real

I agree dustin's group leaves a bad taste in all our mouths. I have my ID card and I had 2 id lawn signs taken from my yard. I know many that agree with it and many that do not. Both sides of the table have valid points. I agree because I know how my family got here. I know people not just spanish that are here illegal for all the right reasons. I know if I was them I would do the same dang thing for my family in a heart beat. And I am glad Barbara is standing up for it. And I will use her name to many I know that are against it as an example of someone that has "seen the light". I just thought that it was a bit funny that one of the things she has fought so hard for. City jobs for people with records got oked by the mayor (who also just anouced he is running for a 9th term) and she at the same time had a change of heart. Again maybe just a magical thing that happened, but one does have to wonder. Time will tell. Watch the names and see if they make the payroll. If they do not I will apologies for my cynical thoughts. Again I do admire her for the strong tough woman she is. She made it possible for people with records to work in town hall and other city depts. that my friends is not an easy task.

Posted by: True New Havener | October 9, 2008 8:49 PM

Cedarhill --

I really think your comment is unfair to Barbara and I consider myself one of your fans. I would no more jump to conclusions about her than I would about you.

The city administration does many things wrong but also does many things right. That Barbara and allies working on prison re-entry found a receptive audience at City Hall is not surprising. The administration is quite progressive. You can think that taxes are too high and some people's cars don't get towed and still acknowledge that.

My guess is that the City would support anything to try to get guys coming out of prison to be more employable. And I guess you think the same.

To question Barbara's motives seems to be wholly unfair. Her reasoning seemed quite honest.

As you note she is an example who we can all use to show that good people can think about these issues, change their minds, and see how we are all connected.

Posted by: Alan Felder | October 10, 2008 12:00 AM

Barbara, no one can serve two master, either you will love the one or hate the other.

Posted by: Alan Felder | October 10, 2008 8:04 AM

Sister Barbara would you like to do a visual analysis of construction sites in the City of New Haven. All companies, coporations, and institutions are employing illegal immigrant. They are using trickery by allowing contractors, and subcontractor to hire illegal's. Ex-Offenders connot find employment causing recidivism and crime in our communities. Sister Barbara you are our Moses bringing us through the Red Sea, you are wondering with us in the wilderness, and we are waiting to enter the Promise Land. Sister Barbara I know there are Gaints in the Land, Be Not Discourage, nor Be Dismayed, for if God is for you who can be against you?

Love Alan Felder.

Sister Barbara you are a Leader like T.Willard Fair, Director of the Miami Urban League, Ted Hayes from Choose Black America, Terry Anderson, from the Terry Anderson Show. You can Google to find these Leaders

Posted by: Edward_H | October 10, 2008 8:50 AM

Alan Felder

Sister Barbara would you like to do a visual analysis of construction sites in the City of New Haven. All companies, coporations, and institutions are employing illegal immigrant.

You cannot tell if someone is an illegal immigrant by looking at them. I agree illegal immigration causes many problems but prejuducial statements are not goign to help anyone.

Posted by: bfair | October 10, 2008 10:58 AM

Hi haters and those who love me: I am sorry that I am late in responding to this article. I just found out last night at a board meeting that this article was written. I'm surprised by the cynicism of Cedarhill and exiled Italian (although I shouldn't be).Exile, I'm not running for office and if I was I would run on my own merit not by selling my ideals and values to anyone. The only master I serve is my Father in Heaven. (yes, I do believe and live by faith).Cedarhill: No, My sons did not benefit from the policy that John passed. I actually have 2 sons who are desperate to find a job. Can you help a sista or brotha out? John thinks of me as dirt under his shoe as some of you do so we do not collaborate on ANYTHING (to his diadvantage).As you said (but obviously don't belive) I stand on my convictions even if it means standing by myself with eggs thrown at me. Sometimes what I stand for will not please all my friends or family but I have to be true to ME. If you read the former story I NEVER said I was against the id card. I said my community (whom I was to represent) seemed against it and my CONCERN was the limited resources available to citizens.If you heard my testimony, I said I had mixed feelings. On one hand I think about how my ancestors toiled in the fields and on the roadways for many years uncompensdated, lynched, castrated and defiled in the most inhumane and savage manner and to this day still live as second and third class citizens and in that mindest I am not willing to give anyone anything they didn't earn but then I continue to live as an ethnic group hated merely for the color of my skin and knowing first hand what that can do for a person's psyche and not wanting to participate in that sickness.I don't want to benefit from the demise of another group of people. I am in touch with my humanity and sense of compassion and recognize that the white hate groups don't care any more for me than they do the newcomers so I don't fall into that game of divide and conquer. Cedarhill: You said my testimony was "killing" me. No, what you witnessed was my struggle to do the more humane and compassionate thing. That was tough for me.Never denied that. Alan: My convictions on demanding justice and equality for African Americans has not waned. I will NEVER give up that struggle even though it has kept me from being fulled accepted in certain circles (especially the conservative African American circles). I will always be a champion for the underdog. When I met with the group in support of the id cards I told them I had mixed feelings about the card and they respected my feelings. I challanged them to work to bring our communities together demanding livable wages for ALL of us and in that way the capitalist in society would not have a way in which to divide us . I'm no fool, I recognize that the capitalists in our society are strictly wanting to take advantage of cheap labor. That's the Amerikkkan way. Finally,I reflect a lot on what i say, think and do and since the meeting I will no longer use the term "undoucmented immigrants" just as I no longer use the term "ex felons" or "inmates" because these phrases diminsh the humanity of the people and I know all too well how the process of indifference and intolerance works.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | October 10, 2008 12:50 PM

Thank you Barbara! I do apologize! Truly!

Posted by: True New Havener | October 10, 2008 4:33 PM

Barbara and Cedarhill --

Two powerful comments. 'Nuff said.

Posted by: nicasoares | October 10, 2008 10:44 PM

Terry Anderson is a leader? Leader of whom? By grouping him w/ others you discredit your other so called leaders.

pa adelante compas

Posted by: Alan Felder | October 10, 2008 11:54 PM

Sister Barbara nothing but Love and Respect for you!!!!!!!

Posted by: Alan Felder | October 11, 2008 7:42 AM

Edward H thats why we have Social Security Employer No-Match Letters, and Dept.of Homeland Security E- Verification Program, but the ACLU and the unions file a injunction against the Gov.

Posted by: Alan Felder | October 11, 2008 7:50 AM

Should I start talking about racial identity theft?

Posted by: Alan Felder | October 11, 2008 8:15 AM

Why do my Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, Sisters, Sons, and Daughters get brand and label as criminal, when others can transgress the law and go unpunished? Black are order to sit at the back of the bus once again. Where are Rosa Parks of the World?

This is my Story, this is my Song.

Posted by: Webblog 1 | October 11, 2008 10:13 AM

Posted by: Alan Felder | October 11, 2008 7:50 AM

"Should I start talking about racial identity theft"?

Alan, I think you are headed to the extreme fringes on this issue, you are now attempting to take your retoric to a new low..

You really need to leave it there.

Chill.....!!!?>

Posted by: Edward_H | October 12, 2008 1:48 PM

Alan Felder

Should I start talking about racial identity theft?

Personally I would like to hear about it, I also would like to hear how you can tell someone is an illegal through a "visual inspection"

Posted by: KLSTRPHK | October 14, 2008 8:11 AM

I do not believe that Fair is suddenly in favor of the ID cards. She speaks in favor of it only because the CWP has recruited blacks to their cause. Everything Fair addresses has to do with race and race only. She is New Haven's most vocal racist.