Face Movement

Face Movement Mashup Video

2012-01-15T19:25:00.000-08:00

I made a video Mashup of Events Face Movement has hosted or been a part of. If you have any other photos of us please email them to Asa.

2011-12-01T10:53:00.001-08:00

Decolonize Your Mind!! Read Epeli Hau'Ofa's "Our Sea of Islands"

Click the image to get to the link!

2011-12-01T06:54:00.001-08:00

Don't Spread The Hate, Recognize the Dehumanizing Tactic used To Exploit and Terrorize a Community. http://colorlines.com/droptheiword/

2011-12-01T06:48:00.001-08:00

New Year New Session

2011-12-01T06:39:00.001-08:00

We Shall Remain! Rally from last year. We got to let them know our voices shall always remain and be apart of the story regardless of how they try to stifle it.

The Name Face Movement... Where does that come from?

2010-12-21T12:12:00.000-08:00

The name Face Movement was realized by students at the University of Utah. We were having conversations about the lack of support for students of color here on campus and how we were constantly tokenized by professors and colleges within this institution of learning and the k-12 systems in which we grew up. We felt a general lack of recognition for our contributions to the campus and we were constantly used as pawns to further others motives. In these situations we would find them downplaying our role in conferences and mentoring ideas we put together as student leaders and adopt themselves as the mover or the shot callers of what was going on, the whole while we would be operating on little to no funding and little to no administrative or institutional support, simply moved by passions if you will. All of that, or we would be used as token students so the University could act like it was invested in diversity by saying look there we have a few of them.

So we found ourselves needing role models and support that wasn't present, that was when the idea sprung forth. From conception we found ourselves marginalized, oppressed, misunderstood, and forgotten, labeled as villains and problems of a society that didn't hold us to an equal status, but we continued striving in these circumstances by always looking to the iconic images/Faces of Martin Luther King Jr, Mahtma Ghandi, Che Guevara, Haunani Kay-Trask, Bob Marley, Frida Kahlo etc. our forefathers and foremothers in a similar struggle of oppression. We noticed that we were separated here on campus and in our communities into smaller and smaller groups. There is the Latino's, The Polynesians, The African-Americans, The Asians, The Native Americans, the five hosted student groups of CESA at the University of Utah and in our communities there is division amongst our youth along city lines, racial lines, gang-ties, sexual orientation, and social status. That is when we reached a moment of realization and we brought the two ideas of empowerment into the name of our movement, The Face Movement. We use the iconic images of those who came before us tied to the idea that despite our different backgrounds and statuses we were all thrust into a society facing similar struggles. We face institutional racism, We face poverty, we face oppression, we face the lack of opportunity, we face hate for being who we are, we face borders, we face ignorant politics, we face misrepresentation, etc. and we wanted to bring all of our communities together to have a voice and shout back to all we face and let society know now they faced us and we would do all we could to empower others who were on the same track of standing up.

Summer Face Movement Retreat!!!

2010-05-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

Pacific Islander Poetry in Provo

2010-04-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

Still We Rise- Action Detail

2010-03-08T20:18:00.000-08:00

Student Rally at Utah Capitol to Declare their Rights

Rally Statement:

“We the Communities take back the power to declare our inalienable rights that have been promised but not practiced. We rise to protect our civil liberties and to show our legislators they will be held accountable for their actions today and tomorrow. We march to the heartbeats of our ancestors and we rise together united by our struggles.”

What: "Still We Rise" a group of activists, students and community members will unveil a "Student Bill of Rights." Following the announcement, there will be several inspiring, cultural performances.

When: 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 11, 2010

Where: Utah State Capitol

Why: The 2010 legislative session has become increasingly frustrating for community members. A number of bills were considered and implemented this session intended to mute the present opportunities and programs that benefit Utah's marginalized communities. Community members from all over SLC have followed this session and have organized to express their opposition to the bills considered in 2010.

Event organized by student community groups including: Mestizo Institute of Culture and Art ("MICA"), SLC Brown Berets, Family School Partnership ("FSP")

Event Schedule:

3 p.m. Setting up on Capitol steps
3-4 p.m. Students and supporting community members gather in dialogue circles to discuss the following:

1. Still We Rise
2. Community Hope
3. Lost Representation
4. Love is a Revolution

5 p.m. Transition to rotunda for cultural performances (e.g. spoken word, Aztec, Persian, Pacific Islander dances)

Volunteers from the above groups have visited SLC schools and have interacted with students, activists and community members to create their "bill of rights." The bills that have affected our community this session include:

HJR 24-A proposition to end Affirmative Action.

HB 428- A proposition to repeal in-state tuition for resident and hard working undocumented students.

HB 227-A proposition to require prospective business owners to present documentation that verifies they have the "right" to be in the United States.

SB 251-A proposition that mandates the use of e-verify for every employer.

HB 90-A proposition to benefit public and higher education through a slight tax increase on high wage earners did not leave committee as legislators sacrificed quality education to ensure attractive tax rates for prospective corporations to settle in Utah.

HJR 21-A proposition to withdraw Utah from the Western Climate Initiative.

SB 54-A proposition that would require schools to incorporate instruction about contraception in heath education courses which would benefit communities did not pass through committee.

Other issues of concern for the community that have not been appropriately addressed in federal or state legislature are comprehensive health care reform, immigration reform, and same-sex marriage reform.

Still We Rise

2010-03-02T06:59:00.001-08:00

Another legislative session is about to pass, full of ignorance and greed. With withered men trying to take a swing at accomplished civilities, but when the night hits the sun tomorrow like our parents before us hearts beating to a determined drum, Still we rise.

When enforcements is kept to look for villains by the color of their skin and when hard-working families are torn apart because we live in a society where nine numbers alone prove your acceptance into society. We rise like the dreams of a fallen father. Who could see through barriers of social acceptance to have children of many backgrounds sit at one table? The fabled American dream is not a prescribed reality but because we can dream we can bring this thing too see, and with it We Rise.

As memories grow old of those who took to the street, young women and men are reminded of political deceit with conservative talk leading to even less for our kids to eat. With the money gone to keep roofs and sheets we are still fed messages of worthlessness trying to end us in defeat. But as in the past a fist closed with pride to echo the torments of all those living dry. We rise, We rise.

A long gone public option for healthcare leaves us no help here, but who the hell cares? When drunkenpolicemen are taking shots, and District Attorneys are making young boys hit the cell block. Forcingyoung mothers to develop a spark not for education, but to burn what dignity remains. She lives within a system of haze that pulls her lovers away. The ones remaining on the street will lift another burden and carry on for those now departed. Feet moving with tried souls. Step on, Step on. We rise even though we are forced to fall.

We have to stop and breathe because politicians aren’t the only ones who pollute our streets. Corporations making our neighborhoods their backdrop of refuse, but we refuse to continue to die slow deaths for your exploded profits. As the two work conjoined to lynch our hearts and steal our thoughts from progress. We rise.

We rise for the student who works against all odds to stand for an equal education. We rise for the family that fought to live an American dream and despite the realities continued to contribute to a society that did not accept them. We rise for those in our communities who have lost jobs and benefits, but still live doing what is right even though doors of opportunity are closing. We rise because we are the sons and daughters of those who believed in you and despite the betrayals, despite the torments, this is our home. We rise for those who live in silence, scared to bring their struggle to light. We rise because you may take us off our feet, but our spirit you can never keep. We rise because we believe, even though we all do not see us falling. We feel us falling and we rise to preemptively greet you with a heeded respect you do not grant us. We rise to declare our rights to a system that says it believes certain unalienable right, but may have forgotten how to practice this.

Chong Nee Official "Fallin" Music Video

2010-01-15T23:55:00.000-08:00

Keep On... Any Means Neccessary

2009-11-17T22:55:00.001-08:00

There Once was a little thug in me…..

I said there once was a little thug in me, but that man grew.

The dreams I used to hold unto were those they never knew.

Because the system in which we live could never feel true, to the feelings of a young Tongan rockin blue. Or red it didn’t matter the hue.
The same for a Latino, Asian, or Black dude.

I stood by, holdin my time fittin to get through. Thinkin success could never come unless I made my move.

Movin why they watched, teachers thinking I’m due , cops also makin moves to make another young one through. The preacher cast doubt.

And that is what I caught when I went out, but only one listenin were those same who never knew.

When they thought there was a little thug in me it may have been true. Cuz I stood ready to challenge any man who thought my heart was new.

Soft spoken, Rhythm broken, my words touched. Faster than fists flew.

Get in where I fit in is what I used to think I need to do.

But that little bit of thug in me was just another costume. The man in me was the same man in you or woman who felt the pains of doubt the whole day through. Success is just a matter of moments.. Tellin them what it do.

So it’s no teary eyed surprise when my mama found out I could do just as good as you.

High school is just the first gate, using your life experience to make them moves.

Common said Keep on… any means necessary. Believe in your struggle. Believe in your words, Speak Truth to power… My People... Ofa Lahi Atu.

Inspired by The Truth Cypher
-Asa

Epeli Hau'ofa

2009-11-10T10:44:00.000-08:00

"Whatever we produce must not be a version of our existing reality, which is largely a creation of imperialism; it must be different, and of our own making. We should not forget that human reality is human creation. If we fail to create our own, someone else will do it for us by default"

A quote from a man talking not about islands in the sea, but a sea of islands. This quote is applicable also to the individual and the individuals struggle in trying to maintain, create, and validate oneself within systems or institutions who do not value you.

Beyond Police Brutality... Statement Regarding JJ Pikula's Case

2009-09-27T10:00:00.001-07:00

On Saturday September 19, 2009

An Off-Duty Police officer pulled out a weapon and shot John Junior Pikula at a club in Salt Lake City. The officer neglected to follow protocol and now JJ Pikula is fighting to survive. The Salt Lake City police department is ignoring justice and is showing the community that they believe the officer should be held above the laws he is sworn to protect. The officer was consuming alcoholic beverages, off-duty, and acting out of selfish desperation in a matter that nearly cost a young man his life. These actions go against the trust the community has invested in the men and women on the police force and for the Salt Lake City police department to continue to stand behind this man puts both their values and the community in jeopardy. The officer should not only be relieved of his position, but also should be tried criminally with assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder, etc. to the extent that is equal with his ignorantly harsh actions.

Yet, the unidentified officer remains on paid administrative leave, while the young husband to be is clinging to his life. This injustice is something we as a community cannot stand idly by and accept. The Salt Lake City Police department’s position on this matter shows there is a lack of value applied to the lives of Pacific Islanders in the state and that is a struggle many people of color can attest to, but this is not simply a matter of race. To refuse to charge the officer is refusing justice to all of our communities and for The Salt Lake City Police department to sit idly by and wait for the community to forget is allowing them the right to allow this to happen again. Let Salt Lake City Police Department know how you feel about this matter by contacting them at… http://www.slco.org/sheriff/forms/sheriff_form.cfm%20or%20Call%20at%20801-468-3900

In Solidarity,

Polynesian Panthers, Face Movement, Brown Berets

2009-09-27T00:46:00.000-07:00

"Our Mother Right" *, a different stand on feminism by Flor Olivo

Through research and observation, I have realized that the only biological difference between men and women is that the woman’s body has the ability to create life from within. We have breasts so that we can breast feed. Wider hips and more fat deposits so that we can house a fetus inside of us, our brain and thought patterns give us natural abilities to give adequate nurturing to children, the list goes on. All of our biological differences can be attributed to the woman’s "Mother Right".

In order to create a better society where women are treated with complete equality, these differences must be acknowledged, appreciated and catered to. As women we are creators of our future society. We should not be forced to live our lives at male standards, we should not have to act like men and be mad or ashamed of our biological structure. We must stop being sexual objects, society's caretakers, and any other feminine and/or motherly stereotype placed on us by male dominance. We must embrace our biological power, for ourselves and begin defining that power as female individuals. We must do this and take a stand to close disparity gaps and start creating and housing programs that bridge and diminish our needs and embrace our differences at our capacity. At the same time, we must set foundations for systems that acknowledge our "Mother Right". Free Childcare, additional sick days at work for our children, small things that as humans in a patriarchal society we have learned to forget our mothers did for us. We can be business women, stay at home women,PhD women, etc., if we are given an equal opportunity to do so as women, as the creators, in any sense, that we have the potential to be.

In my experience, I have found that through the creation of socially organized programs which appreciate and help the mother we can accomplish a greater appreciation for the woman and therefore generate respect for women and her biological right to create life and our future. Our movement should not stop there, as educated women we must also embrace this biological right and release chains of oppression that have demonized our desire to exercise our right and the characteristics, as well as, attributes that come with it. Keep your head up.

With Love,

Your Sister

Flor

* Mother Right, A New Feminist Theory by Jane Alpert

REVOLTOSO ESCRITO

2009-09-22T22:55:00.000-07:00

A new piece written by Jarred Martinez of The Truth Cypher.

REVOLTOSO ESCRITO

These are stamps of resistance
Spoken words of truth
The colors that paint songs of freedom

Revoltoso Red
Black and Brown Beauty
Grito de Lares y Gritos del campesinos from Green fields
RBG By Any Means Necessary

Gritos of Ya Basta, Fuck La Migra and their documents!
‘cause no human being is illegal
our legitimacy is written in the handprints of our existence
in the stars and universe
in the blood sweat tears and seeds we’ve planted into this mother earth

Whose are everybody’s, but also nobody’s but hers…

Viva La Mujer!

And the strands of hair that hold us like the moon
That braid us together like thread
Follow Frida Kahlo’s strokes and brow that unify us with Lennon’s dreams
Let them replace the popular-ized
the lie that all we can do is buy Che Guevara’s face

But instead imaginate…
A World where each one of us was unafraid
To imagine
Speak
Move
Love
And Rize UP
Hasta la Victoria Siempre!
Siempre debe ser sentido
En cada latido
Del Corazon
Que Viva La Revolucion!

Because 42 years ago only a man was killed
But he knew
That the immortality of the cause would pump through the hearts of
Me and You

Your veins my veins are her veins
Their pain
The third world has always been our world
Any city and hood bombed by imperialism
Has walls bombed with names and words
Underground-aerosol-blues
sung from the soul
Reminding us to keep our ears to our roots
That When we don’t speak
Listen See and believe…

That these obras don’t drip and resonate to propagate hate-
Fear and hate are the appendages that pulled those triggers
That brought them to their fate

Nah..these truth-riddled murals are triggered by a compassion and love
Those fingers will never reach
A love for our family
A love for young free minds of daughters and sons yet to be conceived
A love to embrace the future with HOPE tightly
Not as prisoners of the industrial-complex
But as inspired leaders to lead ourselves

Because another world is possible
Is Necessary
Is Inevitable…

one
JR Martinez

SLC Police Chief makes an eye opening statement on SB81

2009-07-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

New immigration law sets dangerous precedent

By Chris Burbank

Salt Lake Tribune
Updated:07/02/2009 06:47:22 PM MDT

As you begin the experience of the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., one of the first images you encounter is a photo of a Nazi soldier standing with a German police officer. Conspicuously, the identical theme exists at Yad VaShem, Israel's memorial to Holocaust victims.

The Nazi propaganda and hatred effort did not begin with imprisonment and genocide. It was instituted subtly, declaring the criminality of those deemed inferior. Laws were developed and regulations restricting movement, mandating identification and limiting human rights were also passed. Co-opting the trusted local constabulary was instrumental in enforcement of those laws.

Unfortunately, throughout history local law enforcement has been an extremely effective arm of oppression. How many individuals in the United States were lynched, under the color of authority, for violations of Jim Crow laws?

The essential duty of modern law enforcement is to protect the civil rights of individuals while providing for the safety of all members of the communities we serve, equally, without bias. Asking local police agencies to enforce federal immigration laws, as Utah's new law does, is contrary to our mission, marginalizes significant segments of the population, and complicates and ultimately harms effective community policing. We function best when we are part of, not apart from, the community.

Police officers should not engage in civil immigration enforcement. However, local law enforcement should diligently continue to arrest serious criminal offenders and, as appropriate, refer dangerous criminals to federal authorities. Civil immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and it is paramount to the well-being of our neighborhoods that the federal government maintains accountability.

This is the central finding of a report from the Police Foundation, a research organization in Washington, D.C. focusing on law enforcement issues. Noting that police agencies throughout the country were increasingly being asked to assume immigration enforcement responsibilities, the foundation conducted a yearlong study to determine the appropriate balance between immigration enforcement, civil liberties and community safety.

I had the honor of participating in the national conference with more than 100 law enforcement peers and executives. While the debate was enthusiastic, several recurring themes emerged. The costs of participating in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's 287(g) program outweigh the benefits. Additionally, local police officers should be prohibited from arresting and detaining persons to investigate immigration status absent probable cause of an independent state criminal law violation.

After speaking with law enforcement officers and community leaders throughout the country, the Police Foundation concluded that local immigration enforcement damages the relationship between local police and communities; in fact, individuals are less likely to report crimes or participate as witnesses due to fear of immigration enforcement.

It is pointedly ironic that the state of Utah, founded by Mormon pioneers who immigrated to the region seeking religious freedom and escape from local governmental persecution, has chosen to assume a negative and biased position toward immigrants and all individuals different from the majority.

We have already observed a chilling effect upon victims and witnesses as well as a polarization within neighborhoods regarding immigration legislation (Senate Bill 81) that went into effect on Wednesday. Often unrecognized in the debate is the significant adverse impact upon all individuals of color. How is a police officer to determine status without detaining and questioning anyone who speaks, looks or acts as if they might be from another nation?

For many years, Washington has failed to repair a broken immigration system, and local police officers have been irresponsibly designated to pick up the slack. By increasing our role in civil immigration action, state and local officers are placed in the untenable position of potentially engaging in unconstitutional racial profiling while attempting to maintain trust within the communities we protect.

Today, as we celebrate the birth of our nation, it is important to note that the foundation of our Republic is not based on the rule of the majority. Democracy and those elected to serve must guard against the tyranny of the majority or of mob rule and ensure the well-being of the downtrodden or underrepresented.

Requiring police agencies to engage in civil immigration activities diverts critical resources away from our central responsibilities during a time of budget cuts and staffing shortages. The Salt Lake County Jail releases, on average, 900 criminal violators monthly due to overcrowding. Funding issues prohibit utilization of existing bed space and the facility cannot meet current demand. Detainees held for reasons of civil immigration status alone will necessitate the release of an even larger number of criminals into our neighborhoods.

Immigration issues instigate some of the most heated debate in the United States today. Unfortunately, this deliberation has yet to include the voice of law enforcement, whose job and mission are drastically impacted by immigration policy. As the Police Foundation report recommends, the federal government needs to pass comprehensive immigration reforms to truly fix the problem and relieve the burden on state and local police. They also need to involve the perspective of police in this upcoming debate.

Memorials and museums are erected in remembrance of those who died, but additionally, and most importantly, to ensure that we do not repeat the mistakes or misdoings of the past.

Chris Burbank is Salt Lake City's police chief.

Help The Movement!!!! Face Movement Shirts for Sale At Mestizo Coffee House!!

2009-07-06T16:53:00.001-07:00

Face Movement Shirts are now for sale at Mestizo Coffeehouse (631w. North Temple in the Citifront apartment complex). The shirts help us represent/remember past revolutionaries or other people of color who are iconic to our current struggle for equality and empowerment. All of our profits will be plugged back directly into the Face Movement. The Shirts are only 10 dollars each! For more information email facemovement@yahoo.com

Face Movement Statement Regarding the Decision Made in Ricky Angilau's Case

2009-06-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

We are deeply saddened by the recent decision made by Judge Trease in Ricky Angilau’s case. It is troubling to know that those who serve in the name of justice do not equitable meet the challenge put before them. It is even more troubling that rather than put measures forth to stop tragedy those in positions of power have villianized our youth.

Our complacency in matters regarding our youth are our own to blame and if we, as adults can not help our youth, who are we to convict them as our equals. People such as the DA Lohra Miller and Judge Trease do our communities a disservice by being advocates of strict penalties while systems of empowerment and opportunity are not available for the youth.

Our heart goes out to the families of Esteban Saidi and Ricky Angilau. May they find peace and the justice they deserve within themselves for the systems have a long way to go.

Why not ask our kids to be revolutionary?

2009-06-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

When the standard left for them is weak and broken. The establishment and the institutions have formed a system that fails or pushes out nearly 50% (or more) of our kids, but no one wants to admit it. The schools play with the numbers to survive and the business leaders prey upon those who lack the credentials to get by. The McDonalds, Starbucks and Wal-mart Kine flourish While we stand paused// on idle… as our sharpest and must cunning fall to the grave or dream beyond the bars that hold them in prison. Revolutionary does not mean anti-establishment. It simply means not falling victim to the same injustices that are present in your community and then making the difference to improve the situation- not only for yourself, but for the community at large. Revolutionary is transforming the situations we live through to fit our needs and benefit us.

With that in mind we focused on the revolutionary thinkers that worked to improve their communities. Communities of Color, communities of women, communities of hetero and non hetero individuals both in and outside the United States were the center of attention while making T-shirts at Kearns High School. Faces of Bob Marley, Yuri Kochiyama, Sitting Bull, Haunani Kay-Trask, Che Guevera, and more were used to make the idea of being revolutionary relative for the students. Each of the individuals featured are consistently absent from textbooks, but they all represent a great struggle when it comes to the fight for human rights and the empowerment of all. With wearing these iconic images on their shirts the students are validating the need for change and using the lessons of those who came before them to progress them in their own lives.

P.s. Congratulations to our Kearns High Participants who graduated!!!! Believe in your struggle!

The Current Head Quarters of The Face Movement

2009-06-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

The Face Movement has found an Ally with Mestizo Coffeehouse @ 631w North Temple and continues to progress under privileged communities by working in collaboration with other groups found at Mestizo Coffeehouse. Face Movement, Mestizo's Art and Activism, Brown Berets, and other groups can be found doing their work in the coffeehouse and the MICA gallery space. If you are interested in finding some of the people involved in pursuing change in the Salt Lake Valley feel free to stop by and pay us a visit.

An upcoming project of MICA (Mestizo Institute of Culture and Arts) is the art exhibit done by 136 Krew Graffiti Art. The group 136 Krew already fills the gallery area of Mestizos for anyone to view and on June 19 from 6-9pm, or July 17th from 6-9pm receptions will be held for people to become more familiar with the art this group does. The theme is "Silenced no More" and the group speaks truth to power by validating their own forms of expression and art.

Liberation School/Face Movement: exposing the power held by the young and marginalized telling their story in their own words

2009-04-29T20:29:00.000-07:00

On April 23, 2009 Jarred Martinez and Xyvette Gonzales met with Kearns High School students during the Face Movement mentoring program and presented spoken word as an act of liberation from oppression. The duo recited pieces inspired from their own lives and then asked the students to come up with words from a group of themes. The students then traded their words amongst themselves and the following poems are the beginnings of those students’ personal stories. Stories created out of words transcending experience and showing personal liberation.

Everyday I walk these grounds,
I meet people who try to tear me down.
They bind my feet and chain my hands,
And tell me that I no longer am who I am.
They come at me every day,
Until I found the strength to say.
That this is my time, my time to shine.
My time to express how I feel,
My time to show a part of me that is real.
So to those who tried to tell me what to do
Either now or back then,
I say that my life is my life, and I will decide
How it ends.
-Anonymous

Legacy
The word I got is hard
But simple
Just like tryin to pop
A big bad gushy pimple
The word is someone or something
To show respect and praise
To give your life
Your soul, your days
Days in your life to take time to stop and think
For this word brings me to a legacy
Time to reminisce about where your from
What you’re about or how fast you can sink
A legacy to not disappoint my family
-Anonymous

Emptiness
Alone
Can never be Grown
Deserted
Hollow
What I sometimes know
Blackhole
Recession
In my own state of depression
Win
Lost
What the Lazy people do
Nothing
-Simi Kasala

Frustrated
As I walk into K-town
Never knowing that I might feel down
As I feel like a beast that can’t be tame

But at the end it is up to me on
How to deal with these issues
As people would sob and cry so give
Them a tissue

Even though I am angered I won’t cry
Because I am a man and that is why I will be me

And not what the media expects me to be
So don’t expect me to be incarcerated
Even if I am a bit frustrated
-Givem Loulamting

Agency
Out Alone in this World
Trying to be my own person
Not knowing which way to
Turn I feel Like I am
Not safe at Kearns

When I’m here I feel
Out of place I only see
A few of my race
They only see what
They can’t trace
-Nikita Davis

Proud
Proud of who I am, and
Were I came from
Proud, to have my freedom
Instead of my head pointed at by a gun.
Proud of what I believe in, my race, my religion, my family, my face
-Sheryl Lindsay

Win, to achieve my goal,
Knowing I am who I made myself,
That if it wasn’t for my people
I wouldn’t be where I am today when I win,
I succeed, achieve and believe in me &
Everyone around me
Win
-Bella

Depression
The pain inside me all twisting and brewing
The pain that is caused from an unknown doing
It’s been a long time that I had this feeling
All I need is some helpful healing.
I’m sick and tired of being left alone.
Alone in the darkness of an empty home
I just need to write my thoughts down
Then I will know how much
I’ve grown
-Diego Dominguez

Intricate
Still can’t believe dat u played me
I can’t take it I’m still aching
Frm all tha pain that u brought 2 my lyfe
I tried and I tried 2 make things right
But u made it harder 4 me ta cum thru
Now im locked in my room wonderin wut ta do
It seems as tho u used me well
It seems lyke u came outta ya shell
Cant believe all the lies its tearin me down
This smile of myne has turned 2 a frown
I feel lyke I can’t love no more
Wuts tha point in tryin 4
The damage iz dun
But revenge has begun
I woke up 2 a new day
Sunshine no rain
I do respect u evry thought and decision
Cuz I trust ur every word but its u that im missin
Couldn’t count how many days passed by
How many grey skies since I looked in 2
Ya sweet eyes
Baby I fell 4 ya heart & no I can’t b rude
Prayin that u still love me & that ya doin well
Now I see wus goin down
The word has come around
All them fellas breakin hearts
Leavin ladies in the dark
So far I bin in love wit a couple of folkz
Skippin school breakin rules
Startin fights lyke a duel
A mistake 2 b made
I kept playin charades
I was flauntin my game
Under the sun or the rain
Yea those where the dayz
But 2day ive gotta say
Ive gotta gro up & keep up w/my ace
Cuz I finally found the man
Who truly understands
How I really feel inside
& now I wanna live my life
But then again I realize
When I look into those eyes
Were yung we gotta gro
Cuz we can never b 2 old
So wut im trynna say
Loze iz worth the wait
Take ya tyme make up ya mynd
So listend up 2 my rhymes
I bin thru it b4
I wanted more & more
But in the end I can see
If love was really ment 2b
-Leila

Face Movement Update 3/30/09

2009-03-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

Face Movement Update

Mentoring Program at Kearns High
We have begun our Mentoring Program at Kearns High School. Mentoring officially starts on March 31st, 2009 and is held Tuesday and Thursdays of each week at 2:30pm. Tuesdays is a lead discussion by our mentors and Thursdays are open tutoring/open discussion for the students.

The layout of the mentoring program goes as follows (Tuesday lead discussions):

Mentoring Week 1: Getting to Know/Respect Each Other. Creating our Own Story and Validating our Knowledge.

Mentoring Week 2: Building Ourselves on The Back of Our History/Culture

Mentoring Week 3:Deconstructing The Situations We Live Through/ How to Manage our Struggles

Mentoring Week 4: Strategizing Change in Our Communities

Thursdays

Mentoring Week 1-3: Tutoring/Open Discussions

Mentoring Week 4: Fieldtrip/ Campus Tour University of Utah and Developing Mentor-Mentee Relationships

*Flyers have been developed and are available upon request*

Mentors are still needed if you are interested in participating please contact Asa (Matelau@gmail.com/8018601389)

Our Contact at Kearns High School is Mrs. Gonzalez in the counseling center

Esteban’s Church

On Friday March 27th we visited Esteban’s church. His church the Iglesia Apostolica De Cristo was hosting youth from Ogden, Salt Lake, Layton, and Clearfield. We were asked to do a presentation to reach out to the youth who have been having a tough time dealing with the loss of Esteban. We talked about the need to empower our youth and discussed strategies to create a consciousness that will free our youth from their burdening struggles. The presentation was moving and inspiring to both those in attendance and our group. The church offered a donation to our group to further our efforts in working with other youth of color.

Stop Unjustly Trying Our Youth of Color Rally at Matheson Courthouse

We held a rally at Matheson Courthouse expressing our concern over the inequality of the adult certification process for youth of color. We introduced The Face Movement as advocates for our community and a voice for our forgotten brothers and sisters who have made tragic mistakes. Even though we are advocates for those who have been accused and or convicted of crime, the message of the rally was for institutions to provide equal opportunity and justice for all from the school yards to the court rooms and was not an attempt to excuse crime. There were attorneys and prominent community members who spoke out about these injustices and overall this was an empowering action. Community support of this action varied from one person to another, but we understand that the depth and sting of inequality and the repercussions are hard to comprehend.

The Statement can be found here.

Face Movement Meetings

Are held every Saturday at Noon at Mestizo Coffeehouse (631w. Northtemple Citi Front Apartment Complex Courtyard)

Funding

Face Movement is creating partnerships with various sponsors, but to this point has been funded primarily off of individual donations. Finding monetary support is crucial to the success of our programs. We are strategizing methods of acquiring more funding. If you have any ideas or would like to personally donate some funds please contact us. (801-860-1389/ Matelau@gmail.com)

Closing

Face Movement is working in conjunction with the Brown Berets and Stop SB81 to further the struggle for equal humanity. Brown Beret meetings are at Mestizo Coffeehouse at 6pm on Wednesdays. Please feel free to join us.

Brown Beret Community BBQ Saturday April 11th @ 1pm at Jordan Park. Flyers will be available on the Face Movement Website.
www.facethestruggle.blogspot.com

Our Website contains more information on actions and statements please visit it. www.facethestruggle.blogspot.com

This statement was prepared by Asaeli Matelau if you have any questions or concerns please contact me through email.

What is The Face Movement?

2009-03-18T15:03:00.000-07:00

What is the Face Movement?
We are a group of concerned community members who realized the similarity of our struggles in our divided communities. We are advocating for unity amongst people who reside in the same neighborhoods, attend the same schools and dream outside of the barriers our status holds us too.

What is our Mission: The Face Movements long term vision is a future where divided communities find allies and solidarity amongst one another, where the youth are raised to utilize their full potential, where we are progressive in our attempts to stop tragic crimes, and where populations are confident in there pursuits to seek out equality and happiness in their lives.
We wish to empower all youth before they get to the point of incarceration or tragedy. To accomplish our goals we believe we need to educate youth and adults, create an atmosphere of change that is meaningful to those in these impoverished communities, open up dialog between divided communities, and to create a safe educational center for students to turn to gather information that is relevant and also meaningful to the population it serves.

How Have we Been Helping The Community?:We have begun to address the issues these populations face by creating mentoring programs for high school students, setting up educational conferences that appeal to the cultures of the youth, opening up spaces for safe dialog to build cross-cultural coalitions, and by helping community members navigate the institutional systems.

Purpose:
To unite people by the struggles they face; empowering the community through unity, action and education.

Stop Unjustly Trying Youth of Color Rally Today

2009-03-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

Our Statement that was Read at Matheson Court House

Today we are gathered outside of the Matheson Courthouse in search of Justice. We do not only seek justice for the Saidi family, but also seek a fair and just trial on behalf of Ricky Angilau.

The situation we are in today is born out of tragedy and first we must pay respect to Esteban Saidi and the family he leaves behind. They are a good family, generous beyond belief and they have shed countless tears over the past forty days. These tears have been echoed by the Angilau family in their realization that there is more than one way to lose your child.

It is a tragic reality that we are forced into. The reality that we must now deal with… where our youth of color have made grave mistakes and now face the consequences of their actions, but we must never forget that they still are youth.

They are our youth our little brothers and sisters and we must believe in their rights to being treated equally from the school yards to the court systems.
It is a gross injustice that 82% of the youth who are tried as adults are youth of color. It is a gross injustice that overall in every category of charges youth of color are more likely to receive harsher penalties as opposed to their white counterparts who have committed the same crime. It is a gross injustice that Ricky Angilau, a sixteen year old student, is now residing in an adult detention center and yet has never seen the likes of a youth rehabilitation center. It is even grosser that Rickys case is being pursued with such vigilance because of the political motives of our DA Lohra Miller.

The situations we face in our communities must be acknowledged for us to bring about change. It is unquestionable that law enforcement profiles our kids, that the school systems do not provide the same types of opportunities to youth of color and that we wrongfully place blame for the ills of the community on those who have the least amount of opportunity to impact it.

It takes a community to raise a child and being part of this community we trust in the institutions such as the education system, and systems of law to do what needs to be done to make our communities succeed. It is with this in mind that we are gathered here today with a single cry.

Stop Unjustly Trying our Youth as Adults. Provide equal opportunities, education, and treatment. Esteban’s family believes in Ricky’s right to go through the juvenile system first and we echo their cry, but we do not only stand here today with this case in mind. Our youth, our people are consistently being mistreated and along with the certification of our youth of color we now face even more dangers with bills being passed such as sb 16, and sb 81. We now have the opportunity to rally our voices to support our communities and the evolution of human rights.

So in solidarity with the lost youth who have been imprisoned and other people of color who never had their right to be heard we are donning the costumes society places on us and representing them now in silence.

Minority Youth Unjustly Tried as Adults Rally this Wednesday @ Matheson Courthouse, 10:30 AM

2009-03-16T14:34:00.001-07:00

What: A Community Support Rally for Youth Unjustly Tried as Adults

When: Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Rally from 10:30A.M. To 1 P.M.; Press conference at 10:30 a.m.
(Ricky Angilau's hearing is at 1 p.m.)

Where: Scott M. Matheson Courthouse, 450 S. State St.

Why: We are bringing awareness to the repercussions of the Utah juvenile certification process to try children as adults. We feel as though the certification process for young adults of color is not equal to those of their Caucasian counterparts.
We are also concerned of the affects on young offenders who are pushed through the adult justice system and housed with seasoned criminals before they are legally adults.

For example, Ricky Angilau, a 16-year-old high school student, is being charged as an adult with first-degree felony murder in the slaying of a fellow classmate. Esteban Saidi was a bystander to a larger dispute that spurred the January shooting in a neighborhood near Kearns High School. Ricky stated he was growing weary from the fight and fired twice. One bullet went into the air and the second hit Esteban Saidi who was standing with a group of people, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

Context: Before the incident, Ricky had never been in trouble with the law. He was a good student, a Kearns' rugby team member and involved in his LDS church.
The original intent of the serious youth offender law was to convict chronic offenders who have exhausted the juvenile rehabilitation centers. Ricky Angilau is not a repeat offender and certifying him does not serve the interest of the community. Ricky Angilau is not free from consequence of his actions, but has acted rashly as a juvenile and should be treated and charged accordingly. Furthermore, 82% of the youth charged in an adult court were minorities according to research done by Building Blocks For Youth, and this is the injustice that is being expressed by all who sponsor this event.

Sponsored by: FACE Movement, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA), Pacific Islander Student Association, Salt Lake City Brown Berets

Information:, 801/860-1389

Schedule (Tentative):
Press conference at 10:30 a.m.
10:30 - FACE Movement statement
10:35 - Prof. Russell K. Van Vleet, professor/lecturer at the University of Utah College of Social Work
10:40 – Attorney’s Statements
10:45 - Ricky's relative
10:50 - Esteban's relative
10:55 - Former certified youth inmate or young
11 - closing statements
11- 12 Physical Representation of Lost Youth

The Face Movement Will be participating in a community rally this Wednesday in front of Matheson Courthouse (400s State street). The rally is in support of the original intent of the serious youth offender law, to charge those who have already exhausted the juvenile system as adults. We are also expressing our concerns regarding the overrepresentation of minority youth being charged as adults. Ricky Angilau, the youth being charged with the killing of a fellow student at Kearns High, has been certified as an adult without any previous record. Ricky's trial will also proceed at 1:00 PM after the Rally.

PISA High School Conference and MEChA High School Conference

2009-03-07T13:37:00.000-08:00

The Face Movement was present at High School Conferences at The University of Utah
MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/Chicana De Aztlan) and PISA (Pacific Islander Student Association) hosted hundreds of students this last week. The goals of these conferences were to expose students to higher education and help empower the youth through activism and education.

Face Movement Workshop
The Face Movement Workshop presented the purpose of the movement to the students and hosted dialog on coalition building drawing all the students into the process. The workshop was a huge success with students actively identifying problems they face in their communities and formulating ideas on how to bring about change. This is the first step in creating the consciousness needed to empower our communities.

For More images visit the Myspace at www.myspace.com/facethestruggle

The FACE Movement performs at Kearns High School!!!

2009-03-03T21:36:00.000-08:00

The Face Movement performed at Kearns High School in conjunction with The Brown Berets, MEChA, SLCC PUA club and Latino club. The performance was an introduction for the students of Kearns, it was a chance for them to get to know members of The Face Movement. After the Performance Students were able to meet one on one with future mentors and talk about the struggles they face.

This was just the beginning for The Face Movement and Kearns High Collaboration. We still have plenty more to come.

Face Movement Supports National Native Hawaiian Protest in Salt Lake City

2009-02-26T11:36:00.000-08:00

Face Movement joined a nation-wide event to support the protection of Hawaiian lands against development and sale by politicians in the State of Hawaii.

What is Coming up? And How Can You Be Involved?

2009-02-17T22:53:00.001-08:00

What is Coming up? And how can you be involved?

Community forum

-This event will be at West Lake Junior High (3400s 3450w.) Thursday February 19th @ 7pm

How can you be involved?

We need a lot of people to come out and help with the discussions regarding issues in our community and immigration. We also would like people to spread the word (flyers can be found on the Face Movement website www.facethestruggle.blogspot.com ) . Any other language assistance would also be appreciated. If you can commit to this time please email facemovement@yahoo.com.

Kearns Follow up Town Hall Meeting

-This event will be at Utah Olympic Oval (5624s, Cougar Ln /4800w) Monday February 23rd @ 7pm

How can you be involved?

We need people to help cover the Face Movement table and we also need Spanish, Tongan, and Samoan speaking assistants on hand in case there is anyone who needs language assistance.

Kearns Performance

-This event will be at Kearns High School (5600s, Cougar Ln/4800w)Friday February 27th @ 10am

How can you be involved?

We need people to assist in facilitating the discussions with the youth after the performance. If you would like to perform as well please contact us at Facemovement@yahoo.com .

Please find time and a way to contribute to our communities. This movement is like a wave that floats on top of your contributions. If we do nothing we shall grow placid like a stale pond that accepts the stench of passiveness. Don’t forget this is a great opportunity to make an impact!

facemovement@yahoo.com

Face Movement Update

2009-02-17T22:43:00.000-08:00

Face Movement Update

I wanted to give everyone a quick update on what we have been doing and what is in the future for the movement we have begun. Three events of significance have happened since my last message. We have met with the parents and family of Esteban Saidi; we met once again with Kearns High administrators, faculty, counselors, and students; and we also have begun a joint venture with community partners to plan an event to get the youth and parents to come out to participate and step outside of the margins in which we are placed.

Meeting Esteban’s Family

Meeting the parents and family of Esteban had a big impact on me and I could tell it also affected all those who came out with me a few nights ago. I was joined by Isaac, Xyvette, Edward, Andrea, Jordan and Mosese. We were welcomed into Esteban’s house by his parents, his younger brother and his younger sister. They invited us in with tear sore eyes and humbly offered anything they could provide us. We filed in and sat in chairs arranged in the living room where I took the seat closest to the door, Esteban’s father then pointed at me and said that was where my son used to sit as he prepped a small keyboard he was standing behind.

Sitting in Esteban’s seat I looked first at his brother who was sitting with his head in between his hands solemn at the loss of his brother. I imagined how hard it would be to sit in this small room just feet apart from possible kin of those who killed my brother and I was took by the difficulty of this situation.

Esteban’s father began telling us stories. He told us about his prayers, he told us about his struggles, and he told us some more about Esteban. We found out that Esteban was an artist and he actually was drawing a self-portrait that looked much like the one we became familiar with during the media coverage. He told us how they joked in Esteban’s room the day before and how he went in there the next day to find the clothes Esteban was wearing when he was shot laid out in the bed. Through all the stories shared Esteban’s father conveyed to us the strength this family had in their religious beliefs. It was strange to think that I thought I may be confronted with a different type of family, but I did not find a gang affiliated family or family so taken by despair that they were acting out ruthlessly. They were simply anybodies family, a family in mourning, and I found us connecting on many levels.

Esteban’s father offered us a song. He sang to us and we were silenced in the moment and then out of the emotion Jordan and Mosese rose and sang a Tongan hymn to the family. It was an emotional moment, and as I looked around the room nearly everyone was dampened with tears. My mind was lit, lost in the seconds that were before me. I wondered how our younger brothers could be met with such tragic fates, yet in this moment we were united with his family through emotion and music. The father spoke about his deep sadness regarding Ricky’s charges. He said his heart went out to the Angilau family and that he never would have asked for those charges. He was hurt because they were allowed to bury his son, but Ricky’s parents would have to wait before they get any type of closure.

We continued for some time forgetting about the hours that past and sat and ended by eating with their family. They showed us more pictures and we spoke to Esteban’s little sister and brother. Esteban’s little sister did a great job this night translating everything her parents had said and should be given much credit. Esteban’s brother was joking with all of us and even making a joke about how he swore Mosese wasn’t Polynesian, because he thought Mosese was black. Esteban’s mom, Patricia, asked Jordan and Mosese to end the night by singing again in Tongan and she told them it spoke to her soul to hear their voices. So they sang and we left lifted above the sadness, the despair, and the doubts.

Meeting at Kearns High

We also met with Kearns High administration, faculty and students. We met in a round-table type discussion where we told the school that we wanted to offer mentoring programs, workshops and avenues for the youth to open up dialog. We were strategizing in an attempt to vent a lot of the frustrations and hostilities our populations hold that may end up leading to other types of tragedies. We wanted to provide opportunities, role models, and relevant education to the culture and life styles of the youth. The room concurred, wanting everything we proposed and offering further strategies to make a difference.

We are going to meet with the Student Body Officers to plan out an upcoming assembly where we will provide a symbolic performance to show the unity our communities can possess and then do break-out sessions with the students. In the break-out sessions we want to facilitate dialog between the students and offer our support for any questions they may come up with. We are planning on utilizing some open class rooms and providing food for the students. This event is to be held on February 27th, and help will be needed. So please contact us if you are able to help out. Further help will also be needed outside of this date so if you can help please email facemovement@yahoo.com detailing what you may be able to offer.

Joint Venture Community Conference

I feel as though I have already taken up enough of your time with the last two, so I am only going to say we are planning a big event to invite the community out. We are planning on hosting local artist and professionals to do a day event for the youth and community members. Of course there will be plenty of opportunities offered, educational and other, but we still need to flesh out a lot of the details. The speculated date is June 13th at this time. As always please contact facemovement@yahoo.com detailing what you may be able to offer if you are interested in helping out.

Community Forum Feb 19 @ 7pm, West Lake Junior High

2009-02-08T23:53:00.000-08:00

FORO COMUNITARIO
En el auditorio de West Lake Junior High
3400 S. 3450 W.
Jueves 19 de febrero a las 7 PM

No se pierda la oportunidad de compartir sus ideas, experiencias, sentimientos, y opiniones acerca de temas importantes que están afectando a su comunidad.
Habrán presentaciones e información sobre:

•Como recibir información acerca de la educación universitaria para estudiantes inmigrantes.

•Legislación y propuestas que afectan a la comunidad inmigrante

•El movimiento F.A.C.E (es un movimiento creado por miembros de la comunidad con el propósito de desarrollar una alianza entre jóvenes, adultos y miembros de diferentes razas étnicas para proveer oportunidades para todos)

Para más información contacte a:
brownberetslc@gmail.com ó facemovement@yahoo.com

The Movement Has Begun

2009-02-08T23:43:00.000-08:00

Face Movement Found in The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Here

Their words brought hundreds to their feet -- students sporting letterman jackets, parents toting toddlers, sheriff's deputies who locked down Kearns High weeks before in the aftermath of a fatal shooting.

It was a thunderous ovation from a community touched by tragedy and moved by three young men whose grass-roots coalition of Latinos and Pacific Islanders has pledged to help keep that violence from erupting again.

"We cannot wait until more tears are shed," Asa Matelau told a Kearns High crowd of nearly 800 people who gathered last Monday to reflect on the killing of 16-year-old Esteban Saidi.

That message is driving three college-age friends of mixed cultures -- Matelau, Isaac Giron and Moses Mounga -- into chapels to preach unity, into schools to solicit help from student leaders and into the highest levels of Salt Lake County government to win support from Mayor Peter Corroon.

They are the heart of the Face Movement, an advocacy group that believes the long-term solution to crime lies in community-based prevention. They want government to match dollar for dollar the money spent on gang-related policing with after-school programs, mentoring and measures to deter young people from joining gangs. They want law enforcement to stop "harassing" young Latinos and Pacific Islanders because of their clothes and the color of their skin. They want the news media to quit portraying their communities "wrongly" through the lens of gang activity.

"Unless the institutions and the community members realize that they need to take another approach on this," Matelau says, "they are going to continue to turn out tragedies."

These three men -- from hometowns ranging from east Los Angeles to the west burbs of Kearns and West Valley City -- hope to keep their siblings, their cousins and coming generations from the same gang influences, stereotypes and underfunded youth programs that affected their childhoods.

"This is a way to rebel against the problems we are seeing in our community," Giron says, "not in a self-destructive way, but in a constructive way."
And now we begin a movement...

Dangerous Legislation

2009-02-05T13:16:00.000-08:00

Today Legislation that would allow Police Enforcement to rightfully charge a person who they identify as a "gang member" has passed. The dangers this holds for minority communities is huge. Racial Profiling is rampant throughout the valley and now we can be charged for simply being young men or women of color who are hanging out.
In addition police enforcement can lawfully remove you and anyone you are with... Including your family.

The feeling of despair and mistrust in the government can only grow because of this and if this is their answer to resolving "gang issues" they are sadly mistaken. This is only going to seperate the youth from institutions such as school, and law. Where as a young minority who other wise would feel welcome at school may now get harassed and given a ticket just for the assumptions of an officer.

Email the Governor and share your input on this situation before this goes any further.

Email The Governor

Face Movement

United By The Struggles We Face

Face Movement Website

More Details Below

SB 16: PROHIBITED GANG ACTIVITY was just heard on the house floor this morning. The bill passed 56-17. This is the last step before this bill goes to governor for signing.

David Litvack proposed amendments to bill that will require a public hearing before designating a "gang free zone," change the bill so that only the "gang members" can be asked to leave (rather than a whole family at a family reunion, for example, where one or two gang members are present), provisions for racial profiling training for law enforcement officials. Litvack really emphasizing that racial profiling does happen and is a huge concern for communities of color.

Litvack's amendment failed by a vote of 42-31

Oda argued that the whole group should be required to disperse because if they are not putting an end to "gang activity" they are "complicit" in the gang activity. so anyone with a family member or friend who is a member of a gang can potentially be asked to "disperse." Oda also argued that police already get racial profiling training, so these measures are not necessary.

Ray argued that racial profiling is not a big issue because Rep. Bourdeaux passed a bill a few years ago on racial profiling and since then there are no numbers to support that racial profiling is happening.

this is different from SB 28: prohibited activity of gang offenders which passed out of house committee and will now go to the house floor, probably next thurs/fri.

Face Movement... Inspired from the Heart of the Community

2009-02-03T23:02:00.000-08:00

I wanted to thank all of the community members who showed up to the Kearns Town Hall Meeting for the support and also again send out our condolences to both Ricky Angilau's family and Esteban Saidi's family. Our hearts go out to you and all we do is done in your memory.

We also want to thank Jed Boal for helping spread our message and getting some needed attention to the issues we are addressing.

Face Movement Story on KSL

Our Message @ Kearns Town Hall Meeting

2009-02-03T08:46:00.000-08:00

We are a group of concerned community members who realized the similarity of our struggles in our divided communities. We are advocating for unity amongst the people who reside in the same neighborhoods, attend the same schools, and dream outside of the barriers our status hold us too.

We are all members of this community. We have lived through many issues separately and now we must face these problems together. We were all shaken up by what happened to Esteban and Ricky. This incident has broken the silence in our community. A silence created by us sitting back and pretending that nothing was wrong. Pretending that our youth where ok and that others would take care of them.

When we heard how the media and law enforcement reacted by portraying Ricky and Esteban as gang members and how it lead to a increase in harassment of young men of color who wear loose fitting clothes we realized that others not only cant take care for our youth they don’t know how to.

Only we as parents, brothers and sisters, as community members, can truly deal with the issues in our neighborhoods since we have lived with these problems and these conditions our whole lives.

So we got together, a group of young Pacific Islander and Latino youth from various backgrounds, some students some working, who grew up in Salt Lake’s Westside and who are tired of sitting back. And who are tired of the only communication our communities have with each other is violence.

Our first priority has been to reach our younger peers at Kearns High as well as to try to heal our mourning community. We have gone to different churches and congregations speaking about our message of unity and peace. Both the Pacific Islander and Latino community have opened their arms to us and offered their support.

We have also spoken to Kearns high school and hope to be able to work with the administration and Student Body leadership in order to be able to provide mentorship and support for the youth. We want to be positive examples for the youth that many times don’t get the amount of support they need.

We have taken 100 surveys to our community here in Kearns asking what they saw as the biggest problems in their neighborhoods. Most of the people believe that a lack of parental involvement in their children’s lives was a big problem as well as a diminishing extra-curricular activities to occupy our youth was seen as a big issue. Discrimination, gang violence, as well as many others where also issues that where pointed out.
The community knows the problems we face, we have always known, and through these surveys many answers can be found. Engaging in this type of communication is how we will reach solutions. Many parents say they need more ways to be involved in their student’s lives. Many said that more programs have to be created before and after school.

But we must always remember to involve high school and middle school students too. Who better that Ricky and Esteban’s peers to help find solutions to the violence and discrimination? Reaching Kearns high students is just the beginning. All the high schools and middle school have to become safe places for all students, where they can receive the support they need and be treated with respect and understanding. Where they can learn to value their own cultures and through that respect the cultures of others.

We need to collectively find ways to resolve these issues. We want to show the unity that can be achieve between our communities and the positive things that can be done when Latinos, Pacific Islanders and others get together and face our common problems as one.

Another part of what we have to do is become advocates for our youth. Ricky and Esteban where both portrayed as gang members and they have been being used by some who don’t understand our people as the reason to step up harassment of our youth. This will only lead to an even bigger feeling of despair and disenfranchisement that will only make matters worse. We need to stand up for our youth and make sure that no one is stereotyped and labeled incorrectly again.

So what is the step forward? Where do we go from here?

To unite the community and to find meaningful support that is not only in reaction to the tragedies we face, we are asking the old to support the young, the young to support their community and those in pursuits of their dreams to never forget where they come from.

We must work together in unity to plan and implement strategies to detour the youth from committing tragic crimes. The measures we need to undertake include parental awareness, mentoring of the youth, and, community involvement.
As a community we need to work in a cycle of connection with those we care about. We are the immediate influence on our neighbors, our friends, and our families. We are also the only ones who can impact the negative situations inside our communities
We are starting this movement with a simple statement, but with your support we will grow to be much more.

We are organizing various groups of community members and college students to create a presentation in which we can speak to high school students and those who will soon be high school students to open up dialog about the problems that they face. It is our responsibility to show unity were the youth only think themselves safe by being separate or acting out in violence. We advocate for a greater amount and more diverse array of after school programs to be available to give the youth something constructive to do.

It cannot go unrecognized that we are faced with tough economic conditions, but we do believe that every dollar that is spent in reactionary gang enforcement should be matched with preventative programming. Measures put forth are doing to little to late if all we can do is continue to wait for the problems in the community to develop until the only hope left is the incarceration of the youth.
Our strategies for reducing the amount of crimes and incarcerations are dependent upon educators, politicians, police enforcement, and community member’s support and recognition. We are organized out of and born from this west side community. We can relate to the issues the youth are facing for we face them ourselves and now we are asking for unity so that we may change the situation of our communities.

Within the institutions we are given nothing to cope with the stresses of knowing there are these tensions in the air between two divided communities. We are forced to stand aside and wait through the night hoping that another loved one is not lost either to the penitentiary or the grave. The youth rightfully mistrust authority and in the wake of this tragedy authority has not given them any reasons too begin. Pacific Islander and Latino youth are constantly bombarded with labels and accused of being criminally involved.

I cannot think of my little brothers and little sisters as “at risk youth” or “gang members”. I simply know them as loved members of my community family and reach out to them so that they may also see the greater picture, but if we in haste allow our youth to be labeled and confined to narrow definitions are we not asking for them to react in that fashion?
We need to instead help the youth pursue emancipation and expand their minds to greater pursuits, by directly addressing the issues of the community and not targeting a select labeled few.

We did Ricky and Esteban a disservice by not getting the community involved in their lives before hand and now have lost two community members.
Every lost life whether it’s the tragic loss of life due to death or the loss of life to imprisonment is the loss of a future leader that our communities could have cultivated and used. Esteban’s sad death shed light on the seriousness of the situation the youth are facing, but it also showed me that more has to be done and if you are here listening today you may have something to contribute. Now we are all responsible for the next group of kids that will walk the same pathways as Esteban and Ricky.

We cannot let the incidents between our communities define our relationships and we cannot wait until more tears are shed.

I can relate to the tears of a mother who mourns the loss of her son to the penitentiary and whose same cry weeps for the loss of another’s son to the grave. For the loss of a loved one is universal and the heavy heart speaks to the connections we have. We face similar struggles, but our love can extend beyond incident and unite us as one. No longer should we allow our schools to be divided or our neighborhoods.
This is our chance to unite; this is our chance to recognize that our communities face similar types of oppression; this is our chance to save those we care for in manners that are meaningful to those we help and the community. Make no doubt for we are united by the margins in which we are placed and the communities in which we reside.
We are the Face movement uniting a community by the similar struggles we face.
If you would like to get involved please take our flyer and contact us.

Thank you for contributing thoughts or spirit.

Face Movement Flier

2009-02-03T08:14:00.000-08:00

FACE MOVEMENT

Who we are?

We are a group of community members concerned by the divisions in our communities. We passionately advocate for unity amongst people who reside in the same neighborhoods and attend the same schools.

What we want to do?

We seek to serve as mentors in an effort to reduce the incarceration of youth and to stop the loss of our youth to street violence. We seek to act on issues that are important to the community and to create a safe Central Location (CL) where youth can kick it and dialogue about issues and divisions in the community.

Our Message

The loss of Esteban Saidi shocked the Kearns and surrounding communities. We are deeply concerned with the injustice against the victims as the media and politicos framed the fatality as a “gang issue.” We are calling out to the media to take responsibility of their claims before condemning those who they report about. We believe an apology should be issued to Esteban's family for the misreporting of the situation and we insist that future reporting be required to confirm claims before reporting stereotypical fabricated stories.

We are advocating for preventative programs for youth. We are mindful of the challenge this presents in current economic conditions, but we believe every dollar spent in reactionary measures, such as the gang task force, should be matched by providing programs for the youth. We are united by the struggles we face!!!

Contact

www.myspace.com/facethestruggle

facethestruggle.blogspot.com

facemovement@yahoo.com

801/860-1389

FACE MOVEMENT

¿Quiénes somos?

Somos miembros de la comunidad afligidos por las divisiones que existen en nuestras comunidades. Abogamos por la unidad entre gentes que residen en las mismas colonias y asisten a las mismas escuelas.

¿Nuestra misión?

Nuestra misión es el servir como tutores para reducir el número de encarcelamientos de jóvenes y prevenir las fatalidades a consecuencia de la violencia. Buscamos abogar por aquellos temas de importancia a la comunidad y crear un espacio donde los jóvenes se sientan seguros y donde puedan dialogar acerca de los problemas y divisiones en la comunidad.

Nuestro Mensaje

La perdida de Esteban Saidi impacto inmensamente a la comunidad de Kearns y a las comunidades a su alrededor. Estamos afligidos por la injusticia contra las víctimas de esta tragedia ya que los medios de comunicación y líderes políticos argumentaros que esto fue a causa de “pandillas.” Este es un llamado a los medios de comunicación para que tomen responsabilidad por aquello que reportan antes de condenar a las personas. Creemos que estos medios deben una disculpa a la familia de Esteban por haber reportado datos incorrectos. Es necesario que los medios confirmen datos antes de reportar historias fabricadas basadas en estereotipos.

Abogamos por programas preventivos para los jóvenes. Entendemos que esta demanda es complicada dada a la situación económica, pero creemos que cada centavo invertido en medidas reaccionarias, como el escuadrón de pandillas, debe ser invertido en proveer servicios y programas para los jóvenes. Estamos unidos por las luchas que encaramos!

Para más información

www.myspace.com/facethestruggle

facethestruggle.blogspot.com

facemovement@yahoo.com

801/860-1389