Bolinao 52

Last Thursday, we went to see the documentary film Bolinao 52. This is what I remember:

They were a group 110. They were picked up by the captain, and the boat left Ben Tre, south Viet Nam, heading out to the South China Sea. A storm took over. The boat engine died. They drifted away from land.

Boats came and left, never picking up a single passenger. A ship flying a Japanese ship was seen in the distance, but left. People started to jump off the boat in different waves. Some clung to rafts and drifted away. Some were beat back to the sides of hte boat. Strong men swam to the ships and got lost in the blue sea.

The children thirsted for sweet water. Little brothers chewed on big brother's arms.

On Day 19, the USS Duboque approached. The captain refused to pick up any survivors. Several men from the Viet boat swam to the carrier. Sailors brushed them off the monkey line. Life preservers were given, with instructions to go back to the damned boat. Some swimmers too weak to return to the boat drowned. Photos were taken by sailors on the Duboque. Men with gaunt faces and bony arms flailing in the water, clinging to life rings.

Two days' supply of food was given to the little boat. The carrier left. Resolute, unbending human will. Impassiveness in response to human suffering, death. No compassion for human life.

Day 20-something. No more food, no more water. Cannibalism. Human flesh cut from the bones. Unwilling survivors are forced fed to stay alive. The taste of human flesh. Bitter anger over inhumanity in the face of suffering and death.

Day 37. Philippino fishing boats pass by. Carlos the fisherman stops to check out the lonely boat in the water. See the survivors who've chewed their clothes and eaten their fellow passengers, and are awaiting death.

Carlos brings back 6 or 7 fishing boats. 52 survivors are taken to the island of Bolinao of the Philippines. Refugee camps, everyone of them.

Their story is only beginning to unravel.

Five things to do for this summer...

Teaching an online poetry class for the Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership this summer. First time teaching poetry online! Must write syllabus. Must recruit more students.

Exhibition at Central UMC, plus poetry and art workshops, in September, in Stockton.

Exhibition at Bade Gallery, Pacific School of Religion, from October to December 2008.

Starting a writer's group with J., with all seriousness.

Apartment hunting -- to move out in June! Woe is me, the rent rates are too much to take! I might just live under the Golden Gate bridge.

Kayaking first-timer

Two Sundays ago, a group of us went kayaking at Lake Merritt in Oakland. I have not had so much fun in a long, long time! As Becky and I headed out to the middle of the lake, I was simultaneously excited and panicky b/c of the sensation of being so close to the water surface. Despite the fact that I was wearing a life-jacket, it still felt like I was about to fall head first to the bottom of the (artificially shallow) lake. Breezy weather, cool waters, and a certain restrained abandon made kayaking absolutely thrilling... Note: I did not tip over the kayak (though we were perilously close to it several times, thanks to Nene and TA bring to hook their kayak up to ours!). I did not scare Becky too much, either!

Yowza!

Three shocking numbers...

I recently came across three different numbers that have truly tested not only arithmetic skills but also skills in logic and analytical reasoning. Down to the penny, they say volumes about what life is like in the Bay Area in these times...

$4.15
For one gallon of gas!! Am I glad I don't own a hummer? Yes. Am I glad I share a car with my siblings? Yes! Yes! Am I glad I can walk to work? YEEESSSSS!!!

$36.99
For a 50 lbs. bag of jasmine rice! And this is at Ranch 99 where everything is affordable. This is not so significant, you say? Well, in Arlington, my parents are paying approx. $20 for 25 lbs.

$650,000.00
For a 2-bedroom, 900+ sq. ft. townhome! This is dismal, to say the least. I've been looking at apartments, and in all seriousness, I despair at the rent rates. $2200 for a 2-bedroom apartment? Shocking!

May Day, May Day

This, from National Day of Prayer:

Holy Father, in a world where so many are hungry,
You have given us food in abundance;

In a world where so many are hurting,
You offer to bind up our wounds;

In a world where so many are lonely,
You offer friendship to every heart;

In a world longing for peace,
You offer hope.

Yet, we are so stubborn and resistant.
Have mercy upon us, Lord.

Our nation is at a crossroads this year;
we look to you to be our strength and shield.

Please give us the guidance to elect one who will honor you
and to respond to the wisdom from above
so that our hope may be renewed and our blessings be treasured.

In God's holy name.

This, from SF Bay Area Independent Media Center:

Organizers in cities and towns around the U.S. are hoping to bring back the historical significance of May 1st in international labor and workers' struggles, and to reignite the labor movement by integrating recent undocumented workers' struggle for amnesty. Marches, rallies, and other gatherings on that date will focus on issues such as federal agencies and ending harassment by local police, raids, and the separation of families in immigrant communities; stopping the use of "no-match" letters to intimidate worker organizing efforts; holding elected officials accountable to supporting immigrant rights; funding human needs and services instead of militarism and war; and amnesty for those who do not have current documents.

Under the broad theme of Workers Uniting Without Borders –Amnesty for All, protesters will gather in San Francisco on Thursday, May 1st for a 2:00pm rally in Dolores Park, a 3:30pm march to Civic Center, and a 5:00pm rally and musical performance. The final planning meeting will take place on April 24th at 7pm at 522 Valencia St., near 16th St. BART.

In Santa Cruz, march participants will wear green in solidarity with campus workers. There will be a 12pm rally in Quarry Plaza, followed by a march to a 4pm celebration in San Lorenzo Park. A march, rally, outdoor film screening, and other activities will take place in Watsonville starting at 4pm in the Plaza.

An Immigrant Rights May Day March in Oakland will gather at 3 pm at Fruitvale BART Plaza for a march down International Blvd. to a 6pm rally at Oakland City Hall (14th & Broadway).

In San Jose, an Immigrants Being Active Participants in Change march will gather at 4pm in the Mi Pueblo Foods parking lot (Story and King Roads) and will head down King Road and Santa Clara Street to San José City Hall (Santa Clara and 5th Streets).

In Fresno, a March for Immigrant Rights will gather at 3pm in the Fulton Mall Free Speech Area, with plans for a 5pm march (imc_video.gifVideo).

In San Diego, the community will gather at City College, march down Broadway to Pantoja Park, and then the day's events will continue with a public assembly at Memorial Park at Oceanview and 30th.