I was thrilled to receive this (notification that SPJ has passed a resolution on the use of the word illegals)  yesterday just a couple of hours before our "Power of Words" forum on "Illegals, A Campus Discussion."  

 
Anita Fleming-Rife

"The difference between the right word and the almost-right word 
is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
- - Mark Twain
 


----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "Monica Novoa, Drop the I-Word" <[log in to unmask]>
To: Anita Fleming-Rife <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 3:33 PM
Subject: Drop the I-Word News: Read for updates and to take action!


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TAKE ACTION! 
Send the following tweet to thank the Society for Professional Journalists for voting to end use of the term "illegal alien."
Thanks @SPJ_tweets for voting to end use of "illegal alien" and being a leader for journalists! http://bit.ly/oJAwJQ #droptheiword
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 Campaign Highlight 
 

How the Right Made Racism Sound Fair--and Changed Immigration Politics
Think the words we use don't matter? Think again. In 2006 and 2007, years in which Congress fought hard over immigration, the New York Times published 1,483 articles in which people were labeled as “illegal” or “alien;” just 171 articles used the adjectives “undocumented” or “unauthorized.”
It seems as if Republican strategists have won the messaging war—and Democrats have conceded defeat. The result is more harsh policy than ever, and a dangerous culture of hate. In this investigative Colorlines article, Gabriel Thompson tells the long,sad story of D.C.’s immigrant-bashing rhetoric. 
Read the full story here. C 
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Society of Professional Journalists Drop the I-Word
 
What Would Your Immigrant Ancestors Think of the I-Word?
        
 
  Campaign Update:    
 A note from Mónica Novoa, 
Drop the I-Word Coordinator


Anita,
We’re happy to report on an exciting development and major win for the Drop the I-Word campaign! The Society of Professional Journalists passed a resolution this month to discontinue use of the term “illegal alien” and suggest continued discussion to re-evaluate the implications of the use of “illegal immigrant.” This recommendation comes from professionals in the field of journalism that have identified how this language denies due process and is used pejoratively against Latinos in particular. We applaud them!
This is a significant gain thanks to the leadership of the SPJ diversity committee including members of the NAHJ. And thanks to Jose Antonio Vargas at Define American who changed the conversation as a journalist coming out as undocumented and not “illegal”. We are thankful for everyone doing their part to get rid of this language.

Building awareness and pledging to drop the i-word in all forms is urgent as anti-immigrant policy takes hold in Alabama and children and families across the country continue to suffer. We encourage you to continue writing your media and letting them know there are accurate humane terms they can use. 

Together we are changing the conversation. Thank you for your continued support.
Mónica Novoa        
 
  I AM...    
  ...Taking Action in Georgia

Dulce Guerrero became active in defending immigrant rights this year after an April 5 action where seven undocumented students were arrested for protesting against the Georgia college ban, a move by education officials to bar academically qualified undocumented immigrants from attending the state’s five most selective public universities. Read about her motivating story here.

 
TAKE THE PLEDGE! If you believe that undocumented immigrants deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, take the pledge to drop the i-word today, and ask your friends to do the same!
      
 
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