Yolanda and Frankie Ledesma •
Silicon Valley De-Bug •
February 15, 2017
De-Bug is proud to launch "Lockdown Love," a series of reflections by those impacted by the walls of incarceration -- our loved ones inside and the families who love them. "Lockdown love" comes from Joe and Benee, a San Jose love story – a couple who have been holding it down for each other during Joe's years of incarceration. "Joe is my heart," writes Benee. Joe and Benee also wanted to let other prison/ jail wives know and feel that they are not alone and things could be done with love.
This first piece comes from Yolanda, whose loved one, Frankie, is currently serving a life without parole sentence. He has been incarcerated since he was 18 years old. Together they share love letters.
Olivia M. Merchant, Vanessa Nisperos •
February 8, 2017
The internet lost it over Beyonce's announcement that she is carrying twins. Two super mamas of twins Vanessa and Olivia, have tried-and-true tips as vets of the twin-mama-game for Queen Bey.
Khalilah Ramirez •
Silicon Valley De-Bug •
February 3, 2017
This Week in Peace chronicles the exciting adventures of San Jose’s own Dancer of Peace, Khalilah Ramirez. Written under divine inspiration, the column contains true stories of peace encounters in your neighborhood. In this edition, Khalilah reminds us that we are in a new year of new opportunities and that we have more chances to catch the dance of peace with five weekly performances!
Sajid Khan •
February 2, 2017
Public Defender Sajid Khan brings us back to the very real victory that California had with the passage of Proposition 57 this past November and how it has already changed what youth experience in the juvenile system – they get to continue being children with this shift in criminal justice policies that will ultimately bring more people home.
Various Authors •
Silicon Valley De-Bug •
January 31, 2017
Donald Trump has been in office all of 10 days and has already made good on his threats to all of humanity worldwide - reversing advances we have made to civil liberties, women's rights, environmental protections and more. His actions have been met with unprecedented protests in the streets, and thousands across the world have joined in solidarity. De-Bug folks were out in DC, in San Jose, all over the Bay and have been fighting back in the streets, organizing with marginalized communities and creating art to give voice to the sentiment of rising up together – following more often than not a womyn’s lead to steer the course of history towards justice. Below is a glimpse of that coming together and what we can expect to see in a resistance that is as needed as it is inspiring. What you will see is a compilation of videos and images from the Women’s March in DC and the Bay Area, written accounts of what it was like to be there, art inspired to lift up everyday resisters, and songs that reflect on the moment.
Vanessa Palafox •
Silicon Valley De-Bug •
Photo Essay •
January 30, 2017
Several local organizations called a drum and prayer circle Saturday to protest the recent actions to continue plans with the North Dakota Access Pipeline.
Khalilah Ramirez •
Silicon Valley De-Bug •
January 11, 2017
This Week in Peace chronicles the exciting adventures of San Jose’s own Dancer of Peace, Khalilah Ramirez. Written under divine inspiration, the column contains true stories of peace encounters in your neighborhood. In this edition, Khalilah reminds us that creating peace is a living activity and that activating both sides of our brains can help us live with more peace.
Rosa Angelica Castañeda •
Video •
January 10, 2017
“Let’s DACAbout It” is a series of stories on how Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals has given individuals the opportunities to fulfill their dreams. In just days, the new president has vowed to repeal President Obama’s executive order that has granted relief from deportation to close to a million undocumented young people.
Various Authors •
January 9, 2017
Local San Jose High school students defy the racist labels the incoming President of the United States has used to describe the communities they are a part of.
Rich Gutierrez •
December 15, 2016
Part two of an essay by local artist Rich Gutierrez on the rejection of white supremacy. Here he delves into how people of color in particular are affected by a "system that was built without us in mind."