On Sunday, as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids amped up in downtown Los Angeles, I worked a dog birthday party on the westside that was Mexican themed.
I left LA just under two weeks ago to come back to my home country because I didn’t want to wait around to wake up and find out if my student visa had been cancelled out of the blue, and I didn’t want to have to stay quiet and pretend that I am okay with what’s going on. I can’t stop looking at the news, at social media, and wondering if my friends are okay. I know that even if I had stayed in LA I wouldn’t have been able to protest because even if I’m not a Latina, I’m still a brown woman and an immigrant (nonimmigrant actually as stated on the visa 🙄, and wtf does that even mean). My family keeps saying “well, thank god you left last week” and moving on but I can’t move on.
Thank you 🫶🏽🙏🏽 It can feel so isolating to care sometimes, especially the more ‘radical’ the things you care about are considered. Even among the left, it feels like it’s somehow wrong to be emotional about things sometimes. I appreciate the vulnerability and honesty with which you write about the emotional reality of living in a system that you disagree with.
I work in a very red area of South Florida near Mar-A-Lago and it's unbelievable how many hats and stupid idiots you see. Whole houses decorated with Trump bullshit like it's christmas. But it's not a cult, right?
If it wasn't for the fact that I make my money in tips off these rich fucks I would totally say something to everyone of them. And at this point after I recover from the medical issue I'm dealing with and go back to work I probably will start opening my mouth. Enough is enough. And as you know 90% of the people who wear the hats are complete dick heads. 10% just think that it's not so bad and where the Hat, and the support the police shirt, and of course don't tread on me. Because I need to tread on everyone. These are actual Southerners living in South Florida which is not a southern type of place. Pardon Me for anything. Very good article and yes I'm actually impressed though that's not the word I'm looking for that you skipped work to go to the protest. Very glad that Myq Kaplan told us to check you out
You have no idea how much it means to me that you took a day off to protest for those that can’t. I have DACA but honestly that means nothing now a days.. every day I go to work in fear that it might be my last day seeing my loved ones - whether I get picked up or my dad who have been here for over 20 years. I fear for my friends who are in similar situations. Thank you for being an ally and spreading the word about what truly is happening during protest. ❤️
Gabe, this is amazing. I love the line back to that stupid lady, the line, “I’m trans and he’s an immigrant.’ I listen to Bad With Money every week, more or less since the beginning. I love you and that’s not me parasocially (although yeah it’s parasocial I get that) loving on a gay celebrity, that’s me loving on another queer person choosing queer liberation over rainbow capitalism. Your work is needed.
I left LA just under two weeks ago to come back to my home country because I didn’t want to wait around to wake up and find out if my student visa had been cancelled out of the blue, and I didn’t want to have to stay quiet and pretend that I am okay with what’s going on. I can’t stop looking at the news, at social media, and wondering if my friends are okay. I know that even if I had stayed in LA I wouldn’t have been able to protest because even if I’m not a Latina, I’m still a brown woman and an immigrant (nonimmigrant actually as stated on the visa 🙄, and wtf does that even mean). My family keeps saying “well, thank god you left last week” and moving on but I can’t move on.
Your mind went through a trauma here in the States. You’re probably in shock so be kind to yourself. And worrying about others is rational. 🫶
Thank you 🫶🏽🙏🏽 It can feel so isolating to care sometimes, especially the more ‘radical’ the things you care about are considered. Even among the left, it feels like it’s somehow wrong to be emotional about things sometimes. I appreciate the vulnerability and honesty with which you write about the emotional reality of living in a system that you disagree with.
Thank you for writing this
Thanks for reading it
I work in a very red area of South Florida near Mar-A-Lago and it's unbelievable how many hats and stupid idiots you see. Whole houses decorated with Trump bullshit like it's christmas. But it's not a cult, right?
If it wasn't for the fact that I make my money in tips off these rich fucks I would totally say something to everyone of them. And at this point after I recover from the medical issue I'm dealing with and go back to work I probably will start opening my mouth. Enough is enough. And as you know 90% of the people who wear the hats are complete dick heads. 10% just think that it's not so bad and where the Hat, and the support the police shirt, and of course don't tread on me. Because I need to tread on everyone. These are actual Southerners living in South Florida which is not a southern type of place. Pardon Me for anything. Very good article and yes I'm actually impressed though that's not the word I'm looking for that you skipped work to go to the protest. Very glad that Myq Kaplan told us to check you out
Gabe,
You have no idea how much it means to me that you took a day off to protest for those that can’t. I have DACA but honestly that means nothing now a days.. every day I go to work in fear that it might be my last day seeing my loved ones - whether I get picked up or my dad who have been here for over 20 years. I fear for my friends who are in similar situations. Thank you for being an ally and spreading the word about what truly is happening during protest. ❤️
Oh gosh I’m so sorry for all the fear and stress you’re experiencing. It is so unfair.
Dear Gabe,
I love you.
Thank you for sharing this.
Dear Everyone Else,
I recommend reading Gabe's work, this and and all of it.
Love
Myq
Love you 2 bud
It’s corny to say but I am proud of you for going to the protest and for missing the paycheck to do so. ❤️ LA. Fuck that lady.
I couldn’t believe how brazen she was, but I’ve actually seen 2 Trump hats this week and a guy with an LAPD mask on the bus just flaunting it. Wild.
Gabe, this is amazing. I love the line back to that stupid lady, the line, “I’m trans and he’s an immigrant.’ I listen to Bad With Money every week, more or less since the beginning. I love you and that’s not me parasocially (although yeah it’s parasocial I get that) loving on a gay celebrity, that’s me loving on another queer person choosing queer liberation over rainbow capitalism. Your work is needed.
Oh thank you. It’s become an obvious choice but I appreciate you saying so
Very good piece. Thanks for putting it all out there. Fuck the police.
ACAB