[PapaC]

I really do.
I mean... I REALLY REALLY do.
I can still hear my mom say

"você tem que ter seus documentos em ordem!"

she was very particular about that kind of paperwork, and I'm very grateful for that.

But I never thought in a million years that her prudence and lessons would be needed for the level of grief I have in North American border crossings. So yes, I understand if you're close to the border, have your papers if you plan to cross...

but on your person? Every time?

Now, just suppose SB 1070 was in BC. I like open water swimming. you realize if SB1070 existed literally in my backyard, I could be stopped and harassed because I don't happen to have my SIN or my DL tattooed somewhere on my ass.


I'm wearing a pair of shorts right now with no pockets. I have to walk to the mailbox to get my mail. Are you telling me I should take my ID with me if I want to go for a 10 minutes walk?

or what if I just plainly forget my ID/wallet but I'm on a bus somewhere in Victoria? I paid with a ticket, I have my house keys, I might even have a $20 bill on me.

But if SB1070 existed up here, I'd be nervous as fuck.

Two years ago, I paid for a friend of mine on Nova Scotia to get his birth certificate (it was -- ha ha, a birthday gift actually, I'm a fan of practical gifts). Both him and his boyfriend don't update their IDs. I almost find it weird that 'regular' Canadians (people born in Canada, not naturalized like me) don't keep up to date passports.

It's been ingrained in my head to have my papers in ordered... (like my momma taught me). But honestly, I'm a little jealous at my friend's lack of interest... (some might say lack of responsibility)..

but, I also see it as a type of privilege that I've *never* felt... the privilege of being free of worrying of harassment of questioning of who I am, and if...

I 'actually' belong in the country of which I'm citizen.

I am racially profiled at borders... Wanna know what's saved my ass each and every time?

I sound Torontonian. Not Portuguese.

So, while I believe in the prudence of it, cybersuebee, I also see the bullshit behind it. Knowing that my parents lived in a fascist country prior to coming to Canada in 1974, I understand now where the fear was instilled from. And it ain't pretty.