Bienvenidos

"If you believe that change is impossible, you guarantee that change is impossible." --Noam Chomsky Welcome everyone to the blog of all community-based blogs. Here we will waste no time arguing over things that make no difference in our efforts to rebuild our society. For as participants in a much needed movement for social justice, our primary goal should always be to move forward, refusing to find contentment in remaining where colonialism, slavery, exploitation, repression and war have left us. Here we will, thus, focus less on what we are against and more on what we are for, in hopes of achieving for ourselves a concrete vision of where we want to be and what we want to become. Thank you for your time and willingness to practice the art of resistance. Please invite others to join this blog; everyone's input and contribution is needed. Yours for the cause of justice, Mario Rocha Facebook me!

Comments

[Susan]

nice looking blog...

interested to hear the latest on what you're writing and your Pen fellowship -
do you know yet who you will be working
with

[Nikkie]

Lets do this!

[Alex]

mario,
thank you for sharing your story with us, your strenght and positive outlook in the midst of tragedy is inspiring.

[Harriet Hendel]

Dear Mario,
My husband and I just received "Mario's Story" from Netflix and we wanted you to know how fantastic a film it was. I volunteer in a maximum security prison in upstate NY and can certainly relate to everything in this documentary. You are truly an inspiration! You are fortunate to have a wonderful and loving family. We wish you all the best in 2008. Keep the faith! Love from, Harriet and Stan Hendel

[Richard Read]

How valiently you embrace your journey!!!!May the road ahead be paved with love and good fortune...all of which you surely deserve....would love to know how you are, and what your currents thoughts are if you have the time.....

[Sam]

I just finished watching "Mario's Story" and learned that we're both the same age and I lived in Highland Park at the time of your arrest. Seeing the difference in the way we both spent the last 10 years of our lives humbles me. Your story and the strength that you portrayed makes me ashamed at how much of my life has been taken for granted while you sat imprisoned for something you didn't do. I hope and pray that God would continue to be your strength and may you continue to experience God's mercy and justice.

[NormaLiz Rojas]

I watched your movie at Fresno City College, i was really moved and inspired by your courage to stay strong, I have gone through some hardships myself unlike yours but I was told myself stay true and real with yourself and the truth will prevail. I admire your humbleness, and your devotion to reach those far and near, please keep me posted, God will give you justice. Keep strong.

[Eva Gamez]

Mario,
I am so happy for you and your family, I remember when I met your family many years ago you were very young. I am very happy that Lady Justice was on your side. I wish the same justice would of been on my son's side. I truley wish the best. Que Dios Te Bendiga! Much Respect. Ms. E.G.

[Diana Browning]

Mario,
We are so proud of you, you have always been a blessing in our family. We love you so much and are so proud of everything you have and will accomplish. The boys love to watch your documentary, they don't get tired of watching it. Your cousin who loves you and misses you, Diana.

[Mona]

Mario - I just viewed your documentary and wanted to let you and your family know that you are an insirpiration to many. I cried as you smiled on the screen; you see I'm a mom of two grown children but mom's never stop hurting when their children hurt no matter how old they are and you remind me of my sons. I cried when Ian said you had been stabbed. I just wish you the absolute best for you and know that you will accomplish much in your life. God bless you!

[Stephanie]

Mario,
I just saw your story this evening on Showtime. It was sooo deep. OMGosh, your Faith is what drove me to keep watching and story. I want to say sooo much, but my mind right now is running like a freak train, trying to type as fast as I am thinking. First, I would like to say; your Faith I envy sooo much. I know we aren't supposed to envy anyone, but your Faith is powerful, especially during your times of trial. The verse immediately popped into my head that says, that we have to be stedfast and not be moved, and to know that God is God. Man, you were soo patient and waited gracefully, it was amazing. It drew me to tears and sobbing, because I could feel your faith in God thru your story. It was unbelievable. The Lord shine thru u like a ray of refreshing light coming up over the hills, beginning to start a new day. I told my husband about your story, and he freaked out. I told him how your attorneys couldn't believe how you were unmoved when things would go bad, and you were unmoved and stedfast, and I thought man that's God. How man (your attorneys) couldn't understand where your strength came from, but i knew... it was God. Man that was the Greatest feeling. You know in Isa where the bible talks about how we could never understand the depths of his Understanding, and that was them, not understanding where your faith and strenght came from and that was awesome! I liked especially when you wrote your cousin a letter telling him how no stabbing was going to hold you down, and I thought of Jesus dieing for us on the cross and how he died for us and was broken and bruised for our transgressions. You are a true hero, and inspiration to all Christians and Man. Janet is an Angel sent from Heaven like your Dad said. I truely believe that from my whole inner soul. I was in awe when I heard her testimony of how she had become your voice and advocate to be freed from a crime you did not do. You are a true Saint in my book and I know in the Lord's Bood of Life. I hope you are well, and have made a Wonderful life for yourself and your family as well. I am going to back to school to hopefully become a teacher, and hopefully you can come and be a guest speaker to our youths here in Texas. I will look you up in 4 years to see if your available to come and speak at the school I will teach at.(Smile) You take care and I am soo glad that you were released and your slate has been wiped clean. You are a true testimony that nothing can stop the Power and Love of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Your a True Inspiration. Who knows I might get you to come and speak at our Church someday. You continue to do the Lords Will and work. Rich Blessings to you and your Family, A Friend in Texas - Stephanie Rosales ;-)

[Bhakti Brophy]

What a beautiful, wonderful introduction to this blog. Yes, we MUST move forward without arguing, and by working together, etc.

Thank you for this wonderful blog, and for you in the world. You are a very special man. Thank you SO much for sharing your story.

Much Love,
Bhakti

[Leticia]

Mario,

You are such a positive role model even when at one point you said you felt like a "prison model" for me since the moment the video started I had strange feelings and was convinced by the Positiveness and firmness of your words stating justice. I am a criminology and sociology major and love to hear inspiring stories about our stigmatized youth, and their firmness of obtaining justice.

Love,
leticia

[Angel Sanchez]

I just fineshed seing your movie "Mario's Story" with my class at Animo Justice and im going to tell you that you are a good positive influence to others that are inprison that have the same exact case of yours and that they should keep heads up just like you did you are a truly very good person hope you luck in the future, Sincerly Angel Sanchez

[Victor lopez]

Hello mario i just finish yor movie and I am suprise that you never gave up and kip on trying to gang your freedomi wish you the best for you and your family.

[Liliana]

i just finish watching your movie with my 2nd period class this movie was really amazing it really touched us and you know, you are like a role model you showed us that we should never give on JUSTICE!! that we should always fight for our justice.
love,
Lily:]

[Roxana]

Mario,
you are positive you are bright you never gave up the fight. you never gave up, you had your hopes up you never seemed to be down, you really motivated people you changed some of their lives you really changed their lives beacuse you were always there to fight for your freedom no matter what... you are a very good person..... wait what am i saying you are a g8 person never giving up, fighting for freedom, damm you have guts mario!!!! VIVA MARIO ROCHA!!!! yeah!!!! lol good luck in life!!!!
Love,
---> ROXANA<---

[Nidia Hernandez]

Mario,
I have just finished seeing your movie. You stayed positive even when times were hard for you and that is something i think not a lot of people can do. You tried your hardest not to put your hopes up but in the end all you did paid of. I hope everything is good for you.
sincerly, Nidia

[moma lee]

MARIO,
WELL WHAT CAN I SAY GOSHERZ YOU REALLY HAD LOTS OF GUTS TO SUPPORT ALL THOES THING THAT HAPPEN TO YOU! UR REALLY SHOWED ME WHAT IS THE TRUE MEANING OF COURAGE! AND ABOUT YOUR MOVIE IT WAS REALLY GOOD WATCHING IT! WELL AM HAPPY YOU GOT UR FREEDOM&YOU DIDNT GIVE UP SO EASILY& YOUR FAMILY DIDNT GIVE UP ON YOU EAITHER!WELL BEST OF LUCKY!.
SINCERLY,
SARAI SANCHEZ!

[Linda Martinez]

that was very deep man and i hope you try to live your life like it should be have great life.one thing i have a qustion for you atfer they trilled you again.Did you win that one to i know it was for the same thing but i heared that they try bring back the case what i want to know is did you win that case for the murder well i hope you did goodbye for now.

[Maria Naranjo]

Hey Mario
hope you have been great with all your supporting family well just wanted to stop by and say thatmy 3rd period and me just finished watching your video and about your life and it was very inspiering

[andrea ocegueda]

dude awesome movie i found it intersting and inspiring ass well as how to use in time in class then watching your movie on TV we look up to u for not giving up......too down too be up....great movie wishes for u and ur family..................... RaNgEr$(GizMo.CEO.)

[GizMoCEO]

dude awesome movie i found it intersting and inspiring ass well as how to use in time in class then watching your movie on TV we look up to u for not giving up......too down too be up....great movie wishes for u and ur family..................... RaNgEr$(GizMo.CEO.)

[JOSE]

HEY MARIO
THAT WAS ALLSOME WHAT U DID AND ALL SOME MOVIE U DID AND HOPE U THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Yahir Santos]

Hey Mario I just finish watching your documantery in my fourth period class and I'm very proud that you never gave up even though you were falsely acuused of something you never did. I very hopeful you got your justice even though it was after a couple of years