This Feeds Me Hungry Musings of a Gastronomic Gypsy – NC-based freelance writer Victoria Bouloubasis

When it comes to food, my friends share my obsession. My fondest recent food memories include moments with my friends in Carrboro, or La Banda, as we’ve dubbed ourselves, gathered around an oven adding spices and herbs (and our “two cents”) onto a leg of lamb,  standing at a kitchen table spreading cookies with dulce de leche, or dipping our spoons into a communal bowl of homemade honeydew melon and tarragon ice cream. We don’t mess around. Every snack, even the ones haphazardly thrown together, are feasts. And we share meals together every chance we get.

One of the many times Loida has made Peruvian alfajores for us. Photo by Victoria Bouloubasis.

One of my “foodie” friends is Loida, one of the most sassy, creative and endearing personalities of the bunch. She and I share a love for arugula, ceviche recipes and inappropriately stuffing ourselves with food known to cause some rumble in the belly (it is always the two of us moaning on the soccer field after one too many tacos). But right now, Loida is choosing to stay hungry to fight for her basic right to an education. She is one of three very brave young women on a hunger strike, urging N.C. Senator Kay Hagan to co-sponsor the D.R.E.A.M. Act. and camping out in front of her Raleigh offices.

Loida, Rosario and Viridiana were brought to this country as youth and share a hopeless struggle with 1.5 million undocumented youth. Loida told us she chose to participate in a hunger strike because she felt she had no other option.

A bipartisan bill, The Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act offers undocumented youth meeting certain requirements a right to equal higher education and a conditional path to citizenship. It is already backed by 40 senators (as of June 18).

The girls’ statement is as follows: “We are asking Senator Kay Hagan to meet with us because we will not eat a single bite until she co-sponsors the DREAM Act.”

Here’s an excerpt from their blog: ncdreamteam.wordpress.com

Over a decade ago, our parents were forced to make decisions beyond our control and understanding. They decided to immigrate to the land of opportunity, the United States of America, in search of a better future for their family. Throughout the years, we have overcome many barriers. We managed to add and embrace a new language and culture as our own; we are bilingual and bicultural. We have attended schools that have equipped us with the necessary tools to contribute back to the state we call home and the country we love. We pay taxes. We have given back to our community through tireless volunteering. However, we have become members of a society that does not recognize us fully–we are labeled as illegal aliens and thus denied equal access to higher education.

I was able to witness and capture a defining moment in the girls’ efforts, when Loida approached Sen. Hagan at a meet-and-greet in Chapel Hill on Friday. Despite feeling weary, Loida spoke eloquently, strongly, courageously and with facts to back her argument. Hagan could not answer her questions, nor could her aides answer what comprehensive immigration form means to the senator and why she won’t formally meet with them.

Two minutes with Sen. Kay Hagan. Photo by Victoria Bouloubasis.

Please support their D.R.E.A.M. And please hear them, Kay Hagan. These valiant three, and the rest of America’s brave undocumented youth, deserve it.

A special thanks to Liberación Juice Station for donating two gallons of fresh-made tonic full of nourishing herbs and antioxidants, including a new juice made in solidarity: The D.R.E.A.M. is Alive.