Eshi Otawara Gets A Green Card!
Here's some great holiday news: one of Second Life's most admired Residents is finally a Permanent Resident of the United States. Last Summer, celebrated metaverse artist Eshi Otawara was seemingly days away from being deported from her adopted home in the US, a victim of the so-called "widow's penalty". Fortunately for her and us, she was assisted by an informal coalition of Second Life Residents who came to know and love her-- including some who were able to provide legal support. In tribute of that, I asked her to whip up a mixed reality green card, above.
"I was lucky, again, to have been in Second Life where I met people who wholeheartedly helped me, " she tells me. "Harper, Mike, Tab, Crap, Bettina, Lauren and many others... all of my customers in SL who literally put food on my table. I don't think I ever would have pulled through these two years of being on hold without Second Life community who took me for who I really am, not my widowhood or the fact I was not American, as I was often judged for that in real life." Then again, she also noted there are others who are not as lucky as her, still struggling against the widow's penalty-- here's a site explaining and advocating their cause.
As for Eshi Otawara, "there's still a lot to do for me, a lot of gaps to fill... but at least I feel like finally nothing can separate me from the memory of Glenn and the fact that this is home."
/me salutes
Posted by: Crap Mariner | Monday, December 22, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Congratulations, Eshi! I knew things would work out, and they have.
Posted by: ArminasX | Monday, December 22, 2008 at 04:21 PM
That is so awesome! :D
Posted by: Timeless Prototype | Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 07:20 AM
Yes!!! This news shall be spread to every Middlesex village and farm, if I have anything to say about it! A great Christmas present for her. Congratulations, Eshi, if you're reading this!
Posted by: Harper Ganesvoort | Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Eshi is a dear friend. It is very good to hear this is working out. I am delighted to read this here. The way our community gets together to help it's residents is the true magic of Second Life.
Posted by: Tuna Oddfellow | Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Congrats Eshi and..Merry Christmas
Posted by: Delinda Dyrssen | Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 06:57 PM
Is that her IRL? She's PRETTY
How lovely, it's nice to hear some good news occasionally :)
Posted by: Summer | Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Widow penalty has been removed by the new administration: http://carlshusterman.blogspot.com/2009/06/dhs-suspends-widows-penalty.html
Posted by: Peter Stindberg | Friday, July 03, 2009 at 04:58 AM