On a Search;Rediscovering my Land, my Home, my Roots

ON A SEARCH; Rediscovering my Land, my Home, my Roots

During the summer things always feel lighter. The sun landing softly on my face always makes me feel rejuvenated and centered.

I spent most of this summer on a search for a deeper understanding of who I am as a Black Panamanian woman, activist, educator, daughter, thinker and friend. You will hear me say, “I fell in love all over again “as I rediscover what I come from and how that has shaped me and many others. This summer was about love, my love for my people, my country, my family and you.

My search took me into a writing class where I was challenged to look deeper into the wording used to describe and express our work and the audience I was hoping to reach. A dear mentor, friend, voice of reason, in my life thought it was the right time for me to take this on. Having her as someone I can turn to, someone I can exhale with has been a shining moment of this summer.

My teacher was caring in her approach and thoughtful in her exchange with each of the students. My classmates were gentle and attentive. Some even made me cry at their willingness to learn more about my community. This was a turning point for me as I learned that they are Latinas who do not know about us but really want to learn and that they are allies who really want to understand our struggle. I also learned that my words touch other people of color as my South Asian classmate shared with me when I read these words out loud, “We are rejected by Latinas who do not embrace their Blackness because their skin doesn’t “match” while their history, language and experience in the US might.” I embraced the two women of African descent who became true sisters in the validation of a revolutionary voice.

I fell in love with writing all over again during this class. I loved my free writing exercises. One of the pieces became part of my training/presentations in the summer.

I was asked to teach part of the class “Exploring Culture through Narratives: Human Behavior and Clinical Perspectives”, at the Boston University School of Social Work, where my piece from the Afro-Latino Reader was a class assignment. What a gift it is to put something together that will highlight new information but also reveals a new self in each individual present. The Professors, Lisa Moore and Luz Lopez, were fabulous and open which made each student the same. It was wonderful to be in the space and see the exchange, feel the emotion and see them move through all of it. It was powerful!!! I walked away saying to myself, we can heal if the truth is presented with love and the intention is to love unconditionally.

I then spent a beautiful Saturday with Lou and Ummi of the Andover Bread Loaf Project. I just love both of these amazing human beings. This was my third year sharing our work with teachers from all over the country. This year was extra special. The teachers were willing to “go there” with me and we all came out knowing that spaces like these can exist and we can all learn and grow while we sit through our discomfort.

In both of these presentations I used some of the tools from my writing class. One was a free writing prompt exercise. After sharing the work and some of my journey, I then asked the participants to write about a “place you would like to go to” or “place you are afraid of.” I then shared my own piece in our exchange.

Place

I want to take you to a place where bright things speak to your soul. On our walk, we will feel the sand beneath our feet and know that we are grounded in good intentions. We will see that road that will take us to a place of UNITY; we will name that St. SURVIVAL because we have made it to the crossroad that lifts our spirit. When we kneel to give thanks, we will hear the song in our heart connect with the sound of the river as we touch it lightly. What place is this? This is a placed called FREEDOM, Freedom to think about you, to see you, FREEDOM to love you.
The other tool I used was having students read my piece in the Reader out loud. I then asked, what words stood out for them? Each space had a different response based on their experiences. This process, also allowed me to see the piece in a different light.

Although these moments moved me to think, to feel in new ways, there was no deeper time this summer as my time at home filming the documentary and celebrating my birthday with my father, family and friends.

My first birthday gift came at the airport when Toshi surprised me by having Mr. Richards there to welcome me home. My search has brought me closer to this man who I lean on through good times and times of struggle. The way he moves, the way he speaks, is something I reach for on a daily basis.

One of the gifts of this journey is my friendship with Toshi, the director of the film. He makes everything feel so easy and not tasking. We worked long hours through rain, heat and me fumbling my lines and never did it become tense.

We spent some time filming in Panama Viejo and as we drove around the city, I kept asking myself, where are we? Where does our struggle show itself in these high buildings, this gap in wealth?

Another gift on this trip was my time with the Reina and Princesa Congo, Doña Alejandrina and Marcia. I could sit and listen to these special women all day. To hear the stories of the Afro-Colonials of Panama, their ancestors, created a sense a responsibility to support bringing attention to the needs of this community.

We then spent time in Portobelo. This is my space of silence, peace, of connecting with the ancestors of seeing myself in the faces of the people and sensing the presence of Guerreras in my being. When we stood in the jungles, I yelled out Ogun ye, as I felt the power of the warriors. When I spoke the words of the women who were abused and where the keepers of our secrets, I felt like a Queen. Their spirit inspires my audacity to believe!

I also had my first taste of “agua dulce”. I am still fascinated by this moment. Reaching down at this stream and tasting the cleanest and sweetest water ever. Mi Panama!!!

This time lead me to ask more questions. I then realized that my search includes my friends, their parents and a long history of struggle and resistance that needs to be told. I began interviewing many of them with the hope of bringing their voices into a paper I am working on.

My journal entry on this day was, “I give thanks for the gift of being from this special place, this rich soil, with an African beat. The world makes sense here. Narrating the film was my gift to Panama yet I realized on this trip, that Panama has given me a lasting gift; a treasure filled with truth, resiliency, pride and love, oh love. The faces of the people scream, “Yo soy Orgullosamente Pana”, and their smiles warm your soul. Their voices say, “I know you” and their embraces say, “I love you.”

This was a meaningful birthday. I have been thinking about this number since my mother passed away at this very age. I always wondered what I would be doing, what would it feel like. Being at home with my father I now have a better understanding of my parents and love them even more. I woke up and wrote these words, “I now know that my mother was young. Young in spirit and young in life and that my father stands with commitment because that is how I feel today. I see more, feel more and love more. I move with the depth that leads me on this search.”

Familia, as we begin preparing for the hustle and bustle of the fall, I will hold onto this special summer. A summer where I learned that words can heal, that being in the presence of those you love and care for feeds your soul. Seeing the essence of someone moving through life with humility inspires you to do the same, speaking the words of the ancestors builds resistance to anything that does not honor them and that the search to knowing self, embracing self is ongoing.

As we move through the following months I hope you all join us on the search to come together as a community, to love and support each other unconditionally, to learn more about yourself, your family and to share our story out loud so that it vibrates into the very being of our existence.

in peace
Yvette


picture from the film "Cimanoraje en Panama" by Toshi Sakai

Moving with Soul- Commencement Speech for Springfield College Boston Campus

Greetings familia,

When I received the call from Dr. Ulric Johnson, Asst. Dean of Springfield College Boston Campus, I was blown away by the invitation to be their 2011 Graduation Commencement Speaker.

When we met in person and walked around the Campus I knew this will be a memorable gift and it was the right place for me to say, this was my first commencement address.

With everything I was seeing, hearing and feeling, I wanted to share something uplifting, yet real. It was an opportunity to think out loud with the energy of renewed thoughts, hope and love.

In keeping the tradition of growing with you, I share with you part of my Commencement Speech for the 2011 Graduates of Springfield College Boston Campus.

Moving with Soul

Good Evening, Buenas Tardes, Greetings Dean Robert Willey, Assistant Dean Ulric Johnson, (Brother with a true Caribbean spirit), faculty, students, special guest, family and friends. I stand with you with the humble spirit of the ancestors who guide my dear mother whose spirit hugs me today. Happy Mother’s Day!!!

Transformation is defined by the shedding of the old and the welcoming and embracing of the new.

One of nature’s most beautiful visuals of transformation is that of a Butterfly or as I like to call it, the Soul Bird.

The butterfly, moves with grace, brightness and lightness. It lifts your spirit at the very first site of it. It is a symbol of new life, of wisdom and knowledge.

Today you begin your transformation from the woman on a search to a woman who stands firm with the clarity of who she is and where she is going. From the man who is labeled to the man who appreciates and embraces the uniqueness he brings to life, to the Immigrant who chased a dream with determination and convictions to succeed to the Immigrant who walks with home in the heart and stands and screams, Si Se Puede!!

The journey will not be easy but it will be up to you to trust parts of you. Reach for those parts of you that will take every stop on the road as lessons learned. Because you fought so hard to get here, it will be that pain that you will most recognize. But your eyes are now wide open and your wings will hold those you care for unconditionally and that pain, you will name, recognize and move past it as you grow.

Be courageous, allow your journey to be yours, fit for you with the light of your ancestors guiding you.

Move with love, love of self, love for those before you and love for those who will challenge you because with that challenge you will learn something of value, Patience.

I read this quote every morning, by Audrey Lorde,” When I Dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am Afraid.”

Dare to be that teacher that adds more to the history books, teaches the real story, engage in the real conversation. Allow your students to see themselves in the makeup/development of the Americas.

Be that clinician that allows that family to be an expert of their life and outcome. Treat them with kindness and respect and know that you will also learn something from them.

Walk away today with that degree in your hands but also embrace and honor your life experiences because there will be moments when that experience will be the strongest connection to community. There will be moments when you will need to move beyond the books to see, to listen and to learn.

Be grounded in goodness so that when you pause to share your words, it will have a lasting impact on the heart.

We are living in times were our search for justice and truth should lead our purpose, let today be the day that you stand on the side of truth.

Pause; be careful to not celebrate injustice, for injustice in one community is injustice to all. It will never be and should never be the only response to pain.
Truth will open the door to the healing of our communities. With truth, we see our commonalities and move beyond our differences. Truth takes us below the surface; it takes us to our root.

Today is an extra special day, it is mother’s day. We celebrate all the mothers in the space. You are the nurtures of our families. A mother is a teacher, counselor, cheerleader, confidant, and mentor. Hold all of it as you move today, for that is something that can never be taken from you.

It is also a special day for the fathers who walk next to these loving mothers. Look to them and say thank you, I love you for you. Our conversation needs to carry a tone that says, I appreciate you for the Queen that you are.

There is a Yoruba/African verse that speaks to the importance of this unity and the inclusion of a woman’s voice. When the male Orishas came to Earth, things were not coming together. They went back to ask what was missing. Olodumare asked, did you invite the woman/Oshun? They said no. He told them they needed to invite her to be successful, that without women and children things would not go well. They did and things went well. It speaks to having a woman’s touch. Sweetness can bring love and success, to everything we do.

Unity and acceptance have to be part of your transformation. I have been thinking a lot about Malcolm X. The truth he walked with is what I think we are missing today. One of his quotes stands out as I share this space with you today. It speaks to acceptance. “We cannot think of being acceptable to others until first proven acceptable to ourselves.”

Be clear on who you are, embrace your full self. That will bring freedom of the mind, a freer hand to write your story, free words that move without fear and in peace.

At this point I moved the energy of the space. I spoke in Spanish to the Latino students. I then also addressed all the students of color and spoke of unity between Latinos and African Americans.

Why a Soulbird? A Soulbird moves with the intention to search for the better self, a better world. As you begin this new chapter in your life, move with the intention of making every space you enter a space filled with hope and most important, love.

India Arie the singer poet shares,” It’s not what you do, but Why you do what you do. A Soulbird lives with the intention of growing, rising up and elevating, because we know that, like Ghandi said, “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” Let’s spread the wings of our souls and elevate.”

Your wings are wide open. They are open and filled with new ideas, a new approach, and new definitions. Your transformation into that bright, free flowing butterfly, SOULBIRD, will elevate you to the person that our community will support.

Congratulations to each and every one of you. Congratulations to those who supported and encouraged your journey. Congratulations to those who presented another perspective and allowed you to think outside of the box.

Fly with purpose, land with strength and move with love.

Peace and Blessings

Senegal through my Eyes by Aissata Barry of the HER Project

The HER Project supported El Movimiento's Night of Resistance event. The event was a fundraiser for the youth who are doing amazing things in bringing awareness to the importance of Ethnic Studies. Please visit the site at www.ethnicstudiesnow.org

Our own HER Project Leader Aissata Barry presented a short piece on her home country of Senegal. We were all moved by her confidence, strength and search for truth.

We share her piece with you.

peace


The area that today is Senegal once was part of the West African
Empire. the word Senegal originally came from a Senegalese word (SUNU
GAL) MEANING our dugout canoe" (everyone is in the same boat). When
the Europeans came to Senegal centuries ago trying to take over, the
natives of Senegal were afraid of them because of their skin colors
and thought of them as witches or some evil spirits, hence when the
white man approached them to find a way of communication, the natives
began to shout (lii sunu gal la) (these are our dugout canoes). for
this reason, the Europeans began to call the territory Senegal.
Senegal also has many important historical places which existed since
the triangular slave trade.
the most visited and known place in Senegal LILE DE GOREE
also known as Goree Island (Ile de Goree) is a small island just off
the coast of Dakar, Senegal's sprawling capital city. Goree Island is
a big tourist attraction because of its history as a major
slave-trading center. It's an important destination for
African-Americans in particular who come to pay their respects and
reflect upon their ancestors' past. In fact the Maison des Esclaves
(House of Slaves) on the island has become a place of pilgrimage for
everyone to reflect upon the horrors of the slave-trade and remember
the millions of souls who died because of it. this place is also known
as (maison dentree sans retour) meaning house of entrance without
return.
Senegal is a country rich in musical values and the number of
occasions that are used to gather around the "griots" or clapping your
hands and sway your hips in rhythm delights a public often very
numerous. Each ethical group has his music and his instruments that
are their own. the most famous musical instrument in Senegal is the
sabar. The sabar was used to communicate to other villages. The
different rhythms correspond to phrases and could be heard for over 15
kilometers.

some Senegalese proverbs that motivates me are:

A tree that grows in the shade of another one will die small.
If a centipede loses a leg, it does not
prevent him from walking.
draft

Participation in the Hemispheric Forum for Women-Participacion en el Foro Hemisferico de Mujeres

Greetings family.



I share with you another amazing experience. I attended the OAS, CIM, UN Hemispheric Forum- “Women Leadership for a citizens democracy” I was there in my role as the Diaspora Coordinator/ Panama of the Red de Mujeres Afro. I met so many wonderful women and men and reconnected with a few I met at the last OAS conference. As I shared with the Ambassador from Barbados when I saw him, he does wear nice ties. He shared that he recognized my voice right away when I presented my intervention.



As you will see in my pictures I was surrounded by women who immediately embraced me as an equal and as a sister.



Some of my highlights include, the words by Muni Figueres Ambassador of Costa Rica who said this to men in the space, “ Bendito sea usted entre todas las mujeres.” She also shared some reflective words of President Laura Chinchilla. When the President was asked, What does it feel like to be the first female President. She responded, “ I look to the day when we will not be asked that question.”



Another moment includes my intervention and exchange with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. In her presentation, the Prime Minister stated that a “woman’s agenda is vital to sustainable development in our Region.” She spoke of the importance of a balanced agenda that includes women and children. I loved when she said with great clarity in her voice, “ Women are climbing out and onto the steps.”



In using her words and that of the Secretary General of the OAS, I asked the Prime Minister the following question, Women of African descent continue to face double discrimination of gender and race. On this year that the UN and the OAS have named the year of People of African descent, and as the Secretary General stated earlier, we face a high level of poverty in our community. Using your words Prime Minister, What do we need to do to create a clear agenda that is fully inclusive of women of African descent that will zero in on specific actions and suggestions?



The Prime Minister responded to many questions and waited to respond to me at the end. She addressed me by my name and thanked me for asking such an important question. She then looked at the Secretary General and at the UN Women Representative and said, this question merits a focus in this meeting that you will be having in the next few days. If not, then we are lacking in really responding to the needs of All women.



Yet, my favorite moment was any and every exchange I had with an Ambassador or Minister from the Caribbean. We laughed and shared stories as if we all knew each other for years. Just love that Caribbean love!! As you will see in the pictures, they were fabulous, elegant Black Women.

I give thanks to the ancestors for placing me in this space that feeds growth, clarity and voice to my community.



In peace

Yvette



Saludos familia,



Comparto con ustedes otra experiencia muy especial. Asistí al evento de la OEA, CIM, ONU Foro Hemisférico- "Liderazgo de Mujeres para la democracia de ciudadania" estuve allí en mi papel como el Coordinador de Diáspora/Panamá de la Red de Mujeres Afro. Encontré tantas mujeres y hombres maravillosos y conecté de nuevo con unos pocos que conoci en la última conferencia de OEA. Como compartí con el Embajador de Barbados cuando lo vi, lleva muy bonitas corbata. Compartió que reconoció mi voz en mi intervención. Como verá en mis imágenes estuve rodeada por mujeres que inmediatamente me abrazaron como igual y como una hermana.



Algunos de mis puntos culminantes incluyen, las palabras por Embajador de Costa Rica Muni Figueres, que dijo esto a los hombres en el espacio, "Bendito sea entre todas las mujeres". Ella también compartió algunas palabras reflectoras de la Presidenta Laura Chinchilla. Cuando le preguntaron come se siente en ser la primer mujer Presidenta de Costa Rica? Respondió, "espero el día cuando no se haga esa pregunta".



Otro momento incluye mi intervención y el intercambio con la Primera Ministra Kamla Persad-Bissessar de Trinida y Tobago. En su presentación, la Ministra indicó que una agenda de la mujer, es esencial al desarrollo sostenible en nuestra Región". Habló de la importancia de una agenda equilibrado que incluye mujeres y a niños. Adoré cuando dijo con gran claridad en su voz, "Women are climbing out and onto the steps.” A utilizar sus palabras y las del Secretario-General del OEA, yo le pregunté a la Ministra, las Mujeres Afrodescendientes continúan encarar doble discriminación de género y raza. En este año que la ONU y la OEA han nombrado el año de Personas Afrodescendientes, y como el Secretario-general indicó más temprano, encaramos un nivel alto de la pobreza en nuestra comunidad. ¿Utilizando sus palabras, Como creamos una agenda clara que nombra la inclusion de las mujeres Afrodescendientes que concentrará la atención en acciones y sugerencias específicas? La Primera Ministra respondió a muchas preguntas y esperó para responder a mí al fin. Me dirigió por mi nombre y me dio gracias para hacer tal pregunta tan importante. Ella entonces miró al Secretario-General y a la Representante de Mujeres de la ONU y dijo, esta pregunta merece un enfoque en esta reunión que usted tendrá en los próximos días. Si no, entonces nosotros no respondemos realmente a las necesidades de Todas las mujeres.



Todavía, mi momento favorito fue cualquier y cada intercambio que tuve con las/los Embajadoras/os y Ministras del Caribe. Nos reímos y compartimos historias como si todos nos conociéramos durante años. ¡ Adoro el amor Caribeno!! Como verá en las imágenes, ellas fueron Mujeres Afro fabulosas y elegantes. Doy gracias a las ancestras por colocarme en este espacio que alimenta el crecimiento, la claridad y la voz de nuestra comunidad.



abrazos

Yvette