Reaching Back for Colon- Proyecto Yo soy Colón

Reaching Back for Colon- Proyecto Yo soy Colón Colón our beloved city with sixteen streets is filled with many stories and flavors. They are still many untold stories of this Central American treasure. For years many famous people from all over the world visited “The Pearl of the Caribbean, The Small Golden Cup (La Tacita de Oro)” There was something about Colón that was magnetic. People came here and did not want to leave. Our people are warm and loving. Our women were and still are beautiful with an undeniable elegance and our men are handsome and charming. We know it will be a long process that will take us deeper into our past to truly see the future we so deserve. As the African proverb states, “You can’t know where you are going unless you know where you come from.” We celebrate all this glory yet in our current situation, we need to ask the following questions; 1. What happened to Colón 2. Where did we or how did we lose it? 3. Why is the first impression of this treasure negative? 4. What do we need to do to change this? Now is the time to reflect on one of our obstacles? Most would think our response would be money yet today our response is our self-esteem. It is our ability to see ourselves in the mirror and recognize those men and women that we still look up to. For many who didn’t grow up in this Colón or have no reference to it, it will mean removing what has been the lasting impact of the Willie Lynch letter, for us to begin believing that we can, in the words of Marcus Garvey, “untie the psychological rope.” The other side of this coin is who is leading in Colón. Who is speaking in the best interest of all its citizens? This is a great concern as we begin to look deeper into our situation. Colón is the home of some of the great minds of not only Colón but of Panama. We hope to speak of those who influenced us and we will continue to name and celebrate many more as we develop Proyecto Yo Soy Colón. From these sixteen streets great teachers, professors, doctors, lawyers, engineers, businessmen, and politicians were groomed and blossomed. They contributed to the prosperity of the city. Many then and now have left seeking other opportunities in the US and all over the world. However, it is important to continue to clarify that there was no dictatorship that caused the migration. This topic, will be another long story to share where we hope to bring you closer to the voices of those directly impacted. Our local Politicians have minimized the needs of the people by offering and sometimes “buying out” our people with food and a bottle of rum. Once they are voted into office, they dismiss the opportunity to truly organize our people so that they can become self-sufficient. Today we are in no position to wait for them to come to us. Now is the time for us to do “for self”. We need to organize so that we are not waiting for them to answer our questions. We have people in very good positions handpicked by the current government. The question is; are they moving in the best interest of Colón? We need more active leaders, ones that don’t fear thinking outside of the box. We need those that don’t only think that closing the streets is the solution for everything. We ask; how do we change the mind set of our people? How do we, reach back and believe? Many promises have been broken. This has led to a society with little hope. We sit and pray that the next leader would be better and would move in the best interest of Colón. It is time to fight for US! Believe in US! LOVE US! The US we are talking about are the Colón natives in and out of Colón. Wherever you are standing today, never forget what got your there and always say, it had something to do with these sixteen streets. In looking back we need to self- reflect on our role in our current situation and what we can do to change it. It is time to share our talent with the youth of today. We can begin to share what it was like to be a student at Abel Bravo during the time of Mr. Vicente Mackintosh or of Ms. Mauge and an athlete coached by Henry Jones. It is time to give back! Not money but time and presence. We need to bring back the energy of family Sunday’s when the Bomberos played music in the park. They need to see US, to believe in US. There is nothing more impacting than the sound of the person that says, “I graduated from this school and now I am_____” Colón needs motivators, artist writers that will begin replacing the visual and the story line with “and we will succeed” It is this mentoring, not the criticizing that will feed these warm souls. We need all our passion to make that wonderful “one pot.” We look to you joining us and walking down these sixteen streets and saying, “That is where so and so lived, he or she was great.” If a government position is where you will do best then do so in the best interest of the people. If you have a talent to share then please share it. The Colón we still see in the midst of all of these challenges, is the Colón with the smile of the elders sitting in the park and that loving sound of, “Morning, have a good day dear” Mau Martinez and Yvette Modestin Mission—Proyecto Yo Soy Colón, will embrace our internal strength to empower the next generation of Colonenses, The Project will focus on changing the mindset of the people by addressing the internal struggles faced by a long history of racism and denial. We look to empower our minds using community dialogue, film, intergenerational dialogues, videos and mentoring. Moving with this energy, our community can begin to use its own strength to build up and stand up. Proyecto Yo Soy Colón, was founded after Mauro Martinez and Yvette Modestin responded to the negative and unjust representation of Colón by Juan Williams. They are other fellow Colonenses in and out of Colón that form the collective that will come together to move the Vision and the Mission of the project forward. Copyright 2012

Proyecto Yo Soy Colón!

Proyecto Yo Soy Colón! Vision- One of the greatest gifts given to us by our grandparents, parents, teachers and our community, were the oral stories of their journey and their visual presentation of Pride in self and community, Proyecto Yo Soy Colón!, will continue this legacy. By Empowering the minds of the next generation of Colonenses and honoring our elders, we will come together to build a safe and healthy Colón. Uplifting our Legacy and believing in self will elevate our worth which would allow us to gain momentum in our external movement. Uplifting our Legacy Mission—Proyecto Yo Soy Colon, will embrace our internal strength to empower the next generation of Colonenses, The Project will focus on changing the mindset of the people by addressing the internal struggles faced by a long history of racism and denial. We look to empower our minds using community dialogue, film, intergenerational dialogues, videos and mentoring. Moving with this energy, our community can begin to use its own strength to build up and stand up. Proyecto Yo Soy Colón, was founded after Mauro Martinez and Yvette Modestin responded to the negative and unjust representation of Colón by Juan Williams. They are other fellow Colonenses in and out of Colón that form the collective that will come together to move the Vision and the Mission of the project forward. Creando Mejores Cuidadanos Colonenses El daño que a sufrido la ciudad de Colón gracias a los malos Gobiernos de panamá es casi irreparable, pero por lo menos nosotros esta nueva generación de Colonenses debemos salvar lo poco que queda y no dejar a un lado esa historia de una ciudad que era considerada una de la más bellas del mundo. El problema de Colón es muy sencillo se llama RACISMO la cuidad de los negros del país donde los Gobiernos Centrales de turno no hicieron prácticamente nada para que esta cuidad avanzara y se desarrollara a la par de la Capital, simplemente siempre había una excusa por la cual no invertir en Colón o se prometía muchísimo en los discursos Presidenciales pero no se cumplía nada, esto creo una gran depresión en el pueblo del Colón por la falta de oportunidades, desprecio de los gobiernos de turno y la poca habilidad de los funcionarios públicos de Colón que no hacían que nada para que algo de verdad pasara en Colón. Pero el Colonense es fuerte y aguerrido su herencia Africana esa espalda ancha y hombros fuertes listos para trabajar han hecho que a pesar de todo la Cuidad se mantenga deseosa de trabajar y alcanzar nuevas alturas, de ser mejor, de explotar su historia, su talento en el deporte, sus comidas y tradiciones y más que nada desarrollarse como provincia, Mi Colón necesita lideres nuevos con la visión de trabajar en la mente del Colonense desde su niñez, subir la autoestima de aquellos que quizás por la desidia y el poco importa de los Gobiernos han decidido guindar los guantes y ver como el tiempo pasa y todo sigue poniendo peor. Objective-The idea is that those in the US led by Yvette Modestin, before traveling home will contact one of our collective members in Colón led by Mauro Martinez. We would then plan on them visiting a school, program, business or organization for a day or a few hours and will share their talent and expertise with the community. -The Project will create a space that allows us to speak to our deepest thoughts and needs by using a wellness/healing forum. -We will address the long history of racism by retelling it from our perspective and our truth. -We will educate the community by highlighting historical and other facts that speak about Colón. -Each person involved in the project when in Colón will give an hour or a day to a program, school or organization by highlighting their talent/expertise and sharing it with that community. The collective members in Colón will make the on the ground plans. -Members of the collective will meet with other projects in the city and collaborate on specific activities. -Members of the collective will meet with government officials to speak on specific needs of the people and work closely with them to reach a common goal. -The Project will celebrate, what you see in Colón is who I am. -The Project will highlight the people, faces, ethnicity and mixed culture of Colón, the Ecology, Tourism and Economic Empowerment. -The historical component of the Project will be named Claral Richards Initiative, with the hope of highlighting and educating on the deep African history of Colon. Colón is Africa. -Within the Community Dialogues and Government Advocacy, the project will address such questions as; 1. Why is there such a marked contrast between Panamá and Colón? 2. Why is Colón neglected and put down? 3. Does racism play a role? Colón no necesita mucha plata necesita que nos volvamos psicólogos y preñemos a las generaciones que vienen con una actitud positiva, con ganas de estudiar y ver mejores días para la provincia que le vio nacer, no necesitamos charlatanes que cogen puestos político y luego no saben qué hacer, hagamos una red de profesionales, gente que ha triunfado, gente emprendedora, gente que quiere ver a Colón mejor y comencemos por las Escuelas, haciendo campañas contra la basura, ayudando a aquellos que quieren trabajar y buscan una oportunidad Colón no necesitas mas pescados necesita que le enseñemos a pescar. Profetizo mejores días para mi provincia, Colón no es 16 calles sino el talento y potencial de los ciudadanos que vivimos aquí vamos a explotarlo Que Viva Colón… If you are interested in learning more or becoming a member of the Collective, please contact Mauro Martinez at mauroestebanmartinez@gmail.com and Yvette Modestin at lapolitica@msn.com Copyright 2012 Yo Soy Colón Yvette Modestin and Mauro Martinez y la Collectiva Yo Soy Colón!

Statement- I am Colon- A Response to the Negative and Unjust Representation of Colon by Juan and Raphael Williams‏

I am Colon!! This statement is a response to the negative and unjust representation of Colon by Juan and Raphael Williams. By Mauro Martinez and Yvette Modestin Every country has two sides, every community has two sides. Our Colon is no different but one thing that those who were born and raised in the “Gold Coast” know is that Colon is something you carry deep within. The people of Colon have been knocked down, rejected, ignored throughout the years but have managed to walk with their head up high and exhibit and unshakeable pride. Poverty-yes, unemployment-yes, lack of resources-yes, lack of policies that can improve the living conditions of the people-yes, educational concerns-yes, crime- yes, and racial issues-yes. We know all of this but unless you have lived it with us, through the good and the bad, then you are in no position to speak about our reality. Every country has a “ghetto”, to label an entire Province as such is an insult to our rich history, a legacy built on strength and most important to the people. These streets nurtured great leaders, thinkers, teachers, athletes, Judges, Ministers, fire fighters, poets, writers, doctors and nurses. These streets sing we are resilient. That is our Colon, the place with two sides. You may leave Colon physically but it never leaves you mentally. A person who left as a child and never looked back cannot see the Colon through eyes of truth. Panama was not under a dictatorship 60 years ago. Colon’s rise and many may say its demise has many layers but you will need a historical context that includes colonialism, denial of the government, and the end of a segregated era. Our Colon is a place that fills your cup. It is one of the few places that you can swim in the Atlantic Ocean, Rio Chagres and the Gatun Lake in one day. If you are a real Colonense, you carry it close and when you make it to the mountain top you will say, Gracias mi Colon. My brother in the struggle for a successful, prosperous Colon, Mauro Martinez moves with the same energy. He lives the struggle daily and highlights our failures and our progress. To talk about Colon, to be real and not make any mistakes, you need to live here or be a frequent visitor. We are more than barred windows and cockroaches. I would be lying if I said it is all pretty and looks good. In some areas it is awful yet it is slowly changing. It is a matter of time before things begin to improve and things begin returning to our Colon. There is so much to see in other areas of Colon such as Portobelo, San Lorenzo, Nombre de Dios and Isla Grande. People come from all over to swim in these relaxing waters. We have a long history of slave resistance in our Afro-Colonial community or as we refer to them, “Congos”. Our food is exquisite and our dance creates movement. I want to highlight a few good things that are happening in Colon. Colon is surrounded by water. We currently have 4 private ports that offer jobs to more than 3,500 Colon Natives. These ports, MANZANILLO INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL, COLON CONTAINER TERMINAL, COLON 2000 HOME PORT and CRISTOBAL PANAMA PORTS speak to the progress of the city. In two years we will have another Port in Isla Margarita. Another highlight is the Colon Free Zone that has increased in size and the volume of cargo handled on a daily basis. This also brings jobs to the people. With all the highway development you can commute from Colon to Panama in 35 minutes. Our Universities and Colleges are preparing our students to take on jobs that will come with the expansion of the Panama Canal and Ports. All of this is wonderful but our greatest asset is the people of Colon. They are slowly awakening from a slave mentality and looking forward to change and demanding equality. I agree that the City does not look good but we are moving towards more organized community groups that will promote ideas and work closely with the government in creating good projects that will benefit us all. We are Colon. This¬ Colon is strong, loving and caring. It stands on the shoulders of those who shaped this beautiful city and left us with a legacy to continue to fight for what we deserve, for what we know and what we love. It is in that spirit that we feel the need to make this statement and not leave it up to Juan and Raphael Williams to speak for us. In peace, Mauro Martinez and Yvette Modestin Mauro Martinez and Yvette Modestin are activist, born and raised in Colon.