Reflections- A Celebration of my Childhood; In Memory of my Teacher, Mr. Henry
My childhood memories have been very present in my thoughts for the past week. This is mostly due to the mourning on a global scale of the passing of Michael Jackson and on a personal profound scale of my teacher, Mr. Henry.
The news of Michael’s death really moved me. It has been some time, since I celebrated and danced to his music without some reservation. This reservation was due in part to his many legal troubles and his external struggle with his identity.
His passing took me immediately to the place of celebrating this man that made us dance, scream, cry and change our entire wardrobe. Yes, I did and I have pictures to proof it!! The news made me realize that there was no one outside of my family or community that I wanted to be like, more than the Rock with you, Michael Jackson. That in itself is a huge revelation.
For the child in Panama, the Jackson family was royalty. Michael was the artist who transcended race. You could not help to move to his music, no matter what color you were or what part of the world you lived in.
I am not dismissing his public contradictions but would like to focus on the first time you heard Ben or your first attempt at memorizing the Thriller video. How you smiled when you danced to Remember the time.
I knew my adoration was not only a product of my imagination when my father called me to see if I was ok. My father brought us to the US for the Victory Tour at the Meadowlands. He remembered how much I cried from the excitement. My sister and brother remember my screaming. Later that evening, my niece called me to see how I was doing and she could not comprehend the level of my sadness. It was difficult to explain how I had a story to what I was doing when I heard Michael’s songs.
All in all, I mourn Michael’s sudden and tragic death and I celebrate the video of my childhood with his music as the background.
Very similar to the impact of Michael’s passing was the news of my teacher, Mr. Henry. Mr. Henry was dear to me not only in the classroom but in the community. As I have gained clarity on the impact of segregation within the Canal Zone, Mr. Henry was very much a part of my fluid transition.
He was part of Rainbow City. He understood us because he was us. He was a daily reminder of how important it was for us to succeed in this environment.
Mr. Henry also went beyond us by having an impact on all his students at CHS. This week we all had a story, from his smile, to his pens, his driving and his dedication. Bless him for all the time he spent with me on Math.
A few years back I was able to say, Thank you directly to him. Today, I share him with you and thank him for his lasting impact on so many of us. I thank him for being a teacher beyond the classroom.
Before closing, I reflect back on my recent Reflection where I shared that I am a product of many people. My childhood memories continue to answer, why I do what I do and why I have chosen this path. Today the woman in the mirror is a product of Michael Jackson’s great music and the simple joy of dancing and of Mr. Henry who defined commitment to his profession and to his students.
May they rest in Peace. Alaafia
Monday, July 6, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Reflections- Our Words- A Salute to Mr. Claral Richards
Reflections- Our Words- A Salute to Mr. Claral Richards
Hope everyone is well. We have been extremely busy at Encuentro Diaspora Afro. Our year began with a message from the family about change and new direction. I revisit those words to give me the energy to keep moving forward.
Our recent events, workshops, training have led me to think a lot about the importance of our words as we offer guidance to our youth and we support each to other as human beings and as Afro descendents. In reflecting on the work we have been doing in the schools and community programs, we honor the importance of such spaces such interactions and in doing so, I would like to Salute on Panama’s Dia de la Etnia Negra May 30th, Mr. Claral Richards whose words and guidance have a lasting effect on our work.
I need to take you back a few months and why I sit with this today.
I participated in a wonderful event in Philadelphia that highlighted Afro Latina activism. The people and the staff where all fully engaged in the dialogue. After each presentation, I felt this great sense of gratitude for those who have helped to get me here. We spoke about a diversity of things but one of the highlighted themes was our acceptance of who we are as Afro descendent women. The second part of the event had some local women. In a short space of time, one statement took the air out of the space. It was related to our bodies and our hair. Yes, hair!!! Hair as we all know is truly a delicate conversation among Black and Latina women but natural hair can go from being attractive to sloppy and ugly, in our community. Whatever the intention, it spoke to our internal struggle of how beauty is defined.
I with my “Fro” felt offended by the words but mostly in that moment I was also concerned about the amount of youth with bright eyes that were present and what kind of message this would send to them. The youth came running to us asking if we also felt uncomfortable with the Presenters words. They wanted to talk at length about it. They were filled with such hope of doing work that would highlight the Afro Latino experience. I myself began to reflect very deeply on words and how it impacts our youth and each other.
The following event was a National Latino Symposium Meeting in Detroit. I was more excited that a fellow Panamanian had put my name out than I was about the Foundation actually inviting me. I read all the information they sent and was concerned that the racial issues would not get its deserved time. I felt prepared for whatever would come my way when I was in the meeting. What I was not prepared for was that I would feel the “whiteness” in the space before even entering it. While on my last connection flight, I realized most of the people were also attending the meeting. I noticed them but no one made an effort to even look at me. I have learned to deal with these moments a little better. This time, I sat down pulled out my notebook and wrote the following words.
Do you see me?
Do you see me?
The Me that embraces her full self.
You have no idea that I understand your words, Quien es ella?
I acknowledge you yet, I am invisible in your eyes and mind.
You turn away to not be reminded of your roots.
What roots, you say?
The roots that challenge your white privilege mind.
The roots that built the country that you stand and say, Latino Presente!
The Day you see me, is the day the chains of colonialism will be removed from your mind.
On that day, you will embrace the Tio that the family disowned,
On that day, I will sit with you and say,
You hurt me but I forgive you, and maybe,
Hopefully on that day, You will SEE ME!
On the day of the meeting, the set up of the room spoke to who had the floor. We were spread out and out of 150 participants, only four were identified as Afro-Latinos. If you ask me, the room was full with Black folks!!The race issue was addressed as a Diversity issue only to Latinos and African Americans. My seat was burning. In a very calm way, I stood up and shared, how can we plan on sitting with African American, when we Latinos, will not have our own internal conversation of how we do not even acknowledge the Afro descendent history or community in this space. I then got the, Oh, you where so clear and articulate when you spoke. Yes, again, we all know what that means. Needless to say, once again the words did not match the intent of creating an open dialogue that was truly inclusive.
A few other spaces stand out as I share these Reflections. We participated in writing workshop sponsored by the Bread Loaf Program. I was asked to share some of my poetry and the students and teachers share their words based on the theme chosen. The theme was DREAM. Roberto and I shared a piece and to my delight, 8-10 year olds and some older, Came up and responded to our pieces with their own poems. How fun was that, to hear what the words meant to them.
I always have fun doing workshops and presentations with youth. I do not get many opportunities to share the work and my love for sports. I was invited to do a workshop at the Tenacity Program which is a Tennis and literacy Program. One of the Counselors read the article in the BANNER and contacted me. The youth in the after school program read the article and prepared some questions. I did an opening activity to get a sense of who was in the room as it relates to race and identity. When doing the walk across the room activity, I ask a diversity of questions. This helps them see each other in a different light. One of the questions is, walk across if you are of African descent. One young girl did not. At the end of the workshop, she came up to me and shared that she enjoyed the presentation and that she was not upset with me because she does not like it when people,” tell me I am Black. I am Dominican.” Our time together opened something for her because when I went back to play tennis with them, she was so excited to see me. She began to share what she was thinking since she saw me and that she sees things differently.
This brings me to a space that I am most concerned about, our Public School system. I commend those who walk into this space on a daily basis who take very seriously the impact of their words on the development of our youth. I then need to say, the system itself is damaging our youth. How are we defining success? We are there to create a space for critical thinkers by offering them a variety of ways to look at the world. The racial tensions that exist within the schools, is because of the lack of racial and cultural equity in the schools. We cannot leave it up to the youth to have the answers if we are not even giving them to tools to find the questions. Our words, our guidance to have them find themselves, know themselves is crucial today. We have many youth who are getting to college and have yet to engage in a dialogue about self and identity.
Why is this all important? It is because the words of those who shaped us and continue to shape us, allow us to find new words to navigate our daily life.
We thank our parents and those who we come in contact with on a daily basis. If I have not said thanks in some time, Thank you. I have a very long list of the many men and women, yes men, who continue to inspire me. A recent radio interview made me realize how much I love Black men. Our relationship is intense and complicated but I have not given up. I am enjoying our daily visual of our relationship through the eyes of the President and the First Lady. It is a reminder to us and to all, how we love each other and how we touch each other. Yes, touch!
Today I salute one of the Beautiful Black men on my list. It is said very lightly that he is the Nelson Mandela of Panama. For me he is much more. He has taken his valuable time to share stories with me to give me guidance and pep talks. In my eyes, Mr. Richards, is humble in his presence but walks with a giant heart. His words have substance and wisdom. What I most enjoy about our Sunday conversations is how much hope he has in our generation and the ones to come. He has shared numerous times how we need to spend time with our youth and give them the tools to continue doing the work. I once asked him to share a moment that began all his work. He remembered a friend bringing back an Ebony Magazine. He was moved by the beautiful faces of all the brothers and sisters.
Mr. Richards’s words speak to our connection to each other. He said to me once, when I see a Black man and a Black woman, I treat them as a sister or a brother because we were separated and we never know who is before us.
Today on Dia de la Etnia Negra in Panama, I give thanks to him for his dedication and determination to have this day become a reality. Today with all of you, I say thanks for taking the time to See Me. Your words are an inspiration to rise up and face the challenges for the full inclusion of the Afro descendent voice.
I am product of many things and many people but I can now say I am a product of the words of Mr. Claral Richards. Our youth, our children, my niece, my nephews are us. How we interact with them does help them to be open and prepared to face the world. It’s funny, in pausing about what I have shared I can remember my mother’s words with such clarity because of the love in her voice.
Make your words land easy on the ears and last long on the heart. Thank you, Mr. Richards.
Peace
Yvette
Hope everyone is well. We have been extremely busy at Encuentro Diaspora Afro. Our year began with a message from the family about change and new direction. I revisit those words to give me the energy to keep moving forward.
Our recent events, workshops, training have led me to think a lot about the importance of our words as we offer guidance to our youth and we support each to other as human beings and as Afro descendents. In reflecting on the work we have been doing in the schools and community programs, we honor the importance of such spaces such interactions and in doing so, I would like to Salute on Panama’s Dia de la Etnia Negra May 30th, Mr. Claral Richards whose words and guidance have a lasting effect on our work.
I need to take you back a few months and why I sit with this today.
I participated in a wonderful event in Philadelphia that highlighted Afro Latina activism. The people and the staff where all fully engaged in the dialogue. After each presentation, I felt this great sense of gratitude for those who have helped to get me here. We spoke about a diversity of things but one of the highlighted themes was our acceptance of who we are as Afro descendent women. The second part of the event had some local women. In a short space of time, one statement took the air out of the space. It was related to our bodies and our hair. Yes, hair!!! Hair as we all know is truly a delicate conversation among Black and Latina women but natural hair can go from being attractive to sloppy and ugly, in our community. Whatever the intention, it spoke to our internal struggle of how beauty is defined.
I with my “Fro” felt offended by the words but mostly in that moment I was also concerned about the amount of youth with bright eyes that were present and what kind of message this would send to them. The youth came running to us asking if we also felt uncomfortable with the Presenters words. They wanted to talk at length about it. They were filled with such hope of doing work that would highlight the Afro Latino experience. I myself began to reflect very deeply on words and how it impacts our youth and each other.
The following event was a National Latino Symposium Meeting in Detroit. I was more excited that a fellow Panamanian had put my name out than I was about the Foundation actually inviting me. I read all the information they sent and was concerned that the racial issues would not get its deserved time. I felt prepared for whatever would come my way when I was in the meeting. What I was not prepared for was that I would feel the “whiteness” in the space before even entering it. While on my last connection flight, I realized most of the people were also attending the meeting. I noticed them but no one made an effort to even look at me. I have learned to deal with these moments a little better. This time, I sat down pulled out my notebook and wrote the following words.
Do you see me?
Do you see me?
The Me that embraces her full self.
You have no idea that I understand your words, Quien es ella?
I acknowledge you yet, I am invisible in your eyes and mind.
You turn away to not be reminded of your roots.
What roots, you say?
The roots that challenge your white privilege mind.
The roots that built the country that you stand and say, Latino Presente!
The Day you see me, is the day the chains of colonialism will be removed from your mind.
On that day, you will embrace the Tio that the family disowned,
On that day, I will sit with you and say,
You hurt me but I forgive you, and maybe,
Hopefully on that day, You will SEE ME!
On the day of the meeting, the set up of the room spoke to who had the floor. We were spread out and out of 150 participants, only four were identified as Afro-Latinos. If you ask me, the room was full with Black folks!!The race issue was addressed as a Diversity issue only to Latinos and African Americans. My seat was burning. In a very calm way, I stood up and shared, how can we plan on sitting with African American, when we Latinos, will not have our own internal conversation of how we do not even acknowledge the Afro descendent history or community in this space. I then got the, Oh, you where so clear and articulate when you spoke. Yes, again, we all know what that means. Needless to say, once again the words did not match the intent of creating an open dialogue that was truly inclusive.
A few other spaces stand out as I share these Reflections. We participated in writing workshop sponsored by the Bread Loaf Program. I was asked to share some of my poetry and the students and teachers share their words based on the theme chosen. The theme was DREAM. Roberto and I shared a piece and to my delight, 8-10 year olds and some older, Came up and responded to our pieces with their own poems. How fun was that, to hear what the words meant to them.
I always have fun doing workshops and presentations with youth. I do not get many opportunities to share the work and my love for sports. I was invited to do a workshop at the Tenacity Program which is a Tennis and literacy Program. One of the Counselors read the article in the BANNER and contacted me. The youth in the after school program read the article and prepared some questions. I did an opening activity to get a sense of who was in the room as it relates to race and identity. When doing the walk across the room activity, I ask a diversity of questions. This helps them see each other in a different light. One of the questions is, walk across if you are of African descent. One young girl did not. At the end of the workshop, she came up to me and shared that she enjoyed the presentation and that she was not upset with me because she does not like it when people,” tell me I am Black. I am Dominican.” Our time together opened something for her because when I went back to play tennis with them, she was so excited to see me. She began to share what she was thinking since she saw me and that she sees things differently.
This brings me to a space that I am most concerned about, our Public School system. I commend those who walk into this space on a daily basis who take very seriously the impact of their words on the development of our youth. I then need to say, the system itself is damaging our youth. How are we defining success? We are there to create a space for critical thinkers by offering them a variety of ways to look at the world. The racial tensions that exist within the schools, is because of the lack of racial and cultural equity in the schools. We cannot leave it up to the youth to have the answers if we are not even giving them to tools to find the questions. Our words, our guidance to have them find themselves, know themselves is crucial today. We have many youth who are getting to college and have yet to engage in a dialogue about self and identity.
Why is this all important? It is because the words of those who shaped us and continue to shape us, allow us to find new words to navigate our daily life.
We thank our parents and those who we come in contact with on a daily basis. If I have not said thanks in some time, Thank you. I have a very long list of the many men and women, yes men, who continue to inspire me. A recent radio interview made me realize how much I love Black men. Our relationship is intense and complicated but I have not given up. I am enjoying our daily visual of our relationship through the eyes of the President and the First Lady. It is a reminder to us and to all, how we love each other and how we touch each other. Yes, touch!
Today I salute one of the Beautiful Black men on my list. It is said very lightly that he is the Nelson Mandela of Panama. For me he is much more. He has taken his valuable time to share stories with me to give me guidance and pep talks. In my eyes, Mr. Richards, is humble in his presence but walks with a giant heart. His words have substance and wisdom. What I most enjoy about our Sunday conversations is how much hope he has in our generation and the ones to come. He has shared numerous times how we need to spend time with our youth and give them the tools to continue doing the work. I once asked him to share a moment that began all his work. He remembered a friend bringing back an Ebony Magazine. He was moved by the beautiful faces of all the brothers and sisters.
Mr. Richards’s words speak to our connection to each other. He said to me once, when I see a Black man and a Black woman, I treat them as a sister or a brother because we were separated and we never know who is before us.
Today on Dia de la Etnia Negra in Panama, I give thanks to him for his dedication and determination to have this day become a reality. Today with all of you, I say thanks for taking the time to See Me. Your words are an inspiration to rise up and face the challenges for the full inclusion of the Afro descendent voice.
I am product of many things and many people but I can now say I am a product of the words of Mr. Claral Richards. Our youth, our children, my niece, my nephews are us. How we interact with them does help them to be open and prepared to face the world. It’s funny, in pausing about what I have shared I can remember my mother’s words with such clarity because of the love in her voice.
Make your words land easy on the ears and last long on the heart. Thank you, Mr. Richards.
Peace
Yvette
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
PRONUNCIAMIENTO
21 DE MAYO 2009 - Día Nacional de la Afrocolombianidad
La población afrocolombiana representada en sus mujeres.
Exaltamos hoy las luchas de líderes y liderezas en sus procesos reivindicativos que desde tiempos ancestrales nos han permitido permanecer en la memoria histórica de un país que se resiste a entender la riqueza representada en la diversidad étnica.
Liberados de cadenas físicas y atados aun de carimbas mentales y sociales, elevemos nuestras voces de protesta en contra de:
· Los abusos constantes a la que son sometidos niños, jóvenes, mujeres, ancianos del pueblo afro.
· Desplazamientos masivos de territorios en los que nuestras mujeres son las victimas primarias.
Victimas de la violencia en sus diversas manifestaciones.
· Violación a los derechos étnicos de género y territoriales.
· Negación e invisibilización de aportes al engrandecimiento de una Nación plurietnica y multicultural.
· Las practicas discriminatorias y racistas que les niegan oportunidades de estudio, laborales y participativas en los espacios de toma de decisiones
· El olvido, la miseria en la que permanecen refundidos nuestros pueblos.
POR ESTO Y MUCHO MAS DECIMOS
BASTA YA…….
Exigimos
· Políticas publicas incluyentes y respetuosas de la diversidad étnica y cultural
· Cumplimiento de la normatividad vigente y tratados internacionales en contra del racismo, la discriminación y xenofobia.
· Planes de desarrollo estratégicos que contribuyan a la reivindicación de los pueblos y mejoramiento de la calidad de vida
· El enaltecimiento de aportes y visibilización.
POR UN FUTURO NEGRO, BRILLANTE Y
PROMETEDOR Y CONVENCIDAS QUE OTRA
COLOMBIA ES POSIBLE
ORGULLOSAMENTE: AFROCOLOMBIANAS
RED NACIONAL DE MUJERES AFROCOLOMBIANAS “KAMBIRÍ”
21 DE MAYO 2009 - Día Nacional de la Afrocolombianidad
La población afrocolombiana representada en sus mujeres.
Exaltamos hoy las luchas de líderes y liderezas en sus procesos reivindicativos que desde tiempos ancestrales nos han permitido permanecer en la memoria histórica de un país que se resiste a entender la riqueza representada en la diversidad étnica.
Liberados de cadenas físicas y atados aun de carimbas mentales y sociales, elevemos nuestras voces de protesta en contra de:
· Los abusos constantes a la que son sometidos niños, jóvenes, mujeres, ancianos del pueblo afro.
· Desplazamientos masivos de territorios en los que nuestras mujeres son las victimas primarias.
Victimas de la violencia en sus diversas manifestaciones.
· Violación a los derechos étnicos de género y territoriales.
· Negación e invisibilización de aportes al engrandecimiento de una Nación plurietnica y multicultural.
· Las practicas discriminatorias y racistas que les niegan oportunidades de estudio, laborales y participativas en los espacios de toma de decisiones
· El olvido, la miseria en la que permanecen refundidos nuestros pueblos.
POR ESTO Y MUCHO MAS DECIMOS
BASTA YA…….
Exigimos
· Políticas publicas incluyentes y respetuosas de la diversidad étnica y cultural
· Cumplimiento de la normatividad vigente y tratados internacionales en contra del racismo, la discriminación y xenofobia.
· Planes de desarrollo estratégicos que contribuyan a la reivindicación de los pueblos y mejoramiento de la calidad de vida
· El enaltecimiento de aportes y visibilización.
POR UN FUTURO NEGRO, BRILLANTE Y
PROMETEDOR Y CONVENCIDAS QUE OTRA
COLOMBIA ES POSIBLE
ORGULLOSAMENTE: AFROCOLOMBIANAS
RED NACIONAL DE MUJERES AFROCOLOMBIANAS “KAMBIRÍ”
Monday, February 2, 2009
Afro-latin American Women Unite to Change the World-Interview published in Vida Afrolatina
Q&A with Yvette Modestin by Nivia Binett-Carroll
Afro-Latin American Women Unite to Change the WorldPosted on www.VidaAfroLatina.com on January 31, 2009
A network of Afro-descendent women is working to transform the societies in which they live. The Network of Afro-Latin American, Afro-Caribbean and Diaspora Women (La Red de Mujeres Afrolatinoamericanas, Afrocaribeñas y de la Diàspora) is a space that fights against racism, sexism and poverty. Among the Network’s leadership is Yvette Modestin, a Panamanian activist living in Boston.
Modestin is also a leader of the African Disapora community in Boston, where she founded of Encuentro Diaspora Afro. This grassroots organization advances racial equity and social inclusion by mobilizing and empowering people of African descent through community education, training, dialogue, and by building cross-racial alliances. Modestin, a warrior for women and girls, recently took some time to talk to VidaAfroLatina.com about the Network and her life as an Afro-Panamanian activist.
VidaAfroLatina.com: Tell me about yourself:
Modestin: I am the middle child of three siblings, I was born and raised in Colón, Panama, and came to the United States to attend college. I am fortunate to have grown up in a very strong and loving environment which gave me the tools to deal with the racism I would face here. I knew racism in Panama, but my experiences in this country were different.
VidaAfroLatina.com: What is the Network of Afro-Latin American, Afro-Caribbean and Diaspora Women?
Modestin: It is an organization that helps to strengthen, support, empower and provide clarity and truth to Black women from Latin America the Caribbean and throughout the Diaspora. It has become my passion, my purpose.
VidaAfroLatina.com: What is your role in the organization?
Modestine: I am the regional coordinator for the United States and Canada. It was a position that fell in my lap and I ran with it. I network with colleagues from Nicaragua, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Honduras just to name a few. The goal is to shed light and attention on what is happening to women all over the world. Issues [include] land displacement, racism, sexism, HIV/AIDS, human rights and domestic violence.
VidaAfroLatina.com: What are some of the specific things that the organizations implements different than what is being offered by other organizations?
Modestine: Our entry point is different in addressing challenges faced by women of color, but through our workshops we take a holistic approach to address subject matters such as HIV/AIDS and domestic violence. Although our focus is to help women to reach collective success, there are times that we will also address the families and men in order to continue to have a global effect.
VidaAfroLatina.com: Where do you get funding?
Modestine: A lot or our work is done on a volunteer basis. We do receive support from the Inter-American Foundation. Projects are done in the different countries to address to issues of racism, sexism, and domestic violence. We gladly welcome women who have the same interests to join us in addressing these critically important issues. One of the areas that we would like to expand in 2009 is getting funding to continue to do our work and reach all of our sisters in different regions.
VidaAfroLatina.com: Where do you get your strength and energy from?
Modestin: I get my energy and strength from the spirit and words of my ancestors, from my mother’s spirit that shines so bright, and from the unconditional love and support of my father and family. Also, from the wisdom, knowledge and character of all of the wonderful women and men that I have met and worked with throughout this journey. Physical activities—I love to run no matter where I am—and yoga are also special interests of mine.
VidaAfroLatina.com: What are your feelings about President Obama, and how do you feel it will impact the Network?
Modestine: I am especially pleased that Obama has a strong Black woman at his side. Even though I wake up every day and hold my head up high, it was a held a little higher on Nov. 5. However, there are still many challenges that are present, we have not arrived yet. Until there is a vision of full justice and full inclusion, we need to continue to do our part. He cannot do it all.
For information on how you can become involved in La Red de Mujeres Afro, visit www.MujeresAfro.org and click on the Contactos page. There you will find contact information for leaders of La Red in the U.S., Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela and several other countries.
Nivia Binett-Carroll is a bilingual holistic health practitioner and occupational therapist. She is the founder and owner of Excel Wellness & Rehab in Pembroke Pines, Fla. For more information, contact Binett-Carrol at nivia@excelwellnessnrehab.com or visit www.excelwellnessnrehab.com.
Afro-Latin American Women Unite to Change the WorldPosted on www.VidaAfroLatina.com on January 31, 2009
A network of Afro-descendent women is working to transform the societies in which they live. The Network of Afro-Latin American, Afro-Caribbean and Diaspora Women (La Red de Mujeres Afrolatinoamericanas, Afrocaribeñas y de la Diàspora) is a space that fights against racism, sexism and poverty. Among the Network’s leadership is Yvette Modestin, a Panamanian activist living in Boston.
Modestin is also a leader of the African Disapora community in Boston, where she founded of Encuentro Diaspora Afro. This grassroots organization advances racial equity and social inclusion by mobilizing and empowering people of African descent through community education, training, dialogue, and by building cross-racial alliances. Modestin, a warrior for women and girls, recently took some time to talk to VidaAfroLatina.com about the Network and her life as an Afro-Panamanian activist.
VidaAfroLatina.com: Tell me about yourself:
Modestin: I am the middle child of three siblings, I was born and raised in Colón, Panama, and came to the United States to attend college. I am fortunate to have grown up in a very strong and loving environment which gave me the tools to deal with the racism I would face here. I knew racism in Panama, but my experiences in this country were different.
VidaAfroLatina.com: What is the Network of Afro-Latin American, Afro-Caribbean and Diaspora Women?
Modestin: It is an organization that helps to strengthen, support, empower and provide clarity and truth to Black women from Latin America the Caribbean and throughout the Diaspora. It has become my passion, my purpose.
VidaAfroLatina.com: What is your role in the organization?
Modestine: I am the regional coordinator for the United States and Canada. It was a position that fell in my lap and I ran with it. I network with colleagues from Nicaragua, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Honduras just to name a few. The goal is to shed light and attention on what is happening to women all over the world. Issues [include] land displacement, racism, sexism, HIV/AIDS, human rights and domestic violence.
VidaAfroLatina.com: What are some of the specific things that the organizations implements different than what is being offered by other organizations?
Modestine: Our entry point is different in addressing challenges faced by women of color, but through our workshops we take a holistic approach to address subject matters such as HIV/AIDS and domestic violence. Although our focus is to help women to reach collective success, there are times that we will also address the families and men in order to continue to have a global effect.
VidaAfroLatina.com: Where do you get funding?
Modestine: A lot or our work is done on a volunteer basis. We do receive support from the Inter-American Foundation. Projects are done in the different countries to address to issues of racism, sexism, and domestic violence. We gladly welcome women who have the same interests to join us in addressing these critically important issues. One of the areas that we would like to expand in 2009 is getting funding to continue to do our work and reach all of our sisters in different regions.
VidaAfroLatina.com: Where do you get your strength and energy from?
Modestin: I get my energy and strength from the spirit and words of my ancestors, from my mother’s spirit that shines so bright, and from the unconditional love and support of my father and family. Also, from the wisdom, knowledge and character of all of the wonderful women and men that I have met and worked with throughout this journey. Physical activities—I love to run no matter where I am—and yoga are also special interests of mine.
VidaAfroLatina.com: What are your feelings about President Obama, and how do you feel it will impact the Network?
Modestine: I am especially pleased that Obama has a strong Black woman at his side. Even though I wake up every day and hold my head up high, it was a held a little higher on Nov. 5. However, there are still many challenges that are present, we have not arrived yet. Until there is a vision of full justice and full inclusion, we need to continue to do our part. He cannot do it all.
For information on how you can become involved in La Red de Mujeres Afro, visit www.MujeresAfro.org and click on the Contactos page. There you will find contact information for leaders of La Red in the U.S., Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela and several other countries.
Nivia Binett-Carroll is a bilingual holistic health practitioner and occupational therapist. She is the founder and owner of Excel Wellness & Rehab in Pembroke Pines, Fla. For more information, contact Binett-Carrol at nivia@excelwellnessnrehab.com or visit www.excelwellnessnrehab.com.
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