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.

Crying out Loud; Our HUMAN Right

I have been sitting with this Reflection for some time. There was and still is a lot of feeling behind it. I said it would be a busy year but it is feeling like a busy, painful year of situations and incidents that scream, What is going on?

We have the right to be treated as human beings, to not be judged while shopping or walking. I have been reflecting a lot on this statement and would like to share my thoughts out loud with you. We are now faced with the “Hoodie” becoming the symbol of walking while Black. What is next my Peoples?

We are critical of other countries and how they treat their citizens yet we are in a crisis. Racism is being defined by those who have power and control. We need to cry out loud and speak our truth.

While talking to Brandi about this, she shared something her Professor said in class. “We are still fighting a Civil War.” My initial reaction was; that is deep. I then went back and read some information on the Civil War to understand why that statement made so much sense to me and how it truly applies to what we are facing today. Here is what I found and what I think speaks to today.

“Lincoln said, "This question of Slavery was more important than any other; indeed, so much more important has it become that no other national question can even get a hearing just at present."

“Southern concerns included not only economic loss but also fears of racial equality(1-4)The Texas Declaration of Causes for Secession( 5-6)said that the non-slave-holding states were "proclaiming the debasing doctrine of equality of all men, irrespective of race or color", and that the African race "were rightfully held and regarded as an inferior and dependent race". Alabama secessionist E. S. Dargan warned that whites and free blacks could not live together; if slaves were emancipated and remained in the South, "we ourselves would become the executioners of our own slaves. To this extent would the policy of our Northern enemies drive us; and thus would we not only be reduced to poverty, but what is still worse, we should be driven to crime, to the commission of sin.” (7)

It’s in our face! You cannot ignore it or run away from it. Just when I was hoping a shift was coming, I read the tweets about the movie Hunger Games.

"why does rue have to be black gonna lie kinda ruined the movie."

"Kk call me racist but when I found out rue was black her death wasn't as sad."

"Awkward moment when Rue is some black girl and not the little blonde innocent girl you picture."
Come on now, what is going on?

In preparing to participate in a conference focused on the Human Rights work of the Network of Afrolatinamerican, Afrocaribbean and the Diaspora, I am having a difficult time focusing on Latin America because I am distracted by all the violations we are seeing here today. What happens here sets a tone and extends to other places. Are we being hypocritical?

A few months ago I wrote about protecting our young boys of color, now the nation is hurting from the shooting of a young boy of color. We are feeling it my peoples! If you have a young boy of color in your home, family, community, we are looking at them and saying, “Be safe.”

It has hit close to home as I have a 10 year old nephew who is bright and curious. My sister shared with me that she has a picture of Christiaan on her desk. The pain we are all feeling for Treyvon led her to place a picture of him with Christiaan. A co-worker walked by her desk and said, “Wow, Christiaan has really grown, he looks good.” Michele said, “That is not Christiaan, look closer.” He then said, wow, and walked away.

Why am I not surprised and why do I think we are facing dangerous, painful times? I have not shared this with many, not even those in my inner circle. Less than a year ago, I found myself in a very painful, scary situation.

I was standing at a corner waiting to cross the street. While standing there two white men in a car, decided to yell the N word at me. They went on to say, “Get out, the country is falling apart because of people like you.” Immigrants suck” I stood there in shock.

I began saying to myself, “I know things like this happen but why now, why me. I started looking at myself, is there something I have on that caught their eye? My hair, my clothes, what? It is important to note that this was in a predominant white community.

In that moment, I was angry. As I crossed the street, they continued their bantering. When I finally got to the other side, I turned around shacking and said, “You have no right to speak to me that way.” I saw the expression on these two men faces and for the first time, I felt physically scared.

So in sharing this I say; I am not surprised at the state of the world and daily violations of our HUMAN Right.

To walk with a “hoodie” over your head, to act in a movie, to stand at a corner, where is the cry for our HUMAN Right?

There is a lot of anger in the air. Where and how do we begin to heal? Can we truly heal in the state we are in? We are living in a society where a victim becomes a perpetrator in minutes.

As I shared in the reflection about protecting our young boys of color, whatever Treyvon did in the past in no way justifies being shot down.

They are so many areas of concern in this case but today, I will stand on the side of our HUMAN Right to be treated with dignity and respect. We should be able to walk free, dress however we want and express our talent.

I brought this conversation to the young women of the HER Project. They were engaged and clear in knowing one thing, the cards are stacked up against them. They already feel that things in our society are not fair and that it is a black and white state of mind.

It was very sad to hear but it was good to give them the opportunity to speak out loud and share their pain. We decided we would do something that would speak to the injustice and that although we cannot speak for all, we would do something to begin the healing in our community. I am proud of them for speaking up and hoping to move forward which is what I am hoping we can all do.

This thought came to me on Friday, “We have to be grounded in who we are, know our worth. Knowing this will build an awareness of what role that plays in society. This becomes important when someone pulls the rug from under you, brings tears to your eyes by their need to treat you less than human or call you anything but Queen or King. When that moments comes, stand strong, breath to bring the ancestor light into your being then open your eyes and say, I am a Black man- I am a Black woman in the Americas.”

I close with the words on Martin Luther King on the anniversary of his assassination, “The sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality.”

Spring is here familia. It is a time for growth and transition. May the sun shine in our hearts and expand our minds. May we find ways to heal our internal landscape and may that extend itself into our community garden.

Peace and Blessings,

Yvette





1.John Townsend, The Doom of Slavery in the Union, its Safety out of it, October 29, 1860.2. McPherson, Battle Cry, p. 243. 3. David Potter, The Impending Crisis, p. 461.4.William C. Davis, Look Away, pp. 130–140- 5. William W. Freehling, The Road to Disunion, p. 42. 6. A Declaration of the Causes which Impel the State of Texas to Secede from the Federal Union, February 2, 1861 – A declaration of the causes which impel the State of Texas to secede from the Federal Union. 7. Winkler, E. "A Declaration of the Causes which Impel the State of Texas to Secede from the Federal Union.". Journal of the Secession Convention of Texas. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/csa_texsec.asp. Retrieved October 16, 2007.

Amierdaca, What Kinda Country Is YOU?: A “Black Every Day” reflection by Sese of Treble Army

Amierdaca, What Kinda Country Is YOU?: A “Black Every Day” reflection by Sese of Treble Army

“You sound like you from the country.”

Without having rapped a single word, this was the first reaction to what I had to say in Boston. A young sister from a class at English High was referring to my accent in the middle of a conversation I was starting about the erasure of our people's memory. I prefer having this particular discussion with youth because it brings to light that the United States power structure imposes certain cultural and political puppets onto us as “leaders” (though these puppets have no direct influence on our daily lives except for being on the channel zero media day in and day out) while intentionally repressing the historical and present sisters and brothers who have fought for African liberation through the provision of basic human needs like food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and education.

America, what kinda country is you? What kind of country imprisons, exiles, and murders freedom fighters that implemented free breakfast for children programs, then steals those very same programs and renames them Head Start, and finally makes the heirs to the freedom struggle (African youth) see the true freedom fighters as somehow “bad” and “violent” as you drown them in Wendy Williams?

Amierdaca, that's who.

The conversation at English High got real when we weaved into the subject of Tupac Shakur, which catapulted us into a discussion of his mother Afeni and her Black Panther comrade, Assata Shakur. Assata's story resonated with these young sisters, and they came to not only identify with her story of revolutionary action, underground existence, and exile, but they also defended her and stated that they would never tell on her for the U.S. government, no matter how high the reward. When asked why they are not told about sisters like Assata by mainstream media and institutions, one of the students pointed out that, “'Cause if we knew about her, we'd want to be like her.”

Which is exactly what we need. Those young sisters ARE the ones who must continue the struggle for transformation of the entire society in which we live. And WE, as those with information derived from study and experience, must consistently engage their thoughts and actions towards that end. (I would first suggest we develop a semester-long curriculum that starts with the work of Assata Shakur and Safiya Bukhari, and expand from there.)

As time inched closer to the event, a train ride turned into a shouting match between a high-school age African brother and a 50-something white dude, which then devolved into fisticuffs, which immediately deteriorated into a contest of who could hug the other in the most hateful way. Others on the train might have characterized it as a fight. Scenes like this are multi-layered, but for me emphasized two things that I'll cite here: an oppressor-imposed meaning of manhood that causes males to view life in terms of aggression and empty terms like “respect/disrespect” (concluding in a U.S. empire built on hyper-aggression viz a viz land theft, mass genocide, enslavement of people, patriarchal subjugation of women, normalization of physical violence in the mass media and social life, military conquest domestically and abroad, etc.), and the larger twist that we are all in: fighting each other in horizontal skirmishes while fat cat oppressors who control our survival and perception sit on high on Wall Street balconies, Pentagon swivel chairs, and Tinseltown boardroom conference seats just laughing at us.

America, what kinda country is you? What kind of country inculcates violence in its population in service of capitalist domination, using the male species as its foremost vehicle for the physical manifestation of this violence to the detriment of all? What kind of country revels in how much people can hurt, destroy, and dispossess others who are just as enslaved to the pay-to-live standard of dying as they are? Amierdaca, that's who.

But, no need for defeatism, for some of the seeds to the neccesary restructuring of Amierdaca find fertile ground in intimate spaces of productive learning and mutual exchange of experience, such as the Black Every Day event. Community folks of all ages came out, and through poetry and music we all elevated expectations of ourselves and the work that must be done daily to change conditions and relationships on this planet from exploitation to sustainability.

Keeping ourselves to this standard will ensure our victory over the forces of global domination. And we will be the ones who decide, Amierdaca, what kinda country you is.

Or ain't.

Treble Army is comprised of Latido and Sese. Latido handles engineering, mixing, recording, and production. Sese produces and raps. The group has been making music since 2007, and their formal releases include The Recruitment (2010) and Amierdaca (2012). Our music is a weapon in service of people's liberation from imperialist hegemony and all the oppression that grows from that. Our responsibility is to agitate our people towards decisive actions that will release us all from the capitalist terror we endure daily.

For more exposure to Treble Army:

Amierdaca album online (full listen, one free download): http://bit.ly/yTgTpu
iTunes link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/amierdaca/id499071750
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/ArKtD4
YouTube page: www.youtube.com/sesetreblearmy
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Treble-Army/301326787502
Good ol' email (general inquiries, booking, etc.): treblearmy@hotmail.com
Site: www.treblearmy.com

If you like what you hear, please write a review of our music on any of the sites you visit. And, without hesitation, please spread the word about our music. Look out for the Amierdaca DVD including music videos for every song from the album coming soon!

An Afro-Latina experience in Cartagena, Colombia and flying Avianca in Business Class

My reflections are inspired by real stories, real incidents. We are a few days away from our Black History Month event, BLACK EVERY DAY!!

The name was inspired by reflecting on the year that was assigned and the month given, we as people of African descent, Black Peoples, cannot choose to ignore our blackness and the positive and negative incidents that come along.

I was going to write something after our event but then my sister shared this with me. My sister’s experience speaks to the theme of our event. We can do our best to go through the day without over thinking our every move and the reactions to our presence. Yet, moments like these come up and as you will see from my sister’s experience, in her own words, it shakes you to your core and you cannot help but feel the pain. I kept it raw because it speaks to the emotions of the moment. She began to write this immediately after the incident on the flight. A true Modestin moment, I am so proud of her!!!

An Afro-Latina experience in Cartagena, Colombia and flying Avianca in Business Class

I had been planning this trip for months. I was invited to attend the wedding of a dear colleague. I knew it would be a trip filled with dancing and relaxation. I had business class seating so I knew it would be a comfortable flight.

WHOA!!!!!! My trip from NYC to Bogota left at 1pm. For those of you that don’t know me, I’m very vain when it comes to my hair:) On the early morning trip, I wrapped my hair. Upon my arrival to Bogota, I revealed my long shoulder length un-relaxed hair. At this point, the flight attendant gave me the acceptance look.

Bogota was the first place I have visited, that upon arrival, I was addressed in Spanish without hesitation. I guess my natural blown out hair made me look Latina. The city of Cartagena was just wonderful. The people are very helpful and forthcoming. I stayed with some of my co-workers at a bed and breakfast called Hotel Casa La Fe. It was a very quaint hotel with a great staff. The two days of partying leading up to the weeding day were marvelous. It is important to mention that I was the only Afro-Latina attending all the events.

On Sunday, afternoon, I began my trip back home. I took a flight from Cartagena to Bogota. I had a seven hour layover in Bogota. My co-worker and I toured the city. It was a great seven hours. Finally time to board the plane home.

I was assigned seat 5J. I thought I was in the correct seat until the flight attendant came to inform me that I was in the wrong seat. The woman assigned to seat 5K, choose to not ask me to move seats; she went to get the flight attendant. The person in 5K could not wait for me to move to seat 5J. When I got up to move and trying to get my bag , the woman decided to throw her bag over to her assigned seat. I guess she wanted to make a point that that was her seat. She seemed very annoyed about me sitting next to her. She huffed and puffed when taking out the bed.


The flight attendant at this point was also being very racist. As we prepared for takeoff, the flight attendant proceeded to ask everyone for their coats, so she could hang them up. I waited for her to come to me. She never did. I had to ask her to hang my coat.

The next revealing incident was around drinks. I had an aisle seat. Why are you offering a drink to the person sitting in the window seat first? Is it protocol or is it another racist act?

Finally, the captain announced that we were arriving to NYC. The woman in 5K decided to get up and get her overhead luggage. The luggage sounded heavy. The flight attendant came to her aid. I moved my head because I felt that the luggage could fall. Nor the woman or the flight attendant seemed worried. She spent the entire flight huffing and puffing. We finally exit the plane. Yeah!!!!

You might be asking yourself, what did I say or do. I said nothing and did nothing. I knew that if a ruckus had occurred, it would have been the “Negritas” fault. It is bothersome to me that in 2012, White Latinos still live by an entitled mindset with slave mentality. I have the right to be in business class. I have the right to travel with comfort. They were empty seats, she could have moved. Instead, she decides to make this one of the most uncomfortable flight I have ever taken. This painful experience will also be a reminder that we can hope to move with ease but they are those who move with negative and hateful intentions.

Peace
Michele