Representing Life! Sonia Pierre

A woman’s Representation of Life is in her movement,her fire and her ability to gather the wisdom to continue moving forward.

Sonia was the representation of this woman,this warrior,this Queen. Today she was buried in her hometown of Lecheria were her fire for justice was lit at the age of 13.It is only fitting that those who knew her, loved her and admire her, share her life with you.

When I heard of my dear friend and colleague making her transition, I immediately began to think about the women I have met on this journey. It then came to me that these women, my sisters, have become my voice of wisdom, comfort, joy and strength.

We don’t have casual friendships. We have nursed each other back from illness, held each other in moments of grief, consoled each other through heartbreak and celebrated life’s accomplishments together.

We have become a family and the distance between us is not an obstacle.

This is why I can say, I have lost a dear friend. We have lost a true Guerrera!

Sonia began speaking of the injustice Haitians were facing in Santo Domingo at the age of 13 when she was first arrested. She believed in the humanity of her people, safety and justice for women and human rights of all.

She loved Santo Domingo. Although most who did not agree with her painted her as Anti-Dominican. If you ever sat with her you knew that was not her. That was not the way she moved.

Sonia made those who moved with self hatred think. She challenged those on both sides of the island of Hispaniola to speak truth and defend the rights of the people.

She was threatened constantly by government officials and ridiculed in the Dominican press for speaking up. They went as far as wanting to remove her Dominican citizenship. This week many of those continued their negative rant.

This is why I feel it important to write this Reflection about her Representation of Life. I refuse, we refuse and you should refuse, to sit back and have her name tainted and her death presented in such a negative way.

We should all be screaming, Where is the humanity?! Donde esta la humanidad?!
Sonia’s passing is about us familia! This woman, this Queen, is us. She knew no other way to live her life but to serve the greater good and to seek justice for her people, for all of us.

Today as her hermanas mourn her death with those who loved her, I scream out loud, te queremos mucho mi hermana, seguiremos usando tus palabras y hablando tu verdad!

I find comfort in knowing that she will be joining Ann Marie and they will be laughing and dancing and that their spirit will hold us and protect us as we continue speaking their truth.

Her legacy, her Representation of Life, her grace and strength, will light the fire in our footsteps. May the ancestors welcome her with a bright light to her new thrown.

Rest in peace querida Sonia.

In peace
Yvette

An African Glow

“My life became an African life, my surroundings took on an African flavor, my spirit took on an African glow” Assata Shakur

The past few months my African spirit has been bright and grounded. It has been hugged and loved in the way that speaks straight to the heart. When it all comes together both internally and externally you cannot help but walk with a smile that says, “I am Africa”!!

I lean on the words of Assata Shakur as it speaks to my gaining clarity on who I am as a “non-resident” African. This Reflection is about sharing these spaces with all of you who although not present give fuel to my words and light the fire in my footsteps.

My first stop was the Howard University International conference, “Africa and People of African descent: Issues and Actions to (Re)- Envision the Future.”

I had been thinking a lot about how we use and why we use certain terminologies to identify ourselves and our community. In the summer, while presenting a paper an African American participant did not see themselves in the dialogue because I was using the term “Afrodescendent.” I also began to struggle on how many Afro-Latinos were using the term but not understanding or willing to lean more on the Afro part because I think they still are not fully clear of their Africanness.

I shared these thoughts with Brandi our Youth Coordinator. Her fire is motivating and her energy is contagious. Responding to her email was one of the best decisions I made this year.

We decide to send something in for the conference around this question of terminologies. Our title was, “What’s in a Name? Unpacking Black Terminologies of Identity.” I already had the panelist in mind that could really tackle this question without fear. Brandi was our youth/African American voice, Dr. Quito Swan a Prof. in the African Diaspora Studies at Howard University was our Caribbean voice, Chioma Naji our African voice and then my mentor Christopher Rodriguez, was the Afro-Latino voice.

We addressed such questions as, How do these terminologies condition the way we treat each other? (i.e. unifying by putting Africa at the center, or building barriers by emphasizing the differences in our identity) We highlighted our diverse experiences with the hope of “envisioning what an African descendent identity can represent in the global community”

I then decided I would also present an individual paper I had been working on for another conference. This took me deeper into my African Panama. My paper , “The Struggle for Equality, Visibility and Identity in Panama” highlighted the two major stages of development in Panama that are grounded in its African roots, and now adding a third stage that in knowing our history, created a movement for justice, acknowledgement and visibility.

I looked deeper into each stage and gathered stories from family members, friends, mentors, parents of friends, activist, to bring a real voice into the historical narrative. I was willing to learn, see and hear things that would continue to shatter the separation in the country, confront the glorification of a colonial mindset rooted in racism and celebrate the resistance of our people that was not only through action but a way of life that now moves with a Pan- African agenda.

The first stage, “Land-Tierra” is “rooted in the legacy of those brave Africans who refused to live an imposed life of servitude and created an alternative life for themselves in free New World African societies called, “Palenques.” Panama was the site of the first free black community on the mainland of the Americas. The descendants of the Cimarrones or Congos are present today and continue to practice their traditions.

I interviewed Marcia Rodriguez who I am excited to share, is now the Reina Congo. Marcia shared,” The Cimarrones showed us that to live well, it is necessary to have, “libertad y dignidad”. “We survived because we were always told that we needed to honor our ancestors. Their struggle could not be left in vein. If we lost our story, we lose ourselves.”

The Second stage, “Home” is rooted in the pride of the Caribbean community. In this stage I touch on Marcus Garvey’s work in Panama. I was moved by how many family members and friends were willing to share their story. I wanted to address the fact that our ancestors were denied citizenship at one point in this “Patria” we call home and although many celebrate the “priviledge” of the Canal Zone yet when you really look at it and I mean look at it, we were never fully accepted their either. As Mr. Terry said, “National identity is not simple as being born there but also about being a part of the people, the plan and the outcome. Where is the acceptance of the sweat and blood in this country?”

I learned by interviewing childhood friends that we survived the struggles in the desegregated schools because we were grounded in the real history of our families. As my friends Rey and Marcelo shared, we refused to be bullied and treated, “less than” we resisted their “entitlement” and moved as “one”

The third stage, “Root; Taking care of the Ground” is our time to speak of the complexity of our identity as people of African descent and the resistance that we move with today. I interviewed Eugenio Johnson, son of Mr. Eugene Johnson who was a Canal Zone police officer who spoke before Congress advocating for travel visas for the Afro-Caribbean community. Eugenio speaks of his father with great pride and now has a better understanding of what his father did for many.

In this stage I highlighted Mr. Richards who I will continue to write about because of the influence he continues to have on my development as a Pan-African. I learned more about his childhood, what he was like as a young man and what fed his journey to fight with others for “Dia de la Etnia Negra” in Panama. “Everything I read fed my enthusiasm and my energy that this had to happen.” He then switches to Spanish and says, “El rechazo de la sociedad hacia el Negro me da fuerza para seguir porque yo quiero enseñarle otro punto.”

I closed my paper with these words, “It is my hope that as Panamanians we embrace our deeply rooted history that allows us to look out to the Motherland while creating the visibility and the recognition in Panama that we so deserve. “

The conference was three days; I was inspired by all those present. On the second day, Quito invited me to speak to his students. I shared my journey in this work, more about Panama, our connections as people of African descent, my spiritual journey and Reggaeton.

I had shared with Quito that Reggae in Spanish started in Panama and broke it down that it started in Colon by a childhood neighbor called Nando Brim. Yes, I love telling that story! Anyway, I shared about current Reggaeton artist who still use this space to speak on the reality of the people. I highlighted Ricardo Weeks aka DJ BLACK who currently has a political position at home. We had the students listen to his song, “Su Madre” yes, familia, the clean version and then shared what he was saying. I had so much fun with the students. They asked wonderful questions. What was interesting was that most who came up to me after wanted to know more about my spiritual journey and how it could support their own search.

It was at the conference that I hung out with three brothers that I want you all to remember their names. Quito Swan, Mark Bolden and Jared Ball. Hanging out with these brothers makes your African spirit move in a perfect line. It is about the attitude, determination, knowledge, care and laughter. The only thing missing was our mutual friend Marcos Bellamy. These brothers are making some serious noise in each of their spaces. I am looking forward to collaborating with them in the future.

On this stop unconditional love was met and felt through the eyes of understanding, forgiveness and joy.

My second stop was the Black Caucus Leadership Conference. I shared this space with Marta Moreno Vega, Zakiya Carr –Johnson, Sheila Walker and Zulia Mena. In my few minutes I spoke of the visual representations of Latinas in this country and the lack of inclusion of the Afro descendent reality. I also spoke of the lack of understanding of the commonality with an African American experience. I spent more time sharing what I see working with the youth. How the not knowing, the not being able to ask, is creating the tensions in the schools and the internal struggles they face on a daily basis.

The third stop the African Union High Level Meeting. This was my in person meeting with Retired General Ishola Willliams of Nigeria who I have been speaking to and who facilitated my invitation to the meeting. The General’s spirit to unify our people is admirable and contagious.

The meeting was the biggest gathering of selected high caliber African Diasporan. It was organized by the African Union Diaspora Task Team. In his opening statement the Ambassador from Kenya said, “When Marcus Garvey’s thoughts kicks in, it will be a special day.”

I was asked to read the report and to share my observation. As I always do, I shared with the community that I would be attending and if they had any thoughts. I heard from many and highlighted a few in my official statement.

In my observations I shared the following,” my greatest concern as we move forward is our own internal struggle, psychological struggle to recognize each other.” I highlighted thoughts from Ms. Phyllis in Belize who shared, “We may have skin color/tones in common but the idea that we are all descended from those who went though the terrible ordeal often becomes an intellectual debate in America but it is concrete in the minds of those in the Diaspora.” It is time to stop skipping over Central America.

An issue of great concern for us is the issue of land ownership and preservation. This cry is heard from Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Roxbury.
I heard from Ricardo Steele in Colon, who shared, “we are facing a high level of displacement due to “progress” in our countries. Afro descendents have been living on their land forever since coming to the Western Hemisphere. We do not take out any “legal papers”. Now we have governments allowing those who want to purchase the land legally to do so and families, traditions are being displaced.”

My fellow Guerrera friend Trina took it one step further, “Environmental degradation affecting people of African descent across the Diaspora is urgent and needs more immediate attention. The negative impact (health disparities, work, sustainability, culture, food security and gender based violence) is far reaching in its consequences.”

My presence in this space was about the voices of women in the Diaspora who are playing a pivotal role in our development to move as ONE.

I was once again sharing the space with Dr. Sheila Walker and was reunited after many years with Dr. Georgina Falu.

It was in this space that I felt absolutely clear and firm after hearing the term, “non-resident African.” My spirit jumped, felt light and happy.

In my presentation I also highlighted Panama’s own journey of Garveynism. After the meeting ended I met Dr. Julius Garvey. Let me break it down familia, highlight does not give this moment it’s true merit, Goodness, “The girl from Colon met Marcus Garvey’s son,” that is what I was singing on my way back to Brooklyn.

The other highlight that also cannot be fully expressed even in this reflection was meeting Ambassador Dudley Thompson. Ambassadors Thompson’s wife came up to me after the meeting ended and shared that he wanted to meet me. He congratulated me on my words then went onto to say that we have something in common. By now, I have a permanent smile on my face. “I was born in Panama” he says. I was so excited. Here goes another Panama connection. He then said, Colon, Panama. Ok, stop the press! He is a Colonense, nada que ver!!

Ambassador Thompson shared that he has never gone home and at the age of 94 he would love to make that trip. I began planning in my head how we can make this happen and as soon as I left the building I called Mr. Richards and then also did introductions via email. My understanding is that his visit to Panama is in the planning stage.

On this stop my African Panamanian pride was beaming.

The fourth and final stop is the Red de Mujeres Afro’s presentation at the OAS before the Commission on Human Rights. We were speaking on the Human Rights of Women of African descent. I shared this space my hermanas, Ana Irma Rivera Lassen of Puerto Rico and Cecilia Ramirez of Peru. We had a full report on issues affecting us and our demands for recognition and movement.

It was important to speak on specific incidents. I had been kept afloat by Mr. Richards and Gersan Joseph of the case in Panama related to the treatment of Haitian women entering the country. The women were being harassed and abused at the Tocumen airport. What pained me the most was the derogatory terms used to describe them. This triggered old stories of Caribbean women in Panama. It is 2011 and they are still using the same terms and stories I heard as a child.

Entering this space was a validation of all the hard work by the Red de Mujeres Afro and the vision of our fierce and gentle leader, Dorotea Wilson.

This glow, this clarity is not something you turn on and off. Once it is on, you feel and see everything related to the Motherland. Once understood, then you are able to shed certain aspects of your life that cannot stand with comfort in this glow. You also gain an extra fire, to move as you should, a Queen.

The whispers of the ancestors are ongoing and this is an extension of that voice. In the closing of my paper, I wrote, “this is my journey, my development as an African woman, an activist on a search for justice and clarity and like Marcus Garvey, I am learning that “I will not give up a continent for an Isthmus.”

May we embrace this glow, may we celebrate its arrival.

In peace
Yvette

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