Diary of a Mad Nuyorican

Artesanos at El Museo del Barrio - September 17, 2011

2011-09-19T20:49:00.002-04:00

On Saturday, September 17th, 2011 almost a dozen Boricua artesanos and book vendors set up shop along Fifth Avenue to promote and sell their crafts. The public act of free expression attracted hundreds of pedestrians en route to El Museo del Barrio's day-long "Super Sabado" extravaganza - thus lending a uniquely Puerto Rican touch to the festivities. More photos here.

DC Melissa, Yolanda and Julia de Burgos - Rumble in El Barrio?

2011-03-05T19:09:00.004-05:00

Note: There has been some controversy for some time over charges of the mismanagement of the city-owned building housing the Julia de Burgos Cultural Center in Manhattan's East Harlem. In a highly controversial move, alleging mismanagement by Taller Boricua, New York City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverto intervened to change the management of the center working through the city's Economic Development Agency. This has caused major divisions in El Barrio's artistic community. The latest flare-up is reported below by El Diario columnist Gerson Borrero over allegations that the Councilwoman disrespected elder community leader Yolanda Sanchez at a recent meeting (in which Ms. Sanchez was not present).

Yolanda Sanchez, 78 years old, is an institution in the Latino community who has spent over thirty years in the development and management of diverse human services. She serves as the Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Association for Community Affairs and is President of the National Latinas Caucus, past president of the East Harlem Council for Human Services and former director of the CUNY Office of Puerto Rican Program Development. Ms. Sanchez is a former National Urban Fellow and a graduate of Harvard University's School of Business, and holds an MSW degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Social Work.

Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and was elected to the City Council in January 2006 to serve as Council Member for the 8th Council District. She is the first Puerto Rican woman and Latina elected to represent her district. During her first term, Melissa has sponsored several local laws to address tenant harassment and promote construction safety. Prior to her election to the City Council, the Councilwoman worked for the 1199 SEIU New York's Health Care Union, as well as several community organizations and political campaigns. Besides her professional life, Melissa has been very active in community affairs, founding Women of El Barrio-an organization that promotes the development of women as leaders in the economic, political and social life of their community.

Angelo Falcón
National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP)

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BAJO FUEGO
Row over Julia de Burgos Cultural Center in El Barrio
By Gerson Borrero | Bajofuego@eldiariony.com
El Diario-La Prensa (March 2, 2011)

Translated from Spanish by NiLP

In a two-page letter, the Board of Directors of Casabe Houses accuses New York City Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito of having insulted and threatened them during a meeting in her office in Manhattan in what was intended to be a discussion about the future of the Julia de Burgos Cultural Center.

As highlighted by the February 24 letter, signed by Frank Quiles in his capacity as president of the organization that provides housing and services to the elderly, Mark-Viverito "used the occasion to talk rudely of Yolanda Sánchez , who is a member of our Board and one of the most respected leaders of the Puerto Rican and Latino community of New York City over the past thirty years. "

Beyond the bickering that provoked the letter, it was signed by nine other members of the Board, including Ms. Sanchez, and accused of the City Councilwomen of the 8th District of telling them, "I've already made the decision," to support another group to take charge of the Cultural Center, which has been allegedly mismanaged by the current managers.

"They never approached me and did not let me know of their interest" said Mark-Viverito as she thundered against what she considered a lack of respect. According to the Councilwoman, "They came to the meeting with the intention of an ambush and trying to tarnish my reputation."

After calming down, Mark-Viverito in a telephone conversation admitted that she did tell them, "My support has already been given to another organization." However, she denied that she threatened them or insulted Ms. Sanchez.

"I was firm in my tone," said Mark-Viverito, who added, "I am a human being." She assured us that there will be a formal response to the group.

To all this we assume that once the Hispanic Federation, the theater group Pregones, Los Pleneros de la 21 and the Puerto Rican Travelling Theatre saw this aired in public, they will re-evaluate their participation in the Mark-Viverito coalition created to assume direction of the Julia de Burgos Cultural Center.

"Yolanda is 78 and Melissa, who is not even of El Barrio, disrespected her," said one activist who asked not to be identified but who is bothered by this rumor. Be seen as making the city agency, Economic Development Corporation, who could receive a formal complaint about what was supposed to come from the mayor. All pending.

"I was firm in my tone," said Mark-Viverito, who added, "I am a human being." The official assured us that there will be a formal response to the group.

To all this we assume that once the Hispanic Federation, the theater group Pregones, Los Pleneros de la 21 and the Puerto Rican Travelling Theatre to see this aired in public, re-evaluate their participation in the Mark-Viverito coalition created to assume direction of Julia de Burgos. "Yolanda is 78 and Melissa, who is not even in El Barrio, disrespected," said one activist who asked not to be identified but who is bothered by the already rumored on the street. We are waiting to see what the city agency, the Economic Development Corporation, who could receive a formal complaint about what the Councilwoman is planning. Let's wait and see.

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
In Search of "flamboyant Language"
By Albert Medina
El Diario-La Prensa (4 de marzo 2011)
Translated from Spanish by Albert Medina

In an article on 2 March in El Diario/La Prensa, Gerson Borrero commented on a letter received from Frank Quiles in the name of the organization over which he presided, saying that Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito had commented "in showy language" against Yolanda Sanchez."

What were those flamboyant words?

He also wrote that an activist - not named - had told him that Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito -was not from El Barrio! (the neighborhood) What Puerto Rican is not from El Barrio? Even those born in the United States.

Celia Ramirez, who represents East River North Renewal HDFC, should also have been mentioned when he listed the organizations participating in the coalition supported by Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito.

The values and material objects that make up a shared way of life: the intangible creations of human society; and the products which emerged out of the interactions of people - within the limitations of the then geographic boundaries that encompassed El Barrio, NY - is not something to be glossed over lightly.

Albert Medina
East River North Renewal
212-427-3130

Community Organizing will Save our Youth

2010-11-11T14:02:00.011-05:00

The sixteen page report released by the Community Service Society in early November on Latino Youth in New York City is cause for alarm in all Latino neighborhoods, especially in the Puerto Rican community.

Puerto Rican youth who are concentrated in the poorest areas of this wealthy metropolis are among the most deprived, the most unemployed, and the least academically educated according to the report. This is not news to Puerto Rican political activists who have been involved in some form of community organizing in past years. They have long said the schools are failing too many of our youth and crippling their ability to compete in the changing labor market. Most disturbing is the benumbing of poor youths’ ability to critically perceive and comprehend their reality as the first step in changing it. This, their elders must help them do through the struggle for social change and justice.

The report describes an emergency situation that demands immediate intervention by government, non-governmental organizations, and private citizens. Many in our community who have left our neighborhoods are returning. Some of us have never left but have chosen to focus on specific objects of interest. We must take the time to engage our youth in a dialogue about their reality at their level and where they live or hangout. This outreach will have a positive impact on all communities of color and by extension the entire city because it will set a different tone and approach to tackling the challenges we encounter.

The report asserts that Puerto Rican youth are the most disadvantaged group in the city. The tide that elevates Puerto Rican youth will elevate the youth of all impoverished communities navigating in a similar reality. The tide I speak of is an informal educational process through everyday community organizing. We all must become community organizers. Community organizing is simply the process by which people come together to identify common problems, articulate an affirmative vision of the future, and set the short and long-term problem-solving objectives to be achieved.

In this context we need to recognize that youth living in poverty are oppressed human beings. They are unjustifiably frisked on the street by police. They are perceived with low expectations by a broken public school system. They are treated with suspicion by the local merchants. And they must constantly strategize about how to avoid, prevent, or sometimes commit violence in a world of force and deception in which they live. This is the reality of oppression; a reality our poor inner city youth face daily. How can this not cause our youth a sense of self-depreciation; a perception projected onto them by those who oppress.

It will be only when our youth discover the source of their oppression and begin to struggle to free themselves from it that they will start to believe in themselves. This is what community organizing and empowerment is all about. It is a life-long process of teaching, learning, and acting to change the world as we know it. There are efforts taking place around the city where young people are in fact organizing for themselves, demanding a better future for themselves and their community. But it is not to the scale and depth that’s needed. Our youth, our children are hard pressed. We have no time to lose.

Zoilo Torres
November 9, 2010

Spanish version: "Organización salvará a nuestra juventud" (Zoilo Torres, El Diario-La Prensa, 13 Noviembre, 2010)

See also: "La condición colonial de los puertorriqueños" (Olga I. Sanabria Dávila, El Diario-La Prensa, 2 Noviembre, 2010)

Latina leaders speak up for Puerto Rican youth

2010-10-31T20:47:00.014-04:00

Puerto Rican Civil Rights Groups, Community Leaders and mothers call on NYS and NYC Government candidates and leaders to address Puerto Rican disparities.

New York, NY (October 31, 2010) - On the eve of Tuesday's election, Puerto Rican civil rights groups, elected officials, community leaders and mothers gathered on the City Hall steps today to demand that the gubernatorial candidates outline strategies to direct resources and decrease the economic and social disparities besetting New York City's Puerto Rican youth.

Organizers also called on Mayor Bloomberg to charge his Administration to work with community leaders to grapple with these problems. On Friday, October 29th, The New York Times announced the pending release of a report by the Community Service Society, which reveals that, across a variety of indicators from employment and poverty, to education and health statistics, Puerto Rican youth, 16 to 24 years old, are the most disadvantaged of all ethnic groups in New York City.

"The Puerto Rican Community has contributed greatly to this City - we have opened the door for countless Latinos from all over the world, but we find ourselves still holding the door," said Elizabeth Yeampierre, executive director of UPROSE (United Puerto Rican Organization of Sunset Park), Brooklyn's oldest Latino community-based organization. "The needs of our youth and community require particular attention. We call on the gubernatorial candidates to tell Puerto Rican New Yorkers how they will work with community leaders to reduce the unacceptable economic disparities confronting Puerto Ricans."

"We stand with our Puerto Rican young people. It is disheartening to me that the children of New York City's oldest Latino community have been forgotten. Because of Puerto Ricans' unique status as both U.S. citizens and immigrants at the same time, Puerto Rican youth experience a unique set of concerns related to self-identity, migration, access to services, and other issues," said Iris Morales, long-time educator and community activist.

Source: Elizabeth C. Yeampierre.

The Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center: Art, Transformation, and Political Muscle

2010-10-24T20:30:00.051-04:00

Council Member Mark-Viverito's campaign to "reform" a sizeable portion of cultural programming space in a city-owned building has accelerated into a full-blown, East Harlem-style political brawl.

On September 30th, the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC), on behalf of the Council Member, issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) to rent, operate and maintain 8,000 square feet of public space in the Julia de Burgos Latino Cultural Center. (The area in question involves a 2,800 square foot, ground-floor community event space with two 560-square-foot adjoining rooms, and a second floor 4,300 square foot, 160-seat theater.)

The initial explanation for the RFEI, as presented to East Harlem residents in early meetings, was that the ground floor community space and second floor theater would now be overseen by a single leaseholder – one with sufficient means to resolve soundproofing and other technical problems preventing simultaneous renting of the event spaces.

The City’s action drew immediate opposition from the current leaseholder of the ground floor space, Taller Boricua/Puerto Rican Workshop. Though they will continue to maintain their own gallery, office and classroom space elsewhere in the building, members and supporters of the organization have vociferously contested the RFEI citing financial hardship, lack of due process, and general disregard for their role as founders of the famed institution. Taller then embarked on an ambitious petition campaign gathering over 1,000 print and online signatures calling for the process to be halted in favor of mediation.

During an October 4th “visioning” discussion on proposed uses for the community space held at the SCAN/La Guardia Senior Center, Council Member Mark-Viverito acknowledged her role in initiating the RFEI. Citing ongoing concerns about a lack of access to the public space and inequitable rental practices on the part of Taller Boricua, The Council Member defended the RFEI as an opportunity for a “new generation” of local – specifically Puerto Rican – artists and cultural institutions to revitalize the arts community in East Harlem.

While members of the Council Member’s District 8 Youth Council and other, similarly affiliated local residents have indeed expressed their support for the RFEI at public meetings, no East Harlem artists or cultural organizations have openly indicated their intent to apply for the lease. Such ambiguity has given rise to confusion and speculation about the possibility of outside and/or non-Latino-based organizations being brought in to oversee the community space.

On October 13th, EDC granted prospective applicants to the Requests for Expressions of Interest an “information session and tour" of the newly available space, at which no local organization with sufficient qualification for the City’s approval as a leaseholder was present.

Supporters of the RFEI continue to insist that the action should not be seen as an attack on Taller Boricua as they have “every right” to re-apply as leaseholder. Such proclamations seem disingenuous, however, given the concurrent condemnations of the founders’ “sexist” and “corrupt” practices.

Quite a number of local organizations, artists and activists have refused to be drawn into the whole affair, citing the Council Member's acknowledgment that she has held discussions about “management problems at the Julia” for over three years (though none with Taller Boricua directly), as an indication that the process is a “farce” and that new tenants have likely been already designated.

Community Board 11 has also weighed in on the matter. In a September 23rd letter to EDC Chairmen Seth Pinsky, Chairman Matthew Washington inquired why the Board had not been included as a participant in the development of the RFEI (as was the case with similar solicitations involving city-owned spaces such as La Marqueta and the 125th Street Firehouse). On October 19th, the Board voted 26 in favor, 6 opposed, with 4 abstentions that a letter be sent requesting, among other things, that the City rescind the RFEI, that EDC communicate specific concerns regarding Taller Boricua’s management of the multipurpose room and allow them an opportunity to take corrective actions, and that City funds be provided for soundproofing and other capital improvements.

Nonetheless, officials maintain that the RFEI will help “better serve the surrounding community by providing classes, workshops, studio and performance space to neighborhood artists and residents … for use by theater, music and art cultural groups.” Others, however, question the need for such drastic action suggesting that East Harlem might be better served by challenging the City’s refusal to assign the entire building to arts organizations. (In addition to Taller Boricua, the only other cultural tenants are the Puerto Rican Travelling Theatre's Raul Julia Training Unit and Los Pleneros de la 21. The largest segment of floor space in the building is leased to the Heritage High School.)

Especially troubling to some is the language in EDC President Seth Pinsky’s September 29th response to Community Board 11 in which he writes “NYEDC will assess the feasibility for further activating the space pursuant to this original vision.” Pinsky’s choice of words is perceived by them as a clear signal that “the future of the entire building may very well be at stake.”

Other unvested parties are even more concerned with the City’s abandonment and disinvestment in much of the neighborhood’s vacant and underutilized cultural real estate and see the historical pattern as the more important issue. The consensus among these parties is that there already exists more than enough designated space that, with proper support and genuine opportunity, could meet the needs of every cultural organization and artist in East Harlem. “If we lose this building, there go the rest,” opines one artist.

The neighborhood conflict has generated a steady stream of newspaper articles, blog editorials, and a particularly disturbing, COINTELPRO-like, barrage of anonymous emails inciting readers to take legal action against Taller Boricua for alleged financial improprieties.

Not surprising, none of the “righteous” citizens involved in this latest form of mud-slinging have had the courage to openly air their charges. Neither has the Council Member chosen to repudiate these actions. If such allegations were of serious concern to her, an official (pre-RFEI) investigation by Mark-Viverito might have saved a lot of time and trouble and embarrassment to the East Harlem community.

Instead, hurtful insults are now routinely being traded between local artists/activists and supporters of the Council Member at community meetings and events. Many have received late-night phone calls and unsolicited emails and text messages, mostly pressuring recipients to support the changes.

Some have also been personally slandered, threatened with political and financial retaliation, and publicly lambasted as "cowards" and "crazy" for simply refusing to participate in such a poorly handled, political disaster.

While the damage that has resulted can never be undone, there is still an opportunity for progressive resolution and an end to the "madness."

The deadline for submissions the EDC is November 17th. To be continued…

Click here to learn more.

Street Talk: Public Art in East Harlem

2009-10-12T22:55:00.000-04:00

Members of El Puerto Rican Embassy Conduct Art & Cultural Action Against Censorship and Repression in Puerto Rico @ Pedro Pietri Mural

2009-10-12T22:49:00.002-04:00

A 'Hood By Any Other Name?

2008-10-24T18:34:00.022-04:00

Rafael Merino comments on "The South Bronx, and Proudly" by David Gonzalez of The New York Times.

In a media-centric society, branding has become everything. It is scary to see how a small group of shortsighted individuals can sway the masses, or at least give it a good try.

Here, in El Barrio/ Spanish Harlem, we’re fighting a very similar battle. Although the generic moniker of “East Harlem” has gained more ground than “Downtown Bronx,” El Barrio and Spanish Harlem designations are well respected, engraved in a large amount of small businesses, defended by local politicians and civic groups, and immortalized in popular culture. How do you turn your back on that? Some have tried. Yes, there was a “SpaHa” café that opened up once — they didn’t last a year. A feeble attempt to vandalize our neighborhood with an “Upper Yorkville” mark was met with immediate and almost violent reaction.

Congressman Serrano was right about respecting the roots, struggle and unabridged history of a community — or person; embracing the complete story is what builds character — and brand name recognition. And to poor and working communities that don’t have much in the way of real ownership of land, these names and symbols create an important physiological bond to the closest thing we can call “home.”

Puerto Rico is a larger example of that. It may be a colonial possession; the people’s will to incorporate into the global economy may be curtailed by the US government; their soldiers keep getting killed even though they can’t vote for their Commander-in-Chief; and they have no real voice in the same US Congress that controls their destiny; but mess with their flag and you’re gonna get cut.

You build on that kind of passion, you don’t paint over it.

— Rafael Merino, NY Latino Journal

Bronx Latin American Art Biennial Comes to Boricua College in the Bronx

2008-09-30T12:43:00.006-04:00

Latin American Art Show Review
By Robert Waddell
September 30, 2008

It is a foregone conclusion that art biennials, the Whitney Museum’s especially, haven been known to be a visual mish-mosh, higgledy-pigeldy compilation of good art, bad art, also-rans, hilarious and complete dreck, with an occasional great work in the mix.

This is true for the Bronx Latin American Art Biennial 2008’s “Exhibition: Legends of Identity,” which falls in the category of laughably incongruous and outlandishly bad works of art.

Too much of the art is derivative of Dali, Picasso, Rivera and Lichtenstein. Derivation is fine if it’s done with élan, finesse and as homage, but this Latin American art biennial is so damned hard on the eyes. There’s Felix Moya’s portrait of what looks like multi-colored glass bubbles on Mars covered with chocolate chip covered cookies. There’s a bizarre canvas with splattered paints, a skull in the corner of the frame and dream figures. The artist must have thought that globs of compacted colorful paint caked to cold perfection would be great art.

Some of the highlights of the show include “Festivell” by Victor Cuya, two companion pieces, the first looks like a farmer working his land on one canvas and in the second canvas his hands are raised in praise for rich crops. The 2 pieces in rust color are done in an impressionist style. The other two pieces of note are realistic portraits “Orpheus” by Isabel Echeverri, of what could be a Santeria prince and princess, respectively. The works are done in vibrant red and capture facial expressions and body language beautifully of the artist’s subjects. Pancho Guerra Garcia’s “Untitled” show crowds of a ghost-like crowd where the people are together but separate and anonymous. Then there are the well intentioned political drawings of Carlos Fajardo of what seems like unfinished scratching of George Bush and Ronald McDonald as ghoulish monsters. The anchor to the show comes from Jose Gomez’s 3 large panels resembling the inside of a fish market. The colors are, however, muted and lifeless.

More important, this version of Latin American art should not have been considered just because it was by Latin American artists. There are thoughtful, provocative and energetic artists today of all ages who could have been asked to create a quilt that could have been a dynamic montage of the greatest of Latin America, instead, the Bronx gets this. Huh?!

This can’t be the best art Latin America has to offer --- Diego, Frieda and Oroxco must be turning in their graves. There’s so much better stuff at the Met, MOMA and El Museo Del Barrio. (In full disclosure, this reviewer is an educator at Boricua College.)

What’s most disturbing of “Legends of Identity” is that it’s in the Bronx, where one of the highest concentrations of Puerto Ricans have lived and continue to live for generations, presented at “Boricua” College, however a contemporary Puerto Rican artistic point-of-view is non-existent. The curators of this colossus of art could have tapped Puerto Rican artists for their exhibition, say, off the top of my head, Nicholasa Mohr, Antonio Martorell, Sandra Maria Esteves, Fernando Salicrup, Raphael Tufino, Marcos Dimas, Wanda Ortiz, Enid Alvarez, Marisol Diaz, James de la Vega, Manny Vega, Ruthy Valdez, and these are the ones I know at one sitting. Think how this show could have been greatly improved with contemporary Puerto Rican artists, the ones I know about and the ones I could have easily looked up.

For vibrant, fascinating and thought provoking Latin American art, try El Museo del Barrio. Or, wait for the S-Files, another compilation art show presented by El Museo in the spring. Longwood Arts Gallery at Hostos Community College has wonderful exhibitions year round, as does Taller Boricua. Other upcoming art exhibitions are worth the wait. In the meantime, skip “Legends of Identity,” it’ll only give you bad dreams and a sour knot in your stomach.

The Bronx Latin American Art Biennial 2008, Exhibition: Legends of Identity is exhibited daily at the Boricua College Bronx Center, Exhibition Space, 412-424 E. 147th Street, 2nd floor. The show runs from September 26 to October 19. Curiosity Seekers Beware.

Rachel/Raquel “Rusty” Villegas (January 16, 1933 - February 10, 2008)

2008-02-25T17:43:00.022-05:00

Courtesy of William Gerena-Rochet

There is an old but at times useful cliché that says “It takes a village to raise a child.” If that child grows to become one of our village’s elders – whose life was marked by a degree of dedication to the wellbeing and welfare of the village – and who upon passing away, we could add: “It takes a village to say farewell …” to that person. And so last week at Johnston Funeral home, family and members of the community of El Barrio/East Harlem said farewell to Raquel Villegas.

The following is from the funeral brochure for “Rachel/Raquel “Rusty” Villegas” (January 16, 1933 - February 10, 2008).

There are three things we definitely know about Rachel Villegas: her spirituality and faith; her love for her family; and her love for the community where she always lived, El Barrio.

Rachel Perez was born in Harlem Hospital and raised in East Harlem. Always a hard worker, she began her career at Sylvie’s, a women’s clothing store located on 105th and 3rd Avenue. With the advent of the War on Poverty, in 1963 Rachel entered a jobs-training program to obtain her GED. She then began to show her true talents in helping people and perfecting systems at Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital.

Rachel had the fortunate experience of working on the staff of newly-elected Congressman Charles Rangel, in 1970. This was the position where Rachel’s reputation for empathy and dedication for the people of this community grew by leaps and bounds.

After leaving the Congressman’s staff, she continued her career with the New York City Blood Bank and subsequently with the Board of Education as a paraprofessional working with special-needs children. Her last position was serving the needs of the senior citizens at the Casaba Senior Housing Project.

Regardless of the positions, Rachel’s love for the people of El Barrio governed her tireless efforts to see it become all that it could be educationally, economically and culturally. One of the driving principles that made Rachel exceptional was her respect and concern for everyone she encountered. She never refused to help anyone, or any cause, and everyone was met with her sense of humor and exceptional warmth, which made her a well-known “magnet” in El Barrio.

The following are excerpts or messages of farewell for Rachael.

From Bob Espier

“By way of Farewell”

Although I had known Rachel for years, it was only peripherally, as Casabe Founder Ernesto Martinez' assistant in setting up the social & food services at Casabe; although her name would come across my desk more often than I could count.

Then, suddenly, she & Yolanda invited me to join the Casabe Board in the Summer of 2006, & I joined in September. This began a close & rewarding working friendship. I didn’t know much about Rachel's formal education, but after observing the skill with which she scrutinized financial reports, I concluded (in the back of my mind) that she was a CPA or equivalent. However, she was not. It was just the natural skill for incisive analysis that Rachel brought to everything she did. Of course, the tendency was then to pay less attention to the reports, since Rachel could be counted on to do such a thorough job. Regardless of my extensive experience in community organizations & governance, I had never come across a board member with that keen an eye for financial reports. After that momentary lapse of responsibility, I realized that I owed it to myself & the organization to bring the same intensity to these reports.

When Rachel began to drop out because of her illness, we had a telephone chat & she wondered if she could continue to fully serve on the board. My response was, 'come to meetings when you can but just make sure that you continue to pay close attention to the financial reports.' That is where we left it with respect to Rachel's role as a board member. She attended the December meeting, functioned perfectly well, & we were all encouraged. However, shortly after that, the hospitalizations became more frequent as her health deteriorated more rapidly -- until we learned the sad news of her passing on Saturday, 9 February 2008.

Goodbye Rachel,
Bob Espier
Chairman of Casabe Board

From Gloria E. Quinones

“An unforgettable and regrettable lose for El Barrio”

Rachel Villegas is a model of courage and integrity, a sincere and loyal friend, a fierce defender of the Puerto Rican community. Not surprisingly, she is a founding member of Women of El Barrio/Mujeres de El Barrio, established to develop the leadership capabilities of Puerto Rican women. She was so much fun to work with, as a talented lover of arts and crafts; she would have us go to her home to work on the center pieces she had designed for our annual New Year's Gala and Women's History Month events. It was Rachel who kept a checklist of all the event details: invitations, the food, drinks, entertainment, set-up, reception, clean-up, etc. and we had better be sure it was covered! For the past two years Rachel volunteered one evening per week at the office of Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito to serve constituents with problem around housing, government benefits.

Rachel loved to make you laugh and she thoroughly enjoyed a good joke. Rachel Villegas is an unforgettable and irreplaceable loss to her family, her friends and to El Barrio.

Gloria E. Quinones is an East Harlem Activist

Rachel is survived by her sons, James Benjamin Gwynne and Juan Villegas, Jr. (Michelle); her grandchildren, Mariko Gwynne, Rachel Mary Gwynne, James Paul Gwynne, Benjamin Gwynne, Insiah Villegas and Akil Hicks; her great-grandson, Nasseer Ogbourne; her sister, Olga DeLeonardis (Bepo); her niece and nephews, JoMarie Pierson (Scott), Stephan Santini (Teresa) and John DeLeonardis, Jr. (Rosalie); and their children, as well as numerous cousins and friends. All were greatly influenced by her love and wisdom. All will miss her.

Panel Discussion on Grand Jury

2008-01-21T17:34:00.000-05:00

Resist Grand Jury

2008-01-07T21:58:00.000-05:00

Dissent Is Not A Crime

2007-01-22T11:58:00.001-05:00

Watching the Media Measure the Importance of Three Leading Men: James Brown, Gerald Ford and Saddam Hussein

2006-12-30T18:13:00.000-05:00

What’s a couch potato to do when our nation's leading black entertainer, least interesting former president, and most favorite foreign dictator die in the same week?

Just sit back and watch…

To my delight, CBS News broke with tradition earlier in the week by not interrupting its programming for a special report on Ford's death. Unlike its network rivals, the station ran a printed "crawl" at the bottom of the screen: “Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States, died at the age of 93.”

The New York Times brashly speculated that his widow, Betty Ford, might leave a greater legacy since her candor about her battle with breast cancer and treatment for alcohol and substance abuse set the stage for public awareness and advocacy.

While Mrs. Ford will also be remembered for having inspired millions of women with her support for the failed Equal Rights Amendment, the “Accidental President,” who occupied the White House for just 896 days, will best be known for pardoning a crooked president upon whose coattails he rode into office and for initially refusing to support New York City during its 1975 financial crisis.

Perhaps that was why there was no military flyover, no canons, salutes or bugles, and no honorary pallbearers at Ford’s Palm Desert, California service.

Quite boring, actually, so couch potato continued clicking the remote control looking for more “livelier” news.

Since the execution of Saddam Hussein, who tortured thousands of Iraqis (and two American presidents), was not available on basic cable, all those bland talking head reports of his death seemed like yesterday’s news.

Former Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein was hanged at 6:10 am on Friday, December 30th in Baghdad, five days after being sentenced to death; he was 69, read the news anchors.

By gosh, could you be any more uninteresting? Why not be daring and tell us why we really started the 16-year “War in Iraq” or why Saddam turned on the Bush(es) administration in the first place?

Producers at New York 1 News, meanwhile, decided to go with daylong coverage of James Brown’s funeral service in Augusta, Georgia where dignitaries included Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and Michael Jackson. As with the memorial service at the famed Apollo Theater, I watched in awe as dozens of civil rights leaders and entertainers spoke lovingly of Mr. Brown, who died of heart failure on Monday, December 25 at the age of 73.

In the end, it comes down to priorities - and inspiring people of color to move physically, sexually, spiritually, and, most importantly, politically with songs like “I’m Black and I’m Proud!” and “Living in America” wins hands down against a few stints in jail for domestic abuse.

Couch potato stayed with New York 1 and honored the Godfather of Soul.

Perturbed by the Perturbed

2006-12-21T23:06:00.000-05:00

Personally, I am more annoyed over the media’s “coverage” of white response to the March 16th “Silent Protest” against the killing of Sean Bell than I am by Herman Badillo's contempt towards people of color.

I am particularly outraged that the media would choose to interview Steven Pagones, a former assistant district attorney from Poughkeepsie with absolutely no connection to – or authority over - the Bell case.

In addition to wasting valuable airtime interviewing Rev. Al Sharpton’s adversary, the press has also chosen to broadcast inane complaints by whites such as “They have the right to march, well we have the right to shop.”

Reports on the December 21 follow-up financial district march protesting the killing of the unarmed bridegroom by undercover police officers was met with equal disdain as white Wall Street workers were filmed complaining about being “inconvenienced” during their lunch hour.

Perhaps these disconcerted whites should get together and discuss the matter with Herman Badillo, who seems similarly perturbed at people of color due to his own sense of manifest (political) destiny.

Oh, wait, he’s already gone that route ... at the Manhattan Institute.

(Diden ju no, dude, que sour grapes lo que trae es bad w[h]ine….)

I am not afraid

2006-02-20T11:51:00.000-05:00

I am not afraid
to scream at the top of my lungs
against the injustices I bear witness to daily
as a Puerto Rican American citizen
living under the most barbaric of circumstances
in the history of this nation

I am not afraid to stand up to
and speak out against
the erosion of our liberties
and the end of our constitutional rights
in the name of "patriotism"
and "homeland security"
in the name of "free enterprise"
and profit by any means necessary

I am not afraid to document
the murder and incarceration
of a people long colonized
by a hateful imperialist clan

I am not afraid to reveal my rage
as I expose your evil deeds
for I am watching you
just as much as you are me

The Perfect Storm ... For Looting? Give me a Break!

2005-09-02T11:53:00.000-04:00

"We tend to think of natural disasters as somehow even-handed, as somehow random, yet it has always been thus: poor people are in danger. That is what it means to be poor. It's dangerous to be poor. It's dangerous to be black. It's dangerous to be Latino." --Martin Espada

Monday, August 29 - Hundreds of African Americans and other poor people lost their lives in Louisiana and Mississippi to hurricane Katrina. The nation then watched helplessly as tens of thousands more continued to suffer benign governmental neglect and outright racism. To witness so plainly how the lives of American people of color were just not valued by their very own government seemed even more horrifying than the ravages of the original storm.

Tuesday, August 30 - One day after Hurricane Katrina struck, President Bush announced he had decided to cut short his "vacation." Still, he only arrived "back to work" at the White House the following Wednesday afternoon. As Michael Moore and Bill Mahr will most likely tell you, the President has managed to beat his own September 11, 2001 record (i.e., seven minutes of public indecision and inaction) ten-thousand fold.

"Don't Buy Gas If You Don't Need It"

Thursday, September 1 - Three days after the storm, the President surveyed the devastation from Air Force One, and went on to publicly chastise survivors (i.e., those stranded with no support and blocked from leaving the city by armed state troopers) with talks about "zero tolerance of people breaking the law" and the need for "personal responsibility." His advice to the rest of the nation? "Don't buy gas if you don't need it" and "Hang in there."

Despite video footage of thousands upon thousands of people milling about or sitting idly on the streets waiting for help, the national (and international) media fed the racism with crimson-red headlines sensationalizing random cases of looting and rapes. One can't help but wonder how they managed to conduct those hundreds of interviews and to gather so much walking footage amidst all that "lawlessness."

Friday, September 2 - The issue of government inaction finally became the focus as progressive columnists had begun to gnaw at the media's collective conscious. But even those that did mention the inadequate support never questioned the government's order that national guardsmen and police abandon rescue missions to concentrate on "stopping the looters." (Of course, most have also failed to consider whether perhaps we might consider recalling several thousand of those guardsman feeding the war machine in Iraq.)

The racial disparity was roundly criticized by Black and Latino leaders across the country. At a Friday press conference, Congressman Charles B. Rangel called the crisis a "disgrace ... made all the worse by the failure of government officials to have planned."

White supremacist websites, meanwhile, are still banging away at their keyboards - littering the Internet landscape with hateful remarks about the hand of God coming down on "deserving" blacks (and gays).

There were also the usual attempts by conservatives to dismiss anyone who critiqued our failure to provide more immediate support as members of the "crazy left" (whatever that means). But this is not a partisan issue. It is an issue of incompetence, at best and callous disregard for human life, at worst.

In fact, it was New Orleans' own finest who first initiated the call for more federal aid. It was Ray Nagin, Mayor of New Orleans, who first shamed the President on national television for ignoring repeated requests for assistance. It was writer Anne Rice, who blasted the media for their racist coverage in a New York Times editorial. It was New Orleans native Jazz musician Wynton Marsalis who issued a call for more support and racial tolerance on CNN's Larry King Live. It was the city's own newspaper, the Times-Picayune of New Orleans that blasted the inaction with a front page editorial. And it was performer Harry Connick, Jr. who immediately flew in to lend a hand to his neighbors.

There is simply no way to excuse the fact that President Bush chose to spend the day AFTER the storm, which had killed hundreds of American citizens, playing the guitar at a California fundraiser. Nor the fact the he did not return to work until Wednesday, and that he failed to call in the National Guard (and other federal support) until after Thursday.

Here in New York, our own Republican mayor condemned the late response. And while Bloomberg also promised that the city has evacuation (and rescue) plans in hand, should the hundreds of thousands of poor and working folks who live on flood plains that runs along the East River - from Loisada to el Barrio rely on the government to save them if a similar disaster were to strike here?

Well, if I had to go by the nonchalant attitude on the part of many New Yorkers - most of whom seemed more concerned with their holiday plans that week than the tens of thousands of African Americans suffering in New Orleans and elsewhere - then we had better prepare for a storm of our very own come the next local disaster.

HOW TO PREPARE

Are you Ready? (FEMA)

Ready New York Household Preparedness Guide

HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

Make a Donation: If you would like to donate to the American Red Cross, please contact 1-800-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669), or visit: http://www.redcross.org/

Catholic Charities USA - Catholic Charities USA is collecting financial donations to fund emergency and long-term disaster recovery efforts. For more information, call (800) 919-9338 or visit their website.

Hurricane Housing - MoveOn.org's housing drive found over 160,000 beds for hurricane evacuees. If you know of someone that needs housing and they don't have access to the internet, give them this toll-free hotline number to call: 1-800-638-4559 or visit their website.

Local Grassroots Movement Relief Efforts: Chica Luna Productions along with The Malcom X Grassroots Movement, Sisters on the Rise and The Caribbean Cultural Center are Sponsoring a relief food and clothing drive for our brothers and sister of the gulf coast. You can drop off your donation items at any of four locations in the city.

Examples of Items Needed:

Food: Non perishables, canned goods, water, baby formula, dry animal food, etc.

Clothing: New socks and new underwear, baby clothes, next to new footwear, any clothing that is in good condition, etc.

House Supplies: Flash lights, batteries, candles (the ones in tall glass preferred), matches, sleeping bags, blankets, sheets, plastic utensils, towels, air mattress, garbage bags, etc.

Medical/Health: First aid kits, medicine for elderly, Vitamins, disinfectant wipes, etc.

Toiletries: Diapers, feminine products, toothbrushes, deodorant, insect repellant, etc.

IN MANHATTAN
Chica Luna Productions
1690 Lexington Ave., 2nd fl. (Corner of 106th)
New York, NY 10029
Tel. 212-410-3544
Drop off Hours: M-F: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Caribbean Cultural Center
408 West 58th Street (bet. 9th & 10th Ave.)
New York, NY 10019
Tel. 212-307-7420
Drop off Hours: M-F: 10a-6p

IN BROOKLYN
Malcolm X Grassroots Movement [MXGM]
388 Atlantic Ave 3rd Floor (bet. Hoyt & Bond)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Tel. 718-254-8800
Drop off Hours: M-F: 10a-7p
Sat & Sun: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

IN THE BRONX
Sisters on the Rise
835 Dawson Street (bet. Intervale & Rev James A. Plight Ave.)
Bronx, NY 10459
Tel. 718-991-6003
Drop off Hours: M-Thu: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

So, we're the majority "minority" now?

2005-08-13T12:13:00.000-04:00

Latinos now make up the majority of the United States population, with states like Texas, Hawaii, New Mexico and California now tipping the scales with assorted varieties of what most Anglos still (even if secretly) refer to as "spics," "Spanish niggers" and "wetbacks." Does this actually make a difference? Do you suddenly feel inspired to move to Texas? Do these numbers translate into political power? Or economic stability? "No. Not yet," we are told. "But, give it another 15 years and we will begin to see majority 'minority' elected officials and CEOs." Will this make a difference for the majority of those "minorities?" No. Everyone knows that the Census undercounts by at least 10% in large cities, so those "new" numbers are not so new. We've already hit that high (probably during the last Census), and the higher numbers haven't brought brown-skinned folks any prosperity. We are still underpaid, underrepresented (especially by truly progressive standards), and underserved. No not undeserved, Mr. Anglo. Underserved. And we'll remain so unless we pick up our bootstraps and build a meaningful movement. Finally, can our "leaders" please stop sitting around in conference rooms talking about the good old days and all the institutions they built and get back to the work of empowering our people. Or, better yet, just retire and let someone else have the responsibility (while they go back to their power lunches ... and day spas ... and vacations on the island). Please...

So, aqui se habla Espanol ... y Que?

2005-05-30T12:51:00.000-04:00

Ever since the announcement that NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg's been taking Spanish lessons to court the Latino vote, I've seen a number of articles comparing other mayoral candidates on their ability (or lack thereof) with the language. The NYC mayoral campaign has also drawn comparisons to the recent Los Angeles mayoral race where the first Latino candidate in over 100 years was elected. All this talk about "the Latino vote" has me wondering: Why, if we are really all that powerful, are the majority of us still living in poverty and why do we still lack adequate representation at almost every level in society? Does it really matter whether a candidate speaks Spanish? Does that actually "translate" into genuine concern for our well-being? What the heck do verb tenses have to do with housing, crime and unemployment?

Political Constipation

2005-03-12T12:53:00.000-05:00

Collectively, we suffer from political constipation and are in desperate need of ... a movement!

Priorities, priorities...

2005-03-01T15:02:00.000-05:00

As I sit here reflecting on the recent Academy Awards, with not one but two (wholeheartedly deserved) African American winners, I ask myself: Is the failure to award a major "Oscar" to a Latina/o for over 40 years any less horrific than the prolonged imprisonment of so-called terrorist, Jose Padilla?

Seriously, why is it that - after all these years - we still lack adequate representation?

And no, Benicio del Toro does not count because he was born a genius...