Pa'L Pueblo: Helping Put a Smile on a Kids Face!

Thanksgiving has passed and the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping is full steam ahead. While we set out in search of perfect gifts for those near and dear, there will be many who will not have that opportunity. As adults we can come to understand the hardships the economy has dealt many but the same can not be said for the children that are affected. While the signs of recovery are minuscule, to say the least, the even more difficult task can be explaining to a child that there will not be any gifts this year. Instead, help put a smile on a kids face. We can all make this happen, if even for the price of a cup of coffee, by donating to a toy drive, coat drive or any of your favorite charities.

Capicu Poetry in association with Notice Lounge have partnered to host the 3rd Annual "Pa'L Pueblo" holiday celebration/Toy Drive in which proceeds from the door will benefit children of the Brooklyn's Bushwick United Head Start "Toys For Head Start" program. The event will feature "Parranda" style music, a delicious Latino holiday buffet, spoken word poetry, conscious hip hop, comedy and a sense of community.

For more info visit the Sofrito website.... Pa'L Pueblo.
If your in Brooklyn and would like to attend or if you would like to just leave a donation then you can do so here or here.

Mil gracias, abrazos y felicidades!

Ivonne Galanes

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico on January 18, 1963, Ivonne Galanes is an extraordinary artist, poet and concert pianist. Her first drawing, at the age of three, was her first indication of what she was meant to be, an artist.

She graduated from The Lucchetti School of Visuals Arts (currently Central High School of Visual Arts), went on to study the techniques of the Great Masters at the Pratt Institute in New York and human anatomy from real human corpses at the School of Medicine in Columbia University, NY. These very studies along with her cultural heritage have inspired many of her paintings. Along with winning several awards since 1979, her pieces have been on display at numerous art shows across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

To continue visit her official website.

A Tarantula Gets Published

Congratulations go out to Rosalinda Vargas, for having her poem published. Several months ago I posted her poem, "A Tarantula", and reminded her that there is always room in our lives for improvement...in everything that we do...never give up! Kudos to her for not giving up and pursuing a dream.

The Writers' Gallery Magazine: A Collection of Writing (Volume 2)

Filiberto Ojeda Ríos Report Expected.....

As reported by the newly online established Puerto Rico Daily Sun there is a report expected by Dec. 31st in the ongoing investigation by the Puerto Rico Civil Rights Commission on the death of the late Filiberto Ojeda Ríos. Ojeda Rios, leader of the militant group known as Los Macheteros, was killed on Sept 23, 2005......read full article..

Happy Thanks 'Giving'; Feliz Dia de Acción de Gracias!

Thanksgiving... regardless of the days meaning to each individual one has to stop and consider all the things that can be given thanks for.
I personally remember many a childhood memories of Thanksgivings long gone. They were, as is now, a day to gather among family, enjoy the many Puerto Rican style dishes, enjoy some good music and be thankful for what we had. Some will do the same today with family and friends while others will dig deep to explore the true meaning behind the day.
It's historical significance can be associated to the images often seen in classroom history books or, to the more historically interested in the days meaning, it can be associated to deeper historical facts (Desconstructing the Myths.....) not found in those same books. Images of Pilgrims and Indians at the dinner table enjoying a big feast is the norm making the occasion very picturesque. While we should be giving thanks daily we should not forget the greater meaning behind it's celebrated purpose.
The objective here, regardless of the days meaning, is to give thanks. Let's not just give it one day a year though, but every day. After all, the word thanksgiving is two words in one.

Thanks, but No Thanks? ....you decide.

Why is now the time? Fortuño Pide Incorporación de P.R. a E.U.

Puerto Rico Governor, Luis G. Fortuño, believes that there is no greater time then now for Puerto Rico to be incorporated into the U.S.

Back in 1898 as the U.S. took possession of the island it was never intended for it to become a state. Forcing citizenship upon Puerto Ricans (1917), allowing Puerto Ricans to elect their own governor (1948) and to construct a Constitution of their own (1950) were not changes but mere cloaks to cover the relationship status, colonial, that was in place. Puerto Rico's social, economic and political relationship to the U.S. fundamentally remains the same. As late as the early 1960's, then Governor Luis Muñoz Marín's attempts to call the island a 'free associated state' were shunned since Puerto Rico was neither free nor a state. As late as 2005, former President Bush's Puerto Rico Task Force reminded "Puerto Rico was not intended to become a state and Puerto Ricans were citizens by statue rather than birth." Hence, it was a colony then and still continues to be.
So..why is now the time?

Fortuño pide incorporación de P.R. a E.U.

A Response to...."Puerto Ricans in New York Struggling…Still" Comment

Here we go again. As I scroll through the comments in this article I think of the possible reasons as to why Puerto Ricans are still struggling in New York even after several generations. I listened to the video and arguably the ignorance of some elected officials is shameful. There are many reasons for the struggle but the real challenge lies in correcting what is wrong and finding solutions. Stressing the importance of education and providing information to resources available to obtain the same are only a part of the solution. Many Puerto Ricans who have risen from poverty have left these communities and fail to come back and give to the same community. It's not about giving backbone but more about "you can do the same".

As always, there is that one comment which stands to be corrected.

I'll quote Mr White: " Rican’s overwhelmingly voted to become either a state (46%) or no change (50%) in 1998 so the colonially argument is irrelevant when the majority doesn’t want a change in status. The other half can come here if they don’t like there status. I’m sure millions around the world would give up their homeland to stay 6 months in America. They have lotteries around the world to come here!"

How can I possibly remain mum to this obviously historically uneducated comment. I question this commenter's knowledge of Puerto Rican history in relation to the U.S. which is 111 years old. How can independence be removed from the table as viable option? Do we take the voice of even that small majority away? It's obvoius, to say the least, that historical deprivation brings this type of thinking to the forefront. To say that 'if they don't like their status to come to the U.S.' shows a lack of the same. One does not bite the hand that feeds it, but understand, the same hand has molded a society into becoming socially dependent. Remove that dependency, allow the free thinking to develop and the possibilites of an independent nation can unfold.