YES! To Me Intersectionality Was This Plus The Beauty In All The Different Paths And Histories That Continue

<3  I am forever blessed to have shared so much love, passions and vision of life with so many brothers, sisters and loves from the warm land of Jamaica. 

Yes, we have power!

I've been reading this book on the establishment, maintenance and refinement of White Supremacy in the known universe. Yes, it is The United Independent Compensatory Code/System/Concept: a textbook/workbook for thought, speech and/or action of racism (white supremacy) by Neely Fuller, Jr. The book has me hooked with a pencil in hand always star-ing important statements but I really do not buy the author's point on absolute powerlessness among non-white people. I hear his argument about the lack of success victims of racism have had in overthrowing and replacing white supremacy with justice and correctness in the known universe, but at the same time I disagree with his point of our incapability to do so. I disagree that we are mentally inferior than whites, esp. white supremacists (racists). I see why he repeats this argument over and over again -- to highlight the ability and responsibility white supremacists (racists) have to bring justice and correctness in the known world.  But every time I join a march in support of peoples' suffering from many injustices I can't stop being amazed by the strength, passion and willingness people have to come together and stand/march/chant & stand in uncomfortable weather conditions in order to create solidarity and try to raise awareness about a given topic. A topic that touches home and the soul. Every time I see and feel that energy for hope and change I just cannot believe that we are incapable to tackle the bigger picture. The mere fact of acknowledging (and not ignoring) what is going on that's creating injustice in our existence is powerful and that's why I can't share Fuller's point. 

Today, when I joined the march in response to the decision on Eric Garner's case at Foley Park in Manhattan I stepped in and found some organizer friends that had brought the youth to the march. I couldn't stop being amazed by their energy and most important by all the questions they had about the circumstances in which we currently live. Most of the youth were recently arrived immigrants from different countries, but the young men I kept nearby (so they wouldn't get separated from the larger group) came from various countries in Asia. One of them asked me in various occasions what the people were chanting because they were singing so speedy that he couldn't understand and he didn't want to support something he didn't understand. I smiled and explained with my heart humbled and with admiration every time.   His smart assessment proves how sophisticated and aware our youth of color are. Tonight was a blessing and I am happy to be around powerful people who are passionated to stand and march for justice. 

Ay, Violeta cólmanos con tu voz celestial y líbranos de lo maldito terrenal. 

Su nombre es Violeta.

Different platforms have been offered, and thanks to the people in those settings and self-confidence, I’ve been able to grow. This is personal. But believing in the self is the most important tool one has to create change: in society, in your community -your beautiful and fierce community- in your mind, body and soul. 

Black Moon is in Libra and is the best moment to set intentions to start new life projects, explore deep love and self-love. 

This picture of Mother Water captured in Portland, Maine frames this transition so beautifully.  

Will be there! :) 

Listen January…we are so ready for you! Come dance the last month at our 558 Fulton location!

Great message to start off our camping weekend with the Latino youth from #LYHEP. Redefining American with the fierce and best partner in crime/colleague @sonie2012 #ImmiYouth

Great opportunity to empower our sisters and our entire communities. The power of group work is healing!  

The Sadie Nash Leadership Project is seeking Deans for its summer leadership program. The Dean Leadership Training Program is a full-time, stipended skill-based internship opportunity to gain hands-on youth work and facilitation experience. Deans should demonstrate clear leadership experience, as well as, an interest in women’s and girls’ leadership, social justice, youth development, education, feminism, and non-profit work. The position offers a unique and exciting learning experience, which is fun, dynamic, and challenging. Eligible dean applicants must be young women who are either:

Recent college graduates (2014 graduates and non-masters candidates)

Current Juniors/Seniors at 4-year colleges

Graduates of 2-year colleges

3-4 years out of high school

We are seeking applicants for 2 separate programs/sites:

Summer Institute - Newark, NJ & New York City, 6 weeks

Ready S.E.T. Go! - New York City, 4 weeks

Please read the descriptions in the listing carefully, and apply if the program seems like a good fit for you!

Shit I Keep Seeing on Instagram & Twitter That Needs to Quit

Can we talk about this load of bullshit? I keep seeing this picture comparison on instagram with tons of likes and terrible comments. 

First off, the first picture of Selena is whitened out to shit and her eye color even looks altered. Please, do yourself a favor and look at what Selena looked like without bright studio lights and no whitening filters of today:

  Second of all, there are more than two types of latina’s and ALL are beautiful in their very own ways.

This is just such a clear representation of the eurocentric beauty ideals we see all over the world. This is especially seen in our communities where the lighter (closer to white ideals) skin and facial features are the more “beautiful” someone is seen. 

Indigenous features and darker richer brown skin is not ugly. This should not be seen as ugly in comparison to a lighter skinned latina. 

I also have to point out the fact that Selena did not have perfect eyebrows magically, that ish takes good waxing and her hair also takes a lot of grooming.

Grooming and makeup aside, she is and will always be super gorgeous. Duh, we know this.

Yet, I’m tired of this. It’s the same crap I see over and over. Eurocentric facial features and whiter/lighter skin are not more beautiful. 

This is the same reason I don’t watch much telemundo because I’m tired of this being slammed in my face. I’m also disgusted by the latin@s who agree with this and repost it.

Many of you come from indigenous folks, many of you have family members who look like “that” type of latina and you can go eat a rotten white bread mayonnaise sandwich if you perpetuate this bullshit.

Kiss my brown ass.