Category Archives: personal

Brooklyn Borough President’s 2014 Latino Heritage Celebration

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Thanks to my good friend Farid Ali, co-owner of Bogota Latin Bistro, I had the opportunity to attend the Brooklyn Borough President’s 2014 Latino Heritage Celebration. Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Deputy Borough President Diana Reyna hosted an incredible event honoring many Latinos contributing greatly to the communities of Brooklyn.

The evening was full of speeches and award presentations, but it provided an excellent arena to thank and recognize those in the community that have dedicated their time to making Brooklyn a better place. Borough President Adams spoke of “one Brooklyn” and is really working hard at trying to unify the diverse populousness.

I missed the news late last year of Diana Reyna’s appointment as Deputy Brooklyn Borough President so it was a pleasant surprise finding out at the event. I remember her good work in Ridgewood, Queens in the early 2000s. She owned the evening with her command of the Spanish language and overall grace.

There were so many honorees at tonight’s event and I, unfortunately, cannot list them all in this brief blog post, but I do want to give a shout out to Angelo Falcon for his continued commitment to Puerto Rican politics, community and culture. I also want to mention freshman City Councilmember Carlos Menchaca, whom I finally had the pleasure of meeting. I have heard great things thus far about Menchaca and I am sure he’ll have a prosperous political career.

But my favorite part of the night was getting another chance to see and hear the Speaker of the New York City Council, Melissa Mark-Viverito. I met her once way back before she became a city councilmember. She is the first Latino Speaker of the City Council. She just always gives me a huge sense of Boricua pride and I have always felt that she is truly one of those politicians that really care about people and what she can contribute to the Latino political world.

I would like to thank the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office for presenting the Latino event in partnership with Brooklyn (Kings County) Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Ponce De Leon Federal Bank. It’s always incredible being around Latinos making moves and helping others out in the process.

Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna (left) and Melissa Mark-Viverito, the Speaker of the NYC Council, at the Brooklyn Borough President's Latino Heritage Celebration. - Thurs. Oct. 30, 2014.

Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna (left) and Melissa Mark-Viverito, the Speaker of the NYC Council, at the Brooklyn Borough President’s Latino Heritage Celebration. – Thurs. Oct. 30, 2014.

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Thompson on Tuesday: My Take On The Crazy NYC 2013 Race For Mayor

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As a Native New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent and a life-long Democrat, I was undecided about my choice for mayor in the Democratic primary race until yesterday.  I considered several of the Democratic nominees for mayor, but had to narrow it down to my top three: Christine Quinn, Bill De Blasio, and Bill Thompson. (In full disclosure,  I once donated $25 to Quinn’s campaign.)

As of the posting of this entry, the polls show De Blasio suddenly leading the Democratic pack and there’s some chatter that he might win the Democratic nomination without the expected run-off. We’ll see how it all plays out in five days.

I voted for Bill Thompson in 2009 against Michael Bloomberg. Since I was torn between three candidates this year, I decided to go again with Thompson on Tuesday. He barely lost to the billionaire Bloomberg in 2009 and I believe Thompson deserves another shot at being the mayor of New York City.

I considered supporting Christine Quinn as the first female and the first lesbian mayor, but I just could not get passed the fact that in 2008 she was on team Bloomberg and helped him extend term limits allowing him three terms as mayor. I also seriously considered De Blasio because I think he is the most progressive Democrat in the race and I like his multicultural family. If De Blasio wins the race outright I won’t be extremely disappointed.

However, I’ll be voting for Thompson on Tuesday and wish him all the best.

The general election might be an entirely different story because as a Latino I’ll definitely consider Adolfo Carrion, the former Bronx Borough President, who is running for mayor as an Independent. I’ve always voted on the Democratic line but it might be tough not voting for a fellow Puerto Rican in the general election in November. However, voting for Carrion in the general election might help whomever the Republican candidate might be. I’ll worry about that in November.

For now, go Thompson!

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December 21, 2012 Is Not The End of the World, But the Beginning of New One

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2012_new_beginning

(Image courtesy of KnowledgeofToday.org.)

Some say the ancient Mayan civilization predicted the end of the world will occur this Friday, December 21, 2012. However, this is not a literal prediction of the physical end of the world, but hopefully the beginning of a new one.

According to a Wikipedia page, the 2012 phenomenon, a New Age interpretation of this transition is that the date marks the start of time in which Earth and its inhabitants may undergo a positive physical or spiritual transformation. Therefore, December 21, 2012, may mark the beginning of a new era.

The page notes that professional Mayanist scholars state that predictions of impending doom are not found in any of the classic Mayan accounts, and that the idea that the calendar “ends” in 2012 misrepresents Mayan history and culture.

Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia since 2006, looks at December 21st not as the ‘Mayan Apocalypse,’ but as a New Beginning. Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous president, speaking at the United Nations in September, said the date marks an end to individualism and capitalism and a turn toward the collective good.

Morales believes December 21, 2012 signifies, among other things, “the end of selfishness and the beginning of brotherhood.”

“It is the end of hatred and the beginning of love, the end of lies and beginning of truth,” Morales said. “It is the end of sadness and the beginning of happiness, it is the end of division and the beginning of unity, and this is a theme to be developed.”

So there’s no need to fear the end of the world this Friday. Let’s all put some really good energy out there to help create a whole new world.

You can view and listen to President Morales’ complete 37 minute translated speech at the United Nations on UN Web TV.

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The People of Puerto Rico Vote Again to Define Their Status

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(Image courtesy of Wikipedia.com.)

Once again, the destiny of a people is in their hands at the ballet box. On November 6, 2012 when all of America will be casting votes for the U.S. presidency, Puerto Rican residents (who are U.S. citizens but cannot vote for its president) will vote to decide to remain a commonwealth, become a state, or an independent country.

This time, voters will have two questions. The first will ask residents if they want Puerto Rico to remain a U.S. territory. The second will pose three alternatives: independence, becoming a nation in free association with the United States, and statehood. The current status, “commonwealth” is a territorial status since it falls under the U.S. Constitution’s territorial clause.

Puerto Ricans for quite some time have not stood unified toward a collective political vision of their future. Today supporters of the commonwealth status would like to modify the status to one of a sovereign commonwealth, which pretty much enhances the relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico with P.R. negotiating relations with the U.S. as a sovereign nation, but remain a free associated commonwealth.

To me, that’s basically commonwealth 2.0. I think the commonwealth status has had its day and it’s time to move on.

The only viable long term options are independence or statehood. I believe the island of my ancestors should seriously consider becoming an independent country or the 51st state of the union. Independence could work with the United State’s help and a 10 year transitional period. The U.S. during this time would assist with getting Puerto Rico on its independent feet and help prepare Puerto Ricans to fend for themselves.

Since I am not a resident of Puerto Rico I cannot vote on this issue on November 6, but if I was a resident and had to make a decision today I lean toward statehood. Since 1898 we have been dependent upon the U.S. and have operated like a part of the country. The people of Puerto Rico should get all benefits of U.S. citizenship like voting for the U.S. president and having two senators and at least one voting representative in the U.S. Congress.

On November 6, voter turnout will be high. Back in 2000, more than 80 percent of registered voters went to the polls. Puerto Rico residents vote at much higher rates than residents of the 50 states.

If it became a state, Puerto Rico would be like the Hawaii of the east coast. Poverty, crime, and unemployment are dismal in P.R. so the added U.S. support as a state would finally give residents a fighting chance of a better standard of living.

There are disadvantages and advantages to both statehood and independence. With statehood Puerto Rico would not be able to have its own Olympic Team or Miss Universe contestant, along with entries in other sporting and social events.

With independence Puerto Rico would need to enlist a military and craft a possible defense decree with the U.S. Puerto Rico would also have to boost its major exports, which according to the EconomyWatch.com consists of  chemicals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna, rum, beverage concentrates and medical equipment.

President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney have both said they support the commonwealth’s right to self-determination. No matter the outcome of the November 6, 2012, vote on Puerto Rico’s status, hopefully it will highlight a clearer understanding of what lies ahead for the people of Puerto Rico.


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Undecided Latinos to Republicans: Just Say No

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I’m a life-long Democrat and strongly supported President Barack Obama’s bid for U.S. President in 2008 and I will do the same this November. Many media outlets and blogs have written that the Latino vote in 2012 could decide the outcome of this year’s presidential campaign, and I agree. However, I am a bit concerned about how some Republicans are trying to sway undecided Latino voters their way and how many Latinos are seriously considering going over to the dark side.

I have to admit I don’t understand why any Latino, African-American, or gay or lesbian would be a Republican, but to each his/her own. I have accepted the fact that my Cuban brothers and sisters in Florida are overwhelmingly Republican, but I hope the recent influx of my fellow Puerto Ricans will balance out the Latino vote in the Sunshine State.

Thank God for Mexican Democrats across California and Texas, Puerto Rican Democrats in Connecticut, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rican and Dominican Democrats in New York. With all their participation in this year’s election, I am confident President Obama will win another 4-year term.

However, I think Republicans will work incredibly hard to get as many Latino votes as possible and I’m afraid they might succeed to some level if Latinos fall for false promises.

The main reason I am sticking with the Democratic Party in this presidential election and voting again for President Barack Obama relates to the issue of immigration.

The entire Arizona immigration controversy showed me that Republicans like Jan Brewer are no friends of Latinos. The implemented statewide immigration law clearly racially profiled Latinos and why any Latino in that state would support Republicans is way beyond my comprehension. (P.S. – Brewer recently endorsed Republican Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for President.)

Immigration reform is a hot topic and not one that can be easily resolved. However, the DREAM Act (an acronym for development, relief, and Education for Alien Minors) would be a step in the right direction. It allows non-documented youth who were brought over to the U.S. illegally a path to U.S. citizenship if they graduate from college or serve in the U.S. military. Republicans wholeheartedly have rejected the proposal. President Obama supports the DREAM Act.

President Obama’s health reform initiative will provide access to needed healthcare to millions of Latinos. What have Republicans done for Latinos in this area?

Another more personal reason why I’ll vote for President Obama again is his appointment of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. I’m still in awe that there is a Puerto Rican American on the Supreme Court thanks to Obama and I’d vote for him again this year just for that fact.

So if you’re an undecided Latino being swayed by the Republican party in this year’s presidential election, please, please…, just say no and vote for President Obama.

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