Honor Our Freedom Fighters!

I am passionate about politics not because I love it, but because it is the way to change. This is particularly true for minority communities. I don't expect people to have the same passions as I do, nor is it my intention to change minds. However, I do feel that collectively, we take our rights and freedoms for granted.

It is black history month, which has always boggled my mind that we dedicate a month to it, since black history is American history. But I digress. When I think about the struggles during the Civil Rights' movement of the 60's, I always get emotional. And although I should feel lucky that I am the beneficiary of that movement— without having to go through the pain and heartaches, I wished I would have lived in those times when people—principally the young —cared about freedoms and human rights.

We are lucky to be citizens of the U.S. But many of us have forgotten our struggles, and the basic principles of our nation's foundation. Yes, it is great to be able to make money and form enterprises freely and easily. It is nice to be able to buy nice cars, send our kids to great schools, to buy nice clothes, homes, etc. But this nation was not formed on the basis of capitalism. Without freedom, we would not be able to do any of these things.

When gay people are not allowed to get married, when hard working immigrants who pay taxes are being deported and their families broken, when a woman's right to choose is threatened, when a child's access to a quality education is determined on the basis of a zip code and property taxes, and when someone is denied access to health-care because he or she can't afford to pay, that's not their problem. That is a violation of all of OUR freedom and human rights.

We take the voting process for granted. I hear people say all the time that there is no point to vote because all politicians are the same. For many, Democrats and Republicans only care about having political power for themselves and thus, voting is a waste of time. At the same time, these same people find themselves complaining about the system and how screwed up things are. It is our society's biggest disease, in my opinion, to complain and complain, yet not do anything to change the situation or only care when it's something that affects the individual. This is the damaging, all about ME complex of our American society today.

When it comes to the political parties, there are major differences that affect each and everyone one of us—directly and indirectly. Find out for yourselves what each stand for. Decide which one looks out for your interests, your family's, and your neighbors'. Participate in the process of changing policies. Call and write to your representatives, your senators, and tell them exactly what you want to change. Organize your community. There is power in numbers. I don't care what you do, but in the spirit of all those who have struggled, fought and died, so that today we can have the power and privilege to decide for ourselves, do something.

Jennifer Wynns

The Black Latino Americano

First off, let me start by explaining that Latino is not a race nor is the term used properly in the US. Latino simply means people who speak one of the Latin Languages such as, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Catalan, etc. And was also originally used to describe people who came from Rome, since this is where the Latin languages originated from. Hispanic is the more appropriate term, which means people who speak Spanish. However, neither is a race. We are simply Latin Americans (people who speak Spanish and live in America, and no, not USA; Latin America is part of the American Continent, too) and who share many different cultures to include, African, European, Arab, Amerindian, and Asian.

Ok, so now on to what got me going about this. I had a conversation with My cousin Liza about a Hip Hop Writer who she follows on twitter and who recently went to the Dominican Republic for Jay Z's birthday Bash in a very exclusive and sheltered area of the Island, I might add; she twitted that Dominicans need to get it together and just called themselves black. She is obviously very ignorant and has not visited the entire Island nor knows anything about its culture, but I digress.
Also In a Youtube video about Zoe Saldana's participation in the 2005 Casandra Awards in the Dominican Republic, which she hosted and performed in, the debate sparked. Some African Americans and fellow Dominicans insisted that she is a black woman. My problem with this statement is that "black" Latino Americanos like ALL Latinos share more than one culture and ancenstry. And many times, their skin complexion reflects and shows less than 1 third of their background.

I understand that due to ignorance and thus racism, people of dark complexion in Latin America may feel the need to classify themselves as just being black, since that's what people see first hand, and it's also a defense mechanism. But the reality is that due to the Conquistadores who killed about 95% of all the Aborigines in Islands like Puerto Rico and The Dominican Republic, who brought slaves from Africa to rape the lands of its natural resources, the Jewish persecutions of World War II, which brought many Jews to Latin America, and the migration of Arabs and many others to the New World, we can't be classified as just one culture due to our skin complexion, whether we look white/black or in between.

Yes, we have one of the richest cultures in the world, largely in part due to our African Heritage. Merengue would not exist without the drums. The famous Dominican Sancocho would just be a bland soup. There would be no Salsa music, which Origins are traced back to enslaved Africans in Cuba. But we also speak Spanish, French and Portuguese, and language is one of the most important elements of any culture. We are also 85% Catholics/Christians. We would not have Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Oscar De La Renta, Gabriel Garcia Marquez or Dulce de Leche without European influence.

I hope we can be a little bit more open minded and not classify people by their skin color. It is insulting to neglect a large part of your culture simply because you look white or black. We can't let society dictate what you are or are not simply because of collective ignorance. For those who believe that everyone has the right to classify themselves, well yes, but if they are wrong about it, they are wrong. And sometimes those people are ignorant themselves to their history and culture. If there is one thing that I can't and will never tolerate is ignorance. When I don't know something, I simply do my research and find the answer. And if someone is wrong about classifying me and my culture, I will let you know it.

Love, Live and Laugh you Ass off!!!

My New Blog

So I created this blog to share with you guys my experiences, adventures, thoughts, learning's' and everything else life throws my way. Those who know me well are used to my constant opinions on any given topic, my many brain farts, my positive outlook on life, and my desire to live life to the fullest and to make anything I wish for happen. You have also encouraged me many times to write. So here it is :)

A bit about me:

I care about the world and our relation to one another. I do not get annoyed easily, but people who make themselves to be victims, who say they have "bad luck" (which does not exist), who complain and take no action to change their situation, who are bullies, who have zero interest in growing as spiritual beings, who are unaware of their behavior and their own self, and those who look to take advantage of any situation for their own progression without caring about others, tend to annoy me and usually get to hear about it either through a smart comment or a direct snap.

I am very political and believe in human rights for ALL. I love the arts. I love positive and happy people.

I believe Realism is a common evil. It forces us to be happy with what's ordinary. Being a realist has yet to do me well.
I love shoes; the higher the better.
I love, love to cook, especially Latin food, Yummy!
I am DRAMA FREE.
Music feeds my spirit; without it, I don't know what I would do or how I would live.
I Love to sing.
Men are a necessary evil.
Spanish is the most beautiful language in the world.
Friends and family are my adoration in Life.
LOVE is and has been, my inspiration, my torture, my life, my adversary, and my friend.
Dreams take what faith desires.
I dislike liars, fakers and envious people very much.
I am a dreamer.
I love to travel.
I enjoy helping others.
I love to learn.
I aspire to be an enlighten and conscious being.
I believe in a higher spiritual being, but I do not believe in religious institutions.
I dislike hypocrites, example, those who go to church on Sundays and then fornicate the rest of the week. SMH!
I like everyone around me to be content because that is pretty much the state of mind I am always in.
It takes a lot to get me upset. I give people the benefit of the doubt, however, once I feel that privilege to be in violation, you are cut off for good.
I am passionate about everything I do, say or believe in.
Life is to be enjoyed to the fullest. It is great that you are ambitious, but what is the point of hard work, if you can't enjoy the rewards with your loved ones.
In the world that we live in today, material possessions should be at the bottom of your list. Otherwise, you are contributing to the chaos. though I struggle with this one sometimes. Hey, I'm only human.
I dislike people who are not genuine about who they are because you can't give what you don't have.

There's a foot for every shoe, just ask Flavor Flav.

This is pretty much me in a nutshell.

So now that I've giving you a little insight to myself, welcome to my blog and get ready for some smart, spiritual, political, intellectual, entertaining, at times silly, funny, contradictory, crazy, conversations, ideas, thoughts and conscious enlightenment. XOXO

Love, Live and laugh your Ass off!