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Yesenia Cuello

Enfermedad del Coronaviro 2019: Como protegerse a si mismo y a otros

July 27, 2020 by Yesenia Cuello

Los Sintomas de COVID-19: Un video en Espanol

July 27, 2020 by Yesenia Cuello

Guidance Alert! NCDOL: Temporary Worker Housing Guidance

July 27, 2020 by Yesenia Cuello

OP-ED:  Seeking for Justice to End Systemic Racism

July 17, 2020 by Yesenia Cuello

By: Naysha Z. Padró Marrero – Journalism student at University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras

“No justice, no peace” was shouted during the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement that took the leading role at the protests that started on May 26, 2020, in Minneapolis after a Black man was brutally murdered by a local police officer. The man was identified as George Floyd, and his death is one of many black lives that have been lost because of racism and police brutality. The black community has experienced racism throughout the decades. However, society thinks that racism disappeared ages ago, but they are wrong, since a different racism stroke. Racism supported by the system and disguised with the rights that are written on paper but have been ignored ever since. Systemic racism took over and seems like every person was living in privilege except the black community. For instance, usually schools were white students predominate tend to offer better teachers, extracurricular activities, tutors, and assistance for students. However, schools in black communities tend to receive fewer funds, and consequently, they do not receive the same benefits that students in white communities get. This type of racism is developed throughout the different public and private institutions in the country. Privileged citizens prefer to ignore the fact that racism exists than acknowledging their privilege. Therefore, society needs to understand what white privilege means to start a conversation on how to use it to benefit the black community. 

White privilege does not mean that as a human being you have not faced challenges, what it means is that those challenges had nothing to do with the color of your skin. This privilege involves having more opportunities than black communities because systemic racism has embraced a distinction and preference between white and black people. However, acknowledging white privilege is not negative if the person is willing to weaponize that privilege against the oppressors of the black community. Overt white privilege goes back to the 1950s during segregation. Public spaces such as restrooms, water fountains, and bus seats were divided since black people were not allowed to use designated spaces for white people. Even before segregation, white supremacy ruled just like nowadays; education is key to overcome systemic racism. The educational system does not emphasize historical movements for the black community since History classes are mainly whitewashed. Nevertheless, this generation has been a huge influence in the Black Lives Matter movement since the death of Trayvon Martin. The streets have been filled with strong and determined ideas mainly served by young adults who stand with the black community and other groups such as the LGBTQ+, Latins, and immigrants. The generation that is taking over the streets has the strength to fight with facts and expose racists any time in social media. These platforms have become vital during this historical moment since it gives the user the chance to unmask racist people and Police brutality. If it were not for the videos filmed by citizens probably none of this abuse would be publicly known. Consequently, this generation is not “sensitive’ like online trolls say, this generation is filled with empowerment for minorities. Minorities that the government has created with its systemic racism evolving since the “end of slavery”. Online platforms give citizens the opportunity to spread awareness, sign petitions, and educate people on how to use their white privilege for good. 

The Latin community such as Puerto Ricans play a significant part in history since they were colonized by the United States in 1898. Before their invasion, Puerto Rico was under the Spaniard order who enslaved the Natives Taínos and Africans. Eventually, Puerto Ricans became triracial, which means that their culture and race are a mixture of Spaniards, Native Taínos, and Africans. The vocabulary that Puerto Ricans use is highly influenced by their African ancestry. Also, their cultural dance called “Bomba y Plena” came from Africans that were enslaved by Spaniards. It is relevant to point out a historical Latin context because this affects the Puerto Rican black community. They may not have experienced Police brutality in the United States, but they have experienced racism on their own island. The Black Lives Matter cause is a movement that everyone should be supporting especially every Latino such as Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Mexican, and the rest of the Latin community. They have all been oppressed by the system, and their African ancestry connects them with the movement that the Black community has created. Any act of racism is undoubtedly inhumane, and every racist should be exposed. This generation has the power to seek change and demand that their human rights are respected, regardless of your skin color, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and gender. Black lives matter, black lives deserve benefits and deserve to walk freely without having to worry about their safety. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Derrick Scott, Eric Harris, and others that remain unknown deserve justice, and if justice is not served this generation will seek it. 

 

Op-Ed: Protesting in Anonymity

June 16, 2020 by Yesenia Cuello

Written by: Marcella Pansini, NC FIELD intern + UNC student

15 June 2020

Support for the Black Lives Matter movement has finally resonated with – almost –  the entire country. In past protests, noted individuals quickly emerged from the masses to galvanize the people. However today, no single leader has been identified.

Instead, we see a revolution spanning in major cities, led by multiple generations, with primarily young black women on the frontlines. 

Single-person protests are being held in conservative towns and groups of 18-year-olds are organizing marches for 40,000+ people.  

Gen Z is the generation leading the Black Lives Matter movement, on and off social media. 

The revolution is finally being televised. 

2020’s civil rights movements do not require centralized leadership structures. The fight to end racism and police brutality is structured around a community-centered leadership model. Organizers are encrypting messages and using  Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok to coordinate protests and dispel misinformation. People from all walks of life are uniting to dismantle and defund structural forms of oppression, without a singular leader. 

Is this structure completely unprecedented? In a sense, no.

History is made up of many anonymous individuals whose life mission was to make the “American Dream” accessible to disenfranchised populations (Thank you education system). As history likes to repeat itself, today’s anonymous figures are the masked protestors we see broadcasted on CNN. These people have risked their lives to quickly demand change and advance social causes.

Protesters gather at Foley Square as part of a demonstration. 

YUKI IWAMURA/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK

 

In the 1960s The National Farmworker Movement was no exception. During the National Farmworker Movement, Cesar Chavez became the leader, face, and founder of the United Farm Workers Union– and that’s okay. However, there were many other brave individuals who made significant contributions to the success of la causa who has been rarely acknowledged or recognized because this is a collective effort. If we learn anything from the patterns of history, it is that there is power in numbers, regardless if there is a leader or not. Social justice is no small feat and cannot be achieved alone. 

Want to learn more about named and unnamed historic protest leaders? NC FIELD has curated Social Justice 101 to help those seek to organize and protest by providing information on historic protests and what made them successful. 

 

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccabellan/2020/06/12/gen-z-leads-the-black-lives-matter-movement-on-and-off-social-media/#6c1fe88919a8

 

https://gvwire.com/2020/06/11/todays-protests-against-racism-carry-echoes-of-farmworker-equity-struggle/ 

Social Justice 101

June 8, 2020 by Yesenia Cuello

Social Justice 101

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RECAP: The Give Food A Face Gala 2021

Watch the recap of the 2021 Give Food A Face virtual gala here!  

Lo que necesita saber sobre la vacuna COVID-19

El Episcopal Farmworker Ministry creó estos videos para responder sus preguntas sobre la vacuna COVID-19. Miran estos: Como es el proceso de la vacuna: Inmigrantes de Carolina del Norte comparten sus experiencias con la vacunación contra el COVID 19. Y tú, ¿ya te vacunaste? Por que vacunarse? Mensaje para la comunidad:

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