A Three Kings’ GIFT List for our Puerto Rican/Latino Leaders/ORGANIZATIONS:

In the tradition of Ramon Gallardo (journalist/author, RIP), each year we reflect on the community’s institutions and the individuals who are in control of governing the political affairs of our community. Here is what we would like the Three Kings to bring them:

1. Christian Para: An apartment on the Lower West Side.

2. Geo Hernandez: Her organization to address why they can’t find a Latino/Latina progressive candidate to run for local and state office on the  Lower and upper West Side. No more wolf playing. 

3. Roberto Quintana: An opportunity to run for office; he is considered one of the most gifted public figures in the Puerto Rican/Latino community, if not the city of Buffalo.

4. Casimiro Rodriguez: An apartment on the Lower West Side.

5. Amor y Heritage: More Support from the Puerto Rican community leadership.
   
   
6. El Batey Puerto Rican Center: News coverage for all the wonderful work they do in Buffalo’s Puerto Rican community.

7. PRACA: Allow the “Artistas del Barrio” an opportunity to manage PRACA’s walls to display the artwork of  local and non-local Puerto Rican/Latino artists as a permanent, on-going Latino Art Exhibition project.

8. El Buen Amigo: A shared piece of the HHC 14 plus millions to complete el Buen Amigo construction.

9. Hispanics United of Buffalo: A program to protect the lambs from the wolves across the street.

10. Father Belle Center: A transparency program for the Lower West Side community.

11. Evelyn Pizarro: A public school named after this amazing educator.

12. Puerto Rican & Hispanic Parade Committee: A recognition that the spirit and history of the Puerto Rican parade started on Virginia Street, and not Niagara Street.

13. Lower West Side Puerto Rican/Latino Restaurants: Join forces as  a West Side Latino Restaurants Association, unite in purchasing your goods together, and save money, show appreciation to your customers by offering annual scholarships to their kids and support your community organizations.

14. Raices: A spirit of ownership & Independence. A home of their own in the theatre district (Main Street).

15. Hispanic Women’s League. More contributions from the public and private sectors, making it possible for them to issue greater scholarship grants to our college bound Latina students.

16. Hispanic Heritage Council: Have more respect for the community when re-naming public buildings; do proper research and be objective in this important process. It should be pro-history & pro-community, not based on personal relations, or political affiliations.

17. La Ultima Hora: La Primera Hora (the first hour).

18. Councilman Rivera & Assemblyman Rivera: Free Spanish classes at el Buen Amigo.

19. Progressive Puerto Ricans/Latinos: Stop attending out-of-town workshops and rallies, and begin to dedicate time to the politics and conditions of your community.

20. Public Press Conferences: Inform and invite the community to your press conferences, not just your partners in crime. What you do is not in the best interest of the community. Are you afraid that the real community will speak up and undress you in the public forum right in front of your politicians? 

You cannot be too wise, said the 3 wise men.