Author name: Buffalo Latino Village

FROM CRISIS TO PROGRESS: REDEFINING DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP

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My primary concern with the Democratic Party is the tendency toward what I call “weaponized ineptitude.” Politicians campaign vigorously, highlighting the threats to our civil rights and liberties, but once in office, they often display a striking forgetfulness and lack of accountability. This behavior can only be described as weaponized incompetence. For decades, Republicans consistently pushed against our freedoms. Instead of negotiating from a position of progress, Democrats meet Republicans at a centerline of injustices and lose fight after fight. Both Democrats and Republicans demand conformity supported by those they marginalize, by using fearmongering and end-of-days analogies without offering real solutions to problems, only martyrdom and victim mentalities. Project 2025, spearheaded by the Heritage Foundation and other conservative organizations, aims to restructure the federal government to align with conservative ideology. This blueprint impacts reproductive rights, environmental regulations, and federal governance. The roots of Project 2025 can be traced back to DECADES-long efforts by conservative activists and politicians to reshape American government. Key figures include unknown political mastermind Leonard Leo of the Federalist Society, who’s been instrumental in placing conservative judges in the judiciary, ensuring long-term influence over federal and state laws. Leo’s involvement in judicial nominations, including Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, showcases a strategic plan to cement conservatives in the higher courts. Mitch McConnell, long-serving Senate Majority Leader, played a pivotal role in this conservative strategy, his block of President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, in 2016 set the stage for a conservative judicial revolution. By ensuring vacancies were filled by conservative justices during Trump’s presidency, McConnell aimed to create a judiciary that would support conservative policies and affect the lives of citizens for generations to come. Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign was influenced by conservative think tanks and key figures within the Republican Party. Central to his platform was the promise to appoint conservative judges to the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court. This promise, orchestrated by McConnell and Leo, provided Trump with a list of potential Supreme Court nominees that would appeal to conservative voters. The refusal to consider Merrick Garland set the stage for appointing conservative judges, allowing Trump to nominate Neil Gorsuch, followed by Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, solidifying a conservative majority on the Court. Project 2025 is not an isolated initiative, but the continuation and expansion of the conservative agenda promoted during the 2016 Republican campaign. Through strategic judicial appointments, deregulation, and targeted social policies, conservatives aim to solidify their principles in American governance. In response, Democrats launched an initiative to “stop” Project 2025 from being implemented. In recent years, Democrats have focused on mobilizing voters by highlighting the dangers posed by their political opponents. This strategy, while effective in generating urgency, fails to offer a long-term vision for the country’s future. Voters are not just looking for a party that will protect them from harm; they are seeking leadership that will guide the nation towards progress, equality, and prosperity. The failure of the current Democratic Party, aside from its internal control struggles within the DNC, lies in its reactionary nature. It is not solution-based, rather reacts to problems as they arise. Democrats struggle to unify around shared values, appearing to lack a clear direction, active effort, or proactively tackling issues affecting American’s lives, until it is time for elections and our rights are at peril of disappearing. Democrats must engage in meaningful dialogue with communities across the nation, listen to their concerns, and incorporate their ideas into a comprehensive strategy. Crafting policies that address economic inequality, healthcare, education, climate change, and social justice in innovative and practical ways. By presenting a cohesive and optimistic vision, Democrats can inspire hope and confidence, rather than fear and anxiety. By doing so, a foundation that empowers and unites Americans can be created, offering a compelling alternative to the politics of fear. The time for change is now – let’s lead with vision and conviction. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports Technology FROM CRISIS TO PROGRESS: REDEFINING DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP August 5, 2024/No Comments My primary concern with the Democratic Party is the tendency toward what I call “weaponized ineptitude.” Politicians campaign vigorously, highlighting… Read More

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AN OBITUARY

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I didn’t know my father before he died, and I didn’t care, really, until I learned of his death. Even then, I wasn’t allowing myself the emotional space to mourn. Why should I cry over the death of someone who abandoned my family and me? I was wrong to think this way. I’m sorry. As tough as I like to seem, I am actually a sensitive man. I felt the weight of my father’s absence at every turn of my youth – father/son nights, prom, graduation, etc. My mom, for her part, loved me dearly and well enough for me to mature as a (somewhat) balanced adult. Despite her enduring love, I could not fill the gap left by my father, not fully, because I am a product of two people not one. I’ve grown with this chip on my shoulder. It still hurts when I carry my load in life.   One of the great ironies of my life is the music I make. I’ve been writing poems and reciting them since I was 11 years old. By my mid-20s I was recording my poems to music and performing them to live audiences. No one on my mom’s side makes music or has my level of enthusiasm for it. Music is in the fabric of my life, but no one in my household was cut from that cloth.   That’s when I started to think about my father again. I have two heirlooms of his. One is a picture of my mom and him standing together. He was tall, dark, slim, and well-dressed, smoking a cigarette, smiling as cool as can be. This picture is how I came to understand my blackness, my smoking habit, and my way with people, especially women. The second heirloom is a vinyl album, called “Eddy Wilson Y Su Tren Latino.” My father sings on this album; he has a solo called “Angelitos Negros.” The song was first published in 1948, written and performed by Antonio Machin, Spanish-Cuban singer and musician. Machin derived the song from a nineteenth-century poem by Andres Eloy Blanco, a Venezuelan poet and statesmen. In the 1960s, the song was popularized by Roberta Flack. Perhaps on the song’s 30th anniversary, my father, with the help of producer Eddy Wilson, created an operatic version of this Latino classic, and I have the good fortune to possess the album.   I go back and forth with this. Part of me is still mad that my father left, and that part wants to reject the song and what it means to me. The other part, an evolving version of me, thinks it is SO F****** COOL that my father was on an album and that he sang so beautifully. Every part of me, however, knows that my passion for music – specially, its creation and performance – comes from this man I never met.   So, here I am, working through the perils of my past, at last proud of the man I am and the man my father, through no effort of his own, made me. After decades and decades of life, I realize that I have a choice about how to feel about my father’s absence. Though it weighs on me, my back has broadened, and my shoulders have filled out. I can carry both the sadness of a bastard and the joy of my music, both I see as extending from the same root. Herein lies the irony. In Blanco’s poem, the narrator laments that “No hay pintor que pintara Angelitos de mi pueblo” (there are no painters of little angels from my town). Presumably, the town was a black town, and the painters only painted the beauty known as whiteness. Well, I paint angels in my art, and they’re almost always black. The first little black angel, in fact, is my father, the man who gave me a gift that no other influence in my life could give me.   For that, my father, I forgive you. May you rest in peace.    Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports Technology AN OBITUARY July 31, 2024/No Comments I didn’t know my father before he died, and I didn’t care, really, until I learned of his death. Even… Read More

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Finding Passion in Face Painting: The Journey of Darlene Berrios Blair

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With summer upon us, the Summer Festival Season is in full swing. Typically, at these local events, among vendors selling their food and wares, one of the more familiar sights in our local festivals would be that of face painters. These talented artists face long lines of children waiting to have their faces painted with designs that brighten up their appearances.   One of these face painters is my beloved cousin, Darlene (Berrios) Blair. Face painting is more than just an art form for Darlene—it’s a calling that found her in the most unexpected of ways. Darlene, the Upper West Side native Boricua creative force behind “Face Designs by Darlene,” began her journey into face painting not as a planned career move but as an act of familial support and community service.   Getting Started — A Sister’s Call to Service: Darlene’s foray into face painting began with a simple request from her sister, Rosa. “My sister Rosita was working at a community event with her church, the former Casa De Adoración El-Shaddai on Niagara Street, and she was going to be doing some simple face painting at the church event,” Darlene recalls. Her sister Rosa initially handled basic designs like balloons, stars, and hearts. However, as Darlene was looking to assist her sister with the event, although she was completely inexperienced in the world of face painting, she was eager to contribute effectively. Leading up to the days of the church event, Darlene did extensive research to ensure she had the right materials and skills. She purchased paints from Michaels, read the instructions meticulously, and despite her initial nerves, began painting with a line of children waiting. “I started painting at 12 PM and didn’t stop until 8:45 PM,” she says, reflecting on that first marathon session. Her dedication was clear from the outset, as she continued painting even after Rosa had finished for the day.   Discovering a Passion: The positive response from the children and their families was overwhelming. Seeing the joy her artwork brought, Darlene realized she had found her passion. Encouraged by the community and church, which even prompted her to print business cards, Darlene began to pursue face painting more seriously. Though the church eventually closed, Darlene’s commitment to face painting remained steadfast, and over the last thirteen years, she continued building a name and reputation through word of mouth, her talent leading her to notable opportunities. She has painted for the Buffalo Bills, including events for Von Miller and Dion Dawkins, and at the Michael Phelps Swim School/Friendship Village. Darlene is now considered the unofficial face painter of the Buffalo Bills, a testament to her skill and dedication.   Personal Challenges and Resilience: Darlene’s journey has not been without personal challenges. “When I lost my sister, Glenda, I wanted to put my brush down,” she shares. Despite her grief, she continued to paint, especially to honor her sister’s memory. “I had a Christmas event on December 10th, which was two days after my sister died, and I got there a little late. Once I got there, I shared the news with the lady who hired me for the event, and she asked if I was ok and all I wanted to do was paint. I wanted to paint for Glenda since she always wanted to sit in my chair.”   Connecting Through Art: Darlene’s ability to connect with children is a cornerstone of her work. She has a unique approach to making each child feel comfortable, especially those with special needs. “When I see the kids, my energy is too much. I have to wait for them to come around,” she says. By getting to their level and explaining the process, Darlene ensures each child feels at ease. For children with Autism, she takes extra care to explain each step and involve them in choosing colors, making the experience enjoyable and stress-free.   Creative Designs and Engagement: Darlene’s setup is both professional and engaging. She has a design board with 32 pictures for kids to choose from and a word board that helps her develop new ideas. “I like to do things differently, but I try to keep it simple when I paint,” she explains. This blend of creativity and simplicity allows her to cater to a wide range of preferences and keep the process smooth.   Face Designs by Darlene: A Continuing Passion: For Darlene Blair, face painting is not just a profession but a passion that found her and continues to drive her. Her journey from helping her sister at a church event to becoming a recognized face painter in Western New York for major events is a testament to her talent, dedication, and the joy she finds in bringing smiles to children’s faces.   Follow Her Journey: Her journey is a beautiful reminder that sometimes, our passions find us in the most unexpected ways, leading to fulfilling and impactful careers. As the Western New York Summer Festival season continues, and you find yourself at an event where Darlene is painting smiles on children’s faces, know that that journey started here on the lower West Side, on Niagara Street over a decade ago.  You can stay connected with Darlene’s latest works and events through her Instagram and Facebook pages “Face Designs by Darlene.”   Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports Technology Finding Passion in Face Painting: The Journey of Darlene Berrios Blair July 22, 2024/No Comments Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Read More… Read More BRIDGING THE GAP: LATINO REPRESENTATION IN THE TECH INDUSTRY June 6, 2024/1 Comment Back in early November, I took a Civil Service Exam for a Communications Specialist position with Erie County at the… Read More EMBRACING DIVERSITY: BEYOND SYMBOLS April 4, 2024/1 Comment Back in my February

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