FINDING THE WONDERFUL IN THE TERRIBLE – A RECIPE FOR HOPE

September 1, 2024 Buffalo Latino Village

Lo maravilloso y lo terrible están uno al lado del otro, y están íntimamente conectados.

The wonderful and the terrible are side by side, and they are intimately connected.

You have very likely seen how the wonderful and the terrible have been connected in your own lives and works.

For instance, the ongoing tragedy in Gaza is profound, with reports indicating that around 40,000 individuals have been killed by Israeli armed forces, predominantly women and children.

A man, upon returning home with the birth certificates of his newborn twins, tragically discovered that both infants, along with his wife and mother-in-law, had been killed in an Israeli airstrike. It is reported that at least 115 journalists and media personnel, as well as 224 aid workers, have lost their lives. These incidents are being condemned as clear war crimes.

In response, South Africa has boldly initiated proceedings against Israel in the International Court of Justice for alleged violations of the 1948 Genocide Convention.

Nicaragua, Colombia, Chile, Spain, Turkey, Libya, Belgium, Egypt, Maldives, Mexico, Ireland, and unsurprisingly, Palestine have joined as plaintiffs. It’s noteworthy how many Latin American countries are advocating for human rights. Additionally, the vast majority of South American, African, and Asian nations have recognized Palestine as a sovereign state.

I engage in lobbying at the UN, visiting missions of various countries to express gratitude or to encourage them to employ the Resolution Uniting for Peace in order to circumvent the Security Council and issue a censure against Israel. Collaborating with remarkable activists and fostering those connections, along with establishing rapport with the staff of the countries’ missions, has been immensely fulfilling.

The most impactful experience for me was encountering Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, a Palestinian Lutheran theologian known for his prophetic insights, such as his “Christ in the Rubble” sermon last Christmas. His lecture “Silence is Complicity,” delivered at Riverside Church on August 14, served

as a compelling summons for bravery and engagement. The recording is readily accessible on YouTube, featuring the enchanting music of Brooklyn Nomads and Mona Miari. (It’s important to communicate your stance on US involvement in the devastation to both officials and political candidates.)

Such is the case with many of our challenges. The grievous wrongs are tempered by the satisfaction derived from striving for justice, and the bonds formed with remarkable individuals bring joy and hope.

Take, for instance, the empathetic and altruistic individuals at the Latino Village. As Alberto eloquently states in his influential book, “Back to the Twilight Zone,” upon returning, he discovered a ‘Hispanic’ community, Boricuas engulfed in the Twilight Zone, ensnared in the depths of the beast. It’s a distressing reality laden with injustice, epitomized by a mayor serving five terms. The Latino Village confronts these issues in each edition.

At the gathering hosted by publishers and founders Alberto and Ramona Cappas, the Buffalo Latino Village staff, columnists, and their families celebrated together. Among them were editor and organizer Solomon Joseph, who is expecting another child; poet and social worker Seraphim Grace, author of “Healing Poems for Tired Souls”; and community activists, researchers, and writers Rocco Anastasio, Dr. Steve Perez, and Queenia AsheeMa’at. Spending the evening with such talented, wise, and compassionate individuals was a delightful experience, further illustrating the intricate connection between the wonderful and the terrible in both our work and our lives.

Numerous other instances abound, including Latina Herstory, where columnist Talia Rodriguez showcases Latina businesses and leaders (refer to Buffalo Latino Village); the ongoing efforts to completely restore Humboldt Parkway (through the Eastside Parkways Coalition); the initiatives for No New Jails and Community Responders; among many others!

La idea principal es: ¡Sí, se puede! ¡Juntos! Y que encontremos paz y amor en cada paso…. May each step we take be filled with peace and love…