“GETTING VERY LITTLE FOR THE WHOLE,  BUT GETTING A LOT FOR THE FEW” WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN 2023

While I might appear to be biased and selective, I strongly feel the four people in the photo are the people that can move our community forward and free her from the political enslavement it has been in for many years, which has not allowed our community to prosper, grow, and develop as other communities in the city of Buffalo.

Jose Flores (Jiu-Jitsu instructor), Beatriz Flores (El Batey Puerto Rican Center), Geo Hernandez (Working Families Party), and Christian Parra (People’s Action Institute) are progressive and independent, and all four have a vision for how to involve the whole community and not just a few. And most importantly, they have strong respect and support from the grassroots community. When you attend their events or look at their community base, you see new faces and young people. It’s refreshing to see new faces get recognized or acknowledge for their work and not see the old inner circle — a recycling of the same faces and people.

(Photo: Jose Flores, Beatriz Flores, Geo Hernandez, Christian Parra)

Other people to watch in 2023, although not new or independent from the status quo, have people who have a degree of sincerity and a true agenda for change. You have Cesar Cabrera, an educator and well familiar with the community; Alexandre Burgos-Gonzalez, a young, dynamic, and talented individual who heads the Buffalo Black & Latino PRIDE Coalition, which is connected to a statewide organization. We also have Kelly Camacho, head of the local Citizen Action chapter; Talia Rodriguez, a Law School graduate and a strong community activist, a syndicated columnist with several Latino publications; QueeNia AsheeMa’at, also a writer and progressive with strong ties to both Latino and black communities; and Michele Agosto, an art and cultural advocate who has pioneered many projects in this city, one is the Artists de Barrio organization.

There are others, and I apologize for not including them, but it is my opinion, based on my position as publisher and community activist, these are the people to watch.

Our present leaders have a good understanding of politics, but very little understanding of our history, culture, and struggles.

In 2023, we need to support the people mentioned in this article and help them to educate our local political officials – they have been on an illusional ride with our people. The politicians have been misled and misinformed. Let’s educate them in 2023.

Keep your eyes open in 2023 and prove me wrong.

Feliz Año Nuevo!