NOW WHAT?

A long political stretch, but it’s time to begin again, regroup, observe, and review the political experience. From this past campaign, a beautiful thing happened, the progressive element of the Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Latino communities in general united. A group, by nature of its political philosophy, is more aggressive and independent.  And another thing happened — Young Latinos were attracted to the India Walton campaign, essential in building progressive community coalitions. 

The emergence of Christian Parra, Geo Hernandez, Louisa Pacheco, and Beatriz Flores, opens the door to a whole new Latino world in Buffalo, NY. The knowledge, intellect, community experience, and progressive passion they bring (including their creativity and imagination) are a large contribution to the emerging growth and development of the local Latino community. Geo Hernandez, a Canisius College graduate who recently completed her master’s degree, started working with the local chapter of the Working Families Party. Before the new job, she worked on Climate change, environmental, gentrification, and affordable housing issues with the Buffalo Push organization.  Louisa Pacheco, another dynamic Latina, made her mark by demonstrating her political and community organizing skills. She is the Regional Political Organizer for the New York State United Teachers, as well as a member of the Working Families Party. Beatriz Flores, a cultural icon, is the founder and executive director of El Batey Puerto Rica Center, a magical space full of Puerto Rican culture, history, education, and pure energy. This is the community and cultural place to support, the place to watch, follow, and help grow. Families and their kids are already enjoying the fruits of her gift and labor.  Christian Parra, who first came to play football in Buffalo, NY, found himself volunteering at Buffalo Push, involved in youth voter registration drives, gentrification, and affordable housing.  This experience led to the founding of Pushing Latinos Forward, which was the group that organized the “Latinos for India Walton Mayor” campaign. He is a workhorse. The visits of Oscar Lopez Rivera and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (AOC) to Buffalo happened because of this young man. He makes things happen. All this experience led to the national organization, “People’s Machine”, offering a national post, where he will be responsible for training communities on how to develop voter registration, organizations, etc. This young man is truly a “kingmaker” and is a gift for his presence in Buffalo.  The Senior Citizens Progressive Connection:  Another element that came together to work with these young people, is well-known in the grassroots community, due to a long-standing involvement in Latino services and political activity, but always in opposition to the leadership and conservative element of the established Puerto Rican/Latino leadership.  The likes of Santiago Masferrer, Luz Velez, Jose C. Pizarro, Cesar Cabrera, Roberto Quintana, Alberto O. Cappas, and others too many to list….

All represent important organizations in Buffalo, like El Buen Amigo, Puerto Rican/Latino Committee, and the Buffalo Latino Village.

I expect to see this combination of young and this older groups having a positive impact in Buffalo. Like the young Christian Parra said during the India Walton campaign: “We want to be sitting around the table, not under the table.”