JUSTICE NOT SERVED

People /

The Derek Chauvin Trial resulted in the surprising guilty verdict of the former Minneapolis Police Officer who committed a modern-day lynching in front of a crowd of witnesses, using his knee as a noose as he squeezed the life out of George Floyd’s body. To say this verdict was a surprise is telling, especially when video evidence of Mr. Chauvin kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck — while Mr. Floyd cried out for his dead mother in agony — was so clear. There are two justice systems in America, one for those of power or privilege and another for those who do not fit into those parameters. Time and time again, when a Police Officer or anyone playing Cop (see George Zimmerman) is accused of murdering a person of color, they are almost always acquitted of charges and the victim’s families are left picking up the pieces without a sense of justice ever being served. Breonna Taylor’s family never received justice. In fact, the only punishment officer’s received in that case were for the bullets that missed her sleeping body. I avoided the Chauvin trial, because I did not want to relive Black trauma and pain again. We have been down this road too many times, and although Floyd’s name was not Fernandez, his death and the death of others still come too close to home. As the verdict was announced, I noticed social media was filled with posts claiming “Justice” or “Guilty” as if a guilty verdict erased decades of mistreatment. One guilty verdict does not erase a history of systemic racism that was created to keep a people in place. We live in a society where the intersectionality of race, class, gender, and societal status is always considered. It has created a discriminatory bias and thinking, to the point where early on, many were calling this trail “The George Floyd Trial” as if the victim of a murder, one caught on camera and witnessed by dozens of people, was himself on trial instead of the man who murdered him. Whenever these tragedies occur, many people are quick to say the “system is broken.” I say no, the system is working exactly the way it’s supposed to, by protecting those in power and keeping the rest of us in  place. Mr. Floyd’s family did not receive justice, what we all saw was accountability being upheld. Justice cannot be had in an unjust system. When one’s guilt or innocence can depend on whether they can afford a high-priced attorney, we are not living under a just Justice system. No, we are living in an oppressive system created to keep those in power powerful, and the have nots in check. Justice was not served by Chauvin’s guilty verdict; it was just put on hold to appease the masses.  The American Justice System needs to be severed instead… Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics Sports A BITTERSWEET NIGHT, LISTENING TO THE MUSIC OF “GITANAA July 6, 2023/No Comments On Saturday, June 24th, my wife and I joined a few friends and enjoyed a night of live Latin music Read More MAKING A MARK ON OUR YOUTH June 6, 2023/No Comments During my column last month, I wrote about having the opportunity to visit my childhood school, Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy, Read More IT STARTS WITH A BOOK May 12, 2023/No Comments IT STARTS WITH A BOOK On Friday, April 29th, I will have attended the 13th Annual Dia del Ninos y Read More Load More End of Content.

JUSTICE NOT SERVED Read More »

HERSTORY: PUERTO RICAN WOMEN IN THE MILITARY Part II

Military & Veterans /

“Make sure we do not forget the Latina presence in the service of the United States of America.” Dr. Dolores Piñero: She was the first Puerto Rican woman doctor to serve in the Army under contract. Upon the outbreak of World War I, she applied for a contract surgeon position, only to be turned down. After writing a letter to the Army Surgeon General in Washington, D.C. explaining her intentions, she received a telegram ordering her to report to Camp Las Casas at Santurce, Puerto Rico. In October 1918, she signed her contract with the Army. Rosa González: A noted registered nurse who authored “The Nurses Medical Dictionary.” The Swine Flu had swept through Army camps killing more than 55,000 American troops. After the flu epidemic ended, Piñero was ordered back to the Army base hospital at San Juan, Puerto Rico. PFC Carmen García Rosado: In 2006, she authored and published a book titled Las WACS: Participacion de la Mujer Boricua en la Segunda Guerra Mundial (The WACs: Participation of Puerto Rican Women in the Second World War).  According to García Rosado, one of the principal hardships endured by Puerto Rican military women was racial discrimination, which is well documented in her book. Second Lieutenant Carmen Lozano Dumler: Born 1924 in San Juan, Puerto Rico; was one of the first women to become a United States Army officer. In 1945, Lozano Dumler was assigned to the 359th Station Hospital of Ft. Read, where she attended wounded soldiers who had returned from Normandy, France. Lieutenant Junior Grade Maria Rodriguez Denton: United States Navy, born June 14, 1909 in the town of Guanica, Puerto Rico, was the first woman who became an officer in the United States Navy as member of the WAVES. It was Lt. Denton who forwarded the news (through channels) to President Harry S. Truman that the war had ended. Marie Teresa Rios: Puerto Rican writer who also served in World War II. She served as a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol. As a writer, she wrote for various newspapers and military publications. CWO3 Rose Franco:  Born on January 22, 1934 in Guánica, Puerto Rico; she was first Puerto Rican/Latina woman to become a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1965, Rose was named Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy, Paul Henry Nitze, by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Captain Linda Garcia Cubero: She was the first Latina graduate of the Air Force Academy in 1980. María V. Martínez: The first Puerto Rican woman promoted to Command Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army on December 1, 1998. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics Sports SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO: PUERTO RICAN WOMEN AT THE OLYMPICS 2021 September 17, 2021/No Comments SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO: PUERTO RICAN WOMEN AT THE OLYMPICS 2021 (Puerto Rico first partcipated at the Olympics Games in Read More SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO August 17, 2021/No Comments It has long been known that women have taken a historic back seat in all fields.  The  lack of exposure Read More BRIEF HISTORY OF SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO July 17, 2021/No Comments BRIEF HISTORY OF SPORTS IN PUERTO RICO The Taínos who inhabited Puerto Rico before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in Read More Load More End of Content.

HERSTORY: PUERTO RICAN WOMEN IN THE MILITARY Part II Read More »

RECKLESS AND IRRESPONSIBLE

Health /

Local epidemics and global pandemics are not new. Causing mass hysteria and death, viral threats test human resilience. However, sometimes the body needs a boost. Initially, it was easy to blame viral spread on government shortcomings; yet together with science, they have successfully endeavored to deliver multiple vaccines on schedule to assure that the pandemic containment and eradication process is well underway. However, hindered by citizen complacency and reckless irresponsibility, not only are breaks in basic protocols (hand washing, mask wearing, social distancing) causing the fatality rate to periodically spike, but recent complications with Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine has triggered, a growing number of people to feel a right to independently refuse vaccination.  Beware the cause and effects of herd mentality. Globally, leaders of government and science have nearly mandated vaccination and are issuing verification cards required for commercial travel (rumor-counterfeit cards are sold on the black market). History of documented experiences prove the U.S. has successfully faced, combated, and defeated multiple “Periodic Pandemics.” In 1633 migrating Europeans infected and killed many settlers and Native Americans with Smallpox (1770 vaccination eliminated outbreaks from the United States in 1972). Yellow Fever from the Caribbean invaded and killed 10% of Philadelphia residents in 1973. Still causing annual worldwide deaths (95,000), the 1832, Cholera killed 10% of residents in New York and other urban cities.  Strep throat/Scarlet fever has been attacking children since 1858, and still around today. In 1906, Typhoid Mary took 25,000 lives before vaccine availability in 1911. Polio wreaked worldwide havoc from 1916 to 1955 while Diphtheria added 206,000 casualties to the hysteria in 1921. HIV/AIDS wreaked havoc during the 80’s. It took 10 years to get the 1981 Measles under control. The Whooping Cough of 2010 still strikes every couple of years; but threats from the ever-mutating Flu (1918 Spanish flu, 1957 bird attack, 2009 swine flu), might best reflect what to expect from this pandemic — Annual Vaccination!  Stronger COVID-19 strands have already mutated from England, Africa, and Brazil. Point: Viruses are a constant adversary, threatening to devastate human existence if ignored. Regardless of inevitable casualties, directives from agencies like the CDC (Center for Disease Control) best assure government initiatives against viral invasion succeed. But how long and damaging a viral explosion impact a community, depends on a commitment to trust and on complicity. Current trends and statistics make responses to the pandemic especially important to families within congested lower income communities. Yet while complacency is already compromising the first line of defense, some are willing to wager that natural immune system is enough to keep themselves safe without considering how many, without symptoms, may be carriers able to hinder pandemic eradication efforts. Are you part of the problem or part of the solution? Making “individual” decisions without the facts and resources necessary to combat a “communal” crisis is reckless and irresponsible. Pandemics are won wherever government and citizens work together. To that end consider Mass. Bay Company’s 1634 “Oath of a Freeman”, a required loyalty pledge vowing obedience and promise not to conspire against its governance or membership. So face it and move on with clear understanding: Render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar and focus on keeping self and others vigil: Wear your mask, wash frequently with soap and water, maintain social distance, and get vaccinated! Remember — you are your brothers/sisters keeper. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Peace People Politics BETTER LATE THEN NEVER: WHY NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH! April 17, 2022/No Comments BETTER LATE THEN NEVER: WHY NATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH! Women! Ha! What are they good for? Ha! ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! For starters, Read More “LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD” February 17, 2022/No Comments “LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD” Wow! February! Lovey dove time for couples to share flowers, chocolates, dinner, special gifts, and of Read More FOR WHAT’S ANOTHER NEW YEAR January 17, 2022/No Comments FOR WHAT’S ANOTHER NEW YEAR The New Year is a worldwide celebration mainly full of parties, costumes, drinking and resolutions Read More Load More End of Content.

RECKLESS AND IRRESPONSIBLE Read More »

Scroll to Top