Showing posts sorted by relevance for query ismael. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query ismael. Sort by date Show all posts

Friday, November 18, 2011

'I Am...We Are Muevete'

By Ismael Nuñez

After several years on hiatus, Muevete is back.
Earlier this month, the Muevete youth conference was held in the South Bronx. Activists, student organizations, and community based organizations bonded at the BronxWorks Cornerstone Betances Community Center on St. Ann’s Avenue for the 13th annual Muevete conference.
Muevete is the Spanish word for “move yourself,” and the young and older people in the conference were definitely doing moving. They were moving in the memory of one of their own who died too soon. They were moving to help make the quality of lives of today's young people better.

The previous Muevete conferences were hosted at bigger named venues such as Columbia University, Hunter College, and City College. But they stopped.
Lissette Nieves said she believed it was important to reactivate the youth conference.
She spoke about her old Muevete friend Daniel Mejia who died earlier this year at the age of 32 from complications of pancreatitis. She met Mejia when he was a high school senior who wanted to help Latino youth with education, community and civil rights issues. After his days at Muevete, he went on to work for several nonprofit groups and became an advocate for health and gay rights issues.
His death helped bring new life to Muevete and the need for it.
"The need for Muevete is there and needed," Nieves said.
Right after Mejia's death, Nieves and others realized that the conference had to resurface to move a new youth generation of movers.

What better place than in the South Bronx?
Ben Ramos, a Bronx activist said, "A lot of the issues affecting Latino youth back in the 1990’s when this organization was created are still in effect. We wanted young people to know and learn that there are organizations, history, that is always available for them, and where they can always go for help when needed."
At the conference, young people were exposed to several community based organizations such as El Puente Academy located in Brooklyn and the Justice Committee of the National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights. Both groups hosted workshops.
Ramos said: “It’s the perfect location for the Latino youth to learn/organize/ and be united! Right here in the boogie down Bronx."
Dance choreographer Anthony “Omen” Barner who works at the center and is the creator of the dance group “Swagged Out Kids,” said, “We promote positivity and the growth of the participants of this center to engage in their minds and spirit."
Two other main highlights included the serving of basic Latino soul food: rice with beans, chicken, and salad; and cultural performancesbomba, plena, hip-hop dancing, and salsa and mambo classes. There were even free dance classes for everyone. I must admit I got into the dance groove, dancing gracefully with a good friend Denise from the YAI chapter in the Bronx.
As we danced, Denise said, “Enjoy, Learn, Educate, Organize, Friendship."
It was the right place at the right time.
I am today and tomorrow moving forward. Muevete.

Ismael Nuñez is a freelance writer based in East Harlem. He is a contributing writer to PRSUN.

(Photos by Ismael Nuñez)

Friday, August 21, 2009

Q&A with activist Vicente "Panama" Alba



The organization “For a Better Bronx,” a community-based organization in the South Bronx, which fights to achieve environmental, social and food justice through education, community organizing, and empowerment held a special event earlier this year at St. Luke’s Church in the Bronx. That day, long-time activist Vicente “Panama” Alba was honored for many years of service to the organization and his commitment to people. Vicente has done it all in his many years of activism, including being a member of the influential Young Lords Party, which this weekend celebrates its 40th anniversary, and being a member of the underground group the F.A.L.N. (Fuerzas Armadas Liberacion Nationalista). He has fought against police brutality and against the war. He is an environmentalist. He was also active in the movement to get the Navy out of the Puerto Rican town of Vieques.
With the anniversary and reunion of the Young Lords, Alba reflects on his time with the organization and says it continues to shape his work as an activist.
Q: Let’s talk about the Young Lords. It’s been close to 40 years since they to
ok over the church at 111th Street and Lexington Avenue. Why are the Young Lords still in the minds of people to this day?
A: As far as the history of my involvement, I am a proud former member of the Young Lords Party. That experience has paved the road I’ve been walking since.
Q: Should there be a memorial in this (NY) city despite their birth in Chicago, Illinois?
A: As far as should there be a memorial for the Young Lords, it needs to be clear that the great maj
ority of us never thought that we were making history. That was not our motivation. We just loved our people, hated what we were being subjected to, and dreamed of a better world. Those are the things that drive me to do what I do to this day. We, without realizing it, did make history. All the credit is deserved by Cha Cha, Sal, Omar, and the women who turned a gang into a revolutionary force and inspired young people in NY and then other parts of the country to join. I have to say, though, I believe that if the YLO had not happened in Chicago and moved people here, something else after that would have been born here because the reality we demanded it. As far as a memorial, that is not for me to say.
Q: Richie Perez was in the Lords with you. Can you tell us a little about him? He once stated t
hat being in the movement keeps you young and strong.
A: As for as Richie Perez, the fact that from amongst all the people who lived for our people, you ask me about him speaks for itself. I first met Richie as one of the fellows when I was a teenager. He was soon after a teacher at Monroe High School where I was registered, but never went. Richie along with Cleo Silvers were the two most influential people at that time in my life. They knew me as an out-of-control rebel and guided me to the path I’ve been on since I joined the YLP. Until his death, he was my brother, my friend, companero de lucha, and is today one on whose spirit I call on. Richie was one of the most caring and committed people I’ve been honored to have in my life. Probably the most brilliant person I have ever come across. He never asked others to do something he would not do himself.
The Young Lords celebrate its 40th anniversary and reunion Sunday with an event at the First Spanish Methodist Church aka "The People's Church" in East Harlem. -- Ismael Nunez

Ismael Nunez is a contributing writer to Puerto Rico Sun.

(photo by Ismael Nunez of Vicente "Panama" Alba, center, with his children at the Better Bronx event)
(Young Lords flier; click on image for larger text)

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Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Puerto Rican Music Roots & Beyond Project


From left, Leticia Rodriguez, executive director of La Casa de la Herencia Cultural Puertorriqueña, Inc., and Hector Ortega, a class participant, at a July 6 event in NYC's East Harlem that focused on Puerto Rican roots music.

La Casa as well as El Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños at Hunter College is working with William Cepeda, a renowned composer, trombonist, educator, producer and artist, on a project titled “Puerto Rican Music Roots and Beyond.” The New York State Music fund and the National Endowment for the Arts is helping to fund the project.
The goal is to promote Puerto Rico’s musical heritage to a wide audience throughout New York State, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere. The project will document four genres (Bomba, Plena, Danza, and Musica Jibara) by recording the concerts and other project activities to be used in the creation of DVDs and CDs for educational and commercial release. La Casa is located at 1230 Fifth Avenue, Suite 458. It is a nonprofit, cultural and educational institution. For more information, visit http://www.lacasapr.org/-- Ismael Nuñez

(photo by Ismael Nuñez)

Friday, October 26, 2007

La Casa's Leticia Rodriguez Continues Legacy
By Ismael Nunez

Leticia Rodriguez, the new executive director of La Casa de la Herencia Cultural Puertorriqueña, Inc. in NYC's El Barrio, is working hard to keep the legacy of this cultural institution alive.
La Casa at 1230 Fifth Avenue is a non-profit community based cultural institution. Its main objective is to promote the development of the Puerto Rican culture and to preserve, enrich and disseminate cultural and literary heritage to the Puerto Rican community and others.
La Casa has a Heritage Library, which includes a collection of books, documents and other materials related to Puerto Rican and Latin American history. Rodriguez said people who visit come to research many different topics. Popular research subjects include Arturo Schomburg, Julia De Burgos, and Simon Bolivar.
La Casa also provides cultural heritage workshops and classes that are open to the public. They include learning how to play cuatro and other musical instruments, dancing bomba and plena, painting, and drawing classes.
Rodriguez is happy to work in El Barrio in an organization with a rich history.
"To come to a community which has so much history is great," she said. "I’m keeping a legacy. I'm continuing the work that this institution has been doing for 27 years."
Last year, Don Otilio Diaz, who led La Casa for more than 25 years, died at the age of 75. La Casa's board introduced Rodriguez as its new executive director at an open house reception in September. On Saturday, October 27, La Casa celebrates its 27th anniversary gala and awards ceremony at the Carlos Rios Reception Hall in El Barrio. This is the first gala under her leadership.
La Casa is located in the same building as El Museo Del Barrio.
La Casa means the house and Rodriguez encourages the public to visit.
"It means we are here for you, to serve you and not to exclude anyone," she said. "We have been here for 27 years and counting."
For more information on La Casa, go to www.lacasapr.org.

Ismael Nunez is an East Harlem based freelance writer who contributes his writings to Puerto Rico Sun.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

‘The Show Still Goes On’



In one of their first events honoring Women’s History Month at the Centro (The Center for Puerto Rican Studies) library at Hunter College in Manhattan, organizers put together a talk entitled “The Show Still Goes On.”
Professor and historian Virginia Sanchez-Korrol moderated the conversation with actresses Miriam Colon (the founder of the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre) and Eva Vasquez.
The actresses offered a history lesson and conversation full of theatre, especially focusing on the Latino New York theatre scene, and they shared their success stories. Both actresses said their inspiration came from family. –- Ismael Nunez

(photo by Ismael Nunez)

Friday, June 15, 2007

Commentary

Cotto Wins But Why Fight on Eve of the Puerto Rican Parade?
By Ismael Nunez
Last weekend New York City was dedicated to Puerto Rican pride. June 8 to 10 was filled with many activities geared to the PR community. There was the annual 116th Street festival in El Barrio and the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, which is one of the country's largest cultural parades. And on the eve of the parade, Miguel Cotto defended his welterweight crown in Madison Square Garden.
Last Saturday night, Cotto entered the ring with 29-0 record with 24 by knockout, and in title matches he was 9-0 with 8 KO’s. That night he added one more win/KO by knocking his opponent Zab Judah from Brooklyn in 11 rounds.
From the beginning of the fight, Cotto scored many punches to the body. By the 10th round, the hits started to show on Judah. By the 11th round, Cotto came in, landing punch after punch. Referee Arthur Mercante Jr. had no choice but to stop the fight to save Judah from further punishment.
So, the boricua won.
The Puerto Rican community was happy and Cotto participated in this year's Puerto Rican Day Parade. Last year, he did the same thing: he attended the 116th Street festival, fought and then participated in the parade. And many are saying this is becoming an annual tradition for Puerto Rican pride, but what does it mean?
My question is why fight on this specific weekend for Puerto Rican pride?
If it is about Puerto Rican pride, why doesn't Cotto fight in September during “Grito De Lares”? Why not fight in April to remember the birthday month for the father of Puerto Rican Independence Ramon Emeterio Betances. Those are also days to celebrate Puerto Rican pride.
If Cotto wants to make it an annual tradition to fight on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day Parade, then why not use his platform to send a stronger political statement for Puerto Rico?
For instance, when Cotto fights in June, why not let it be known that in the United Nations every year around this time there are hearings on Puerto Rico? Cotto's victory is shown to make the people forget the problems on the island, but it is just as important to remind them at all times of those problems.
Puerto Rican pride is more than a boxing match, a parade and a so-called tradition.

Ismael Nunez is an East Harlem-based freelance writer who contributes to Puerto Rico Sun.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Q&A with Latino Sports’ Julio Pabon


Roberto Clemente is prominent figure inside Latino Sports


If you are in the South Bronx and are a Latino sports lover, a place that you must visit is Latino Sports, a small business located at 424 Grand Concourse.
This haven has rare sports collectibles, Latino Sports’ branded merchandise, sports books about Latinos, and jerseys featuring Caribbean baseball teams. Latino Sports considers itself as the “Number 1 Roberto Clemente Memorabilia Store.”
Latino Sports is not just a business. There is a small museum at the shop, which is free and open to the public.
The store’s motto is: “It’s about us, it’s about time!”
Julio Pabon, CEO and founder of Latino Sports, recently spoke with Bronx Latino about his shop.


(Julio Pabon, left, is pictured here with Senator Jose M. Serrano at the East Harlem Little League Parade.)

Q: Why did this business get started?
A: It got started out of anger. It was a result of an award we presented to Ruben Sierra who at that time was playing baseball with the Texas Rangers. Many felt he deserved to win the “Most Valuable Player Award” in the American League. Eventually, the award went to Robin Yount who played with the Milwaukee Brewers. The baseball writers voted for Yount. Who’s to say they were wrong? Yount had a good season, but then again Sierra’s numbers were far better.
This event showed that a Latin American institution to highlight the positive values of Latinos in sports was needed. So, I felt it was important for the community to have our own award. I didn’t know that it was going to turn out to be a yearly thing and then to the creation of Latino Sports.

Q: So, Latino Sports is not just about promoting the goodness of Latino athletes. Do you also consider yourselves as activists?
A: This is true. That’s how it basically got started. We realized that Latinos were overlooked not only in baseball but also in other sports.

Q: Latino Sports is heavily involved in the fight to retire “Roberto Clemente’s number 21.” Why is that?
A: Very true. Clemente was not only a great player and Hall of Famer. He was a humanitarian, father/husband, and a person who was proud of his Afro-Puerto Rican heritage. He stood up for things he believed in, loved people/children, and gave back. That is why number 21 should be retired.

Q: If 21 were retired, what would that mean to the Latino sports community?
A: It will be a victory for the entire Latin American community everywhere. It will be something that we believed in, working side by side by side to get. That team effort and caring is what has made Latino Sports a success.

For more information about Latino Sports, visit www.latinosports.com. – by Ismael Nunez

(Photos by Ismael Nunez)

Note: This article was originally published in Bronx Latino at www.bronxlatino.blogspot.com.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Sports

Cotto Magic at MSG
By Ismael Nunez

There seems to be magic when Boxer Miguel Cotto comes to New York City. He’s never lost a fight at the “Mecca of Boxing” Madison Square Garden and he faced his biggest challenge Nov. 10 when he met Sugar Shane Mosley.
The fight started slow for Cotto. Then in the mid-rounds he stood toe to toe with Mosley throughout the fight. Cotto won a unanimous 12-round decision.
For Cotto, it was a real test too.
Mosley did hurt him in the earlier and middle rounds, but eventually did not have enough firepower to KO Cotto. Cotto never lay low. When Mosley moved in for a KO, Cotto kept his guard up and fought back like a fighting rooster.
After the fight, boxing announcer Max Kellerman asked, “Are you ready to fight bigger name opponents?"
Cotto replied, “I'm ready to fight."
The real challenge for Cotto: moving up in the weight class and winning. Let’s see what happens.
Other Puerto Rican athletes making headlines:
Ivan Rodriguez, catcher for the Detroit Tigers, grabbed his 12th gold glove for fielding. A record.
Meanwhile in the National League, there's good news for the NY Mets. Centerfielder Carlos Beltran won the gold glove for fielding.

Ismael Nunez is a freelance writer based in East Harlem who contributes his writings to Puerto Rico Sun.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The National Puerto Rican Day Parade from the lens of Ismael Nunez

Ismael Nunez of East Harlem regularly shoots photos of community events and people in NYC, particularly within the boricua community. On Sunday, he, of course, was at the Puerto Rican parade. He says he had a great time though he acknowledges he left the parade by 12:30 p.m. because "it was HOT!"







Sunday, September 21, 2008

Sports Spotlight: Boxing's Melissa 'Huracan' Hernandez


Bronxite Melissa Hernandez is known in the boxing world as “Huracan,” Spanish for hurricane.
This boricua boxer made history earlier this month in Las Vegas, winning her third world title belt, the vacant Women's International Boxing Association's super featherweight crown.
She defeated Elsa Nuñez, scoring a unanimous 10-round decision. This is the latest addition to her titles. Hernandez is also the winner of the International Female Boxing Association’s Super Bantamweight title and the Global Boxing Union’s Female Lightweight Title.
Described as fiery, highly entertaining, and confident, Hernandez says she loves the challenge of the sport.
"I am pound for pound one of the best female boxers in the world and I don’t want to just talk about it," she says. "I want to show it. In New York City, I am without a doubt the best female boxer, and I want to prove that I am the best wherever I go."
She now holds a title in three different divisions, which is a real accomplishment in the boxing world. If she were a male boxer, she would probably be a millionaire and more of a household name.
Based on her number of titles alone, she joins her fellow Puerto Rican male boxers Wilfredo Benitez, Wilfredo Gomez, Hector Camacho, Felix Trinidad, and Wilfredo Vazquez who have won three or more division titles.
Hernandez, who was born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and raised in the Bronx, says she always "wanted to be up there with all the great Puerto Rican boxing champions from the past."
Although boxing is a male-dominated sport, Hernandez believes there is a market for female boxers. She is outspoken about the need for the sport to be fairer to female boxers.
"Women boxers get the short end of the stick all the time cause promoters feel women have a set pay already," she says. "For example, women don’t get that much for title fights. The men get well you up to millions. The women don’t."
But this does not deter Hernandez's love for the sport.
Her family is not crazy that she's a boxer because "they don't want me hurt."
Still, Hernandez is never really outside the ring.
“Things I like to do when I’m not boxing is training my fighters," she says. "I have a stable of fighters from amateurs to world champions at the famed Gleason’s Gym. Crazy thing about me is I eat, sleep and box."
On her spare time, she enjoys spending time at home with her family and friends.
"My home girl Belinda Laracuente, also a boxing champion, often times comes over to help out with the cooking, where we often share recipes," she says. "Nice place to relax when I don’t have a fight coming up. Everyone comes to the house to get the best Latino cooking in town." -- Ismael Nuñez

Ismael Nuñez is a freelance writer based in East Harlem who contributes his writings to Puerto Rico Sun.

(photo courtesy of Melissa Hernandez)

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Activism

NYC Rally in Support of Puerto Rico's Teachers

By Ismael Nunez
In solidarity with The Puerto Rican Teachers Federation, about 80 demonstrators, including teachers, college students, professors as well as community, labor and political activists, braved New York City's cold weather Feb. 22, carrying signs that read: “Education is a right, FMPR we are here for you!"
The demonstration was held outside the Puerto Rican government offices at 32nd Street and Park Avenue South in Manhattan. Protesters voiced their support of Puerto Rico teachers who have been on a weeklong strike on the island. The strike has sparked clashes with police and led to some arrests.
The New York City demonstration came after the union that represents Puerto Rico's 42,000 public school teachers declared a strike on Feb. 20. The strike was declared after 30 months of negotiations to increase salaries and address shortages of books, computers and other materials reached a deadlock. The Puerto Rican government is refusing to return to the table until the walkout ends. The U.S. Education Department, which funds Puerto Rico's education system, is demanding better results from public schools.
Angel Gonzalez, a teacher from the Bronx, who attended the Manhattan demonstration, said teachers here can relate to those on the island because they are fighting for many of the same causes.
“What we see here are the same demands that educators and students have been fighting for years," he said. "They are demanding for smaller classes, calling for an immediate end to government efforts to privatize public educaton, and improving health and safety conditions. They want more adequate teaching materials and resources for both teachers and students."
Pedro Colon Almenas, another teacher, said they support Puerto Rico teachers who are standing up for their rights.
“The union has been subjected to an increasing public campaign of attacks as they work to obtain a fair and just collective bargaining agreement for its members,” he said.

Ismael Nunez is a freelance writer based in East Harlem who contributes his articles to Puerto Rico Sun.

Friday, June 17, 2022

The 116th Festival Brings Joy to El Barrio

It’s been two years of no dancing and no cheering on the streets of El Barrio. But all the dancing and cheering came back last weekend at the 116th Street Festival. True the pandemic has played a major role in the joy of the city, especially among the Latin American community.  But the music, food, and dancing brought the crowds back to El Barrio on Saturday, June 11. The festival achieved its goal of bringing everyone together for the day from community residents to artists to business leaders. As this reporter took pictures, you could feel the happiness. Even though the fear of #covid19 still lingers, there was joy in El Barrio.  






(photos and text by Ismael Nunez for PRSUN)


To view more of Ismael's photos, visit him on Flickr


Wednesday, May 25, 2022

East Harlem Remembers Legendary Young Lords and El Barrio Photographer Hiram Maristany

By Ismael Nunez El Museo del Barrio honored the memory of Hiram Maristany with a community celebration on May 15. The former director of El Museo, Maristany was remembered as one of the community’s most gifted artists, a longtime El Barrio resident, a community activist, and a former member and official photographer of the Young Lords Party. “As a photographer, Maristany’s work transcended the purely documentary, and testified to the beauty in our communities,” El Museo del Barrio said in a statement. “Today, and always, we are grateful for his friendship, and loyalty, and continue to be inspired by his commitment to uplifting Puerto Rican and Latinx communities. Rest in power.” He was 76 (August 10, 1945 – March 10, 2022).
The program for the event stated: “Maristany first picked up the camera in 1959 while still a teenager, and dedicated the next six decades documenting the life, history, culture, and beauty of his neighborhood.” Active in the cultural and political movements in the Puerto Rican community, he was a founding member of the Young Lords Party. He would be the official photographer and capture many of their iconic actions. He later became involved in the early history of El Museo where he served as director from 1974 to 1977. His photographs are part of the permanent collections of such respected institutions as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The National Museum of African American History and Culture, and El Museo Del Barrio. Among those who attended the event were Hiram Maristany’s son, Pablo Maristany, and daughter Alita Maristany; former members of the Young Lords Felipe Luciano and Mickey Melendez; Patrick Charnel, executive director of El Museo Del Barrio, Pedro Pedraza El Museo Trustee; Marta Moreno Vega, founder of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute; Evelyn Carmen Ramos, chief curatorial and conservation officer, National Gallery of Art; and Susana Torruella Leval, president emerita and former executive director, El Museo Del Barrio. They all expressed how the photographer’s work and his love for the community helped promote issues and causes that mattered to the people of El Barrio and the Puerto Rican community in NYC. The bomba/plena group, BombaYo, ended the show singing and dancing proudly to the sound of: “Hiram Presente, tu trabajo, artista, Young Lords Presente!”
As for this reporter, you will always be my friend, mi hermano. Whenever I see the Young Lords Church at 111th street and Lexington Avenue, the Young Lords book written by former Young Lords member Iris Morales, and your photography showcased in East Harlem, I will remember. I will never forget you. Pa’lante Hiram. To view more of Ismael's photos, visit his Hiram Maristany tribute album.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

The spirit of the Young Lords lives on

Commentary
It was 1969, the year remembered by many as when the New York Mets won the World Series. It was also the year that a group of Puerto Rican activists formed the New York chapter of the Young Lords.

The revolutionary Young Lords Party, which led protests against conditions faced by Puerto Ricans and led to the takeover of the First Spanish Methodist “The People’s” Church in East Harlem in December 1969, definitely has its place in history for their activism to bring change in the Puerto Rican community in New York and elsewhere. Last month, the former Young Lords came together to celebrate the 40th anniversary at the old East Harlem church. While the group doesn’t exist today, the legacy of the Young Lords continues. 

On that hot August Sunday, more than 20 former members of the Lords gathered at the church to share their experiences, inspiring a current and future generation of young activists to take action against injustices affecting their community. 

The church in El Barrio was standing room only. Several former Young Lords -- who at one time were street gang members and drug users -- shared stories of how they turned their lives around because of their activism. A beautiful part of the event was that Young Lords from other cities attended in solidarity. They included representatives from Philadelphia, Connecticut, and Chicago. 

Among the attendees was the man who, inspired by the Black Panther Party, first created the Young Lords in Chicago: Jose “Cha Cha” Jimenez. “Seeing the community here and seeing some these comrades shows we did a lot of good,” he said. “It shows our love for the people.”

The young people in attendance were encouraged to take advantage of things they have access to such as the Internet to stay informed, active and involved in community development.

After the event, the group celebrated at the nearby Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center in East Harlem. Rosa Clemente, a college student who wrote a thesis on the Young Lords, stated: “Today’s activity was a educational experience not just for me for all youth and people; they are my inspiration, my sisters and brothers. The Lords are still alive. PALANTE!” – Ismael Nunez

Ismael Nunez is a contributing writer to Puerto Rico Sun.


 

 

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Spotlight

Post Office in El Barrio Dedicated to Tito Puente
By Ismael Nunez

In East Harlem, there’s a street, there's a school, there's talk of having a statue one day, and now there's a post office that bears his name: Tito Puente.

After all, Puente is considered one of Latin music’s greatest band leaders and musicians. A plaque was recently unveiled in Puente’s memory and it hangs in the lobby of the post office at 167 East 124 Street.

Congressman Charles Rangel, who had introduced the bill to have the post office dedicated in Puente's honor, was among those who attended a Sept. 10 ceremony to celebrate.

“Tito Puente was more than a musician, more than a ambassador," Rangel said. "The personality he had (brought) people of different colors and cultures together.

"Young people and adults will have the honor of knowing who this person was, and people who knew him can share who this great musician was," he said. "Most importantly, (they will know) that he loved people."

Patricia McGovern, spokeswoman for the postal services in the New York Metro Area, said, “It’s a great honor to have this building dedicated to him. Many are not aware he was born/raised in the neighborhood. This dedication was solely appropriate."

As the dedication shifted to the Taino Towers Crystal Ballroom where live music filled the air and Latin food was served, several community people shared their thoughts.

"It is great; the best thing currently to have happened in this community was to name a building in his honor," said Charley Diaz, head of the Stickball Hall of Fame. "I know and the community knows there will be more dedications like this taking place."

Nina Olson, director of Development/Publicity/Community Outreach for the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts, described Puente as "an amazing profound musician/bandleader."

"He took this music all over the world," she said. "He was also very concerned about musical education. The conservatory was one of the sponsors for the Tito Puente Scholarship Fund, the conservatory was a favorite of his. His generosity, his music, the conservatory will continue to educate the next future generations of musicians."

Joe Conzo, who is in charge of the “Tito Puente Legacy Project” at Hostos Community College in the Bronx, said, “He would’ve loved this dedication; he’s watching it now."

As the band started to play some Puente's classics, Conzo said, “He’s playing the drums, leading the band, he’s still with us in spirit and heart."

Ismael Nunez is a freelance writer based in El Barrio who contributes his writings to Puerto Rico Sun.

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Cotto gets his revenge at the right place

Sports

By Ismael Nuñez


In their first bout in Las Vegas, boxer Antonio Margarito had his hands padded enough to do serious harm to Miguel Cotto. It was not a clean fight. That's for sure.
In their second fight last weekend at Madison Square Garden, Cotto got his revenge, winning almost every round and scoring a Technical Knockout.
Two reasons why Cotto won:
1. He fought toe to toe with his opponent hardly staying away from the ropes.
2. Margarito was in the wrong place. Cotto was in the right place he’s fought at the garden in the past and has not lost a fight at the garden.
While Margarito claimed that Cotto "hits like a girl," Margarito's face was red and his eye was completely shut. He was hurt so badly that ringside physician had no choice but to stop the fight in the beginning of the tenth round with Cotto retaining his WBA Super Welterweight and proving he was the real champion.

Ismael Nuñez is a freelance writer based in East Harlem.
(photo by Clarisel Gonzalez)

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Justice for Jayson


Justice for Jayson
Originally uploaded by prsuncom
Commentary

Senseless Killing of an Unarmed Man in El Barrio
Text and Photo by Ismael Nunez

Friends and family of an unarmed man killed in late October in a road rage incident involving an off-duty police officer are demanding justice. Even the Reverend Al Sharpton has come out in support of Jayson Tirado's family.
Tirado's relatives and friends have questioned why Officer Sean Sawyer was not immediately arrested when he turned himself in after the shooting on Oct. 22. Sawyer has been suspended without pay and is out free, while a grand jury investigates possible charges.
Tirado apparently refused to let the officer's SUV merge with traffic onto an exit ramp in East Harlem. He also apparently gestured at the off-duty officer as if he had a gun.
But Tirado of the Lower East Side didn't have a gun.
And, he was killed anyway. He was only 25.
Elected officials and Tirado's friends and family have voiced their anger of the NYPD's handling of this case. Who wouldn't be angry? There is a little girl without a dad.
According to Sawyer, a born again Christian, he fired because he thought his life was in danger. He then fled the scene because he panicked. Many in the victim's family and Rev. Sharpton, wonder why officer Sawyer was not arrested for leaving the scene of the shooting for 19 hours. Sawyer has said he did not believe that the shots he fired hit anyone.
Charlie King, attorney who was representing the National Action Network, said: “It’s always the same thing we hear from the NYPD when they shoot at unarmed civilians. It’s always a claim of self-defense...How can you make a claim of self-defense when there is no weapon around?"
How can you?


Ismael Nunez is a freelance writer based in El Barrio who contributes his writings to Puerto Rico Sun.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

La Casa Azul Promotes Latino Culture

Featured Entrepreneur: Aurora Anaya-Cerda



From left, Former Puerto Rican Political Prisoner Dylcia Pagan and La Casa Azul's Aurora Anaya-Cerda pose for a photo at a recent La Casa Azul bookstore event. (Photo by Ismael Nunez)


Cultural activist Aurora Anaya-Cerda is working to preserve the Latino voices of El Barrio through her labor of love: La Casa Azul, a new independent bookstore and café that will open in NYC’s El Barrio later this year. The shop, however, is up and running online at www.lacasaazulbookstore.com.

The bookstore, Anaya-Cerda said, serves as an opportunity to share the Latino experience in writing, art, and history. When the store space in El Barrio finally opens, it will offer a collection of books, music, and history from the United States, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

“We want to provide a place of knowledge to the community through contemporary bilingual literature, featuring works by Latino writers,” Anaya-Cerda said of her La Casa Azul, which means blue house in Spanish.

Anaya-Cerda said she drew her inspiration from Frida Kahlo (July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954). Kahlo was a Mexican painter, who has achieved great international popularity. She painted using vibrant colors in a style that was influenced by indigenous cultures of Mexico as well as European influences. Many of her works are self-portraits that symbolically express her own pain. Her "Blue" house, located in Coyoacan, Mexico City is now a popular museum, donated by Diego Rivera after Kahlo's death in 1954.

Two other goals she has for the bookstore is to “provide culturally relevant books and events” and to “provide awareness and political consciousness on issues that affect Latin Americans in New York City.”

Why open a small business in the business in East Harlem? “There was something about this community that just caught my eye,” she said. “I saw a proud diversity of people, gifted artists. This is the place for a bookstore. Community/artists already have given full pledged support.”

For now, Casa Azul is only a virtual shop. But it does have activities offline. For example, there is a Barrio Book Club that meets once a month at local restaurants. The club’s next book is “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao,” by Junot Diaz who recently won the Pulitzer fiction prize for this novel that took him 11 years to complete.

Elisha Miranda, author and poet, has said: “This bookstore is a welcomed addition to El Barrio during a time when non-Latinos are flooding in this neighborhood and pushing out locally owned businesses that reflect our Diaspora.” -- Ismael Nunez

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Keep Your Eye on Lopez

On the sports corner

In front of the home crowd in Puerto Rico, World Boxing Organization Super-Bantamweight Champion Juan Manuel Lopez defended his title against Gerry Penalosa last weekend. Lopez entered the ring with an impressive record of 24 victories, 22 by knockout.
Lopez did not lose a single round.
Penalosa’s heart is most likely what kept him going throughout his fight with Lopez. But by the ninth round, Penalosa’s trainer Freddie Roach had seen enough and threw in the towel to stop the fight.
Harold Lederman, judge for HBO Boxing, said: “It’s hard to believe that they didn’t stop the fight a whole lot sooner; it’s Lopez’s fight from the opening bell.”
Freddie Roach said, “He was way to strong, my fighter’s face was banged up, he was too good.”
And Max Kellerman, boxing commentator, described Lopez as tough.
While Lopez’s win is definitely good news for Puerto Rico, the question now is whether he will move up in weight class. Since he’s beaten up everyone in his division, it makes sense. Can he do like the other Puerto Rican champions Wilfredo Gomez and Felix Trinidad who moved up in weight class and won more titles? Can and will Lopez move up? We’ll see, so keep your eye on Lopez. He’s definitely a fighter to watch. – Ismael Nunez


Ismael Nunez is a contributing writer to Puerto Rico Sun.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

El Maestro is more than a gym

I board the #6 train to the Bronx and get off at the Whitlock Avenue stop. As I walk to my destination, I listen to the busy car traffic and the sounds of people working in garages and businesses in the area. Within minutes, I’m in another world. I’m inside a community treasure: El Maestro.
Some refer to this place as “Juan Laporte’s Boxing Gym,” named after Laporte who was a boxing champion in the early 1980’s. But the gym located at 1029 East 167th Street doesn’t serve only as a gym. It’s also a cultural and educational oasis for those with an interest in Puerto Rican and Latino themes.
The center is an endeavor aimed at transforming a social void into a valuable community space. It serves as a social and cultural center for the entire community. It’s a place for community members to socialize and participate in ongoing programs and activities for children, teenagers and adults.
Among the cultural programs that take place at El Maestro are: “Puerto Rican Roots Music performances (monthly), Afro-Puerto Rican Roots Dance & Percussion Classes (weekly), Resident Musical Ensembles (weekly rehearsals), Educational Video Presentations (monthly), Art Exhibitions (monthly), and Spoken Word/Poetry Open Mic and Showcase (monthly). It’s a busy place for sure.
There is also a little league baseball team and softball league El Maestro sponsors.
At the gym, participants learn to box and work on getting in shape. The gym membership fee: $50.


Coto Talavera, head trainer at the gym, says, “The success is not when an individual wins a title.”
The gym has served as a perfect place for members of several boxing members of the NYPD Boxing Team and the FDNY Boxing Team to work out.
“I come here often to train,” said a police officer at the gym who did not want to be identified. “Everything is clean and in complete order; there are no fights. I recommend every Police Athletic League in the city to come here.”
Naralie Pacheco, a female boxing champion and trainer at the gym, said, “When I train fighters here, I demand respect not just to me but for all, and that’s why this place is so special for the community because there is respect.”
For more information about El Maestro, e-mail elmaestroinc@verizon.net or call (646) 337-6775. –- Ismael Nunez

(photos by Ismael Nunez)