Thursday, June 25, 2009

June 20

About 20 days ago we set out on this adventure, trip, journey.There was plenty that we felt unsure of... who will my roommate be? what will the food be like? Is natural bug spray really going to work? Should we flush the toilets? How many people can fit in a concho? Can anyone share a muffin? Simultaneously addressing the questions of logistics and living, there were 'bigger' questions. How can I feel at the center of the group? What does it mean to be a collective? What is our vision? And, of course, the ever-impending question: what is Justicia Global?

As I begin to write this, my eyes swell with tears. Tears of systemic frustration, bureaucratic monopolies, cross-cultural oppression, unequal distribution of wealth (and power), and the absence of human rights. It's not fair. It's not fair to fall into this brainwashing capitalist power our society has raised us in. It's not fair that basic human rights are neglected across the world. In the past three weeks we have extended our comprehension of just how far the unfair, unjust, unequal world extends. We have analyzed oppression. We have despised capitalism. We have searched for alternatives. We have, at times, felt helpless.

But through all these dark, stormy clouds (as we witnessed literally on the bus ride home from Las Yayitas), there were so many rays of sunshine. University and high school students - so articulate and well informed on the political and social happenings and the history of their country. There were poems and poets that transcended passion across a language barrier. There were songs and instruments that touched our souls (Oh, rock me Momma like a wagon wheel!), there were testimonies of strength in the face of the government seizing rural land. New perceptions of medicine, nature and solace were introduced. There were faces of beautiful, innocent, youthful children that tugged on our heart strings. More people offered "bienvenidos/as" than we could have imagined. There was dancing, shared experiences, and cooperative games. There were realizations of cross-cultural values. There was work...that transformed our views of connections, bonds and the concept of working together. There were shared abrazos. There were exemplary people who demonstrated the strength of unity, in the face of time. There were people we spent only a day with, who truly loved us. There was inspiration, in so many forms.

If those rays of sunshine aren't enough, there was one more, which, as I begin to write it, brings about different tears. There were and there are 22 wonderfully amazing people that I was lucky enough to share everyday with. Each one of you all continues to inspire and empower me with your histories, your goals, your deep reflections, your POTENTIAL to bring about great change in this world, wherever you may go.

Maybe a week from now we will be a part of the workforce. Maybe we will be somewhere special with family and friends. Maybe we will be doing nothing because we still aren't sure. Regardless of the answer, let's focus on each other. Check up, check in, ask questions. And in the fall when the temporary connotation all too often associated with summer fades, keep checking. And never, ever give up. Hold on to the hope of inspiration and use it to make the change. Abre los ojos.

Let's go forward, together, in unity.

Contributed by Jill Petty

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

June 19

A child’s smile
is enough
enough to capture your attention
to capture your everything
to open your eyes
a child’s laughter
is enough
enough to open your ears
to make you listen
notice your surroundings
that child’s innocence
is enough
enough to show you
that there is still more time
that there is a chance for change
if we cannot change the earlier generations
we can change the newer generations
start from the roots
and spread the key nutrients of
freedom, equality, and tolerance
to all the different branches of race, religion, sex, gender
and to the leaves they sprout as individuals
just one root, one child
one branch, one community, one generation
one leaf, one individual at a time
can create big change.



Contributed by Shannon

Monday, June 22, 2009

June 16

What does it mean to be political? What does it take to be politicized? Yesterday morning we dug into these words and concepts, and those of power and social movement during a panel on los movemientos estudiantiles, or student movements. Amilkar and Raquel from la UASD and Justicia Global came to talk about movements in the Dominican Republic. Malcolm, Joyti and Matt from our group spoke from their knowledge and experience about student organizations and movements in the United States. It appears that students in both countries are part of a shared phenomenon, which Amilkar called ‘kidnapped democracy.’ This is to say that student movements that had been strong and brilliant forces during the civil rights movement and Trujillo’s dictatorship, for example, have been silenced. In the Dominican Republic politically affiliated student groups are not permitted in private universities. In both countries they have been institutionalized and pushed into a quiet mainstream existence, focusing on ‘service’ and ‘charity’. They are often reactionary and do not provide deep analyses or solutions and alternatives. Where is the energy going? What has changed and what are the motivations and understandings behind what today is considered the ‘organized’ student?

Students in the United States are increasingly focusing on activities that are related to their careers. A few students mentioned how many tens of thousands of dollars they will be in debt when they graduate from their undergraduate programs. Especially with the recent global economic crisis in capitalism, students are left without clear alternatives other than specializing themselves, their actions, and their knowledge so they may find a high-paying job. Today students we may put on their resumés the fundraisers and volunteer abroad trips we take part in. Later the genuine worry and care for the problems that are perceived in the world may be assuaged by donations, Facebook group membership, or attendance at an event if not connected to a true critique. These actions are gratifying. They allow us to continue living in a world and a country with such abhorrent inequality and not become angry, and not ask deeper questions. Problems are recognized and addressed, but we do not as often look for the root of these problems. We do not search for the reason why people are so much richer than others, why resources are exploited, and instead we may feed a hungry child for a month of their lives so we are gratified.

We have come here to learn from the eloquence of a people who have not had the language of community organizing erased during red scares. We learn from communities who have had to come together to recognize what are their own problems and discovering their own solutions, instead of someone else defining what they need. This is the political. This is not the electoral politics. This is not just how your vote may or may not count. This is not climbing the hierarchical ladder to take a position of ‘power’ such as a president, governor, businessman or general may hold. This is about sharing together all of our common no’s and finding a common yes with those around us. And that is what we started doing yesterday in the conference room of Casa Montesinos. We questioned our own concept of being organized that we may carry with us. We met people and shared ideas, and we begin to learn how to work together and transform.

Contributed by Meredith

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Reflection on the Hip-Hop Workshop, June 16


I’ve been playing the clarinet now for 11 years. As a classical musician, music to me was Copland, Saint Saens, and Motzart. Expression came in the form of crescendos, decrescendos, key changes, and tempo.

As I’ve grown older, my definition of music and musical expression had expanded and evolved. After a talk on hip-hop, what music means to me has changed yet again.

Two young men spoke to our group and members of their community on hip-hop as both a culture and musical genre. I found it refreshing that the audience consisted of young and old, community leaders, and outsiders.

Hip-hop can mean something to everyone. The speakers made it clear that there are two forms of rap and hip-hop. One is the type found on the radio and in popular culture that endorses violence and disrespect of women. The other type of rap within the hip-hop culture goes much deeper and is used in a non-violent way to express pending issues and viewpoints.

This more constructive type of rap supports the progressive nature of hip-hop culture. Young people are now using this form of musical expression to illustrate the truths and realities of their everyday lives. They make music not to become famous and make millions, but to shine light on a social movement and raise awareness. Afterwards I talked with one of the speakers and asked for some of his musical recommendations. Even if you are not a huge hip-hop fan, I encourage you to check out one of these artists and try something new. You may be surprised.

USA – Mos Def and Talib Kweli

Spain – Violadores del Verso

Dominican Republic – Obsecion de Cuba and Sr. K.R.

France – Siniky Dians

Puerto Rico – Siete Nueve

Argentina - Mostafa Yodu




Contributed by Katie

Poverty Tourism

What is Poverty Tourism? The hard-luck safari? The slumming-it of the boho college educated? The favela-shantytown EPCOT huddled away in the corner of some 3rd World Disney?



Today I played with poor children. Starting with one girl who I swung around by the arms. I kept swinging them until my hands got sweaty and then I hoisted them up by their armpits and tucked them under an arm or over a shoulder. One, two at a time. Spun them in the air as they kept coming, again and again as if they wouldn’t get tired. Dehydrated, sweating, head spinning, and maybe close to fainting, I did get tired. I couldn’t keep it up.



What is poverty tourism?



I saw joy on their faces as they ran and giggled and squealed. I saw them trust and trust freely for a moment – a moment when I picked them up – a moment when they hung weightless in the air. Something I consider now, although I did not question then: Why? Why did they trust me? Why should they? Because while I tour tin-walled shacks today, I will enjoy conditioned air tomorrow, 3-plus meals a day, and water so cheap that I don’t contemplate luxury when it runs from a faucet. Isn’t that betrayal? When I pretend that I really care, that I really love these kids and leave them? Do they buy the hustle? Do I?



What is poverty tourism?



And you could talk about good intentions or bad intentions. You could talk about the work we will do, the sacrifices we promise to each other and beg of ourselves. But when it’s your body in that place. Your White, Anglo, struggling-with-Spanish, male body, what are your intentions worth? Even our personal transformation, our betterment and beatification is made on the backs of poor folks of color, and their homes we render as a vessel for notions of out own self-improvement. I hope that they couldn’t care less for our internal struggles, because I know that some time in the future they won’t be able to care less. They will have grown too old by then for the cares of los Estados Unidenses, too heavy to lift, and not so cute any more. I hope that they know that no help will come from outside, no hand will lift them up from the shit unless it’s their own hand. And I’m sorry for the hurt of dashed hope that they could wear one day.

Contributed by Matt

June 14

Today we attended a meeting with a group of women from Justicia Global. We discussed gender issues and inequalities in the Dominican Republic and the United States. It is suggested that gender inequalities are only present in so called “backward” countries and not present in the more developed countries such as the U.S. Gender oppression in embedded into our capitalist system, sometimes oppression is hidden and sometimes it is more deliberate.

One example of gender oppression in both the DR and the US is the issue of abortion. In the DR there is no legal separation of church and state. This is apparent with Article 30, a law recently passed stating that life begins at conception. This gives the government and patriarchy more control over women’s bodies without their consent. There is a parallel phenomenon in the US because even though abortion is legal, it is still a widespread topic of debate. This reflects how religion plays a big role in our own government.

Although many women in the DR are beginning to break gender norms, it doesn’t mean that the patriarchal ideology is being broken. For example, 53% of working women have a degree from secondary education, whereas 43% have that same education. Yet women make 30-44% less than men. In the US women make $0.25 less to every dollar men make.

One thing that I really took from the meeting was that patriarchy and oppression of women are universal issues. Until we recognize that these issues are not only hurting women, but men as well, we will never achieve equality.

Contributed by Devon

June 13

A curl
So curved
So stubborn
You don’t want to be straight
You don’t want to be smooth
But
Because of an old conquest
Because of the only religion
Because of the transatlantic
You have to change
Even though with one drop
One drop of water
You fight for your freedom
You try to escape
The state of straight
To be happy
But it doesn’t matter
What you want
It doesn’t matter
Straighten yourself
Cut yourself
Dye yourself
Suffer
Because of the modern conquest
Because of the complex religion
Because of the neighbors down the street

Contributed and translated by Betsy

Un rizo
tan curvida
Tan terca
No quieres ser recta
No quieres ser suave
Pero
Por causa de la conquista antigua
Por causa de la religion unica
Por causa de los vecinos transatlanticos
Tiene que cambiarse
Aunque con una gota
Una gota de agua
Luchas port u libertad
Tratas a escaper
El estudo del planchado
Por ser feliz
Pero no importa
Que tu quieras
No importa
Que te planches
Que te cortes
Que te tintes
Que sufres
Por causa de la conquista moderna
Por causa de la religion compleju
Por causa de los vecinos por la calla

Contributed by Betsy

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Updates

We added several new posts, including June 9,10, and 12. Be sure to check them out!!!
Contributed by Phil

June 12



Tonight we attended a performance put on by Justicia Global. They are currently trying to create a new nucleo in Santiago to add to the one in Santo Domingo. They read poetry and performed a play about the new metro system that was recently built in the city of Santo Domingo. It was a really good perspective to see what it is like when you are trying to start a new community organization. Each member of Justicia Global invited one of their friends and that alone left them with 10 new members and that is how social movements start. We could easily do the same thing when we all get home to Ithaca or wherever we might be. All it takes is one person who wants to organize and they invite their friends who invite their friends and then you have the beginning of a movement.

Contributed by Devon

June 12



Today we visited a Zona Franca, or Free Trade Zone in Santiago. A Free Trade Zone is a gated compound of factories that produce for a number of multinational corporations and are exempt from import, export, and income taxes, as well as some environmental regulations. The particular factory that we visited was the Swedish Match Dominicana factory that was producing cigars that would be sold as Game, White Owl, Garcia y Vega, and other brands. The factory had a sickeningly sweet smell (due to the tobacco flavoring) that left several of us feeling ill after having been there only a few hours. At this time, the factory employs 861 people and produces 190 products. The factory’s minimum wage is $1.36 per hour which is 35% higher than the nation’s minimum wage of $1,566 PD per 44 hour week, which is $44.70. The Zona Franca exemplifies Marx’s belief that under capitalism workers are alienated from what they produce. Because of the factory’s location in the FTZ, its products are exported mostly to the US, where workers never see the price for which they are sold, or to whom, nor do consumers see the conditions under which they are produced and by whom.
Later in the afternoon we were able to see a very different manner of production when we were able to purchase crafts from One Réspe’s craft workshop. We stood in the room in which they were made, and knew who had made them. Not only that, but the profits went to support One Réspe’s work with community schools and HIV patients.




Contributed by Hannah

New Masculinity and Machismo


Machismo is a common state of mind in Latin America. Being here, the class has learned a lot about how machismo manifests itself in the culture and actions of those around us. One of the first things that probably comes to mind for each of our women are the piropos. Piropos are cat-calls, and it is hard to walk more than two blocks without receiving one. I personally feel the objectification of my body as I stare down the men who look me up and down and tell me that my thighs are nice, or that god has blessed them today. Gabina from One Réspe works with a group of girls to teach them how to respond to such public display of machismo. One clever saying that these women now respond with is “Would you say that to your mother/sister/grandmother?” This is an effort to hopefully make them think, and even realize that these women are real people just like their beloved female family members.
Another way that machismo has manifested is with that of domestic violence. Many women are abused, and One Réspe is working on a program called “New Masculinity.” New masculinity means challenging the traditionally gender roles, and maybe thinking more seriously about what society tells you. They have posters and t-shirts (that all the young children wear at the schools) that have cartoons of a man first asking “Do I hit? (He is wearing boxing gloves)” and then “But only in the tournament (he is posed with his stick figure family).” Another says “Do I clean the bases? (He is carrying a bat and glove)” and then “Or help clean the house? (He is holding a broom).”
Every week One Réspe meets with a men’s group where they discuss their masculinity and what they are limited in and how they learned these roles. It is important to not only educate women in power of their own bodies and will, but also to educate men to challenge masculinity that encourages the subjugation, abuse, and misuse of women. They also meet weekly with a Haitian women’s group (as Farah discussed previously) where they discuss how as women and people of color they are horribly mistreated and marginalized.

Contributed by Ciara

Friday, June 12, 2009

June 11th



On our second day (tuesday) with One Réspe we visited two community schools that they operate here in Gurabo. My group ended up arriving at these schools during recess, and the kids could not have been happier. Although most of us had a language barrier with the kids, it didn't stop us from running around, playing ring around the rosy in spanish, picking them up and at one point I gave my camera to one of the girls. I suspected that she had seen digital cameras before because she knew that she could immediately see the pictures. After running around to her classmates and putting the lens about an inch away from their faces, I now have a set of photos from a three foot eye level. It took a bit of courage to allow a maybe 4 year old girl to run around with one of my most prized possessions, but I knew that it was something that would be good for both of us. I hope that there is some way to send the pictures back to the kids. After about ten minutes of photos, my batteries died and the flock of children dispersed pretty quickly.

On the way to the school and on our way home we had to pass through some neighborhoods that were not in the best shape to say the least. We saw a few of the kids getting rides home on the back of motorcycles, and although it looked like a fun ride, we weren't so sure about the homes they were going to. In spite of all of this, I still found it somewhat hopeful to know that there is a community here that is doing what they can to make sure that kids have a good place to go to school, even if it's only for those first few years.

Contributed by Becky Bowen

June 10




Today the group had lectures and discussions with two members of One Réspe. In the morning Catuxo, the co-coordinator of One Réspe sat down and talked with us under the beautiful pavilion at One Réspe headquarters. He has a background in Sociology and has conducted research within the community. After answering some of the questions of the class, he brought out some of his own materials to share with us. First we looked at fashion and product magazines. We reflected on the appearance of the models and the people in the magazine and what kind of message it was sending Dominicans. The women were tall, skinny, pale, had long straight hair, and were young looking. While women in the USA also have similar standards to fulfill, it is important to consider what proportion of Dominicans have African heritage. Catuxo also presented us with Catholic images of Jesus, Mary, and other biblical scenes. These images are revered by the many Catholics of the DR and often hung within their houses. All the images portrayed the holy family as Caucasian. Mary also seemed to be perpetrating this amazing phenomenon that I am sure many women in Western culture would be jealous of – she remained ageless.
So what are these images saying? The standard of beauty in many countries that were colonized by Europeans is that of a Caucasian. White beauty standards reinforce the hierarchy between races. If a woman has textured and nappy hair, she has African roots, and therefore straightening or hiding the natural hair is the solution. The DR also has a history reinforced by the nationalist Duarte in the mid 1800s to deny their African roots and be proud of their European ones. In part, this is a way they distinguish themselves from Haitians. Haiti has a larger composition of darker skinned colored peoples because Haiti was a more successful colony than the DR, and therefore more slaves were imported.
By prizing lighter skin and straight long hair, there is this oppression and shaming of those who do not fit these standards. There are 14 different racial classifications of race here in the DR. They range from cinnamon to light Indian, to brown. These classifications work to label with any name except African or black. They also serve to show the hierarchy of race within the DR. Walking around the DR, almost every woman I see has her hair relaxed, and the only women I can recall who do not have their hair relaxed, are those of One Réspe. This brings me to our second speaker, Gabina.
Gabina works in Los Perez at one of the schools run by One Réspe. She talked to us about racial issues and hair. She proudly wears her tresses in a poufy bun on top of her head - displaying her natural beauty with pride. Gabina also talked to us about the methods of teaching they use in the schools. Using methods like word recognition, visual aids/toys for math, and real life, these students were learning incredible amounts of information in their elementary education. Gabina also uses reflection to teach the children about issues of racism and sexism to encourage acceptance and discourage that continuing behavior.

Contributed by Ciara

Thursday, June 11, 2009

The Haitian Women’s Meeting Group, June 9

Tuesday night I participated in a meeting with a group of Haitian women in the community. They discussed many issues that affect them in the Dominican Republic as a group. After hearing their stories of struggle, disrespect, and violence, I became frustrated by the way racism shapes peoples’ ideologies. I am frustrated because I feel like the world is trapped. The powerful oppress the less powerful. While the Dominican people struggle with many difficult issues, such as poverty and corruption, many feel powerful enough to oppress others. The Haitian women told stories of Dominicans who still find ways to oppress them even if they are in equal levels of poverty.
Haitians are considered illegal even if they were born in the Dominican Republic. Haitians are at risk of deportation at any time, even if they don’t speak the language (Creole) or have never been to Haiti. They are never considered Dominicans. The cause of Haitian mistreatment and deportation is not only racism; it is also motivated by the capitalist system. If a Haitian is deported they can bribe an immigration officer and be allowed to stay in the country. Many Haitian women in the group didn’t have a visa or passport; it was just about the money. People of color undergo many hardships with immigration in many countries. In the United States the immigration process is difficult regardless of your race. However, for a person of color it is more difficult to gain an entry visa.
Racism never works for a person of color. Even though racial prejudice might work for Dominicans for the short term, in the long term another group is benefiting.

Contributed by Farah

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

June 7



Today, we went to the park/playground where we had an opportunity to play some games as a whole class. It was so much fun. I felt like I was five again because I felt so incredibly excited to be at the playground. The playground was so colorful and full of so many different games - such as see-saws, swings, monkey bars, slides, a train, etc. It was like children heaven. As a class we got a place in the shade underneath some trees and began playing games. We played a game called "the chicken and the monster" which consisted of a monster catching the chicken through barriers in three different ways. I felt like a kid, and I think everyone else did as well. After playing these games I realized the point of these games was to relate them to society because like in games there are rules in society - there are people who make them, people who abide by them, and people who make sure that these rules are followed through. It's like we are constrained in a world full of rules and the rulers who make them. Those rules are sometimes unfair, and completely unequal because they don't provide everyone with the same opportunities and benefits. That's why instead of abiding by them, powerlessly, we should stand up and improve, bend, and break them - if we do want to make this world a better place, a place of equality, justice, and peace.

Contributed by Lidia

Saturday, June 6, 2009

June 6





So we went to the ranch to sleepover for a night. We ate in a house made of bamboo and sat around a number of tables. As if we were at summer camp. We toured the mountains which are amazing, and the neighborhood! The people are so welcoming. It rained but it was so beautiful, we stayed out. Then we had a delicious dinner and danced with the other students from the university (UASD). We woke up and toured the forest and then we went to the river. We swam in the river in the Dominican Republic! It was amazing, see photos below.

Contributed by Erica

The Federacion de los Campesinos is a cooperative farm in Bonao. They work to provide affordable and healthy food for the community and to work towards a greater change through solidarity. The Federacion really cares about their community and go through great efforts to make it stronger. We heard many riveting tales from Esteban, one of the leaders, about their efforts to preserve the purity of the river and jobs in the area. It was a great opportunity to work with an organization that cares so much about its people. It was a great example of how people are working together towards a better future.

Thanks!
Ciara

June 5


Since arriving in Santo Domingo, and now as I sit in a truly inspiring eco-village in Bonao my thoughts about “helping” is dramatically changing. Today, we had a particularly meaningful discussion on what Justicia Global stands for, the good it does, and the struggles it goes through. In particular, the NGO’s and the charity model, which the US fully participates. As long as I can remember my dream was to help people, to alter their circumstances to the ways they see the world and the way the world sees them. I always thought it was an admirable quality within myself. My desire to make a difference… that quality is not the problem with that sentence; it is the pronoun “I.” The charity model is about a country or individual who bestows their knowledge and efforts upon others without the realization that there is knowledge and experience to be gained. Before arriving in the DR I had a hard time understanding the real harm that NGO’s and charity models could do. Isn’t something good better than nothing? But, through today’s discussion with members of Justicia Global and the beautifully intelligent people in this class, the knowledge that only the people can save the people has emerged. Real true justice and social transformation only occurs when those who have been illed stand up. No one should impose themselves or their views of a better society on others. To do so will be substituting ill-fitting ruling class with another. There is simply no point. Among that important realization has been the utter awe I have had with the men, women, and children in Justicia Global. Their organization strives for a society characterized by the culture of solidarity, justice, and love. They work for a vision bigger than one can see in a lifetime – and they are thrilled to be able to strive for change for their children or even their children’s children. To take a stand against the oppression and exploitation of all people (as they are called Global Justice, not DR Justice) is to start with the people. They organize people with the hope to broaden the consciousness of how the world works, and how it could work, and how we work together as people of that world. Being one who is extremely less proficient in Spanish I was concerned about how I was going to understand the people here and the work they are doing, but the passion, the heart of these people bypasses any and all language barriers. That fact alone speaks volumes about the organization, the cause, and the heart of the country that I am falling in love with.

Contributed by Margaret

June 4 Talent Show

We had a wonderful sharing of talents the evening of June 4th with members of Justicia Global. It was a great experience for us all to break language and comfort barriers using art. We would like to share some of that experience with you!

We are experiencing some technical difficulties, but I assure you it is worth the wait.
More to come soon!

June 4

Passion is power. It moves mountains and perpetuates thought.
It unites language and world. Spirits fly high, light shines down.
Energy lives within, grows with conversation, and vests in eyes.
Passion creates Revolution, Revolution changes the world, and we the people have a voice to be heard.

Contributed by Sara

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Our first post! June 3


Today we visited the Mercado Modelo (the market). It's not quite as inviting as the Ithaca Farmer's Market, but it is more interesting and colorful. The variety of new fruits, that I didn't even know existed, is incredible. Believe it or not, there may be produce that the U.S. hasn't really imported (I have never seen a zapote in the grocerystore at home). My favorite fruit that we tasted was the passion fruit, which is a little sour at first, but the juice is sweet and delicioso! The market includes several Botanicas, which are like apothecaries or pharmacies. There is a potion or salve for EVERYTHING. The woman we spoke to said that people mostly buy things for good luck (and for 50 pesos - a little more than a dollar - you can't go wrong). She also said that she doesn't believe that love should be forced, which conflicts with her large stock of love potions. Alicia asked about gender and the woman said that equal amounts of men and women come in but that men usually have several loves they are chasing (I guess the catcalls don't work on their own).
The last thing to mention about the market is the chickens - dead and alive. They were in piles covered in flies. There were feathers and fluids in the street. The sight and smell will happily keep me a vegatarian.

Contributed by Nancy