Comments for Nuestras Naciones, Nuestras Iglesias

Comment on The Thin Line Between Modernity/Post modernity and So-Called “Primitivism” by Preston Davis

Preston Davis — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 18:25:04 +0000

As Reinhold Niebuhr says in “Moral Man”, reason serves to sharpen man’s [sic] will to power.

Comment on The Thin Line Between Modernity/Post modernity and So-Called “Primitivism” by Otto Maduro

Otto Maduro — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 18:21:10 +0000

Kudos for such a pointed comment! It is indeed unfortunate that we westerners are so able to see the specks of sawdust in non-western peoples’ eyes, while being so utterly unable to even fathom there’s a beam in our own!

Comment on Tavis Smiley:Host of a Tea Party Event? by Maritza Ortiz

Maritza Ortiz — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 00:23:11 +0000

Correction on my name: Maritza Ortiz Cruz

Comment on Tavis Smiley:Host of a Tea Party Event? by Maritza Ortiz

Maritza Ortiz — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:09:56 +0000

Which “mambo” fosters harmony on the dance floor? If I could attend a social mambo dance venue in the heart of Harlem, NY and dance in harmony with European Whites, American Blacks, European Blacks, Caribbean Blacks (Spanish and English) Asians, Latin@’s, and Gays to celebrate the beauty of Afro Rhythms’ found in the musical genre of “Son, Salsa, Cha-Cha, and Boogaloo,” why can’t I also dance in harmony and celebrate my rights as a United States Citizen to ascertain all the opportunities accessible to me in public policies? Is it the language, traditions, or cultural norms that continue to exclude my voice (Afro-DiaspoRican women) on the round table of discussions that propose to speak to my everyday reality of systemic oppression and domination? Is it a lack “critical consciousness (conscientizacāo),” the classic educational liberating terminology phrased by Paulo Freire, the legendary Brazilian multi-cultural educator, an educational process that fosters critical consciousness as the motor of cultural emancipation? Or is it subtle internal racism and classism that shamefully continues to place one group over the other, in the name of what, social justice? Or are we arguing for claims of the “majority” amongst the “majority minority” because one group has (perceived) to suffer more than another as a result of systemic oppression manifested in slavery, racism, classism, sexism, or colonization? The “majority” amongst the “minority majority” that has suffered and continues to suffer the most get’s all the privileges of having the leading voice in Congress, Legislation, and Public Policies in the U.S.? Was Freire precise on how he identified the plight of the oppressed in the United States society? He argues:

What is it, then, that blocks oppressed Americans from controlling their own social destiny? Is it the lack of certain skills, or the inability to manipulate the law to their own ends, as the dominant classes do with impunity? Is it faulty ideology or the inability to organize locally beyond mere self-interest? Or is it because the psychic boundaries between oppressors and oppressed in the United States are so fuzzy? Do most Americans recognize themselves as either oppressed or oppressors, or do they see themselves as inert beneficiaries, and thereby passive connivers in impersonal structures of oppression (Freire 2007, ix-x)?

Dr. Cruz, I propose that we revisit our political and religious ideologies as public/religious intellectuals to challenge the “status quo,” and move towards a world where we can all dance in harmony to the mambo of equal social justice. In the meanwhile, I will continue to enjoy dancing in harmony the “mambo,” in the heart of Harlem, celebrating the diversity and uniqueness of the human spirit. I will be waiting for an invite to the grand mambo dance where political and religious activists/intellectuals of all ethnic groups gather to celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of our beauty as human beings working towards a society that embraces “true liberation” over domination.

Comment on Tavis Smiley:Host of a Tea Party Event? by Charlene Sinclair

Charlene Sinclair — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:14:55 +0000

Dr. Cruz – I appreciated your response to Tillman’s comments. I too heard Tillman’s comments and was appalled by the vitriolic rhetoric that was received with laughter and (albeit silent but obvious) amens. As a bi-cultural, Black, English speaking, unaccented South American I often “pass” as an African American and am witness to the them versus us comments of many African Americans. I have heard comments ranging from “they’re taking our jobs” to “why don’t they get back on the boat and go home.” When I remark that I’m the “they” that’s being talked about the response is usually “We don’t mean you – you’re different.” Well I’m not different. None of us are. We – all who are poor, scraping to get by, terrified of losing our jobs, living in the lie of the American Dream – are all the same. When will we realize that the mental and physical colonization and violence of poor people writ large knows no boundaries?! Martin Luther King Jr. stated “The dispossessed of this nation—the poor, both white and Negro-live in a cruelly unjust society. They must organize a revolution against the injustice, not against the lives of the persons who are their fellow citizens, but against the structures through which the society is refusing to take means which have been called for, and which are at hand, to lift the load of poverty.” Can we take seriously King’s prophetic call to reject the artificially constructed boundaries that divide us and organize to build a new and unsettling force? Maybe the first step rests on our refusal to allow divisive remarks to go unchallenged.

Comment on Can The Real President Obama Please Stand Up! by Glen W Bays

Glen W Bays — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 03:06:17 +0000

Thank you, Samuel Cruz, for giving me information about the Obama Administration that I didn’t have. I was in Washington, D.C., on March 21st to attend the huge rally for Immigration Reform held on the Washington Mall. But I was unaware that nothing has changed with regard to how the administration treats undocumented immigrants. I live in Oklahoma, where some state legislators try to gain in popularity through harassing undocumented people with one demeaning law after another. Now I’m glad to see that a reform bill has been offered in the U.S. Senate. I shall continue to work toward comprehensive reform.

Comment on Can The Real President Obama Please Stand Up! by Bernie Introna

Bernie Introna — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:58:14 +0000

I do agree that more has to be done re treatment of immigrants, and for many other social justice issues. This is where in my opinion, the people have a most important role to play, mainly in not giving up on public display of concern for the vulnerable

Having said that, perhaps we may keep in mind the enormous responsibilities thrust on to this new young President.To grapple with world issues, not to mention home economical problems,the jobless, and the homeless just to mention a few problems seems overwhelming.

He has asked for, and been given this job, let’s give him a chance.

President Obama has achieved so much in trying to bring people and countries to-gether. To my mind he has such a gift of communication rarely seen in politicians, and a wisdom beyond his years.

Perhaps some encouragement and support at his efforts would not go astray,so that we may keep this remarkable man as our President, and give him some time to prove his worth.

Comment on Can The Real President Obama Please Stand Up! by Cris Osea

Cris Osea — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:56:09 +0000

We filipinos love Barack Obama. we think that he would be the best president of the United States and that he always makes wise decisions when it comes to foreign policy.

Comment on Can The Real President Obama Please Stand Up! by cna training

cna training — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 03:45:50 +0000

What a great resource!

Comment on Predicando en Calzoncillos by Garretot

Garretot — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 22:08:22 +0000

Hola, ЎUf, me gustу! Tan clara y positiva. Garretot