"Relaxation"

Hello,

 

                My mind’s been on a crazy trip this weekend reflecting about life, love, & politics. Haha! So… It’s been a week since we were all at the Liwanag Kultural Center & I must say me not being used to the city of Daly, I got lost… I found my way though! We had a guest workshop on the 60’s and I can say that a lot of what I was told about the 60’s in High School was basically just about the Civil Rights Movement. One of the most important things that I’ve recently learned is the legacy of the TWLF-BSW Ethnic Studies Strike on the very campus we all attend.  I was numb to the topic until I had Larry Soloman for and Intro to Ethnic Studies Class and we spent a whole semester on the Strike. We spent a whole semester on the year 1968 and the crucial events that was going on at the time. During the workshop I’ve never been to the other political groups besides the Black Panther Party since our History classes in High School always seem to be Black & White, Eurocentric, Westernized. As fresh it is still on my mind, I can’t even remember the other groups’ names, but each community of color was represented. Latino/Latina, African American, Asian American, Native American, & I barely knew the role of the working class poor white community. As a Filipino-American and my involvements in very Filipino based organizations and groups, I tend to sometimes overlook the significance of the other communities of color and it’s been something that I’ve been working on.  The 60’s, what day in age in our history & it isn’t that long ago… to think that the country we live in today was on the brink of Revolution. R-E-V-O-L-U-T-I-O-N, all that progress now is gone and like I said on Friday the thing that makes me want to know more is the collapse of this once powerful movement. COINTELPRO, Counter-Intelligence-Program (According to my ETHS 100 notes…).

                Many compare Vietnam to Iraq these days and it does seem like History does repeat itself. A crappy economy, a war of aggression on the Third World, too much happening in these tough times… I just can’t believe that “WE” almost won in the 60’s. I think as a new generation we need to learn from the mistakes of those who fought for “real change” in the 60’s and make sure we do win. I think I go on and on about the politics…

                So also I would love to talk about the Anti-War March that happened that following Saturday.  As someone who feels that there isn’t a lot of people who I can talk about these topics with outside of a school setting. To be surrounded by an immense number of people who felt the same way I did felt assuring that “Hey, I’m not the only one!” It felt good to be out there with the people.  I think I’ve mentioned how hard it is to maintain on 2 sides of the bay. That day was one of the first days where I’ve felt two worlds didn’t collide, but merged. I pulled the bike in the front & switched to holding the BAYAN flag. What a day! I lost my voice… I cramped later that day, but I think it was worth it doing it in solidarity with the contingent. So below is a video with a timeline of Vietnam to Iraq.

 

Vietnam To Iraq from Adam Davis on Vimeo.

 

One Love,

“Ian who be screamin’”

 

P.S. I think my mind’s been filled with a political ambition this week thinking A LOT. Damnit! What a way to spend Spring break to relax! I need to do something to even out this militant agenda in me… FML. 

JUFRAN Retreat/LKC

We are products of the people.

We are products of our past. 

 

Over these past 2 weeks i have learned those 2 important lessons.

Retreat

During our Jufran retreat we experienced bonding and learning to grow with one another. I felt it was a rather successful retreat where that growth together truly began. My favorite part of the entire retreat was the hike. Sure the hike was tiring to get up there but it was well wothe the relaxation and the view when we reached the top. You see i like to take things symbolically. We rise together or we fall together. We either view a great finished product, or an incomplete one. That hike symbolized our rise together. We worked hard to pull ourselves to the top, and in the end we witnessed a truly amazing view. Like this internship we will rise together and look back at a great result. We will learn together and fall together, but no matter what we do it will be as ONE. We are the products of the people. And this treat made me realize that when we build these kannections with other people, it allows us to create and concoct a new form of thinking and critical mindset and helps us forge a new path for a more intellectual future. I will look back at this experience and say i am the product of those around me who helped me grow and learn. So i would like to thank every single one of you for allowing me to see that and getting closer to all of you will just make us grow even more. 

LKC

1968 was the year that shakes the nation.

One thing that caught my attention was that phrase on the powerpoint. It did not say 1968 was the year that shook the nation, but it said "shakes" It got me thinking that in the general scheme of things, everything we do will forever change the ongoing future. 1968 was special because many social issues were being brought to the forefront of mainstream America. TWLF, Vietnam, Ho Chih Minh, we are all products of our past. We are shaped by what happened 41 years ago. Sergio's presentation, although short on time, was a highly informative and highly effective workshop. He presented things in an organized fashion, while also allowing us to think critically about the events that went on 4 decades ago. Not only do the events of history shape who we are, but today we may be experiencing just as much turmoil. The Iraq/Afghanistan war, the horrible state of the economy, and the huge budget cuts in the educational institutions seem to have replaced old problems. We must look back at these men and women who shaped the nation in 1968, and determine how we go about fighting the problems. It was also brought to my attention that the people who led the revolutionary organizations such as the black panthers and twlf are dwindling to close to nothing. But we must take it as our responsibility to continue the fight. Sure they may be gone, but it is our turn to fight for ourselves. At least we have a precedent in which we can model ourselves after. The trip to the LKC, although not as long as i would have liked it to be, will be a memorable one as it taught me that we are products of 1968 and we must take the reins and unite underharsh conditons here in 2009

My song for the week is a fitting song as it is entitled 1968.

The track is by your one and only Ben Paz. =)

Here are the lyrics and a link to my website where you can listen to it. 

1968 by Ben Paz

 "I see Black whites latinos and Asians come together like one bondin nation they marched and sat down and as peaceful as this shit sounds you hear the rounds of clip bein shot to the ground they released the hounds but these men didn’t sit there and stare the rose up not with pitchforks and guns but an open mind they closed up the campus closed shut for 5 months with no luck but showed up but so what? Today the seeds of this revolution were nothing but uprooted covered and booted silenced from me and you and still can’t make a change we still deranged from our first day to the graduation stage. Still knowin more math than ourselves and the board entails they need more bread to make it more well its more hell 6 years its takes to graduate man we two years late in this modern day war Still need to shape a revolution evolution they preachin and this cos sin tan shit our culture still missin the essence of the message they put forth is prone to be distorted by a biased form of knowledge man our shit aint got no logic now we stuck between a rock and a hard place they say this is our space where everyone can live laugh and learn more like shit crash and burn. its our turn to grab the mics and idolize our heroes and fight"

myspace.com/bayarea916

JUFRAN RETREAT/LIWANAG KULTURAL CENTER

What's good guys.

The retreat was mind boggling and I learned a lot. It was beautiful how we connected and shared intimate moments. My favorite moment was the eating because I got to taste the sinigang first and that was the ish (word to moo). The eggplant made it memorable and something I would tell my grandma or any other relative to add when making sinigang. Like Jr, I thought sinigang had potatoes in them, but thats called something else right? Thank you Jr for introducing me to the rule of thirds, without it I would be taking horrible pictures which i still am, but im practicing not to take those kind of pictures.
The hike was the ideal activity for the retreat because what else could we have done? (sleep in and make fun of the participants in the snoring symphony?). All jokes aside, something weird happend a couple days after the retreat. I developed the roll of film I used during the retreat and noticed only one picture in the film ( i bought a digital cd and kept the film). The picture was of the big ass cross on top of the hill. Creepy right? Not only was the picture of the cross the only frame visible, but it took 21 blank frames to lead up to the cross. I turn 21 this October. What you guys think? Should I throw my 21st on top of Mount Davidson? You guys are all invited. Back to the retreat. Charles' presentation provided us visual aid for the Philippines' struggle for economic balance. I realized the three basics are real and we are in it, but if we put ourselves out of the "bubble" and look at our lives in different perspectives, we can see why there are struggling countries. This world is crazy, you guys are crazy, I'm pretty crazy, but I am starting to feel this warm fuzzy feeling in my chest like we can do something in our lives to change others. The retreat was a success.

The Liwanag Kultural Center was some place I thought never existed. That was my first trip there and it was cool to see Sergio and Lyle running the show. At the most part, Sergio informed us on some history behind the organizations the LKC housed. For the past two weeks I've learned so much about history, particularly thrid world countries and their struggle to hold their own in this world, and I thank all of you guys for being part of this journey. I'll see you guys Friday.


The new guy,

Ruben

The Remedy

The visit to the Liwanag Cultural Center was very interesting. I found the ED they had presented on 1968 to be informative. I had known some information already, but I was surprised as to how much I didn't know. In high school, the information that was taught to me about the 60's was very selective. There would be times while sitting in class I would flip to the index and search for the word Philippines. I would never find the word, but for some reason I did this a lot expecting to actually get an answer each time I did it. When I came to San Francisco State I had a reality check. I had never heard of Asian American classes and I didn't know what the college of Ethnic Studies was. I thought what I had already known was enough, but I was wrong. After my first Asian American Studies class I knew I wanted to learn more and that I didn't want to take the information for granted. Although I am a Kinesiology major, I am an Asian American Studies minor. I plan on opening my own physical therapy clinic one day, but the help I will offer will be aimed towards Asian American communities who cannot afford hollistic health care. I also want to focus on how culture and gender can effect the movement of the human body. The college of Ethnic Studies has helped a number of people and it has helped me realize what I want to do with my life.

I really enjoyed the lesson on 1968 because it reminded me of high school and how much I didn't know. If I could change one thing about the day it would be to have more time because there was a lot of information to take in just a short amount of time. However, I found everything that I learned to help me realize that I should be more open minded to different perspectives about issues I already know.

So while I was writing this journal I kept thinking about high school. I'm going to share with you guys a poem I wrote in high school when I was confused about life in general.

The Remedy
As I take a deep breath and exhale fog rolls out like morning weather
shivers run down this spine of mine as the cold seeps through my sweater
In a trance like state I repeat the systematic routine
Wake up, school, work, sleep
Same grind Same time
I am programmed like a robot, this diobolic process just won't stop and I need some relief
No, I'm not talking about that medication that helps you fall asleep
Something that can rock my world and divert these eyes from the daily grind
So I popped a CD in and started to listen
Went through 20 tracks Felt the vibe from within
I was met by something so beautiful and sweet kinda like that first kiss that knocks you off your feet
Overcome with so many emotions its like gazing as the beautiful stars up above or looking into someone's eyes and falling in love
It took me to a place where no one else goes
Suddenly became lost in rhythm and tempos
Snares and drum kicks Soul groovin to synchronized base hits
I couldn't stop the audible odyssey
It was poetry in motion
Tangible enough to taste like an elixir / mad doctors potion
Felt everything so fluidly like the roaring waves of the ocean
The stressfulness tried to get the best of me but I kicked it to the curb saying, "Yo, you wanna piece you gotta take the rest of me"
So as I walk down the street with a bounce in my step
It's simply because Hip Hop beats within my chest

From The One and Only,
Kristina Nagales

Jufran Retreat Spring 09

Hey guys, sorry for the delay just been busy with some stuff...but no more waiting, here it is...Enjoy!

A symphony of music throughout the night. Each one of us expressed our feelings as if we were spittin' through a mic.
3818 Palos Verdes was our destination, bobbin' my head as if I was listening to my favorite radio station. I was excited for what the weekend would hold, but I was also happy to be inside cuz it was hella cold.
Singing old school 90's songs while cooking sinigang and spam masubi. Smiles and laughter, a chance for everyone to get to know me.
Songs on KC's laptop played in the background as we danced and joked around, but we remembered after midnight not to make loud sounds.

3818 Palos Verdes was our destination, bobbin' my head as if I was listening to my favorite radio station. I was excited for what the weekend would hold, but I was also happy to be inside cuz it was hella cold.
Bustin' a few rhymes to "Bonita Applebum" was a challenge for me cuz I was going head to head with a cat who referred to himself as illestD
Songs on KC's laptop played in the background as we danced and joked around, but we remembered after midnight not to make loud sounds.
Who has clean up first? Don't forget, we have to treat each other and the house with respect.

Bustin' a few rhymes to "Bonita Applebum" was a challenge for me cuz I was going head to head with a cat who referred to himself as illestD
What movie to watch? We first started with "Jumanji" then ended with Suicide Club, started to close my eyes and get sleepy, but I wasn't trippin' off the movie cuz it was really freaky.
Who has clean up first? Don't forget, we have to treat each other and the house with respect.
Try to get some sleep regardless of the sounds, ain't trippin' how I left my king size bed to be sleeping on the ground.

What movie to watch? We first started with "Jumanji" then ended with Suicide Club, started to close my eyes and get sleepy, but I wasn't trippin' off the movie cuz it was really freaky.
Woke up early to get a head start. We hiked up Mt. David while playing the number game, when we reached the top and saw the view our feelings would never be the same.
Try to get some sleep regardless of the sounds, ain't trippin' how I left my king size bed to be sleeping on the ground.
Had an ED about the exposure trip to the Philippines. Made me realize that things are not what they always seem.

Woke up early to get a head start. We hiked up Mt. David while playing the number game, when we reached the top and saw the view our feelings would never be the same.
Singing old school 90's songs while cooking sinigang and spam masubi. Smiles and laughter, a chance for everyone to get to know me.
Had an ED about the exposure trip to the Philippines. Made me realize that things are not what they always seem.
A symphony of music throughout the night. Each one of us expressed our feelings as if we were spittin' through a mic.

From The One and Only,
Kristina Nagales

"Children of the Sun"

Hello,

 

            I would firstly like to admit that I’ve been lagging on this week’s blog due to midterms… I would also like to say that I do also wonder what would of happened if PEP had done their workshop.  I haven’t been in LFS for that long, but I can share how AB has planned a retreat and has a similar program to JUFRAN called the Social Justice Academy. I also think that programs like JUFRAN and AB’s SJA target a specific group of people who aren’t on the same level as a LFS/AB GA member.  I can share my experience in coming into a retreat with no background at all in organizing and it can be PRETTY OVERWHELMING with all the things that an Organization can throw at you… Committee after committee… Whew… At the same time it can agitate the hell out of youth and ignite excitement to do more with the work.  So even though the ED about the BSB was there, I also think that building the relationships needed to be able to create a space and build more as people comes first. Like how Chairman Mao says it

“Learn from the masses, & then teach them.”

For example, I’ve been consumed in doing the work in the past so much that burnout is second nature, probably me being part of AB’s EC for a while. A kick-it to relax the mind a bit isn’t so bad. Abiding by our internship’s theme “Kasama Kannections” comes first hand I believe.

Capacity also has to be put into consideration, meaning that we are all College Students who may/may not work. So we all have to work with each other’s capacity to work. Also personal relationships shouldn’t get in the way of how we all learn as a collective. I’ve seen groups & orgs sink down the drain when things are taken personally and drama fills the air. Also the guidelines we all have to follow go everywhere with us. So if someone needs to be checked, then by all means check them, but also be weary of yourself too, when things are said. Tendencies may hit highs and damage relationships. We’re all Kasamas going through this experience together, we got nothing but to build and grow from the experiences we face. Can’t we all get along?

Everyone has their own way of living and principles set, but also we all have to put in mind that other people may not agree with a certain lifestyle and it’s always going to happen. Through constructive criticisms we can all come to a consensus. For example, the role of the facilitator isn’t to drop all the knowledge, but to gather up everyone so we can all come to a higher point of understanding together and make that consensus as a collective. It’s why we “Isang Bagask”, “Own Down, One Fall”, & it can all help us move on from what is/has happened.

The retreat was really fun, I got to know a bunch of people more, or my comfort with folks grew since we’re eating, sleeping together as a group.  I also feel that something as an ED on an Expo Trip can take as one session. It’s understandable if it was a brief intro what an expo is. Overall I think the retreat did its job and we all got closer. Also it would have been cool if we got the folks of the Green Palace to join us.

 

So Facebooking around I ran into this song by Deep Foundation.

I swear… This is like one of the hardest Fil-Am Hip Hop Songs that is like a  lyrical bomb dropping consciousness, history, & knowledge on my mind…

 

Enjoy.

 

 

One Love,

“Ian who be screamin’”

Retreat Planning Assessment by Carlo

Sups, JUFRAN? It's Carlo, the current Educational Development Officer for LFS. First of all I'd like to say how happy and excited I am for all of you participating in this program. It's only been... 3 weeks now? and it seems like a lot of you are getting to know each other pretty well and having lots of fun. I'm glad to hear & read that many of you had a good time at retreat.

I would like to share my concerns about the planning meeting last Friday as I was not able to assess with you all. Now Jack gave a pretty thorough post about what we both discussed so I won't try to repeat what's already been said.

I liked the idea of having the JUFRANians experiencing what an LFS General Assembly meeting is like. However from my understanding the workshop that day was supposed to be done by PEP, who had to cancel last minute. Now this is not the fault of the coordinators by any means, but I found it odd that the original workshop was replaced with a retreat-planning meeting for retreat which was to begin three hours after. This bothered me because suppose the PEP workshop had happened. Would there have been a plan for the retreat at all?

Also, as Jack and Paul had pointed out, the planning meeting became quite chaotic. I don't want anyone to have the impression that that's how LFS General Assembly meetings are like. You can ask Paul, Faye, Moo, KC, and Ruben about all of that. But we learn from our mistakes and this is why we have these assessments. Perhaps later in the semester if there's another planning session, we can run one that's more disciplined and efficient. You can also check out what LFS GA meetings are like Monday's at 7pm in BH 252.

As far as the retreat itself, I wasn't there but I've heard a lot of positive things from the coordinators and the JUFRAN interns. I would've liked to see more educational discussions and guided activities. The purpose should've been not only to have fun and bond with other folks, but to also introduce the politics of LFS to the JUFRANians. You can have fun and get work done at the same time. It just takes planning just as Faye pointed out.

Anyway that's about it. Everything else has pretty much been said. You folks are all awesome. I'll see you all soon, you awesome folks. AWESOME!

-- Carlo