A conversation with artist G.A. Gardner about his work and urban art in Washington DC - VIDEOS

I met with artist, educator and philosopher, G.A. Gardner who opened his studio in Washington, DC, and shared with me a great conversation about his art work and what inspires him.

Photo and videos by Carlos A. Quiroz

In this video interview we also talked on what is like being an artist and living in DC, about his Caribbean heritage via Trinidad & Tobago and his views on the African diaspora, among other topics.

GA wants to see more art in the streets of Washington, DC. He says this city lacks of enough public art "outside of the box" for people of its neighborhoods to enjoy, and I agree.

Currently, Gardner is working with different techniques using prints and mixed media collages, with acrylics mostly. Among his work is a popular Obama poster and a Zora Neale Hurston mural at the Eatonville restaurant in DC.

Check out Gardner's website here and his blog here.


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VIDEOS protests in NYC, Los Angeles and Lima in solidarity with Amazon Indigenous peoples of Peru against Free Trade policies

Those of you who follow my other blog Peruanista -bilingual, mostly in Spanish with English translation sometimes- should be aware that I have been posting a lot of stuff about the struggle of the Amazon Indigenous peoples of Peru, who are currently fighting against the implementation of Free Trade policies imposed by the Bush administration.

These are videos of the protests occurred in solidarity with the Amazon peoples of Peru, in New York City (UN Forum on Indigenous Issues), Lima (main worker union groups and opposition parties) and Los Angeles (Q'orianka Kilcher and other Hollywood celebrities organized).

Protest in NYC at the Peruvian Mission to the United Nations
May 22, 2009
I was there and I made this video: This was organized by the Coordinating Body of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA) and human right groups including Amazon Watch and Land is Life among others.

Los Angeles protest in support of Peru's Indigenous peoples
May 26, 2009
Celebrities Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Qorianka Kilcher , Jesse Garcia, Alex Meraz and Clifton Collins pull together in an effort to call attention to Peru's Indigenous peoples plight and struggle for survival , health and basic human rights In the wake of the FTA and the Peruvian governments attempts to allow multinational oil, gas, logging and mining corporations to take over their land, without previous consultation or consent of the local inhabitants.




Indigenous Rights Protest at Peru's Consulate
in Los Angeles, California
My Youtube friend Nauiocelotl was at the protest also and made this special video where Q'orianka Kilcher explains why she organized this protest:

Protests in Lima, Peru
A Native Indigenous man speaks his truth
May 27, 2009
Over 10 thousand people came out to this rally organized by the two biggest workers unions of Peru and independent and leftist political groups. A Native man explains what is happening to his people:

Read more info on what is happening right now in Peru in my other blog.

Please take action by sending a letter to Peru's president Alan Garcia in this link.



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Media coverage of the Obama presidency: I was invited to a panel with the biggest names in political commentary

How do you know your blog is being successful? In my case, I am not necessarily obsessed by the number of readers but by who is reading me. Well, I was invited by Media Lab Studios / IFC to a panel where some of the most influential political commentators in the U.S. media attended:

IFC hosts a special invite-only panel discussion on the media coverage of the Obama presidency on Thursday May 28, 2009 at the Newseum in Washington, DC.

IFC brought together top national journalists/analysts from across the political spectrum - George Stephanopoulos, Greta Van Susteren, John King, Tucker Carlson, Norman Ornstein, Marcus Brauchli - to delve into the media’s coverage of the Obama administration. This event was held in conjunction with “The IFC Media Project,” airing Sundays at 11PM ET/PT on IFC – a documentary series that draws back the curtain on news coverage and seeks to uncover the truth behind the news.

Here are some photos:

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What? No comments about this event? I am just going to shut up this time and perhaps later on I will tell you why. For now I suggest you check this link, the work done by IFC Media Project Media Project is amazing!

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Judge Sonia Sotomayor I ask you to stop racial and cultural discrimination against our Indigenous peoples

Honorable Judge Sonia Sotomayor, in a few months you will be the new Supreme Court Justice of the United States, and therefore you will be in a position to promote justice for all.

Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Foto Carlos A Quiroz.

In that matter, I respectfully ask you to please promote racial equality and the full recognition of all peoples of the Americas, by stop using the words Hispanic and Latino to describe our communities.

As the U.S. media calls you the first 'Hispanic' woman to be nominated to the Supreme Court, I ask respectfully that you understand and publicly acknowledge the existence of other communities with ancestry which are not defined by the words Hispanic or Latino. This is something very important for our peoples.

The words Hispanic and Latino abusively ignore our Indigenous communities which are of mostly Native hertiage from the Americas, and who live in the United States. We are not of European heritage mainly -even if we speak Spanish or English- and we feel under represented and ignored within the national identity of the United States.

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted by United Nations in 2007, and which the United States along with Canada, Colombia and New Zealand are the only four countries in the world yet to ratify, establishes the rights of Indigenous peoples to recognition, to our distinct identities, to identify ourselves as Indigenous, against discrimination and oppression, to equality, to protect our peoples from cultural genocide, to our cultural traditions, among many other rights.

We are the Indigenous peoples of the South, so called Latinos and we have hundreds of Native languages still spoken, we have our own culture and traditions, we have our identity that is passed on to our children. That is why we demand for our racial and cultural identities to be honored and respected by the United States government.

At the same time, you must understand that one third of "Latin Americans" are actually Afro descendants with strong and close ties to their African heritage mixed with Indigenous cultures. They are Black people who are neither of Latin or Hispanic heritages exclusively. African people of the Americas who speak Spanish, Portuguese and African Creole languages are also communities that needs visibility and representation.

Our Indigenous ancestors were the first nations of this continent, and we have lived in this land before the United States and the other 36 countries of the Americas were created. We never disappeared, our peoples survived and were separated by borders that now we respect, therefore we want to be included in the national identities of each of those countries, including the U.S.

It is time for the U.S. government to stop promoting fake racial identities among the peoples from the Americas, identities that are based in Euro centric visions of our history. Our peoples true heritage belongs to this continent, and many of us feel that we should honor the important contributions of our ancestors that make who we are today.

Judge Sotomayor, please stop racial and cultural discrimination against our communities, please celebrate our diversity and embrace the Native peoples of Latin America or the Abya Yala continent as our Indigenous leaders call it.

We Indigenous peoples are here, we belong to this land, we are part of this nation too.


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Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is NOT Hispanic

The story of newly appointed Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court is a living proof of what good can happen when an inclusive society provides with good education and opportunities for all, regardless of race and origin.

Photo Reuters / Jim Young

This is an excellent choice indeed mostly because of Judge Sotomayor qualifications, considered by president Obama.

The down side is that with this nomination, the U.S. government and media will use Justice Sonia Sotomayor as a tool to keep spreading a fake racial and cultural identity, as they have placed millions of Americans of different races in one false group called Hispanic or Latino.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor is not Hispanic, born in New York City of Puerto Rican parents and raised in South Bronx, her first language is English. At 54 years old she was raised in times when most people in NYC spoke English and the term Hispanic -created by the racist Nixon administration- did not even exist.

Sotomayor belongs to a cultural environment that is very different from her parent's first country and mostly from Hispania, the European region that includes Spain and Portugual. Sotomayor is a true Nuyorican as they call Puerto Ricans born in NYC.

Unfortunately this wrong nomination will be used to reinforce the racially discriminatory concept that we are Hispanics, making all peoples from Abya Yala (Latin America) to believe that we are of only-European heritage and erasing, ignoring, overlooking all our other ethnicities, that are the majority and are still alive and thriving.

Here is for example, what The National Council of La Raza (the race in Spanish) says:

NCLR LAUDS HISTORIC APPOINTMENT OF SOTOMAYOR TO NATION'S HIGHEST COURT

Judge Sonia Sotomayor Would Be the First Hispanic on the Supreme Court if Confirmed

Washington, DC—NCLR (National Council of La Raza), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, applauds President Obama’s nomination for Supreme Court Justice, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, to replace retiring Justice David Souter.

“Today is a monumental day for Latinos. Finally, we see ourselves represented on the highest court in the land,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. “Judge Sotomayor’s story personifies the American Dream for so many Latinos in this country.”

The idea that we are only of European heritage makes our people deny our true ancestry in order to fit in. As if they had been brainwashed, most people who accept the terms of Latino and Hispanic they want to be white, they want to forget about our brown and black skin, they don't want to be called Indigenous or Natives, let alone Africans.

If Barack Obama was born in Mexico or Dominican Republic for instance, he would be forced to deny his African roots and they'd call him Hispanic/Latino too... is that fair? It is wrong, discriminatory and a big scam.

In order to promote a true equal society, where all peoples are included and valued, I would like that one day Judge Sotomayor will acknowledge her true racial heritage, and make people understand that she is not of Spanish heritage exclusively. But I expect her to assure that she will not be the Justice for one group only of people that 'look' like her. Race is important to define who you are, but not to be elected or appointed to leadership and public posts.

Let's hope that one day, the United States will stop calling us Hispanics or Latinos, and that one day we won't need to use race or gender as a reference for someone to be recognized and promoted. We are not there yet, but lets work on it.

President Obama's choice to pick Judge Sonia Sotomayor was an excellent decision -not because of her race- but because of her records, she seems like someone that cares about social justice and equality for all peoples regardless or race, nationality, gender or personal beliefs.

The nomination of Sotomayor shows that when there is a legal path for immigrants to come to the U.S. -Puerto Ricans have American citizenship- and when societies are inclusive and people work hard enough, then anyone can succeed in their lifelong goals and they can even become the leaders of our future. It is the good side of America.

Congratulations Justice Sonia Sotomayor, thanks President Barack Obama.

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The sexiest Navy sailors in NYC: happy Memorial Day

Back to DC from NYC and here are these pics I took. Look at these sexcieee U.S. and Canada Navy sailors and officers in New York City, this weekend.
Photos by me.

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Salvadoran food in DC: Ercilia's Restaurant

People from from El Salvador make up the biggest community of Latin Americans living in Washington, DC. The presence of Salvadorans and their descendants has created a mostly positive impact in the DC area, and one of those noticeable influences is the Salvadoran cuisine.

If you live in DC long enough then you should know what a Pupusa is, or a tamal, carne asada, camarones empanizados, tacos de lengua, higado frito, horchata, etc. Well maybe you never had any of this food but in case you want to find out, I recommend Ercilia's Restaurant, which is one of my favorite spots to eat in Mount Pleasant.


Ercilias is located at 3070 Mount Pleasant St NW, in the corner with Irving St. NW. You can't miss it. Small, clean and convenient this place has tasty food that is always made fresh. I go there very often, mostly to get their fresh pupusas revueltas and chicken tamales. Their soups are also very delicious and will bring you back to life if you need that energy boost.

A review in Yelp says:

The pupusas are worth the 15 minute wait. Warm, gooey, and chock full of cheesy goodness, the pupusas here aren't overly greasy. It's like that perfect grilled cheese your dad used to make when you were sick at home: crispy on the outside, perfectly melted cheese, and just enough grease to make it appetizing. The soup of the day is a great place to start for those who are more adventurous. Hot, steamy, brothy and satisfying.

I agree.

Because is a family friendly place, you will always find a crowd of all ages here. The bright colors inside are very welcoming, but they need to add some art in the walls.


The cashier is always serious, but he is actually very nice once you get to know him. This is not a fast food chain, so once you order, food would take about 10-15 minutes to be ready depending on what you order.


Carne Asada -grilled beef- with rice, black beans and veggies along with a perfect Pupusa. Don't forget to order Horchata [ohr-chaah-tah] or Tamarindo for drinks, yummi.


The menu includes not only Salvadoran and Mexican food, but regular American sandwiches and what not. Prices are moderate to cheap, remember this is not a tablecloth restaurant but is not a grassy McDonald's neither.


The people of Ercilla has always a selection of hot sauces available for customers, at no extra cost. The size of Ercilia's meals here are not the biggest ones, so if you care more about fresh taste than size, then this is the right place for you.


This is a place of gathering for Salvadoran and people from Latin America in general, but you can see often gringos and morenos [black and white people]. The only bad thing about this place: they have a loud TV with shows in Spanish -mostly Univision and Telemundo channels- which tend to be annoying and trashy, in my opinion.


One thing I wish they could do is to add outdoors seating, it would be great for spring and fall. Oh yes, they do take out orders.

Ercilia's Restaurant
3070 Mount Pleasant St NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 387-0909


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Afro Peruvian music show at the LAYC in DC - photos and INFO for tomorrow concert!

So happy! I just came back from an awesome performance of Afro Peruvian culture, with live music and dances.

Juan Medrano Cotito, Angela Chichi Glass and Mamauca Afro Peruvian dance group performed today at the Latin American Youth Center.

Mamauca. Photo Daniel del Pielago

The energy was incredible, the attendees -mostly students from LAYC- and people from the DC community were very pleased and participated actively. I am so grateful and glad that this event went so well, and I would like to thank Juan Medrano Cotito and his wife who came all the way from Peru, to Chichi Glass who is an amazing singer, a great person and made this possible.

Also thanks to Lori Kapan and Kumera Genet from the LAYC for allowing us the use of their space and for supporting us in every single way, especiallly to Kumera who happen to be a fellow student of Universidad Catolica in Lima, Peru and is a researcher of Afro Peruvian music as well. And last but not least, to the Afro Peruvian dance group Mamauca, to Peruvian musician Billy Castillo, and to all people who participated in the dances.

Chichi Glass sang Sunshine with a beautiful voice, she run the whole program with her natural talent to teach and share knowledge. I didn't know she could play also cajon! Thanks Chichi.

Juan Medrano Cotito -in that order- gave a wonderful master class on his personal experience learning Afro Peruvian music and culture, he is one of the best musicians in Peru right now, Grammy awarded and member of the Susana Baca ensemble and Novalima group as well.

What a beautiful program!

Here are some photos I took and I will post 2 VIDEOS tomorrow:

I have to say also thanks to the Cultural section of the Embassy of Venezuela for coming to the show. I wish someone from the Peruvian Embassy would have come, maybe there were too busy today.

For those who want to attend the concert of Juan and Chichi tomorrow in Maryland, here is the info, as posted by The Washington Post:

Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church will host an Afro-Peruvian Jazz concert featuring Fulbright scholar, vocalist and pianist Chi-Chi Glass and master Cajonero Juan "Cotito" Medrano. The duo have collaborated over the past five years, playing Afro-Peruvian percussion, jazz and blues at festivals across South America. An artists reception will follow.

Chichi Glass and Juan Medrano Cotito
Concert

Tuesday May 19, 2009
7:00 PM
$10 donation requested

Davis Memorial Unitarian Church
7400 Temple Hill Road
Camp Springs, MD 20748


View Larger Map

Click on the flyer for a better view:

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Last night two people dead and two injured in Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights

Every time there are new efforts to stop crime in DC, then violence rises up. A coincidence? Hmmm. Just two days after the press conference where DC authorities announced a tougher legislation to stop street violence, last night there were two violent incidents in Columbia Heights and Adams Morgan.

A 19 y.o. kid was killed on 3023 14th Street NW by a gun shot, he lived in the area (Trinity Towers Apartments) and it looks like this was a gang related crime.

Trinity Towers Apartments

Councilmember Jim Graham sent this message to his email listserve:

Dear Friends, I am now just returning from the crime scene at 14th and Columbia. A 19 year old male was shot in the head, and killed. I have the name/address of the victim but I am not releasing it since his family may not have been notified. I am told he lived in the immediate area. Our prayers and sympathy go to those who loved him.

In this shooting, at least three police officers were right there at the shooting. There are various cameras, including an MPD crime camera at 14th and Columbia, and other cameras on the buildings. All of that is now being checked for evidence.

This morning a man was killed and two Police officers were injured after being shot in Adams Morgan. WTOP reports:

Just after 3 a.m., a fight broke out near the intersection of Champlain Street NW and Kalorama Road. NW. "At one point, one of the subjects pulled a handgun and fired it," Commander George Kucik tells WTOP.

Two D.C. police officers chased the suspect, eventually exchanging gunfire, killing the suspect. One officer was shot in the back, and another suffered a superficial wound to the back of the leg. Both officers were taken to the hospital and are expected to recover.

Jim Graham sent this:

Two offiers are in stable condition, one was grazed and the other wounded. A suspect was shot dead. Details are very sketchy but it appears as though there was some kidn of fight, and the officers--who were nteh scene-- inetervened. We will get much more detail on this. The officers I am told were undercover officers, in plain clothes, there on robbery detail.

Both crimes occurred in areas where violence is common:


The young kid was killed in an apartment complex located near the corner of 14th St NW and Columbia Road NW, where several gang related shootings have happened before. That is an area surrounded by crowded subsidized public housing, and where teenagers walk around at 3 at night without any kind of supervision, along with drunks and who knows.



Everyone who lives in Adams Morgan knows well not to walk late night around the corner of Champlain Street NW and Kalorama Road NW. This is a hidden area behind all the noisy, chaotic and disgusting bars (to me) at 18th Street NW and just three blocks away from the DC Police 3rd. District building. Violence, drugs consumption and other stuff is being happening in that area for years.

DC Mayor Fenty will address the press this afternoon.


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Someone please send this video to Councilmember Marion Barry

A group of African American residents of the District of Columbia would like to say something to Councilmember Marion Barry. These are both straight and gay people who want Barry and DC anti-gay marriage activist to think about what the hate message they are promoting.

Councilmember Barry (Ward 8), a former DC Mayor has warned that there could be a "civil war" in DC if the Council tries to legalize gay marriage this year. "All hell is going to break lose, we may have a civil war. The black community is just adamant against this" said Barry after the DC Council approved a bill legalizing same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, where he was the only Councilmember who voted against the bill.

I recorded this video after the community meeting organized by DC for Marriage at the All Souls Unitarian Church last Wedsneday in Columbia Heights.



Related post

• Councilmember Marion Barry would you understand?
• Gay couple turns 60 anniversary together

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New bill proposed by DC government to fight street crime creates controversy

The DC government is divided on a new bill to fight street and gang related crimes.

In one side of the dispute is DC mayor Adrian Fenty, supported by Councilmembers Jack Evans (W-4), Muriel Bowser (Ward 4), Jim Graham (W-1) and DC Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier. In the other side is Councilmember Phil Mendelson, (At Large) chair of the Judiciary Committee. They have two crime bills proposed at the City Hall and either one is expected to be passed this year, as the Washinton Post reports.

I recorded this video today at the bill's announcement at the corner of 14th Street NW and V street NW.

The main differences between both bills: the Fenty initiative has several emergency steps and urgent measures focusing on law enforcement. While the other bill by Mendelson tries to focus in both law enforcement and improving society, as Fox News posted.

I also spoke to a neighbor who opposes this bill:

Laws and people

It is urgent and necessary for the DC government and law enforcement to get tougher in order to fight violent crime in DC. Those of us who live here want to help in some way to promote a safer environment for DC residents. Laws can only help in some way, and they won’t make a big difference if they are not accompanied by other other actions.

Legal provisions need also social programs –many are already placed and running by the DC government- and other community actions like organizing neighborhood watch programs and better parenting responsibility. Most importantly, the support of the DC police and emergency response teams are crucial -and here we must remember that they sometimes don’t do what they are supposed to.


This or any other legislation will only help to slow down crime but they won’t get rid of urban violence. It's not just a DC problem, street violence happens in many places and it is a symptom of a bigger problem related to national issues like the economy, social and family crisis. Anything that can be done to fight delinquency and to help neighborhoods get safer are always welcomed.

Walter's bike got some music

Walter let me take these photos of him and his bike. As I was walking out from Columbia Height's Target, it was hard not to hear the music out loud.

There he was standing 'minding his business' and doing nothing but listening to his music -some kind of funk go go stuff- just like people used to do in the 1980's and 90's.

People passing by kept looking at his bike: and Walter has managed to add a radio CD player to it, with some strings. He even had a small collections of CD's attached.

Things that DC people do.

Music is the soul's food.


Noticeable.


That wasn't a bottle of water precisely.

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Photos: DC Mayor and Councilmembers press conference on street crime and gang violence

A press conference was held today at the corner of 14th Street NW and W Street NW around 2:15 pm. to address the issues of street and gang related crimes in the District of Columbia, especially in the Shaw, Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan neighborhoods. DC Mayor Adrian Fenty was joined by DC Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier and DC Councilmembers Muriel Bowser (Ward 4), Jack Evans(Ward 2) and Jim Graham (Ward 1) and they talked to the press for about an hour.

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Photos: DC community meeting on why marriage matters to gay and lesbian couples

After the recent decision by the DC City Council to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, DC for Marriage held last night a community town hall and conversation about why marriage matters to gay and lesbian couples.

The event was attended by about 100 people and it was held at the All Souls Unitarian Church, in Columbia Heithgs, Washington, DC. The panel featured faith leaders, gay and lesbian couples and straight supporters of marriage equality.

Most people recognized the need of a legal protection for LGBT families that already exist in DC, the issue of race, religion and homosexuality was mentioned, others talked about how African American and Latin American gay communities have to deal with the issue of being homosexual in the first place, and then come out and talk about marriage to their own families -something that some people are not even comfortable to do yet.

I am working on a couple of videos on this events, I will post them later.


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Race or gender should not matter when president Obama picks the next Supreme Court

Race is a very important issue in the United States, unfortunately. And that is something we should try to change. In days before president Obama picks the next Supreme Court Justice, he should not focus on the race or surnames of the candidates.

President Obama should name the most qualified person, someone with a true sense of what really justice means for all American people, nothing else.

If president Barack Obama bases his decision on race, gender or nationality among the candidates, he will be indirectly promoting racism and segregation, and the false idea that people should be living separated by the color of their skin, and the origins of their names.

Currently, there are six runners according to Associated Press:

WASHINGTON (AP) - A source tells The Associated Press that President Barack Obama is considering California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno and more than five other people as nominees for the Supreme Court. An official familiar with Obama's decision-making said others include Solicitor General Elena Kagan, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Appeals Court judges Sonia Sotomayor and Diane Pamela Wood—people who have been mentioned frequently as potential candidates.

Several organizations, leaders and media in the U.S. -people of Latin American heritage- are making a big deal of the possibility of having judges Carlos Moreno or Sonia Sotomayor as the next Supreme Court Justice. Personally I think it's an unrealistic fantasy to say that they will do a better job for people of Latin American heritage.

For instance, and this is my very personal opinion: I am an Indigenous man of the Andean region -NO I'm not a Hispanic person- and based on my experience living in the U.S., I can say with confidence that race doesn't make a difference when it comes to elect authorities. The most wonderful and qualified people I have met in my life are from different races and origins.

No I am not saying that people from Latin America are not trustworthy, hello? that would be me too. What I am expressing here is that in the case of race and government, only Black and Native people can relate to their own people as an ethnic group, because we have been historically displaced and exploited. For the fake ethnic group of Hispanics, this doesn't apply much.

President Obama was elected because he was the best candidate, not just because he was black -yes also some voted for him because of his race obviously. But I don't think a Judge with a Spanish surname will do a better job for me or other people than someone with a different name. What should count is the person's character and skills to make good sentences in benefit of all peoples.

For too long, some white people with Spanish surnames have successfully created a fake and phony "ethnic group" that is mentioned daily by the media and is even included in the U.S. Census. The fake racial group called 'Hispanic' tries to imitate everything that African Americans do. In this case, they feel that there is a need to have a white person with a Spanish name on the Supreme Court. Will this make a difference?

Well, I would have to ask my former student, a 75 years old woman from South America whose immigration attorney -a Cuban American who used to run an immigration national association- took her money and she is still undocumented. Perhaps I will also have to ask my Salvadoran friend whose Bolivian American attorney got over $10,000 dollars from his hard-work earned money, and also he is still undocumented.

What about the labor abuse cases reported at a DC-based immigrant rights organization, where the victims are mostly Latin American immigrants (most of them Black and Indigenous workers). The abusive employers in 70% of the cases are also people with Spanish surnames. Many of my friends who are of Latin American heritage, they also tell me that the last person they can trust as bosses, neighbors or cowokers, would be someone "Hispanic or Latino"... and this is sad but is real.

President Obama: perhaps you should stop playing the race card -how pathetic was to see the 'Latino town hall meeting' in Spanish where you only talked about the swine flu, and had a Secretary of Labor talking about medical issues.

The so called Hispanic group is not an ethnic group in reality -I have said it tons of times, it means people and culture from Spain- and therefore, we are not a cohesive group of people sharing a common culture and race. I care less if a Perez or a Lopez will one day be a President or a Supreme Court Justice, I care about their qualifications as leaders, period.


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Afro Peruvian music live performance in DC: Juan Cotito Medrano & Chichi Glass at the Latin American Youth Center [and Mamauca Afro Peruvian dances!]

The Latin American Youth Center, Grupo Afro Descendiente and Carlos in DC blog present:

Afro Peruvian music master class and live performance with

Angela Chichi Glass and Juan Cotito Medrano


Monday May 18, 2009
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Mamauca Afro Peruvian Dances has confirmed their participation too!

Free and open to the public
Children encouraged to attend. Meet the artists after the show.

Latin American Youth Center
1419 Columbia Road, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Metro Columbia Heights (Green line)

Master percussionist Juan 'Cotito' Medrano – a Grammy award winner and cajonero for world music star Susana Baca and the Novalima group- will talk about Afro Peruvian music from a personal perspective, his career, and his learning experience including a live performance with Afro Peruvian percussion instruments. Cotito's MySpace.


Jazz vocalist and pianist Angela 'Chichi' Glass –a Fulbright scholar and recording artist- presents Afro Peruvian Jazz songs, and talks about her experience being an American of Peruvian heritage, her studies in Peru, her research of Afro Peruvian culture and her newly released CD. Chichi website.

Also, next day the artists will perform at:

Tuesday May 19, 2009
7:00 PM
$10 donation requested

Davis Memorial Unitarian Church
7400 Temple Hill Road
Camp Springs, MD 20748

Click on the flyer for a better view:

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Living with HIV since he was 17: Jose Ramirez helps the LGBT Latino [Native] community in DC to prevent more HIV infections [VIDEO]

Jose Ramirez got infected with the HIV virus at the age of 17. Now Jose works for the LGBT community in the Washington, DC, metro area, with HIV prevention programs focusing on the LGBT Latino [Native American] youth community.

Jose says that he is healthy and hasn't started medication yet, because his viral load and defense level are stable but he warns you "put on a damn condom" to prevent getting infected.

To interview Jose I had to chase him due to his busy schedule, but it was worth it. In this video he speaks with an honesty that surprises at times. He speaks about living with HIV and why having unprotected sex is not worth it.

Warning: watch with discretion, use of language can be offensive to some:

Role model: recently Jose Ramirez received the 'Next Generation Awards 2009' from the Metro Weekly the LGBT magazine in Washington, DC, [Congrats again Jose!] in recognition for his work on a HIV and STDs prevention and sexual education program for Latin American youth, ocusing on gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender communities.

Jose works with the group called Empoderate or "Spanglish" for Empowering. If you want to reach Jose and find out more about his work check this link at La Clinica del Pueblo.

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American Violet screenings in Washington, DC - by the way one in 100 adults in America are in prison

Have you ever wondered, why drugs trafficking and production in the world has grown out of control, while more Black and Brown people in the United States are incarcerated for drugs possession and small sales? Then you have to -no- you must see the film American Violet.

Regardless of the anti-drug rhetoric and huge funds spending in anti-drugs trafficking programs all over the world, production of cocaine in Colombia and opium in Afghanistan have grown continuously.

Meanwhile in the U.S. more people were incarcerated for illegal drug related cases. Before George W. Bush was elected, this story happened to several Americans:

Dee Roberts, a 24 year-old African American single mother of four young girls living in a small Texas town is barely making ends meet on a waitress salary and government subsidies. On an early November 2000 morning while Dee works a shift at the local diner, the powerful local district attorney leads an extensive drug bust, sweeping her Arlington Springs housing project with military precision. Police drag Dee from work in handcuffs, dumping her in the squalor of the women's county prison. Indicted based on the uncorroborated word of a single and dubious police informant facing his own drug charges, Dee soon discovers she has been charged as a drug dealer. Even though Dee has no prior drug record and no drugs were found on her in the raid or any subsequent searches, she is offered a hellish choice: plead guilty and go home as a convicted felon or remain in prison and fight the charges thus, jeopardizing her custody and risking a long prison sentence.

Despite the urgings of her mother, and with her freedom and the custody of her children at stake, she chooses to fight the district attorney and the unyielding criminal justice system he represents. Joined in an unlikely alliance with an ACLU attorney and former local narcotics officer, Dee risks everything in a battle that forever changes her life and the Texas justice system.

The film trailer:

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Someone said to me once that Bill Clinton was the president that incarcerated more non-white men ever, in U.S. history. However, more than one in every 100 adults in America are in jail or prison, according to the "One in 100: Behind Bars in America 2008" report from The Pew Center of the States. In 2008 "one in nine Black men between the ages of 20-34 are incarcerated, compared to one in 30 other men of the same age. Like the overall adult ratio, one in 100 Black women in their mid-to-late 30s is imprisoned."

Charlene Muhammad from the New Pittsburgh Courier has a theory which is described in the article "America’s new slavery: Black men in prison" an interesting must-read piece:

“Everyone is feeding off of our down-trodden condition to feed their capitalism, greed and lust for money. They are buying prison stock on the market and this is why they want to silence the restorative voice of Minister Louis Farrakhan, because he is repairing those who fill and would support the prison system as slaves,” said student minister Abdullah Muhammad of the Nation of Islam Prison Ministry.

The report states that the rising trend stems from more than a parallel increase in crime or surge in the population at-large, but it is driven by policies that put more criminals in prison, extending their stay through measures like California’s Three Strikes Law.

Attorney Barbara Ratliff, an L.A.-based reparations activist, said the prison industrial complex’s extension of the slave plantation plays out in a pattern of behavior that Black people must study in order to survive.

“I’m not talking about behavior of the individual incarcerate, but the pattern of treatment that digs into institutional racism. Corporate profit from prisons is no different than how slave owners received benefit from their labor, and that impact remained even after slavery. For instance, freed Blacks were arrested and put on chain gangs for their labor which continued to benefit slave owners, so this is no accident,” she said.

The story of Dee Roberts occurred 9 years ago, but her struggle is the same of so many Americans today. Currently we see an increase number of Black and Brown people incarcerated by Homeland Security Department, because they don't have documents to work in the United States. Is the prison system a way to practice justice or is just a network of business deals?

American Violet screenings in Washington, DC area:

Phoenix Theatres Union Station
50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

AMC Loews Shirlington 7
2772 South Randolph St., Arlington, VA 22206

Check for updates here.

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Testimony of immigrant mother detained by Homeland Security ICE deported she fought back and returned

Physical and mental abuse occur in DHS detention centers every day, and the victims are mostly undocumented immigrants who are facing deportation. These abuses include the denial of proper medical care, the lack of access to family and ways to communicate outside of the facilities.

DHS prisoners are denied their right to practice their own religions, and access to proper legal advice. The DHS facilities personnel -most of them are run privately but funded by the Federal government- aren't properly trained and they give wrong legal advice to detainees, making them sign documents they don't understand and which leads to their deportations.

Marlene Jaggarnauth is a courageous mother and grandmother. Originally from Trinidad & Tobago, she came to the United States in 1997 and then she made mistakes like everyone else. After falling into postpartum depression she robbed groceries the year she arrived.

In 2003 she was detained by Homeland Security's ICE agents and incarcerated in an Immigration Detention Center for 12 months. Then she got deported in 2004. Her elderly mother -who is legally blind- had to take care of her children and grandchildren.

With the support of a Florida-based immigration advocacy organization, Marlene Jaggarnauth fought back for her rights and returned to the U.S. in 2007 after being four years separated from her children.

Now Marlene Jaggarnauth works in a local University and also helps a non-profit defending the rights of undocumented immigrants who are unfairly detained by ICE, and who suffer of emotional torture, abuse, discrimination and human rights violations at the Homeland Security's ICE detention centers.

We have to wonder if shoplifting is a national security threat for the U.S. government. What are the legal and humanitarian basis for the DHS to abuse people like Marlene, why immigrants have to suffer these abuses?

Human rights are violated in the U.S. every day by the same government that pretends to lead the world on justice and democracy. Something is deeply wrong in these kind of policies.


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Video - Americans support immigration reform

These Americans support immigrant rights in the United States. I met them in the MAY 1 rally in Washington, DC. Listen to what they have to say:

I also met those who oppose legalization of workers, but they run away from my camera.


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Why would someone hide drugs in your bike?

Last Monday May 4, at 5:45 pm. DC tenants rights advocate Daniel del Pielago wrote on his Facebook via his cellular phone:

My bike is being held by police as part of a drug arrest, some fool hid his drugs in my front tire :(

Daniel del Pielago was inside an apartment building meeting with neighbors -apparently at 1111 Columbia Road, NW- working on their tenants rights. Daniel is part of a team advising tenants trying to buy the building where they currently live.

Apparently drug dealers in the Columbia Heights neighborhood surrounding 11th. Street NW and Irving Street NW, wanted to implicated Daniel in some trouble. Police found the drugs but they had witnesses who saw a guy placing the illegal drugs in the bicycle. No details on what kind of drugs.

Witnesses say that at first, it looked like a crime happening because DC Police had blocked the street. Cops were tracing the area searching for drug dealers, and one of them hid some stuff in Del Pielago bicycle.

Other witnesses told me that sometimes when landlords who want to expel their tenants, they place drugs inside their apartments. Is Daniel del Pielago being targeted this way?

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Councilmember Barry would you please understand

I respect Marion Barry in some ways. His life is peculiar, interesting, somehow fascinating. Barry has defeated all odds to rise from poverty in Mississippi to become the Mayor of Washington, DC, a seat he held for 12 years.

Photo by me

Barry is not the best city official one can ask, as a matter of fact I would not support him that way totally. But that's not why I am writing this - beyond all his mistakes, I think he has courage, Barry is strong.

We all know at some point in his life, Barry got involved in wrong actions that cost him many disgraces. The Feds set him up, destroyed him personally and politically, making his life miserable. But he came back to public office as the Councilmember of Ward 8, and therefore now he has a voice -which represents a big part of the Washington, DC, population.


Alone again?

During today's historical DC Council vote 12-1 to legally recognize other states' same sex marriages, Barry became the lone Councilmember to oppose marriage equality and he got very divisive saying some very disturbing things:

"All hell is going to break lose," Barry said while speaking to reporters. "We may have a civil war. The black community is just adamant against this."

Barry made his remarks a few hours after a group of same-sex marriage opponents, led by black ministers, caused uproar in the Wilson Building after the Council voted 12 to 1 to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. They caused such a ruckus that security guards and police had to clear the hallway. The protesters shouted that council members who voted for the bill will face retribution at the polls.

Councilmember Barry is making a big mistake by promoting violence against gay people. This can cause hate crimes unfortunately -and he should be aware of that. But even if Barry is controversial and all, but he is got a lot of support in Ward 8 -DC's most populated- where people genuinely like and respect him.

"What you've got to understand is 98 percent of my constituents are black and we don't have but a handful of openly gay residents," Barry said. "Secondly, at least 70 percent of those who express themselves to me about this are opposed to anything dealing with this issue. The ministers think it is a sin, and I have to be sensitive to that."

Barry is acting irresponsibly but he has the right and authority to speak his opinion, rather we like it or not. Although he contradicts himself because in the past has supported gay rights -in election times. What Councilmember Barry doesn't understand is that there is plenty of gay residents in Ward 8 -I lived there for over a year- but the way of being gay in SE DC is not like in NW DC. Because of homophobia and religious taboo, there is a lot of fear and secrecy among gay people in Ward 8.

With his words, Barry is doing a lot of damage to the African American gay community especially, which has to deal with a lot of hate and violence sometimes. The same homophobia Barry and some churches are promoting translates into secretive risky sexual behaviors --one of the reasons of the HIV endemic rates (6% of black males in DC are infected.)

Now, what DC gay rights activists should be careful is not to respond to Barry with more hate -like the clown Perez Hilton did with Miss California- because then we there won't be a fight for equality anymore.

If we LGBT residents of the District don't show the path of dialogue, we will just become the other side of the problem. No hate, no hate, lets show them we can achieve things by talking and respecting each others. Bring people together, show them there is not danger in marriage equality, show them we are not the evil creatures they think we are.

Councilmember Barry: I respect you for many reasons, but as an elected official you are doing a horrendous job. Your words can cause an effect that goes against the faith of the same churches and institutions that are behind you right now, forcing you to act the way you are doing it so. Be careful, be a true Christian, be inclusive, embrace equality -- We LGBT people in DC have the right to be equals in front of the law, this is not about religion.




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Day of prayer and action for Colombia: four million displaced people a crisis worst than Sudan

Last April 20 and while president Obama was arriving from Port of Spain, about 100 protesters were waiting for him outside the White House at the Lafayette Park. Several American and Colombian leaders said the Colombia FTA should not be approved by the Obama administration. "It is time for a new U.S. policy in Colombia, ask president Obama to stop sponsored fumigations and militarization, and to stop the Colombia FTA negotiations." said the organizers.

Marino Cordoba, founder and first president of the Association of Internally Displaced Afro-Colombians (AFRODES) and a community leader in the DC area, talked about the humanitarian crisis in Colombia. Cordoba and his family were forced to leave Colombia, after several assassination attempts.

The rally was organized by Witness for Peace -a politically independent, grassroots organization that educates U.S. citizens on the impacts of U.S. policies and corporate practices in Latin America and the Caribbean.

"With 4 million people violently displaced from their homes, Colombia has now surpassed Sudan as the worst internal displacement crisis in the world. U.S. policies, including billions in military aid with the Plan Colombia and a proposed NAFTA-style free trade agreement, have been part of the problem."

Ben Beachy, is a regional organizer with Witness for Peace and he has visited Colombia extensively. Beachy talks about fumigations, displaced people and free trade:

It is time to remind president Obama of his electoral statements and views, which had him elected. Most Americans are against more free trade agreements and he needs to promote another kind of model, something that won't hurt the economy and livelihood of the poor both in the U.S. and in Colombia.


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Obama's next big flip flop: Colombia free trade agreement talks have started

The Colombia - United States Free Trade Agreement - FTA has been one of the most discussed and controversial NAFTA-like deals of the Bush administration agenda. It failed to get passed by U.S. Congress when the Democrats took over the majority.

The Colombia FTA is largely opposed by labor and human rights advocates in both countries and environmentalists as well, and it's seen as one of the most dangerous and corrupted commercial negotiations the U.S. is trying to impose to Latin America, with the complicity of president Alvaro Uribe and his corrupted government.

President Obama said this about the Colombia FTA as a candidate:

Talk about change!

During the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, most of the media attention focused in the brief encounters between presidents Obama and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. But few noticed that Obama had lunch -45 minutes long- with Colombia's Alvaro Uribe and Peru's Alan Garcia -the raunchiest neoliberal and most corrupted presidents in the Americas. If this is the kind of friends Obama is making in our region, we have to be concerned.

Photo Getty Images

What was discussed in that lunch is not a secret: the Colombia free trade pact was the main course:

Uribe's unplanned power lunch with Obama
Colombia Reports February 19, 2009

While most of the press coverage surrounding the Summit of the Americas has focused on the pictures of Presidents Obama and Chávez shaking hands, Álvaro Uribe, without too much media attention, got himself an unplanned power lunch with Barack Obama that has marked the beginning of a new era in the bilateral relations between the United States and Colombia.

For weeks the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs carefully fueled rumors about a potential bilateral meeting between Uribe and Obama in Port of Spain. Then again, if Obama were to meet with someone, Uribe definitely deserved to be at the very top of that list. [...]

By the end of a 45-minute one-on-one conversation, Uribe had gotten what he wanted. He received his first invitation to Washington, effective immediately, and as if that weren’t enough, he got Obama to promise to visit Colombia.

Ten days after this "casual and unexpected" meeting -yeah right- trade officials from the Obama and Uribe administrations have met in DC:

Colombia starts trade talks with Obama
By Kevin Bogardus
The Hill, May 1, 2009

Obama administration officials offered no details on what if any changes it wants in a controversial trade deal with Colombia, that country’s trade minister said Friday.

While Colombia Minister of Trade, Commerce and Tourism Luis Guillermo Plata described his meetings Friday with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke as productive, he indicated it is too early to tell how the administration intends to move forward with the agreement negotiated by the Bush administration.

He also offered no timeline for action.

“It is still very soon,” Plata said in a briefing with reporters at the National Foreign Trade Council. “The first work session we had was this morning. We were not expecting to get a set of topics or timetable as of the morning.”

He said both governments are establishing a process on how to best talk about the trade deal, which was rejected by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last year when President Bush tried to force a congressional vote. Democrats opposed to the deal argue Colombia must take further steps to prevent violence against labor organizers in order for the deal to be moved. Unions have strongly opposed the deal.

Obama criticized the deal last year while on the campaign trail, but Kirk last week committed to finding a way forward that reflected U.S. values on the rights of workers.

“In the next couple of weeks, we will start getting together and figure out what those steps are,” Plata said.

During the Summit of the Americas meeting in Trinidad two weeks ago, Obama sat next to Colombian President Alvaro Uribe during a lunch and discussed the trade deal, according to reports.

Senior Democrats in Congress have also pushed for the trade deal. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) has called for the agreement to be brought up soon for a vote.

However, it’s unclear how much the administration and Democrats on Capitol Hill are coordinating on the deal.

Plata met Thursday with Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. He was scheduled to meet Friday afternoon with Rep. Sandy Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the House trade subcommittee.

Plata argued Colombia under Uribe’s guidance had made significant progress in curbing violence against union leaders but had not yet changed popular perception.

If president Obama is trying to forge a commercial deal with Colombia, it seems that it will be a different model from the one pushed by Bush, with modifications in labor and environmental provisions like the Peru FTA. But still, that is not what Obama promised during his campaign.

But as it is happening right now in Peru, the FTA provisions to protect workers and indigenous peoples will not be reinforced by the Colombians, and we might see how NAFTA continues to expand no matter how damaging it has been for most people in the U.S. and Mexico.


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Passport DC Embassy Open House photos and chronicle: and the best embassy I visited this year is...

Those of us who live in DC know very well that this city is a very international place. Not only is where hundreds of foreign diplomatic missions are located, but also several multinational organizations, businesses and colleges bring a very diverse crowd to live in the city -at least temporarily.

Photos by me unless noted

In DC you can find people from every corner of the world, and they bring along their traditions and cultures, which are celebrated in special events. Check the cultural programs of each embassy periodically!

Precisely, last week Cultural Tourism DC, organized Passport DC "a two-week celebration of DC’s international culture, featuring open houses and cultural programming at Washington’s embassies and international centers." It started last Thursday April 30, until Sunday May 9, 2009.

You can see the complete program here.

Last Saturday May 2, I went to the Passport DC's Embassy Open House. There were over 30 embassies opening their doors to the public -well partially at least- and some even made the effort of showing free live music, food and useful information through videos and printed brochures.


Because of lack of time, I could only visit four embassies this year: Indonesia, Colombia, Haiti and Saudi Arabia. Here are some photos and comments about the embassies I visited -- by order of arrival. Also, I am including some great photos shared by the embassy of Venezuela.

(*) Footnotes are from the Passport DC info program.

Indonesia

The Walsh-McLean House -where this embassy is located- is a very famous landmark in DC, because of its history and luxurious design:

Constructed for Thomas F. Walsh, the mansion that now serves as the Indonesian Embassy was once the social center for Dupont Circle and Washington itself, as it was the most expensive private house built to date, at the cost of $835,000.

The line of people to enter this embassy was one of the longest, but the entering process was very fast and organized. The main entrance is very welcoming, big doors, big wooden staircases, stones, golden framed paintings covering walls, a beautiful color glass ceiling, etc.

The place was in juxtaposition with the cultural program of Indonesian dances and music. A nice contrast indeed. No food here - but we got a nice brochure with a map and and an impressive DVD about Indonesia.

Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia

(*) Location: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Metro: Dupont Circle (Red line)

"Take a guided tour of this historic building, a private residence built at the turn of the 20th century once known as the Walsh Mansion. Also, view cultural artifacts from Indonesia and a short film."

Colombia

Located at the historical Thomas F. Gaff House, in Dupont Circle:

The architects who designed the mansion for Thomas F. Gaff in 1904 created a modern American rendition of an early seventeenth century manor house. A wealthy Midwestern businessman, Gaff had the house built as the primary residence for himself and his wife, Zaidee.

I had been to this Ambassador's residence years ago, when a delegation of Indigenous shamans from the Amazon were visiting and I was helping them. Then Ambassador Andres Pastrana and his family were very polite and I thought the house reminded me an old hacienda of Peru. But this time it looked smaller, more like a classical old American house with Colombian art and fresh flowers everywhere.

The spaces for the public to visit were limited to four rooms and a cute patio. There were coffee drinks and candy, and brochures giveaways. The hosts were attentive but they did not provide much information at our arrival - not even a warm 'welcome'...

Embassy of Colombia

(*) Location: Ambassador’s Residence, 1520 20th Street, NW

Metro: Dupont Circle (Red line)

More info: www.colombiaemb.org

Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Ambassador’s residence, including a showcase of contemporary Colombian art and fresh Colombian flowers that are shipped weekly to the Embassy. Learn about culture and cuisine and discover the natural beauty of this country."

Haiti

This beautiful house is located on the "Embassy Row" by Sheridan Circle. Honestly, it looks better from outside -and here I am aware of the fact that Haiti is a country with limited funds. But you know, I grew up poor and when guests came home, my family knew how to receive them and we made the best we could.

The Haitian embassy looked like it needed some attention and please the decor is wrong: who would place a 1990's leather couches in a neoclassical house, next to a 1960's wall clock. I mean, the highlight was that you could actually meet the Ambassador of Haiti standing in his office (!) which was full of colorful paintings; "My wife placed her father's paintings so everyone knows he was so talented..." he said while one of his employees (?) was working in an adjacent desk.

The funny part is that people stood in a long line -not me- just to get half a cup of fruit punch. That was it, but nobody would know that until getting inside. I have to admit the fruit punch was good, and in my way out I saw a big screen TV and chairs with people chatting. The only door to enter and exit was half open - and no security measures were taken, anyone could walk in freely without anyone greeting you.

Embassy of Haiti

(*) Location: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Metro: Dupont Circle (Red line)
For more info: www.haiti.org

"Indulge your senses at the Embassy of Haiti by viewing an exquisite art exhibit infused by Haiti’s rich history and culture. Discussions with some of the artists will take place at 11am and 2pm. You will also enjoy live Haitian music while sampling Haitian food and Haiti’s famous Barbancourt rum punch."

Saudi Arabia

The main reason I went to this embassy is because I saw it in Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 911" documentary. I thought I wanted to see what is like the embassy of one of the richest and strongest U.S. allies. This building is different, contemporary - 1980's corporate style architecture, big spaces and lots of security, cameras and what not. As soon as you walk in the presence of Arab culture is noticeable.

A very handsome man with a Saudi regalia welcomed us, he gave me his Facebook but I forgot it. There were sweets and Arab coffee available, yummi. You could get a photo dressing an Arab dishdash (?) robe, and headress or gutra. There were musicians, artists and I got my name wrote in Arabic calligraphy.

After few minutes there wasn't a lot to see about the embassy itself -although the paintings they had (1930's) are amazing!- but there was a lot to learn from the people: a very nice experience that mostly was enjoyable because of the friendly attitude of Saudis. At least for the occasion.

When we were leaving, a family arrived with a cute boy and I asked for their picture - all women walked away but the kid was allowed to be photographed.

Royal Embassyof Saudi Arabia

(*) Location: 601 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Metro: Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue and Orange lines)
For more info: www.saudiembassy.net

"The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia presents opportunities to learn about the history, development, and culture of Saudi Arabia. Embassy staff and Saudi students will be on hand to answer questions and to guide visitors through displays, exhibitions, and live performances."

Venezuela

I missed the chance to visit the Venezuelan embassy -I heard it was one of the most crowded embassies last Saturday- because I had to run to my best friend wedding! But I had been there before and I think is one of the most interesting diplomatic sites in DC. The architecture of the house -Art Deco- definitely makes you feel like you are in Miami or a tropical city south of Florida, say Caracas? The house was built in 1939 especially to host the embassy -listen to this brief history podcast- and its open spaces and big windows with an elegant but not pretentious decor, make the place very enjoyable.

These are photos kindly sent by Ronald Rodriguez -taken by photographer Néstor Sánchez- from the Embassy of Venezuela. From my experience with Passport DC, I can see in these images that the Venezuelans made an effort to give a personalized reception to their guests- something I only saw at the Saudi Arab embassy that day.

Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

(*) Location: 2443 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Metro: Dupont Circle (Red line)
For more info: www.embavenez-us.org

"Take a tour of the Ambassador’s residence and art collection where some of Venezuela’s most important painters are represented, and enjoy live music and traditional beverages."

Also, check this link to read a press release of the embassy of Venezuela, including a fun video (in Spanish) that was prepared by the embassy. Obviously I missed out big time, hopefully next year I will be there!

People walking on Massachusetts Avenue NW.

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