#diáspora

[victormalonso]

vagabundo soy en este desierto que es la vida | photo and words by víctor m. alonso

vagabundo soy en este desierto que es la vida, diáspora de todo el silencio y todas las noches que emigran como una turba de soledad, un bullicio sin sonido que abandona el centro de quien soy, el eje de todo lo que tengo en el ámbito sentimental de mi existencia vagabundo soy en este desierto que es la vida

[caribbeanart]

Santa Cruz understood the importance of being able to see oneself in their culture and the value of identity. Through her work, she was not only able to disavow the way that Blackness was seen, but she redefined Blackness. She refused to accept the position that Peru and the broader American society continuously forced Black individuals into and, by writing and producing plays, allowed others to reject those roles. [x]

[sefaradweb]

The Jews of Spain: A History of the Sephardic Experience

"Migration of Jews throughout the Roman diaspora (c. 200 BCE-200 CE) was so widespread that the ancient Greek geographer Strabo reportedly exclaimed, ‘This people has already made its way into every city, and it is not easy to find any place in the habitable world which has not received this nation and in which it has not made its power felt’ (Josephus, Antiquities, XTV, 115)."

La migración de los judíos a lo largo de la diáspora romana (c. 200 a.C.-200 d.C.) fue tan generalizada que, según se informa, el antiguo geógrafo griego Estrabón exclamó: "Este pueblo ya se ha establecido en cada ciudad, y no es fácil encontrar un lugar en el mundo habitable que no haya recibido a esta nación y en el que no haya hecho sentir su poder" (Josefo, Antigüedades, XIV, 115).

"Jewish merchants and travelers followed the expansion of Phoenician and Syrian trading colonies all along the shores of the Mediterranean, certainly including the Iberian peninsula."

Los comerciantes y viajeros judíos siguieron la expansión de las colonias comerciales fenicias y sirias a lo largo de las costas del Mediterráneo, incluyendo ciertamente la península ibérica.

"Jews in the Roman diaspora flourished in some measure because the Empire recognized Judaism as a legal religion (religio licita)."

Los judíos en la diáspora romana prosperaron en cierta medida porque el Imperio reconoció el judaísmo como una religión legal (religio licita).

"Rome also continued to recognize the Jewish cultural ties to their national homeland in Palestine even after the great Jewish revolts there in the first and second centuries."

Roma también continuó reconociendo los lazos culturales judíos con su patria nacional en Palestina incluso después de las grandes revueltas judías en los siglos I y II.

[piononostalgia]

Jorge Soto Sánchez

« Proletarios »

silkscreen print, 1975

[caribbeanart]

La mulata cartagena by Caribbean-Colombian artist Enrique Grau. One of my favorite paintings along with a bit of Afro-Atlantic history; the good, the bad and the ugly. (More portraits here)

"In the 20th century, the figure of the mulatta—a woman of Black and white ancestry—became a powerful symbol of an idealized local mixed culture celebrated by modernist artists and intellectuals, often with problematic implications in Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and other Latin American and Caribbean countries. The etymological root of the word mulata is 'mule,' a hybrid and sterile animal, the offspring of a horse and a donkey. From this perspective, mulatto, along with pardo (brown) and moreno (dark), can be understood as a racist euphemism for Black." [x]

[promisecarrier]

De mim a Madragana, filha de Aloandro

[daletrabr]

Letra da música “Diáspora” de Tribalistas

[sefaradweb]

"Hoy es el día en que celebramos Jerusalén, nuestra capital eterna, el símbolo de la existencia judía, sin importar en qué parte del mundo vivamos.

Dos cosas en las que estoy pensando hoy.

Primero, una vez escuché a un hombre etíope contar la historia del viaje de su familia a Israel. Específicamente, lo difícil que fue, comenzando a pie a través de un país desgarrado por la guerra civil en ese entonces, con matones antisemitas al acecho. El padre del hombre estaba aprensivo, ¿quizás no deberían emprender este viaje? Pero la madre estaba segura. "Si voy a morir, quiero morir mirando hacia Jerusalén". Ella falleció antes de llegar a Israel, pero gracias a su determinación, su hijo puede vivir aquí. No puedo ni pensar en esa mujer sin emocionarme y sentirme tan agradecido de tener el privilegio de ser parte del mismo pueblo que ella.

Segundo, este día en el que estaba en el Festival de la Luz de Jerusalén, esperando para entrar en la Cueva del Rey Tzidkiyahu (de donde se cree que se extrajeron las piedras para el Templo y los Muros del Monte del Templo). Pero la cantidad de personas dentro está limitada por razones de seguridad, así que había una fila para entrar. Mientras esperaba mi turno, miré hacia la parte superior de la roca de la montaña de Jerusalén (la abertura de la cueva se encuentra en su base) y vi una paloma posada dentro de una hendidura natural en la roca. E inmediatamente las palabras de la Biblia, del Cantar de los Cantares, vinieron a mi mente: "יונתי בחגוי הסלע" (yonati be'chagvei ha'sela, "mi paloma está en las hendiduras de la roca") y de repente se me ocurrió que es muy posible que el hombre que primero escribió esta frase, y luego la escribió para la posteridad, quien se cree que fue un rey judío que gobernaba desde Jerusalén, estaba parado justo donde yo estaba, o en algún lugar cercano, mirando una vista como la que yo veía. Y el hecho de que yo tuviera sus palabras en nuestro idioma para describir el mismo tipo de escena natural en la ciudad que es sagrada e histórica para ambos, a pesar de miles de años entre nosotros, me hizo darme cuenta de que ESO es lo que significa una experiencia indígena, habilitada por un movimiento de retorno a la tierra. Eso es lo que el sionismo nos ha devuelto. Estaba y siempre estaré tan agradecido por ese momento.

imagen Así que, a Jerusalén, la más hermosa de las ciudades, el corazón palpitante del mundo para mí como judío, que siempre celebremos lo que siempre representaste: nuestra identidad, así como la existencia pacífica de toda la humanidad (ya que se cree que tu nombre proviene de las palabras hebreas para "ciudad de paz", ירושלים - עיר שלום).

Para esta ocasión, aquí hay una lista incompleta de algunas de mis canciones favoritas sobre o que mencionan Jerusalén que conozco...

Today's the day when we celebrate Jerusalem, our eternal capital, the symbol of Jewish existence no matter where around the world we may live.

Two things I'm thinking of today.

First, I once heard an Ethiopian man recount the story of his family's journey to Israel. Specifically, how hard it was, starting their way by foot across a country torn by civil war back then, with antisemitic thugs lurking about. The man's dad was apprehensive, maybe they shouldn't go on this journey? But the mom was certain. "If I am going to die, I want to die facing Jerusalem." She did pass away before getting to Israel, but thanks to her determination, her son gets to live here. I can't even think of that woman without tearing up and feeling so grateful that I'm privileged to be a part of the same people as her.

Second, this day when I was at the Jerusalem Light Festival, waiting to go into the Cave of King Tzidkiyahu (from which it is believed the stones for the Temple and the Temple Mount Walls were carved). But the amount of people inside is limited for safety reasons, so there was a line to get in. As I stood there, waiting for my turn, I looked up at the upper part of the Jerusalem mountain rock (the cave's opening is found in its base), and saw a pigeon perched inside a naturally formed cleft in the rock. And immediately the words from the Bible, from the Song of Songs, sprang into my mind: "יונתי בחגוי הסלע" (yonati be'chagvei ha'sela, "my dove is in the clefts of the rock") and it suddenly occurred to me that it's very possible the man who first wrote down this sentence, and then wrote it down for posterity, who it's believed was a Jewish king ruling from Jerusalem, was standing right where I was, or somewhere nearby, looking at a sight just like I was. And the fact that I had his words in our language to describe the same kind of natural scene in the city that's holy and historical to us both, despite thousands of years between us, it struck me that THAT is what an indigenous experience, enabled by a land back movement, is all about. That's what Zionism has gives us back. I was and forever will be so grateful for that moment.

So to Jerusalem, most beautiful of cities, the beating heart of the world to me as a Jew, may we always celebrate what you were always meant to represent - our identity, as well as the peaceful existence of all humankind (as it's believed your name comes from the Hebrew words for "city of peace," ירושלים - עיר שלום).

For this occasion, here's an incomplete list of some of my fave songs about or mentioning Jerusalem that I know.

"And if you're gonna bring salvation, and if you're gonna bring peace, then bring it today."

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, city of my dreams..."

Jerusalem - Matisyahu ('coz apparently I'm not allowed to celebrate Jerusalem with more than 10 embedded vids, thanks Tumblr)

Sissu et Yerushalayim (Rejoice in Jerusalem)

Love you, my city. So blessed I get to live my life in you. I'm remembering that today more than ever.

[dicaappdodia]

Meena Alexander: Google Doodle Celebra

Em comemoração ao Mês do Patrimônio Asiático-Pacífico-Americano dos EUA, o Google Doodle homenageia a notável poetisa indiana americana Meena Alexander. A arte vibrante que acompanha o Doodle foi criada pela talentosa artista Anjali Vakil, residente em Los Angeles. A Jornada Extraordinária de Meena Alexander: Nascida em Allahabad, Índia, em 1951, Meena Alexander passou sua infância entre a…

[victormalonso]

diáspora | ph. victor m. alonso

["estos ojos \ sólo se abren \ para evaluar la ausencia" Alejandra Pizarnik, APROXIMACIONES, fragmento]

[caribbeanart]

I have known about Victoria Santa Cruz's work about as far back as secondary school but this is truly the most thorough and comprehensive article I've read on her work that does a great job of situating her in a broader, cross-cultural context; or in other words the "why" her work matters beyond borders.

Some powerful quotes that struck me:

"In a 2007 interview, Santa Cruz described how as a little girl, she had been playing with a group of friends when a new girl with blond hair joined them and stated that if Santa Cruz remained, she would leave. Her friends promptly told Santa Cruz to leave, which to her, exemplified who held power and who had the right to wield that power."

The author does a great job building context with this line:

"In the 1960s and 1970s, Black activists in the United States, like Santa Cruz in Peru and Paris, redefined and recreated what it meant to be Black. Black with a capital 'B' is about self-naming, self-defining, and self-determining, which can be seen in the work of Santa Cruz. It is, at times, biographical, exhibiting the arduous process she has endured to form an identity that isn’t controlled or concerned with outdated stereotypes and instead honors a rich heritage inherited and a [sense of self] not founded in shame."

Victoria Santa Cruz is originally from Perú, not the Caribbean, but as I touched on in a previous post, sharing this work is a part of a broader personal initiative to expand the narrative when talking about Latin America and the Caribbean and its diáspora.

[sefaradweb]

El lugar del Piyyut en la liturgia judía marroquí – Jaanine Zineb (traducción)

🇪🇸 El piyyut marroquí es una poesía litúrgica judía fundamental en las prácticas religiosas y culturales de las comunidades judías de Marruecos. Compuestos en hebreo, árabe y judeoespañol, estos poemas se cantan durante ceremonias religiosas y reflejan una historia de convivencia entre judíos y musulmanes, con influencias de las tradiciones musicales andaluzas y árabes. Transmitidos de generación en generación, los piyyutim son esenciales para preservar la identidad y la memoria colectiva de los judíos marroquíes, tanto en Marruecos como en la diáspora.

🇺🇸 Moroccan piyyut is a form of Jewish liturgical poetry that plays a central role in the religious and cultural practices of Jewish communities in Morocco. Composed in Hebrew, Arabic, and Judeo-Spanish, these poems are sung during religious ceremonies and reflect a history of coexistence between Jews and Muslims, with influences from Andalusian and Arab musical traditions. Passed down through generations, piyyutim are crucial for preserving the identity and collective memory of Moroccan Jews, both in Morocco and within the diaspora.

[sefaradweb]

Desde el JCRC:

"El miércoles 8 de mayo, manifestantes atacaron a asistentes de un evento privado organizado por la autora y educadora judía Debbie Lechtman (Roots Metals) en Oakland. El evento, celebrado en el Día del Recuerdo del Holocausto, era una charla sobre el antisemitismo y no estaba centrado en Israel. Los asistentes afirman que fueron seguidos, llamados "cerdos judíos repugnantes" y golpeados con botellas de vidrio llenas de sangre falsa, lo que causó cortes, lesiones en la cabeza y manchas en la ropa. Apuntar a cualquier persona por su identidad es incorrecto. Las tácticas de intimidación de estilo de mafia mostradas por estos manifestantes son un recordatorio contundente de la naturaleza omnipresente e insidiosa del odio y el antisemitismo. Los organizadores del evento han informado al Departamento de Policía de Oakland y al FBI, y se ha presentado un informe del incidente. Estamos indignados por estas acciones viles y antisemitas. La violencia y la intimidación no tienen lugar en nuestra comunidad. Estamos profundamente preocupados de que los agitadores estén dirigiendo su atención a intimidar y acosar a nuestra comunidad judía. No podemos permitir que las amenazas y la ley de la multitud socaven nuestra capacidad de reunirnos y reunirnos como comunidad".

From JCRC: On Wednesday, May 8, protestors attacked attendees of a private event hosted by Jewish author and educator Debbie Lechtman (Roots Metals) in Oakland. The event, hosted on Holocaust Remembrance Day, was a talk on antisemitism, and was not focused on Israel. Attendees allege they were followed, called “disgusting Jewish pigs” and were hit with glass bottles filled with fake blood leading to cuts, head injuries and clothing stains. Targeting anyone because of their identity is wrong. The mob-style intimidation tactics displayed by these protestors is a stark reminder of the pervasive and insidious nature of hate and antisemitism. The event organizers have informed the Oakland Police Department and FBI, and an incident report has been filed. We are disgusted by these vile and antisemitic actions. Violence and intimidation have no place in our community. We are deeply concerned agitators are turning their attention to intimidate and harass our Jewish community. We cannot let threats and mob rule overcome our ability to gather and convene as a community.

[piononostalgia]

Scherezade Garcia

« The Dominican York »

Acrylic, charcoal, ink, and sequins on paper, 2006