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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE July 12, 2005
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| June 4-5, 2004 |
Miami, USA – Little Havana and Cultural Exchange with Immigrants of Miami |
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| A more well known, though less accurate, representation of Miami |
Though predominantly Cuban exiles that have made the journey across the Caribbean to make Miami their new home, the "gateway to the Americas" is an eclectic mix of immigrants from all over Latin America. Underneath the flashy and rich 'Miami Beach' image, 60 percent of the population is foreign born and living a far different reality. Anna Fink, of the immigrant rights’ organization Unite for Dignity, along with Jonathan Harris of the immigrant workers' support group Jobs with Justice, led Peace Boat’s study tour to Little Havana, a predominantly Cuban quarter in the heart of Miami, before visiting the Nicaraguan community of Sweetwater. |
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| With Jonathan Harris, in front of a memorial to the Bay of Pigs invasion |
Stopping first at La Carreta, arguably "the most famous Cuban restaurant in the United States," participants then toured memorials in the neighborhood that pay tribute to the Cuban soldiers killed in the infamous "Bay of Pigs" invasion of 1961. Explaining that many exiles in Miami are "nostalgic for the Cuba before the revolution," Jonathan told Peace Boat participants that the anti-Castro US government, in partnership with Cuban groups that "promote democracy," funded the commemorative statues and plaques. "Many Cubans are still bitter about Castro and the revolution," says Jonathan, speculating that the memorials are part of their desire "not to forget." |
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| A friendly welcome to the community of Sweetwater |
At the Jorge Mas Canosa Youth Centre in the community of Sweetwater (the translation of the Native American word 'Miami'), Nicaraguan immigrants welcomed Peace Boat with traditional and modern salsa dance performances, an exhibit of paintings from local artists, and the hilarious antics of a madcap street clown. |
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| A short Japanese lesson for the local kids |
Returning the welcome with lessons in calligraphy and origami, as well as a thumping display of Japanese and Korean drumming, participants in the exchange also extended their good wishes to each other by learning how to say basic greetings in a group Spanish and Japanese class. |
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| A local child demonstrating high aspirations on the courts behind our discussion group |
Taking time out from the carnival like festivities of the center, groups of participants met and talked with local community leaders campaigning for and supporting immigrants in Miami.
Virginia Rego, of the Group Bajo el Arbol (Under the Tree), described how peer support projects enable those without healthcare to take out loans from the group, allowing them to get treatment that they would otherwise be unable to afford. Many immigrants are "afraid to go to hospital," says Virginia, and participants learned that part of the group's efforts were to educate immigrants on the laws that are in place to protect them. |
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| Valeria Tijerino |
University student, Valeria Tijerino from Nicaragua, described herself as "lucky" to be in further education, explaining that many immigrants cannot continue their education beyond high school. As a member of the Student Labour Action Project (SLAP), Valeria holds workshops to teach "the reality of immigrant life" to other students, and raise awareness that many families of temporary workers are "putting food on American's tables yet unable to feed themselves." Hoping that the spreading of knowledge develops into action, Valeria points out that schools or the media do not teach "worker exploitation," and that non-immigrants are often shocked when finding out the truth.
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| Outside the Pan-American Hospital in Miami, supporting the labor movement and getting a firsthand experience in active organizing and demonstrating |
The next morning, a group of 30 participants led by guest drum master onboard Sawada Naoya, joined a local strike and demonstration by hospital workers, organized under the umbrella of the Service Employees International Union and Jobs with Justice, for the right to unionize at a local hospital. Participants, while providing booming Brazilian drum beats for the marchers, got a close-up look at the reality of the largely immigrant, working class’ daily struggle for the right to have a voice and be recognized by management. |
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| Sporting labor union colors and beating out Brazilian rhythms |
Adding drums to a march was also a quick lesson in how to put positive, vibrant energy into any kind of public, political expression. |
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