I was excited for this weekend.I could not wait!Not only because spanish class kicks my ass but because I knew what would be taking place this weekend. The LGBTQ feria. Buenos Aires has one of the largest LGBTQ communities in South America.I knew this event would be something I wouldn't want to miss even if it meant skipping out on the farwell parilla with IES.
I made my way down plaza de Mayo with Churipan in my hand ready to see what excitement was ahead.You could hear the music blasting from 9 de Julio. The crowd was HUGEEEEEEEEEE.I wouldnt have been suprised if there were over 100 thouseand people there. The crowd was ridiculous.Everyone was in full smiles.Old friends hugging and laughing.Men and women dressed how they wanted,dancing to the reggae music.The Latina in me could not resist dancing along with them. Vendors scattered all around the Plaza de Mayo selling rainbow braclets,bags,shirts that said "Soy lo que Soy"(I am what I am) y "Todos somos raros" (were all weird) and other amazing items.People were handing our flyers for womens rights and other pressing issues in BA.People selling Fernet y Coca and Cerveza like crazy and weed filled the air.I was overwhelmed at first by 1)all the free things I was getting 2)how many people there were. I usually love big crowds but I was overwhelmed. I had to get out the crowd to process everything that was going on.Once I got it together,I was in love.Everyone was just themselves,there wasn't anyone protesting against them,or anyone judging anyone else. The atmosphere was accepting,loving,and full of kindness.I wasn't called a "Morena" or even stared at. It was a great feeling and I didn't want to leave..I had spent so much money though so it was time to leave.LOL! When I was heading out of the crowd I ran into some. A MAN.A tall dark skinned man in his late 40s.I recognized him from the afrodescidente confrenece in the Ministry of Cultural Affairs on Wednesday.He recognized me and told me to follow him to meet the others..in typical american form I did.Sure enough there was a group of people that looked at me.The man asked me if I had come with my internship,I told him no and he replied "Good they wouldn't understand".I knew then we were on the same page. He introduced me to everyone in the group.I had seen them all at the conference.After introductions they all headed to the stage.There was a stage where the different organizations could talk about pressing social issues in BA. Racism against people of african decedents was one of them. I was in "awww" at their enthusiasm and their words that hyped the crowd. I wish I could translate what they said,but I honestly cant put the words in english..It's weird that way.Just know it was beautiful and inspiring. The man that had lead me to the group was Carlos Alvarez.He is the cordinator of the Afrodecidentes commission.He is very well known in the city because everyone stopped him to speak.I know nothing about the Commission but will be finding out THIS WEEK DURING MY MEETING WITH HIM. I told him about being from Spelman and learning about African Disapora to the states but know nothing about the African Diaspora in Latin America.I am honestly so excited.I wish I had met Carlos and been introduced to the commission when I first got to BA but better late than never right?
I believe that all the questions that I have about afro-decidentes in BA will be answered. Stay tuned for my next blog which will be all about that meeting:)
11 days!
Abrazos y Besos
I made my way down plaza de Mayo with Churipan in my hand ready to see what excitement was ahead.You could hear the music blasting from 9 de Julio. The crowd was HUGEEEEEEEEEE.I wouldnt have been suprised if there were over 100 thouseand people there. The crowd was ridiculous.Everyone was in full smiles.Old friends hugging and laughing.Men and women dressed how they wanted,dancing to the reggae music.The Latina in me could not resist dancing along with them. Vendors scattered all around the Plaza de Mayo selling rainbow braclets,bags,shirts that said "Soy lo que Soy"(I am what I am) y "Todos somos raros" (were all weird) and other amazing items.People were handing our flyers for womens rights and other pressing issues in BA.People selling Fernet y Coca and Cerveza like crazy and weed filled the air.I was overwhelmed at first by 1)all the free things I was getting 2)how many people there were. I usually love big crowds but I was overwhelmed. I had to get out the crowd to process everything that was going on.Once I got it together,I was in love.Everyone was just themselves,there wasn't anyone protesting against them,or anyone judging anyone else. The atmosphere was accepting,loving,and full of kindness.I wasn't called a "Morena" or even stared at. It was a great feeling and I didn't want to leave..I had spent so much money though so it was time to leave.LOL! When I was heading out of the crowd I ran into some. A MAN.A tall dark skinned man in his late 40s.I recognized him from the afrodescidente confrenece in the Ministry of Cultural Affairs on Wednesday.He recognized me and told me to follow him to meet the others..in typical american form I did.Sure enough there was a group of people that looked at me.The man asked me if I had come with my internship,I told him no and he replied "Good they wouldn't understand".I knew then we were on the same page. He introduced me to everyone in the group.I had seen them all at the conference.After introductions they all headed to the stage.There was a stage where the different organizations could talk about pressing social issues in BA. Racism against people of african decedents was one of them. I was in "awww" at their enthusiasm and their words that hyped the crowd. I wish I could translate what they said,but I honestly cant put the words in english..It's weird that way.Just know it was beautiful and inspiring. The man that had lead me to the group was Carlos Alvarez.He is the cordinator of the Afrodecidentes commission.He is very well known in the city because everyone stopped him to speak.I know nothing about the Commission but will be finding out THIS WEEK DURING MY MEETING WITH HIM. I told him about being from Spelman and learning about African Disapora to the states but know nothing about the African Diaspora in Latin America.I am honestly so excited.I wish I had met Carlos and been introduced to the commission when I first got to BA but better late than never right?
I believe that all the questions that I have about afro-decidentes in BA will be answered. Stay tuned for my next blog which will be all about that meeting:)
11 days!
Abrazos y Besos