"El patriotismo require la ofrenda y en esto no hay parcialidad. O todo o nada." 

Today marks the b-day of one the greatest Independance fighters of Puerto Rico's Time. My aunt, my grandmothers sister Titi Tere, used to roll with Don Albizu back in day and she used to tell me stories about him, She was a member of the PNPR. She used to tell me about when he used to come over for dinner and how inspiring he was. Everyone at that time would follow him to the death, and some did.

His fight still continues today. We still fight for a FREE PUERTO RICO.
please visit September23.org for more info

He was called "El Maestro" by all who loved him and valued his leadership. Pedro Albizu Campos was the most prominent Puerto Rican political figure of the 20th century, a National Hero who sacrificed his life for the freedom of his country. Under his direction, the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico became a major force in the fight for independence. A powerful speaker, thousands would gather to listen to his passionate discourses of freedom. He urged the Puerto Rican people to reclaim their cultural history and national symbols such as the flag and the national anthem.

Pedro Albizu Campos was instrumental in winning an island wide sugar cane strike and exposing secret medical experiments sponsored by the Rockefeller Institute. He developed the theory of non-collaboration (retraimiento) with the colonial structures, i.e. boycotting elections and military service. He soon became a target of the colonial forces and was arrested and charged with seditious conspiracy. From the mid-thirties to the early sixties, Pedro Albizu Campos would be in and out of U.S. prisons (25 years). During his incarceration, he repeatedly charged that he was a target of human radiation experiments. His skin severely swollen and cracking he covered himself with wet towels. Jailers thought he was crazy, but today there is proof that radiation experiments did take place.

He never accepted the United States rights to govern in Puerto Rico. He did reach that "Éif they won't listen to legal reason, then we must take up arms against the invaders." When he issued his call to arms, he cited as legal precedents the Boston Tea Party and the drawn sword of George Washington. Ironically, he also mentioned that Luis Muñoz Rivera got Puerto Rico's Autonomy from Spain by means of a threat to take his case to the U.S., both parties understanding that the liberal Yankees, would sympathize with the concept of independence. It is curious to note that both Cuba and the Philippines where the Spanish/American War was fought were granted their independence. Only Puerto Rico where there was no major fighting is still controlled by the U.S.

Because of his teachings, the Puerto Rican people and the Latino world called, Pedro Albizu Campos, "El Maestro". He was the first great Puerto Rican theoretician of anticolonial thought and the first to describe the contradictions of the colonized. Today there are parks, streets and schools named after him. Institutes and scholars study his work as well as activists look to his example to continue their struggle for Puerto Rico's independence. People of all ages wear T-shirts adorned with his picture and famous quotes. In all the major struggles presently taking place in Puerto Rico you will always see and feel the presence of "El Maestro" at a demonstration or at rally.

My new book "In the Wake of Oya" is finally here!!!!

though it's "OFFICIAL" release is not till August 2nd!!!!….  

you can purchase it early…..online a:

www.gabrielagarciamedina.com

www.myspace.com/gabrielagarciamedina

or….if you live in LA you can go to Imix Books at:

5025 Eaglerock Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 257-2512

Some of my 2nd book tour performances are: 

AUGUST SHOWS:

AUGUST 2ND:
Name: A-Womb
Description: A Gathering of poets, musicians and artists coming together to celebrate the sacred feminine in art, music and poetry.
Date: Thursday, August 2nd, 2007
What time: 8pm
Where: Little Ethiopia (Fairfax Blvd/Pico Blvd)
Contact: myspace.com/lynnix
Cost: Free
 

AUGUST 5TH:
Name: Spoken Funk
Description: Comedy and Poetry Weekly Event
Date: Sunday August 5TH, 2007
What time: 8pm (sharp if you wanna make sure you get in!…it gets packed!)
Where: Aqua Lounge: 424 Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Contact: 1866 212 3676
Cost: $10

AUGUST 12TH:
Name: Talking Drum
Description: Feature Performance at Poetry and Music Open Mic
Date: Sunday August 12th, 2007
What time: 8pm
Where: Lost Souls Café: 124 W. 4rth Street. Los Angeles, CA 90013
Contact: 213 617 7006/ findyourself@lostsouls.com
Cost: Free

AUGUST 14TH:
Name: Organic Soul Movement
Description: Feature Performance at Poetry and Music Open Mic
Date: Tuesday, August 14rth 2007
What time: 9pm
Where: Industry Café: 6039 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232
Cost: Love Donations

AUGUST 16TH:
Name: Poet’s Jazz House
Description: Featured Artist at open mic in Leimert Park for  poets and musicians
Date: Thursday August 16
What time: 8pm-midnight
Where: Sunny’s Spot: 3349 West 43rd Place, Leimert Park (1 block south of McDonalds), LA, CA 90008
Contact: 323 291 4098
Cost: Free

AUGUST 17TH:
Name: Tia Chucha’s Cultural Café
Descrition: Feature performance at Tia Chucha’s Cultural Café Open Mic.
Date: Friday August 17th, 2007
What time: 8pm
Where: 10258 Foothill Blvd. Lake View Terrace, CA 91342
Contact: 818 896 1489/ info@tiachucha.com
Cost: Free

AUGUST 24RTH:
Name: Student Showcase and Benefit
Description:
Date: August 24rth
What time: 7pm
Where: Art Share LA
Cost: Free

AUGUST 25TH:
Name: Sappho’s Return
Description: Fashion Show and Perfromance
Date: August 25th, 2007
What time: 7:30pm
Where: Gay and Lesbian Center: 1625 Schrader Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028
Contact: 323 993 7400
Cost: TBA

SEPTEMBER SHOWS:

SEPTEMBER 3RD:
Name: Urbane Culture
Description: Feature at the Hottest Open Mic in Ontario, CA
Date: Monday, Sept. 3rd, 2007
What time: 8pm
Where: 223 W. Emporia Street, Ontario, CA 91762
Contact: myspace.com/urbaneculturelounge
Cost: Free

SEPTEMBER 13TH:
Name: KCET’S Annual Latino Heritage Month Gala
Description: Gala/Benefit organized by KCET Television to honor Latinos in the Arts, Education, Business, Social Work, etc.
Date: Thursday September 13th, 2007
What time: 6pm
Where: KCET Television Studios (Sunset Blvd.)
Cost: FREE NOT OPEN TO PUBLIC 

SEPTEMBER 27TH:
Name: A Mic and Dim Lights
Description: Feature at the Hottest Open Mic in Pomona (and the place that I consider my HOME VENUE for Poetry!!!!….my favorite Open Mic in the Country)…also a SPECIAL BIRTHDAY FEATURE!
Date: September 27th, 2007
What time: 9pm
Where: Cal Poly Pomona Downtown Center: 300 W. Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766
Contact: 909 469 0080
Cost: $3

SEPTEMBER 28TH:
Name: OFFICIAL BOOK RELEASE PARTY FOR “In the Wake of Oya” and GABRIELA GARCIA MEDINA’S 25th BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!
Description: An amazing show, an incredible line-up of artists, a great dj….spoken word, hip hop, salsa and afro-cunab!!!
Date: Friday September 28th, 2007
What time: 8pm (SHARP!!!)
Where: TBA (STAY TUNED FOR UPDATED INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT!)
Contact: www.myspace.com/gabrielagarciamedina
Cost: FREE

SEPTEMBER 29TH:
Name: Timoi’s Gallery Opening
Description: Graffitti Gallery Opening with live artists, poets, emcees, and more
Date: Saturday September 29th, 2007 (MY BIRTHDAY!)
What time: 7:30pm
Where: 1640 North Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Cost: Free

OCTOBER SHOWS:

OCTOBER 27TH:
Name: Annual Festival de la Gente
Description: Feature Performance at annual Boyle Heights festival
Date: Saturday, October 27th, 2007
What time: All Day!
Where: 6th Street Bridge (it’s closed off at Downtown and at Boyle Heights and it is filled with stages, vendor booths, art, food and more!
Contact: festivaldelagente.org
Cost: TBA

OCTOBER 28TH:
Name: Annual Festival de la Gente
Description: Feature Performance at annual Boyle Heights festival
Date: Sunday, October 28th, 2007
What time: All Day!
Where: 6th Street Bridge (it’s closed off at Downtown and at Boyle Heights and it is filled with stages, vendor booths, art, food and more!
Contact: festivaldelagente.org
Cost: TBA

STAY TUNED FOR MY OFFICIAL BOOK RELEASE PARTY…AND BIRTHDAY PARTY INFORMATION!!!!…..A BLOG WILL BE POSTED SOON….STAY ALERT AND COME AND CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!…….WITH ART….MUSIC AND LOVE! 

For more information on the book or any of my upcoming events, please feel free to leave a comment and i will get back to you!!!

hope to see you around!!

much love-

gabriela garcia medina 

Hosting My Open Mic show at Langston Hughes' House in Harlem is such a treat.  Every first and third Thursday of every month at about 8 pm the mic opens up in the living room where Langston Hughes would recite with all of his friends, fellow writers, and musicians back in the Renaissance days.  Last week was mad cool for a lot of reasons.  Some really cool women such as Mamarazzi, Taina, Adele Ramos, Poeta Guerrera and Harlem's Bombshell did poetry that was just fire!  So much color, range and strength.  Ms. Anaya sang her soulful tunes with sultry silkiness.  Bobby Gonzalez got politically profound with his tri-lingual poetry.  Rebel Ru did damage in Spanish.  A true highlight though, came from these little boys from up the block.  Suero, the Gorilla Pimp himself, let a group of 7-10 year old boys in to see what it looks like when adults get together and share art and intellect.  They decided to get up there too.  They did their rendition of "Hey Bay-Bay"  I don't even know if that's the title of the song, but these little boys were adorable and it was their first time on a mic ever.  I'm sure it won't be the last.  They even brought in their father after the show, he makes beats and is the DJ who inspired them.  At Hughes' House true inspiration is born.  Come on out people.  This Thursday is next.

Hughes House

20 E. 127th Street

Harlem, NY 10035

bet. Madison and Fifth Avenues

8 pm   $5

Something I came up with last week:

"Writers Block is when your mind is cock-blocking your hand or maybe it's your hand cock-blocking your mind… either way get out of your own way and write some thoughts you thought you'd never say."

Silly, I know, but at least I wrote some ish…

I have given birth to a new poem!

…it is entitled "Self Empowered Love" and it was born from a series of events, but specifically from the following experience:

1. A female poet whom i love and appreciate both as a person and as a writer, has a love poem that i highly disagree with. The poem is extremly co-dependent and she basically talks about how she would quit everything for the man she loves. Though her poem is written excellently…i cannot agree with the message because it is the same message that has been forced upon us for generations through poetry, music and song….which got me listening to love songs and really paying attention to the co-dependent messages that we internalize and perpetuate. 

Self Empowered Love

I wanna write a self empowered love poem
Not co-dependent
Love poem

A poem that’s different from any other love song or poem
One that can be digested
Without affecting our self-esteem
A healthy organic love poem
Completely different from the spoon-fed love songs and poems
Our mothers and our grandmothers used to cry to
No more Air Supply on the radio telling my dad
That he’s All out of Love
And Mary J, if you’re going down cause he aint around
Don’t take my mama there with you
And Leanne Rimes “How will I live without you”
Was one of my first break-up anthems
And when Jorge was cheating
And emotions became physical beatings
Cindy Lauper told me to stay and take it “Time after Time”
And with Mark I would cry myself to sleep to Lila Downs
Telling me in Spanish that I should wallow in my own self-pity
While Tony Braxton gave me false hope with “Unbreak my heart”
And I would wake up to Billy Holliday singing “Good morning Heartache”
These love songs we internalized
And before we realized it was too late
We were already victims to these cycles of unhealthy relationships
Acting out of desperation
Our fears grow into monsters
Fed by our insecurities
Molding our perceptions of love
Tainting its potential
We become vulnerable to loneliness
And in the hopes of being fulfilled we selfishly CLAIM our lovers
Like Ritchie Valenz singing “You are mine and we belong together”
And Sarah Vaughan singing “You are mine you, you belong to me and I will never free you”
So we think we own people
Like slave masters
We are filled with self-hate
Wanting to imprison someone’s spirit,
Chastise their heart,
Manipulate their thoughts
Cause we are not enough for ourselves
And we are suckers for self-destructive romance
No wonder we misunderstand the meaning of love

So I write this self empowered love poem
Because I want to shape-shift this paradigm
I am my own person
And I refuse to be defined by these songs
These poems
I will not claim them
They do not sing to me
I release them
And I write this poem
This self empowered love poem
An independent
Not co-dependent
Love poem
That goes something like this:

So I write this poem
This self-empowered love poem
That doesn’t need your validation
Nor wants a response from you
This poem that doesn’t want to save you
Or enslave you
This poem that doesn’t need you to love back
Though it wants you to
I write this poem that is beautiful despite you
This poem that will exist without you
It can stand up for itself
This poem that will not wait for you
Once you are gone
This poem will move on
And keep shining
Mature, sexy and grown
Everlasting
Beautiful
Free
And loving itself
So that it can truly love you!