Afrolatinos: The untaught story

The team learned that there are distinct differences in the way Blacks arrived to Panama.  There are the “Colonial Blacks," who were the first slaves to arrive in 1513 (during the time in history when Panama was part of Colombia), and the “Antillean Blacks.” The Colonial Blacks were the slaves that came with the colonizer; the Spanish crown.  The second arrival was that of the Antillean Blacks who first arrived to work on the railroads and returned to their land, then those who came as the floating workforce, who worked on the Canal and then stayed. With the migration of 1844, people came from: Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados, Islas de Barlovento, Islas de Sotavento, Granada, San Vicente, Saint Kitts, and Montserrat, which demonstrates that the West Indian culture is very present. Slavery was abolished in 1851.

The producer’s travel throughout Latin America has awoken them to the reality of what every day life truly is for Panamanians.  When they arrived to the airport in Panama City they were greeted by their guide and swiftly started the journey to Colon their first stop. Before even leaving the airport they were detained by police officials who took their documents, informing them that they needed police escorts to Colon due to high crime.

“In the midst of all darkness there is art!”  When Executive Director, Renzo Devia said this during the journey, he was talking about the incredible structures that can be found in Colon, Panama; he was talking about how time has changed this city. The beauty found in the buildings, seen in the streets, the heritage and history; buildings that are an architects dream. 

What has happened to present day Colon is far from a dream like state; these buildings have not been restored, they resemble more of having been burned, with stains that cover the magnificent colors underneath. The tension and anxiety can be picked up from every person you walk by; especially from children, the cries in the silence, the fear that can be found on the streets due to the high military presence throughout Colon.  There is an imbalance of what people should be proud of. 

It is evident that the pride of Panama is its canal. But what is happening to all the revenue?  According to BusinessWeek.com, “The Panama Canal Authority reported earnings results for 2008.” The company said, “For the year its canal's income hit a record high of $2.007 billion.” Are Panamanians seeing any of this money? How is aid being provided for them? How are they benefiting from the revenue in Panama? How does the government respond to the crime and living conditions? How do you create change within a government who does not worry about the living conditions of its people?

Who do they hold accountable for the millions of dollars that enter through the canal, but are not being invested in its people? How do you respond to a government who is more concerned with revitalization and raising tourism? A change that promises a “new face of colon,” focused more on a new identity, by planning massive reconstruction of the free zone la Zona libre.  

A free zone that was built to increase economy and help its people be “better BUSINESS people;” to be more self-reliant.  But even its citizens need a special pass to get in. What is the cost of this “new identity"? This new identity that is seen in the buildings being knocked down and in the people being displaced.  A project that promises to move the Afro-Panamanian community out of Colon and into the outskirts. A change that serves who?

At the same time, these are a people who in the midst of their darkness, with minimal job opportunities, lack of education, poor health care, surrounded by trash and in desperate need for food, in the midst of their darkest hours their beauty still exists. Its beauty cannot be torn down; it is seen in the families, the art, the music, the food, it is seen in its people, and it is alive in their spirits.  One cannot ignore that crime is a huge problem taking over the (16) streets of Colon. But what the team found was that these acts of crime, are acts of hunger.

Acts of hunger in a city without hope, yet in the midst of this darkness there is still beauty and art.  There is hope found in their reggae music. Throughout Latin America there has been some confusion between Spanish reggae and reggaeton. In Panama the producers spent time with reggae artist Kafu Banton, and got a taste of how reggae "en español" is being actively represented.

What is Kafu singing about?  His life experience in Colon; his story can be heard in songs like “Pobreza” (Poverty), where he talks about the poverty and lack of job opportunities, not waiting for government to respond to their cries, and songs like “Vivo en el ghetto” (I live in the ghetto),  where he still finds inspiration out of his current living situation, remaining hopeful that change will come.  He sings about not leaving Colon, but staying there and fighting for human rights for his community. Hope is what some people are holding onto.

The crew interviewed and spent time with long time activist and advocate for peace, Rastanini, who shared his thoughts on life in Colon, “when your stomach is growling, of course crimes will be committed.”  Rastanini has been at the forefront of teaching Afro-Latinos the Rastafarian culture and beliefs. It is extremely visible that the poorest communities in Panama are the Afro-Panamanian communities. A community of people who hold onto the slightest bit of hope, fighting through adversity and politics that do not serve them, pushing themselves towards a better quality of life. 

The future of Colon depends on the group the producers sat with, an organization called 3C. They are the voice of the youth in Panama. The biggest challenge they face is access to education, and the technology that coincides with the times. There is a large population that is illiterate, below average in technology; they need the internet and are still using typewriters. They say that the lack of opportunity goes hand in hand with the low self-esteem that is displayed. Mentioning that their recommendations on how to create change that works are excluded, ignored by the government, but they are not giving up.

They bring with them messages of peace, hope, perseverance and faith.  They say they want to live in a community that believes in them. They know that many who live in Colon want to escape, but they believe that life can change for them in Panama; they believe that they can change Panama. They do not believe that a better way of life can be found elsewhere. These incredible kids are an inspiration to children everywhere.  They refuse to rely on government for change. This is what self-reliance looks like.

Kafubanton is the most popular reggae in Spanish artist from Panama. The team of Afrolatinos.tv produced his music video “No me hables de bala”, which talks about the viloence in his home town of Colón Panama.

(Rest in Peace Roberto)