The Redheaded Venezuelan - A Letter
Those who know me know that one of my most unique traits is that I have red hair but that I also am Venezuelan.
While I moved to the United States at the young age of 11, the beautiful Venezuelan culture has always been a part of my life. I have been supremely lucky that my parents and family have instilled in me the importance of knowing where you come from.
Even so, I naturally integrated myself in being American because that's what I became...and proudly so.
I have few memories of my childhood. Most of them are probably just vague recollections of pictures and videos I have seen or stories that I heard.
I do remember going to school and stopping by the cantina during recess to buy empanadas before class.
I do remember practicing karate and working really hard to get better (and beat that annoying blonde kid who always looked like he wanted to beat someone up).
I do remember kicking an older kid's backpack because he was mean and then running away because I was too little to take him head on.
I do remember playing with water balloons during carnaval and accidentally slamming my sister's fingers on a door.
I do remember my grandmother chasing me around her apartment with a flip flop.
I do remember going to los Medanos and Coro and seeing where my grandmother was from.
I do remember that going to a party at someone's house meant loud music, loud conversation, loud laughter, delicious food, and LOTS of dancing!
I also remember living in a nice house. Back then the tall walls surrounding it made me feel like I was living in a castle. I didn't know that these were meant to keep us safe.
I also remember my parents or an adult having to sit outside while they watched my sister and I ride our bikes out front because it wasn't safe to go off alone.
I also remember hearing that my parents had been held at gun point. Men approached my mom and dad and put guns to their heads, taking their purse, watch, and car. They were so very fortunate they did not take their lives. Those men were more likely than not cops.
The last time I was in Venezuela was many years ago and I remember my younger cousin telling me not to stop at red lights because someone could come up with a gun and take our money, or even kidnap us.
I remember hearing stories from family and friends about kidnappings like it was a normal thing.
I remember feeling very sad that I couldn't go back often to see my family because it wasn't safe.
I'm glad I'm here. I feel safe here. I have a better life here. I can post what I want on Facebook or stand on the street and say that something is not okay.
In all my years, I have never felt closer to Venezuela. My heart is there.
I am guilt-ridden.
I feel guilty that I am sitting at my desk in a nice apartment in Los Angeles typing on my MacBook Pro planning a trip to Europe while there are students standing in the streets of Venezuela putting their lives at risk fighting for their country...my country...where I was born.
I am angry.
I worry about the anger I feel at some people. I worry that it is closely resembling hatred. I don't want to hate, but my blood boils when I hear Maduro speak, or one of his cronies proclaim that the students are fascists, or when I see video of the paramilitary "colectivos" shooting in the streets and terrorizing the people.
I am heartbroken.
I can't help but feel a tightness in my chest when I watch a video of a female member of the National Guard sitting on top of another woman and beating her in the face with a helmet, or of two cops kicking a defenseless older man while he is down on the ground, or see pictures of those students who had their lives taken away from them by a bullet coming from those government forces who are supposed to be protecting them.
I am disappointed.
I am disappointed that there is not more coverage about what is going on in Venezuela. I am disappointed that many of my friends don't seem to know what is going on. I am disappointed that a picture of me in scrubs gets more "Likes" than my humble pleas for support (likely, this post will get less "Likes" than the recent photo of me bartending). I am even MORE SO disappointed that there are so many people IN Venezuela who don't seem to care or are too lazy to do something about the crystal clear problems and grave injustices.
I am also thankful.
I have friends who have stood up against this evil. I have friends who have let me paint the Venezuelan flag on their faces and helped spread the word. I have friends (and those who don't know me at all) who asked about those flags and wanted to have one paints as well. I have a friend who went out of his way to get an article published about what is going on. I have friends who have asked me about what is going on weeks after I told them about it and still care. I have friends who are posting on their Facebook walls and sharing because it means something to them (or at least they know it means something to me). I am thankful beyond words. Truly I am so very touched by each and every single one of you.
I am also hopeful.
I have hope that this too shall pass. I have hope that good will triumph over evil and that those who have so grossly wronged others will see justice. I have hope because after 42 days of protesting, there are still people in the streets. I have hope because after 30+ dead, there are still those risking their lives. I have hope because there have been countless rallies with THOUSANDS of people showing their support all around the WORLD (including Ukraine, where the people are also struggling against the government). I have hope because countries like Panama have stood up against the crimes of the Venezuelan government. I have hope because even with the abuse and torture there are still those who don't cower in the face of danger. I have hope because after more than 1,700 detained/arrested, my cousins, uncles, and aunts are still out there crying for justice and freedom. I have hope because there are students presenting flowers to guards who are presenting stern faces.
I am praying.
I am praying that this will be over soon and that the sons and daughters can go back to their moms and dads; that these students can go back to being students instead of being warriors without weapons; that the streets of Venezuela are no longer stained with the blood of those who loved it so much they were killed for it. I am praying that the international community shows its support for the Venezuelan people; that money and greed are overshadowed by understanding and compassion.
The world can be a dark place. I have been so lucky to not really have been touched by it.
I am safe.
There are so many who are not.
The only way to deal with darkness is with light.
Please help shed some light in this world.
#SOSVenezuela
#PrayforVenezuela
Below are some links to videos explaining the situation in Venezuela.
A Manifest from the Students of Venezuela
View this video on YouTube
NOTE: I did not make this video. I just did the translation/subtitles.
The original video in Spanish is available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki6sr...
The fight for freedom continues in Venezuela.
Students are still protesting while the government continues to violate their human rights through unlawful arrests, physical abuse, inciting violence, sexual abuse, oppressing peaceful protests, silencing modes of communication, and murder.
Please support the people of Venezuela who are fighting for their rights and freedom.
Share this manifest.
What's going on in Venezuela in a nutshell
View this video on YouTube
News mediums, reporters, and truth-sharers, feel free to use this and share it with your viewers. La version en español se puede encontrar en mi pagina. Gracias!
MOST PICTURES HAVE BEEN FROM THE LAST 3 DAYS OF RIOTS.
What's going on in Venezuela in a nutshell.
The information is as accurate as possible. Sorry for any discrepancy.
Please SHARE!
The world needs to know what's happening in Venezuela.
Song credit: Now We Are Free from the Gladiator
#PrayForVenezuela
#SOSVenezuela
SOS - Venezuela Reflexión (Spanish)
View this video on YouTube
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