tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287360578802061185.post8136494149316120511..comments2023-05-24T06:40:52.944-04:00Comments on the extra gravy report: How to Be Blackety Black in Panama, Part One.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287360578802061185.post-69503738218730813302014-09-25T02:11:59.567-04:002014-09-25T02:11:59.567-04:00The problem is historic: The USA and Europe brough...The problem is historic: The USA and Europe brought discrimination and racism to the Isthmus. All Panamanians were affected and we can see the results today. Everyone tries to be anything except Black (remember Irene Cara's breakdown). This is tragic. However, there seems to be a awakening of some Blacks that reject the bullsh*t perpetuated by the non-Black a$$holes..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287360578802061185.post-36615238198761791102014-01-17T23:35:50.487-05:002014-01-17T23:35:50.487-05:00My initial reaction was simply....WOW!!! Not becau...My initial reaction was simply....WOW!!! Not because it's so unbelievable but rather because I could completely relate on EVERY SINGLE POINT he made! I too am a child of Panamanian parents and grandparents (with Barbadian great-grands (Mami's side) and St. Lucian great-grands (Daddy's side). My history is almost identical to the one he describes except mine is occurring in Brooklyn, NY. I, and many of my generation born here in the States from the late 60s to early 70s to Afro-Panamanian parents, have heard many tales about the "La Boca Commissary gold and silver system", their constantly being referred to as "chombos/chombas" (neg. terms that persist to this day) and the distinctions, real and/or imagined, between "Zonians" and other black Panamanians, i.e. those from Colon or the poor, Pacific-side barrios of Calidonia, Chorillo, etc. I proudly and loudly consider myself a panamena, a label made much more credible to my American/"other" friends because I am not only bilingual but because my siblings, cousins and I have grown up surrounded by all things Afro-Panamanian --- molas, polleras, Seco, empanadas, arroz con pollo, tamales, baile tipico events, Panamanian reunions, desfiles panamenos en Avenida Franklin (sorry but y'all might not know about the annual Panamanian parade down Brooklyn's Franklin Ave. in October unless your'e an East Coaster!); Bajan cu-cu; fishcakes and bacalao, and of course fiestas full of salsa, merengue, soca, Haitian compa, reggae....I've embraced my family's culture with open arms. But I have also always been aware that things back "home" are exactly as he writes above. My primos (who've never left Panama) and I often discuss the unfairness of them (i.e. lower income black Panamanians) being expected to spend their money in places that consider them um, sub-standard. They smile and seem to silently accept this treatment, though they protest loudly out of earshot of their economic and racial oppressors. Suffice it to say that Alexander is correct in stating that in Panama (and throughout the Afro-Hispanic diaspora) WHITE IS DEFINITELY RIGHT....unless...you are a person of color with $$$ to spend. Then, at least on the face of it, the only color that matters is green. I have repeated an experiment with my cousins in Panama City when we go out to a nightclub or restaurant in a "ritzier" part of town like Paitilla, Cangrejo, Punta Pacifica, Coco Del Mar or Costa del Este, to name a few. My cousins span the color spectrum from "chocolate" to "casi blanca" and while it is interesting for me to hear how they designate and refer to themselves based on their respective shades, it is even more interesting to observe how different is the treatment we receive when service people overhear them speaking to me in English. Fortunately for my bilingual cousins, they have an advantage over those (mostly Latin) Panamanians who have to pay someone to teach them English. My distinctly "American" accent IMMEDIATELY changes the level of service we receive and we get asked: De que pais es Ud., seƱorita? OR Es Ud. de fuera? This happens to us repeatedly when shopping, dining out, clubbing, using public transportation, etc. We always laugh afterward about how the staff subsequently knock themselves out trying to get the "American tip" but it's really sad, on so many levels, when you think about it. No one should still be experiencing racism, of any kind, in this day and age. But, I say all this to say, that I look forward to his future episodes....besides being true and informative, Mr. Alexander's take on present-day Panama is hilarious...and I really like his writing style. He should consider writing a series of travel guides....LOL Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287360578802061185.post-40373728055874755952014-01-12T21:55:16.213-05:002014-01-12T21:55:16.213-05:00Well said!! This is a topic a close friend and I h...Well said!! This is a topic a close friend and I have spoken ad naseaum. My observation has been the same and it starts as soon as you land into Tocumen airport. As you leave the airport and travel into the city, 90% of billboards have images of White skinned folks grinning. I truly understand the importance of marketing; however, in Panama these strategies are blatantly obvious that the marketers are advertising their product to certain segment of the population. This type of illustration will lead one to believe the country is predominately White - which is incorrect, Panama is a country of mixed races and it is heavily populated by folks who are dark skinned. In terms of customer service, if you are White you get AAA service or if you are Black and speaks English well, you are treated the same. Many years ago, I have been a victim of discrimination where my friends and I were denied entry into a nightclub. This quickly change when the security guard (who is also Black) heard us speaking English among ourselves. This practice of discrimination needs to be brought out and exposed and hopefully things will start to change for the better. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12410245992608290464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287360578802061185.post-44470029412404977782014-01-12T21:52:29.877-05:002014-01-12T21:52:29.877-05:00You try not to think black but the citizens on the...You try not to think black but the citizens on the business sector "SEE YOU BLACK UNLESS THEY KNOW YOU SPENDING MONEY". If you are visiting establishments as a ordinary black person, you will feel the difference in the treatment you receive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287360578802061185.post-54987888577497606642014-01-06T20:26:16.613-05:002014-01-06T20:26:16.613-05:00You must look at your billboards along the highway...You must look at your billboards along the highways and biways and see how many black faces is on them. Look in the Government and see how many black faces there is in it. You have those Blacks that brag about how much School they attended and 99% of them are walking around singing that old brainwashed Antemn TODO POR LA PATRIA. A lot of Panamanians move back to Panama and thought that with their Dollars they were going to live like Kings and Queens but the white skin people let them know that they will be treated just like the Black person that never left. most of them are shamed to return back to the Country that open it's hand and made them someone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287360578802061185.post-87101063569492256822014-01-05T21:36:51.436-05:002014-01-05T21:36:51.436-05:00The writer of this op ed will have the same experi...The writer of this op ed will have the same experience no matter he or she goes, Panama, Europe, Brazil, Columbia, it does not matter, because they think black first, and thus have an inferiority complex.<br />I rreturned to Panama in 1991, after being away for over 30 years and I opened an Insurance Agency, A car repair shop with the Military as my clientele. My business relationship was with Insurance Companies in Panama. They wine and dine me to do business with them. I frequent the Marrior, and many hotels in Patilla... I left because the closing of the bases impacted my business. However, I open a catering business and had two vans delivering food to Almacen 99, and many Banking Officials who were my steady clientele. I was respected in the Banking Community, was able to walked in and get a loan on the spot. NO ONE TELL ME I WAS BLACK, BROWN TO DO BUSINESS WITH ME.<br />I build a home near Tocumen and paid of the Mortgage and will return to Panama to start another business.<br />My late ran a tutorial business teaching English to Rabi Blanca who will travel to Spain and return with gifts for her, expensive perfume. They never once reffered to her as Chomba, Mulata, Black...<br />The racism the writer experienced is the footprint left by American Aparthide in Panama....I was a Silver Roll Employee, and could only use the bath room that said "Helper". Could not go to Magarita, or Balboa Commissary....<br />Our problem stem from our Parents telling us to STAY AWAY FROM THOSE DIRTY PANIA PEOPLE...When I went back in 1991, I mingle with every one from Chiriqui to Darien and found some of the sweetest people on Earth!<br />STOP THINKING BLACK, THINK CREATORS OF OUR CREATOR, LIVE AND LOVE OTHERS AND YOU WILL ATTRACK GOOD PEOPLE TO YOU...<br /><br />LIONEL SMITHAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287360578802061185.post-50628034692815034272013-12-21T08:34:58.711-05:002013-12-21T08:34:58.711-05:00Sadly, Spanish rule in Latin America has left the ...Sadly, Spanish rule in Latin America has left the populace(the entire region) with a tremendous inferiority complex and a yearning for all things white.The Americans have been able to take advantage of all of them(from mexico to Argentine, including Puerto Rico,the Dominican Republic,etc.) because of this tremendous insecurity, flaw and stupidity.Ananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287360578802061185.post-30275829337497955722013-12-16T21:26:39.966-05:002013-12-16T21:26:39.966-05:00THIS was hilarious. And true. My tio Alito still d...THIS was hilarious. And true. My tio Alito still drives a taxi there. And I also still use the nickname Canela kindly bestowed upon my by my 'buela. Hope part 2 includes some tales w/ Chinese Panamanians...Canela_NYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06601829447739358966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287360578802061185.post-39520470517657387542013-11-27T05:23:03.062-05:002013-11-27T05:23:03.062-05:00Alex,
Excellent! You're a gifted writer. I ...Alex,<br /><br />Excellent! You're a gifted writer. I couldn't have said this better myself. I came back to live in my beloved but highly racially-confused Panama about 20 years ago and I've noticed the same exact things. I believe things are worse now in terms of Panamanians' attitude toward blackness. <br /><br />Keep writing and I am glad you belong to our Afro Heritage Group of Panama on FB. We would like, with your permission, to translate this article and post it to Rapsodia Antillana, our web blog in Spanish. Let me know.<br /><br />RRRoberto Reidhttp://thesilverpeoplechronicle.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287360578802061185.post-50087161613071223142013-11-21T18:45:47.848-05:002013-11-21T18:45:47.848-05:00Great post. Love your honesty! I have always hoped...Great post. Love your honesty! I have always hoped to visit Panama and what you have mentioned are all things I have read and heard about in that part of the world.beehttp://www.itsallbee.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8287360578802061185.post-1075632506033853322013-11-20T21:36:38.768-05:002013-11-20T21:36:38.768-05:00Don't know how late I am on this, but thank yo...Don't know how late I am on this, but thank you for being candid about what you saw in Panama. Most of us sugar coat our experiences for fear of being negative. But this right here, was REAL!Kissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11236120070441543700noreply@blogger.com