We aren’t done, We will always show up

We aren’t done, We will always show up

By Francisco Velazquez

I’m from the south, where southern hospitality has always been something that has kept me humble and hopeful, like a sun that won’t stop shining. As I continue to grow up, make a new life halfway across the country, I witness the distaste that this country has towards the LGBTQ community and it makes me cringe a little.

As a gay latino male, my life hasn’t been a battle between being myself or being accepted. Traditional is the word that has lived through centuries in my Latino community.  The Orlando shooting broke the LGBTQ community and made us stronger at the very same time.  As the gruesome news continues to fill the T.V., death rate rising, and the blood banks continue to take blood donations, the thought that still lingers at the front of my head is “angry at two men kissing.”

During a recent trip to Miami, the shooter encountered the sight of two men kissing one another in front of his child. Not to mention that other heterosexual couples were also kissing around his child, this troubled him and he decided to act on it. (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/06/13/orlando-shooters-father-condemns-attack/85818362/)

Unfortunately, this act of terrorism towards the LGBTQ community isn’t anything that we haven’t seen before, take the Stonewall Riot or the countless murders of gay, trans, men and women in the past years alone. This attack was the deadliest mass shooting in American history, the deadliest incident of violence against the LGBTQ community in American history, and the deadliest terrorist attack on America since 9/11.  

LGBTQ people have been harassed and intimidated all our lives. We’ve all reached for our spouse’s hand, or leaned in for a kiss, but the difference is, we’ve always flinched and pulled back a little. It’s always something that isn’t quite there for us, safety in any aspect of life. There is always an underlying feeling of anxiety in public spaces. Showing affection is not a commonality we share with other heterosexual couples. It’s both fear and danger; to be gay and alive.

In a bizarre way, The United States has become like the movie, ‘The Purge,’ our government does not protect us fully. It is instead allowing criminals like Omar Mateen to own a gun and use it in whatever way they deem fit. I want to know why America creates a system of guns and violence and only sees violence as the problem. Why is it allowed in this day and age for someone to carry a gun into a club full of LGBTQ people and only deem it as “islamic terrorism.” The second amendment is great, if you’re a white American male. But for me and the millions of other LGBTQ members it isn’t that easy. I fear leaving my own space because I know safety isn’t something my community has been given tangibly. We do not have open spaces to share our love without it being a topic of discussion or an act of terrorism. It isn’t enough to speak on these moments as mere pawns for prevention in the future. The death of 50 innocent people is not a trial and error for next time. America needs to realize we have a gun control problem. The victims in Orlando were my community, men and women, brothers and daughters, my own family.

As my family and I sat around the T.V., we talked about the dangers, perhaps the possibility that something may have been wrong in his life, but we also talked about the way trust breaks once you give yourself to a country who isn’t willing to take you. My older brother found it difficult to talk about the situation because he knew it could’ve just as easily been me. The way America tries to romanticize death as something that we can grow past through prayer and hope will not bring back our loved ones. It is a lingering scent. A bitter taste that does not bring anything sweet in return. It’s a constant cycle, of who’s next.

I came across a news update of the Orlando shooting (http://www.bustle.com/articles/166453-the-one-disturbing-detail-about-the-orlando-shooting-that-has-been-overlooked)  that described the crime scene as “untouched,” reiterating the sounds of phones ringing filled the room full of empty bodies. I broke down and wondered how someone could look at another person and want them gone. To take multiple lives because they think the  way you live yours is ‘uncivil’ makes me question where America comes from when it means “inclusive.” Isn't it enough that people that identify as trans/transgender are not counted in the U.S. census, but are our deaths counted in these campaigns you release (http://www.mtv.com/news/2286707/laverne-cox-transgender-count-census/)  Did you take us into account when you wrote the Bill of Rights?

As we watch pro-gun politicians like Trump, politicians who are here for better education and gun control, but will not once mention the erasure of Black and Brown lives, the erasure of Black and Latina women and their voices, or the erasure of the LGBTQ community, we will continue to stand stronger together, until you hear us. We will always show up.

We cannot let the erasure of the LGBTQ community be the erasure of our own grief.
Fifty people walked into Pulse that night, having survived a lifetime of cultural terrorism, and still showed up. The rest of this community will continue to do the same. We will continue to show up at every protest and rally, because we are not done. We have been built through wars in this country for loving ourselves fuller, and will not let one man foster a culture of homophobia.

Madison Madness: Lincoln’s Foot for Safety

Madison Madness: Lincoln’s Foot for Safety

By Francisco Velazquez

As a student of color who isn’t seen at any of the protests or as a student of color who believes this campus is working towards an inclusive environment, what side of Bascom have you been walking on?

It’s great that you feel safe in a classroom setting...

Ya know considering a young man was just arrested for publicly showing the reality that thrives on this campus.

“ I decided — being a student of color — to involve myself and see exactly what was going on.”

How did you involve yourself? Did you talk to any person involved with #TheRealUW or did you just say you did? Having an article published is definitely a resume builder, but maybe not being so general in what you do and don’t know would be great.

How specifically are we pushing fear tactics on anyone? By defending a POC who came to our floor crying about a statement that one of your friend’s made to her in regards to #TheRealUW?

Apparently my blog is also part of the problem, but maybe this campus should stop being racist and then I’ll stop clap backing back, but, probably not.

“UW is not an institution that systematically oppresses people of color. They are not breeding people to be racists. I am of a minority, and yes, I feel underrepresented, but at the same time, there are more tactful ways to address the issue and take action.”

1. UW-Madison is an institution.
2. Underrepresented? Does not correlate with unimportant, colored, complaining, apes, illegals, e.t.c. but sure “underrepresented” so we can use heavy syllables.

How is this campus working towards more racial coverage of our struggles? Last time I checked, Matthew Heisch was still walking across East Campus Mall this morning like nothing happened. But according to you, everything is peachy on a campus that sends threatening letters to a specific student’s home. Racists comments on Yik-Yak definitely aren't part of the problem right? Course not.

My issues with you, Madison Bevan, are as follows: my first - you do not include yourself in a struggle when all you know is half the struggle - no one assumes that all white people are racist. That’s great that most of your closest friends are white and not racist, but you’re probably to Raven-Symone’d out to realize what oppression is. Just because your friends are taking Spanish and love the culture doesn’t mean they’re educated about what it means to be of color, ever.

“When an uncomfortable confrontation took place between members of the #TheRealUW and, not only my friends, but my floor mates, the members assumed that everyone on my floor was racist, barging into our den and saying, “we hear we got some racists on 7B.” Making this assumption toward people you don’t even know and people who are not of the same ethnicity is not going to help your cause.”

Yes, a confrontation took place between your friends and your floor mates, but where were you? You’re talking about this like you were there, you weren’t. No one assumed that anyone was racist. As a educated person of color, we know that all white people are not racist. You should try it sometime, that thing you liked to defend at this school, knowledge. You probably missed the hour long conversation we had with the rest of the students on 7B, where they asked and we answered questions.

“During the confrontation, someone from 7B asked what he could specifically do to help their cause and the response he got was “stop being racist.” When confronted about this comment, one member of #TheRealUW movement replied that the comment was a defense mechanism for constantly having to answer the question “what can I do?” If you are protesting for a cause you care so much about, you should never be reluctant or annoyed when someone asks what they can do to help.”

Let’s be specific if we’re going to address who asked and who answered the question

Bret Wolter: “What can I (we) do?

Francisco Velazquez: Stop being racist.

Do you know how tiring it gets to explain to one person why something is problematic or racist? Do you know how hard it is to balance your education and try not to be victimized every day?

I did not come to a top research university to educate white people.

I came to this university to be educated.

It isn’t my job to educate a white person.

Maybe try bringing up the fact that this school now requires an ethnic studies course b/c your “friends” don’t know how to interact with people of color in the real world.  

Why are you writing this article when you’re not a part of the movement of equality on campus? Why did you find the need to speak out now, for your “friends” on 7B? Do you feel oppressed? After long sororities parties and deep conversations about equality with your friends do you feel that now is the time for justice?

Did you feel oppressed writing this article?

Will this campus care if you’re victimized the next time you try bringing rights and race in the same sentence? Tell me, is the Kluxy logo too much or was the KKK just a warm-up? Should we just relax and forget the situation ever happened? You know the thing called racism. If we don’t make moves as minorities, will you?

Follow up with an article and don’t go back to being another Badger in the crowd. Speak up when it’s necessary, not when it’s convenient.

UW-Madison should take notes, instead of handing them out

UW-Madison should take notes, instead of handing them out

By Francisco Velazquez

Here we go again…

Did you wake up today and experience something out of the ordinary, like being of color at a PWI?

My friend, PEOPLE Scholar, beautiful human being, Launa Owens was a victim of a threat on the UW-Madison campus earlier today.

Earlier today Launa received a note that was slid under her door that read,  “you fuck with bucky, you fuck with us, fuck you nigger bitch.”

What is UW-Madison campus gonna do this time? Are you going to use your top research facilities and resources to pinpoint where your racism stems from?

I just got back from Spring break after explaining to my parents just how racist this campus is. They told me I should be more careful and try to be safe. I shouldn’t have to be safe if white people on this campus weren’t racist. But let’s not just put all white people into a bubble, we definitely have some Asian-Americans that think their pockets can drown out their pigment. How you doing Matthew?

Anyway, after texting and asking Launa if she was okay, she responded with, “I’ll be fine.” But that shouldn’t be an answer that we have to say when we’re the victims of constant crimes, week after week.

Not to mention that this is a threat. Notice the 4 lines at the bottom of the drawing. There are 4 people in the protest picture and one is crossed out. This happened on my floor, down the hall from where my friend Synovia Knox’s incident occurred just 3 weeks ago.

I am truly tired of arguing with a blank wall and an empty room full of white people who feel that their entitlement stems from their ancestors mistakes.

How far have we come to still feel the need to defend an inanimate object like a fucking mascot over a human being?

My friend Launa will continue going about her day like nothing happened. The privileged little white assholes that did this will continue to watch us protest until the wheels fall off. Walk up Bascom and feel the heat of TheRealUW. (the signs are everywhere)

Again, I ask, we ask, where are white people’s racist confidence in a classroom setting when people of color are present? Do you not feel that your privilege will save you then?

Speak up. Pop off in person. I continue to dare you. But you continue to be anonymous. If you’re gonna be racist, you might as well go all out and show us your face and the dignity your family forgot to give you.

Welcome to UW-Madison where the reparations of brown and black students is still paid in racism. Enjoy the liberal life of a college campus that will defend the attacker, instead of the victim.

‘On Wisconsin(s).

Behind The Yellow Line: Can You Read?

Behind The Yellow Line: Can You Read?

by Francisco Velazquez

The string of racist incidents on this campus don’t seem to stop, and this means we will no longer continue to be silent. That’s a promise. Regardless of how annoyed this institution gets with people of color, maybe you should try not being a racist or at least including how racist it CAN be in your brochures?

I feel like a misinformed badger. Then again, I’ve never felt inclusive enough to call myself a badger, ever.

After discussing this past weekend’s biased incident involving myself, my cohort sister Synovia, and the rest of my cohort I really thought we had surpassed this bump in the road, but apparently not.

My cohort brother, Eneale Pickett, a Chicago native and spoken word artist, tells me he was kicked off the bus.

“I was coming back from a religion and sexuality class at the Social Sciences building when I see the bus stop right next to Sterling Hall and of course decide to take the 80 since it’s freezing outside.” Pickett continues on to tell me that he has his scarf on over his headphones and expects nothing of it. He proceeds to get on the bus, full of white people, to go home just like the rest of the students. The bus waits for 5 to 10 minutes before pulling off. But before that happened, the bus driver asks Eneale a question...

*he points at the sign on the top of the bus that reads ‘if you’re in front of the yellow line you can’t ride the bus’*

Mind you, Eneale tells me that he was behind the yellow line, clearly.

The bus driver asks him, “Can you read?” Repeats it 3 times.

By this time, Eneale has removed his earphones to make sure he’s understanding the bus driver correctly. The bus driver repeats, “You obviously can’t read, you must be illiterate, just like the rest of them at this university.”

If I know Eneale, this would set him off but I also know Eneale and a physical altercation is not worth his full tuition scholarship.

But how, how do you ask someone, a person of color, if they can read when they have obviously succeeded in life enough to come to one of the top research universities in the country.

What process does the University of Wisconsin-Madison go through in screening their employees to make sure they aren’t as racist as the lives they live?

Do you feel the racial climate when it’s burning people of color alive?

I want to know how at UW-Madison employee can ask a student this. A freshmen. Talk about the freshmen experience. Instead of the freshmen 15 followed by football games, people of color on this campus face the weight of racism and are photoshopped into brochures to show that people of color go here?

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Eneale got off the bus.

Out of all the white people on the bus, he makes Eneale get off the bus. Without a sound, again, people of color are silenced.

You remove the only person of color off the bus to make room for more white people as if they haven’t already been taking up everything that we try to call home in these ‘inclusive” spaces.

I ask Eneale how he handled the emotional trauma that came after this incident and he states, “after I felt angry, embarrassed, and pissed because our tuition pays that bus driver’s salary.”

I’m actually so tired of having to defend my color at a university that obviously doesn’t want me here, but needs me in order to balance their lack of diversity.

This university needs something more than a culture shock. Stop looking for answers of what it means to be a person of color from a person of color. It isn’t our job to educate white students about our struggles.

So what makes this incident any different than the others? Eneale didn’t report it. If he did, would things have turned out differently? Probably not. This racist bus driver will still have his job. Just like the guy who spit on my cohort sister’s face, nothing will be done.

It almost seems that racially charged incidents on this campus have become the growing trend. What the hell does it matter if that you’re a nationally ranked school when your students can’t even walk to class without feeling like their lives are in danger? When they can’t ride the bus without being discriminated against? I no longer look for answers and approval from this university. Instead, I make my own.

The racial disparity at this school will change & we are here to remind this campus why this is 2016 and not 1619.

Shit’s not Biased. Address it UW-Madison.

Shit’s not Biased. Address it UW-Madison.

by Francisco Velazquez

Well since no publication found the need to gave me any approval to write an article on this, I’ll write and publish my own.

Oddly enough we ended our night walking from Langdon street where things were surprisingly quiet and calm...for once.

With no plans after a very odd party we bought Wendy’s and headed back to Sellery. After taking the elevator to the 3rd floor and waiting for someone to make a smart ass remark about us taking the elevator to the third floor we got off and proceeded to deliberate on whose room we’d go and watch a movie in.

As my friend and I are making our way down the hall to her room, this lowlife of a human decided to tell my friend and I to “shut the fuck up.” Completely appalled by his remark I check in with my friend and ask her if he’s being serious. Apparently, he is. A part of me thinks he forgot that I’m from Atlanta and I don’t fear a rich little boy who thinks that because his parents have money that he instills ANY fear in me. But that’s beside the point. My friend holds me back, but then he proceeds to get in her face, shove her, tells her to shut the fuck up and spits in her face.

He spits in her face.

See, this is where you fucked up bro. How animalistic are you to look at someone and spit in their face? Not only spit in her face but continue on to call us poor because we’re here on scholarships? Tell her that she’s not pulling her own weight and threaten to sue her because you threatened her? Either you're stupid or stupid. I say both.

In the blink of an eye, more than half of our cohort is in the hall holding my friend and I back. He knows that all these people in the hall are protecting him and yells from the other end of the hall to “come and get it.” He tells us that we’re the real problem and that we should all leave.

One sec honey, bouta school your dumbass.

1. You pay for tuition, and room and board.
2. Why are you here?
3. You continuously say how much you hate this floor yet, you have the complete ability, money and resources to move ANYWHERE else on this campus.
4. You have repeatedly used your microaggressions towards other people on the floor.
5. You come from a place of privilege but your skin tone will never be white.
6. Remember your roots honey, you’re a minority just like the rest of us.
7. You’re the problem.

By this time, I look down the hall and spot a house fellow. I call her over to “file a complaint.”

At this point, it takes us almost an hour to calm down and call UWPD and file a report with them.

Ironically,  this occurs in the middle of our Line Breaks Show. Our “Unhe[a]rd: Radical Forms of Protest addresses racism, classism, sexism, and how our generation is here to protest against these systematic stigmas in unconventional ways. The dialogue in our opening scene coincides almost exactly to the situation that occurred where this “thing” spit on her. This type of racial, sexual, and class discrimination happens everyday on this campus. The difference? The 9th Cohort of First Wave will never be silent. You can’t drown us when we same for this shit.

This scum of a human spit in my cohort sister’s face and told her to shut the fuck up. He threatened two of my other cohort sister’s and somehow still thinks he hasn’t done anything wrong.

He spits on her because he has more money and isn’t as dark. You can chant all you want about how much money you have but that won’t change how disgusting of a human you are.

This a reminder that we protest by living. By being of color at a PWI. We pay an EXTRA $200 to live on an artistic floor. My cohort sister does not pay room and board to get spat on. She does not pay an extra $200 to deal with insecure racist assholes who find their masculinity in stepping up to a womyn of color. You forgot she has an entire community behind her, ALWAYS.  Don’t think this time we’ll be silent. We came to this campus to change it and this will not be the last time you see or hear the 9th Cohort of First Wave.

Matthew Hsieh, check your privilege before you ever try the 9th Cohort again.