JEM's Life

Community organizing with my sisters and brothers, Santafecinos! #NewMexicoTRUE #HowToSantaFe #UntoldStories #FiestadeSantaFe

Revolution begins with thoughtful dialogue! #4people #4directions #4professions #4community #revolutionaryroundtables (at Sante Fe NM)

Good morning Santa Fe! Cotton candy clouds for breakfast! That's #howtosantafe or at least that's how I Santa Fe!! #cottoncandy4breakfast

As a former Spanish Princess who ran for La Reina in 2008 can fully attest to what is said in this article and I will also say that it is so much more than just a role or a title! My aspirations to someday run for La Reina kept me from becoming pregnant, killed or incarcerated before 25 years old (the deadline to run for La Reina at that time) I too thought La Reina had to be "smart" and educated to portray that role. I also thought at that time, I could work from inside this tradition to help deconstruct it into being a more inclusive and accurate depiction of history, I was wrong at that time. Yet, I haven't lost hope for us to RESTORE the harm done by my ancestors to my ancestors! It is my responsibility to unveil the hurt, pain and shame that has been done to my people, my land and my community. We can transform that into restoration, atonement, apologies and action! We have to do this together. The time is NOW! I offer myself to you all as a teacher, a student, a woman and a human being! My liberation is tied to yours! We must ACT NOW! #deconstructingfiesta #accountable #history #restorativejustice #TWU

The sky was speaking to me tonight #SantaFeNM #NewMexico #SantaFeskies

Did any of you students, staff or alumni know about this #HowToSantaFe contest calling for photos of #NativeArts and #NativeArchitecture #ContemporaryNativeArt #IAIA #InstituteofAmericanIndianArts wish I would've known sooner!?

Unique like a #unicorn #magic #mystical

The dirt is so red out here!

Thanks @amariero211 for pointing out that 4 years ago today was the very first time I met Eve Ensler here in Santa Fe for her book signing of "I Am an Emotional Creature: The Secret Life of Girls Around the World" #momentofimpact #EveEnsler #timehop #March17 #onebillionrising #vday

I was sitting in Santa Fe Municipal court for a traffic ticket I received about amonth ago when one of the court clerks got up to explain formalities like turn off your cell phone and take off your sunglasses, hats etc. . . BUT then he did the unthinkable, he asked if anyone needed a Spanish Interpreter IN ENGLISH!!!!!  I noticed a man raise his hand as the clerk walked out in a hurry, I tried to get his attention by saying TWICE (IN ENGLISH) “Excuse me sir, that gentleman raised his hand, excuse me!”  Another man sitting behind me witnessed the interaction and my disbelief and echoed my sentiment.  As I sat there pondering the meaning of this and the scales of justice popped out at me and the tattoo I have of the same image on my right shoulder burned into my heart and soul.  I needed to do something, I didn’t know what, the two women who walked out before the judge did not seem welcoming or inviting and I sat there conflicted, for what seemed like forever.  Finally it was time for Judge Ann Yalman to take the bench.  I know her, I’m a criminal justice major, I can do this I can speak up for justice.  AND THEN as the same clerk who ignored my requests bellows out, “ALL RISE!” I see Judge Stephen Pheffer walk out and take the bench. (He was the presiding judge over my aunt’s trial and who ultimately convicted her killer and sentenced him to life plus 35 years in prison.) I panic, my hands get hot and sweaty and suddenly my mouth is dry and I can’t move or think, what was I going to do?  Oh yea JUSTICE!  Okay so he’s reading our rights, our constitutional rights and I suddenly think of the gentleman to my right and I think of what must be going through his mind if I’m suddenly this panicked!  I immediately stand up and walk across the aisle and I tap the woman’s knee who is sitting on the end of the row I need to be in and she lets me pass her as I scoot in close to the gentleman.  I introduce myself in Spanish, he nods and I ask if he needs an interpreter and he explains that he has what he needs (motioning to his folder in his hands) and asks me if I speak English, I say yes. As Judge Pheffer finishes reading our rights I raise my hand, stand and say, “Your Honor, we need a Spanish interpreter.”  He pauses and asks if I was in the room when it was asked if we needed a Spanish interpreter, I explain that yes I was yet I speak English but that my new friend, Jose, does not and the question was asked in English.  The judge acknowledged the huge injustice and immediately asked for an interpreter.  The first person called was the man who was sitting behind me at first and was kind enough to offer Jose to go before him.  The court proceeded and Jose was accommodated with a Spanish interpreter and the ticket he had was dismissed, as were mine.

Day 2; a corner #MarchPhotoChallenge #embracingbeauty #032015

Day 1; My view #MarchPhotoChallenge #embracingbeauty #032015