Group#7: Jalyn Betances, Stephanie Palacio, Davis Moreno
Llevame Pa Tras
(Poem inspired by Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena )
Jalyn betances
Take me back to my roots
To the colonial times
Where my ancestors had pursuits
Of creating a narrative of their own
That no white oppressor could dethrone
Take me back to the sugar cane plantations
Where my ancestors used old barrels
To spark a new nation
Giving them a musical voice
That allowed them only to rejoice
Take me back to the end of the 17th century
When Bomba music became
One of our biggest treasuries
Allowing my people to develop their own expression
And for also permitting our cultural progression
Take me back to the Afro-Puerto Rican communities
Where Plena y Bomba sparked opportunities
To convey a sense of anger and sadness
That also allowed for rebellions and madness
Thank you for providing me
With great culture and tradition,
For giving me a dance and song to listen
You show me rhythm, which is something I love
Now I have something to be proud of
Bomba and Plena woman (Art portion):
Stephanie Palacios
This image was inspired by the woman who went on stage to dance along to the music playing. I have never heard that type of music before but it was so fun that it inspired me to draw this woman holding a similar skirt!
Tal Vez Un Dia
(Poem to shed light to impact of bomba and plenas had on slavery)
Davis Moreno
Bomba and Plenas
The instruments that kept us sane
Through the fields, through the hard times
We will hear it play
Bomba and Plenas
The beat we so dearly love
Plays like a warm blanket on a cold night
The sound so soothing, it was a gift from the man above
Bomba and Plenas
Every beat of the Bomba represents the pain and sorrow
We come together and dance
Because we don’t know if we will see each other tomorrow
Bomba and Plenas
The lyrics we made was a punch to slavery
We stood up for our ourselves
The songs we wrote for people who showed bravery
Bomba and Plenas
The beats will never die
As we see, that pain inflicted by slavery
We play our songs in hope in someone hearing us cry
Blog #2: Imitation of Selena
Stephanie Palacios- Video Portion
I chose this meme and the video because it shows how people really like Selena and actually want to create her looks, be her, etc. Her songs, fun spirit, and nice smile inspired many young girls and guys to appreciate their culture. Of course there could be some negative side to these fans. The video I linked could probably have some people trying to put down someone for trying to be like their favorite singer. Sadly it is something that happens to a lot of people.
Jalyn Betances- Art Portion
Selena’s death on March 1995, lead to several other deaths in the queer community. This illustration is a depiction of the portion in the reading when Bianca decided to dress up as Selena for one of her shows. Pesticida who was the head of the drag house, the Gold Rush, held absolute ownership over Selena’s stardom. Bianca was later found dead after her performance, just like the other niño reinas who had dared to perform any Selena song.
March 31
poem by Davis Moreno
Through New York to California
The world suddenly stopped as they saw the news
Selena had been shot
Fans were all in the blues
The smiles she brought to the world will always be within us
Her spirit still roams around
Her unique persona and her singing brought us joy
What she brought to this world is still found
She was an inspirational and very warm-hearted person
Taken away from us way to early
By her trusted friend Yoldanda Saldivar
Shot and killed, the end of selena’s journey
However, her remarks still live on
The music she wrote inspired young latin singers
March 31, her music being played in the streets
We were at lost when heard the news of Yoldanda pulling the trigger
The once thought unstoppable singer was stopped
Over money and self greed, her life was taken
Thank you for setting an example and for the great music
March 31, her fans are still shaken
