Historical & Social Roots


by Francisco G. Gómez August of 2007: my excitement was on overload as my friend D ( Dean Warren Schomburg ) and I caught a flight to Cancun and then another ride to Habana. It had been fifty plus years since I had visited the island when it was still […]

A Taste of Racism in Old Habana – 2007


by Francisco G. Gómez If you love the AfroBoricua music of Puerto Rico or the music of the Balkans, you would have made it a point not to have missed a phenomenal fusion of barrilles, sousaphone, cuá, violin, maraca, trumpet, dance and accordion on February 8th at Hostos Community College […]

Balkan Meets Bomba


by Francisco G. Gómez The Day of the Dead goes by many names, Día de los muertos, Day of the Ancestors, Day of the Egún, All souls Day and many other names, I imagine. For us who are from the Caribbean, or closely situated in that region by location, cultural […]

Day of the Dead Celebration



by Francisco G. Gómez Interested in boricua history, especially legends? Here’s a story that’s rather interesting. It’s the legend of Yuiza and her possible connection to the Afro/Taíno people of Loíza. On our first relief  assistance trip to Puerto Rico, four months after hurricane María reeked havoc on the island, […]

Of Taíno Queens and the Legend of Yuiza





On March 10, 2017, Raíces EcoCulture participated in the Native Nations Rise March on Washington. We do not have many words to share about this march, we were there as allies with and for those whose land was stolen. It was a sad and somber gathering, the pain of centuries […]

Native Nations Rise March on Washington, March 10, 2017


by Francisco G. Gómez Since the Republicans took power a little over a month ago, the issues of illegal immigration have dominated the political landscape in an unprecedented way. Even if you attempt to turn a blind eye  to the constant media reports because you’re so sick of hearing, seeing and […]

LIVING IN THE SHADOWS: UNDERGROUND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES




by Francisco G. Gómez As a non believer in any heritage month celebration,  it is imperative that I share this with our readers. It’s only during these periods that the achievements and accomplishments of outstanding and extraordinary visionaries emerge on the cultural landscape. This reality has always been rather disturbing […]

Hidden Figures