I’m always asked to click the right box.. Am I Hispanic/Latino  or Caucasian?  It was an added plus when applying to Ivy League colleges, as there was a quota to be filled, but for some reason,years later, I’ve continued to click the ‘Latino’ box… It’s just something I’ve always done in an effort to champion opportunities for fellow Hispanics who will go way beyond what is required to prove themselves.   Recent vocalizations by running officials and hate crimes this past month have made me more passionate…I’ve witnessed first-hand employees who have crossed the Rio Grande, lost a spouse during their treacherous trip at the hands of greedy smugglers, only because they were eager to work hard, pay taxes/social security (which they do) .  In my case, the surviving spouse continued to pay taxes hoping to become legalized, and sent whatever was left to her children in Guatemala… (like her there are so many…) 

Then we hear about 18 year old Onesimo Marcelino Lopez-Ramos...who came to this country to support his family in Guatemala.  An aspiring young chef, murdered because the color of his skin.  Funds needed to be raised to ship his body back to Guatemala.. Ironic, as he was trying to bring his family here legally, and he is sent back in a body bag ONLY after monies were raised to ship him back….A tragedy which never would have happened without the HATE involved, and triggered by some of our influential community leaders.

So here’s the good news:

One Jupiter Community event is a Jupiter community initiative, created with the collaboration  of El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center,  Jupiter Lighthouse ArtCenter in Tequesta and the Town of Jupiter Community Center all of whom decided to make a difference with an extensive exhibition of Guatemalan art and local history on display at the Jupiter Community Center beginning on September 10th.    We are All one and we need to remember that!

In addition, please join the Jupiter Lighthouse ArtCenter as they celebrate Guatemalan Legacy and remember Onesimo on September 18th.  Event is free for all ages and will begin at 5:30 pm at Jupiter Community Center, 200 Military Trail.  At 6pm, there will be showing of the documentary film, “Brother Towns.” The film is the story of two towns linked by immigration, family and work: Jacaltenango, a highland Maya town in Guatemala; and Jupiter, our coastal town where many Jacaltecos have settled. Following the film will be a discussion led by Jamie Stuve (President and CEO of the Loxahatchee River Historical Society), Dr. Timothy Steigenga (Professor of Political Sciences and Chair of Humanities and Social Sciences at Florida Atlantic University) and Jeronimo Camposeco (advocate and expert in social and anthropological research including consulting on farm worker labor practices and Maya culture for various universities).

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To help Onesimo’s family with expenses, please visit www.youcaring.com/inmemoryofonesimo  they have raised $1,150, but they’re not at the finish line yet…

For more information on how to get involved, contact Cynthia Trone, Director of Education at the Lighthouse ArtCenter School of Art, cynthia@lighthousearts.org,

(561) 748-8737.