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Steven Mangual
MY MEMORIES, MY ROOTS by Fernando Ponce Laspina
MY MEMORIES, MY ROOTS by Fernando Ponce Laspina
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My Memories, My Roots, by Fernando (Ponce) Laspina, narrates his path towards personal and social awareness. It is an unending journey that began in Southern Puerto Rico in Ponce, El barrio Tibes, which Fernando describes idyllic terms.From Tibes, Fernando and his brother Pedro migrated to New York City, where they faced racial prejudice and gang violence in the Bronx. Both youths joined one of the most violent of them, The Savage Skulls. Like many of his fellow gang members Ponce ended in jail. His process of liberation began in prison.The young man relied on his love for work, education, and his family, specially his mother. She always hoped that Fernando would be the first family member to obtain a college degree. Mazambula, a fellow prisoner and older friend, was a constant source of advice. He helped Ponce develop respect for himself and his national roots. With him Ponce joined The Young Lords Party in Rikers Island, C-71 Building group studying the political history of Puerto Rico.He achieved the first requisite of his mother’s hopes, while in Elmira Correctional Facility, obtaining the equivalent diploma for High School (GED). Once free again he completed his Associate Degree at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College, his bachelor’s degree at Herbert H. Lehman College and the master’s degree at Buffalo State University. Finally, he felt liberated, able, and willing to continue his lead for the struggle for Puerto Rico’s independence and the rights of his fellow Puerto Ricans in the island and the United States.Fernando Ponce Laspina has established or co-founded various institutions in the Bronx. Among them are Caribe Village, Patriotas (Patriots) Softball Team, Patriotas Sports Club (presently El Maestro, Inc. - Cultural, Educational and Sports Center), Committee Against the 51 State for Puerto Rico, Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances History Club at Lehman College, The Juan Laporte Boxing Gym (presently El Maestro Boxing Gym), The Roberto Clemente Softball League, the Juan “Igor” Gonzalez Baseball Little League, The Andrés Figueroa Cordero Foundation with Bomexi I. Luna, Wilson Espejo and others, The New York City Coordinator to Free Political Prisoner Oscar López Rivera, Friends of Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria, New York with Puerto Rico (during the earth quates) and Clemente- Latinos Fall Softball League.My Memories, My Roots, an example of human capacity to forge its own road, it’s a necessary lecture for those interested in our struggles for liberation.
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