#thisisnotamerica

[thisisnotamerica-claesbang]

Notes from a Saturday Afternoon at the End of the World is OUT NOW!

Full tracklisting:

•I'm Tired

•Tale of a Broken Heart

•A Saturday Afternoon at the End of the World

•Love Is In Us All

•Any Wonder

Listen here:

[nityarawal]

David Bowie - This Is Not America

"This is NOT America," @davidbowieobsession

https://youtu.be/nsMUxdZGgWI?si=9GuyqMJzLKqUCxVz #SongOfTheDay2 #SOTD2 #ThisIsNOTAmerica #DavidBowie

[nojarama]

Happy anniversary to David Bowie & Pat Methany’s single, “This Is Not America”. Released this week in 1985. #bowie #davidbowie #patmethany #thisisnotamerica #thefalconandthesnowman #icon #legend #bowieismylordandsavior #imjustaspacecadetandhesthecommander #bowieforever

[historyisthehype]

Dolores “Lolita” Lebrón-Sotomayor: An Early [Rad]ical Feminist Puertorriqueña

“Here you have the leader of the group being a very petite, well-dressed Puerto Rican woman who was out there, and to me, that was amazing. It's left such an impression.”

    -          ANGELO FALCON (President of the National Institute for Latino Policy)

While this week has been a bit busier in terms of research assignments, I wanted to close out Women’s History Month taking from last week’s post and expanding on one of the icons whose imagery was used to open the video and convey a powerful message from the punch: Lolita Lebrón.

Though many Boricuas know about her and her legacy, many US Americans don’t even know about the attack on Capitol Hill for which she is most remembered for.

The story has been retold many times, and often sounds the same:

In 1954, Four Puerto Rican nationalists [which at the time Universal International News called a “gang” rather than a “party”], led by Lolita Lebrón, opened fire (some “15 to 30 shots) from the gallery of the US House of Representatives, upon 244 congressmen with only handguns.

The 1954 Universal International News Breaking News broadcast by Fred Maness announced it as “blind”, even “wanton”, violence to “arouse anti-United States feeling in Latin America” (citing the coinciding start of the Inter-American Conference in Venezuela). However, this is a severe trivialization of their true motives, for who could believe that nationalist Puerto Rican rage toward the United States is “unprovoked”.

While I don’t condone violence as means to most ends, the desperation for independence was still more palpable than it is today, as Boricuas watched in 1952 (only two years earlier) as the United States redefined its colonial grip on the island to something more subtle and modern: a commonwealth.

This did not sit well with much of Puerto Rico, the last of the ex-Spanish colonies without its independence. This is what the four independistas stood for on that balcony: the immediate independence of Puerto Rico.

Some reported hearing Lebrón’s voice above the clamor and chaos, ‘…and it was a shrill, chilling sound. "Viva Puerto Rico Libre!" Long live free Puerto Rico, she yelled as she and her compatriots unfurled a Puerto Rican flag and blasted away with Lugers and an automatic pistol.’.

Although five congressmen were injured - “Ben F. Jensen of Iowa, Clifford Davis of Tennessee, Kenneth Roberts of Alabama, George H. Fallon of Maryland, and Albert Bentley of Michigan.”, the latter leaving severely injured – Lebrón was also witnessed crying out: “¡No vine a matar a nadie, vine a morir por Puerto Rico!” (“I did not come to kill anyone, I came to die for Puerto Rico.”)

After the attack, the four were each sentenced to 50 to 70 years in prison. However, given clemency by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, Lebrón and her compatriots were released. Following her release, she continued her fervent fight for Puerto Rico’s independence, leading her to other arrests including one in her 80s ‘for crossing unauthorized into the navy-occupied land in Vieques’ along with Al Sharpton and Robert Kennedy Jr.

Lolita Lebrón’s lifelong conviction and subsequent commitment to the autonomy of her land and her people, and stance against any government looking to hold Boricuas shackled, make her an appropriate symbol for the current global move toward intellectual decolonization.

In Residente’s video, This is Not America, Lebrón’s image transcends Puerto Rico’s fight within the video’s wider Pan American context, representing rage against hypocrisy and erasure of the whole truth of who, what, and where makeup America and its history.

(Depicted above: [1] Actress in Residente’s music video, This is Not America (see my last post for context), as famous Puerto Rican nationalist leader and activist, Lolita Lebrón [2] Famously circulated picture of 3 out 4 of the 1954 Capitol Hill attack protestors Lolita Lebrón, Rafael C. Miranda, and Andres F. Cordero who were apprehended at the scene. Irving Flores was arrested some hours later. [3] Mugshots of the fours nationalists from a newspaper clipping [4] A newspaper article covering their release.)

The first 2 pictures above were taken from a Twitter thread by @biencatalino where they point out and explain several other symbols and images throughout the video that point to the many (involuntary) sacrifices Latin American countries and their people have suffered due to a US-centric view of the West and “America”. To view the thought-provoking thread, follow the link below this paragraph:

https://twitter.com/biencatalino/status/1504614114466930692

For more on Lolita Lebrón and/or the events of March 1st, 1954 at Capitol Hill, check out some of these sources below:

“1954 Shooting in the House Chamber” – brief description of events + a collection of oral histories, reports, recollections, and accounts of the event by witnesses and news sources including the news broadcast clip by Universal International News (this oral history collection process was begun in 2019, 9 years after Lolita’s passing, and unfortunately relies on a one-sided perspective on the events):

https://history.house.gov/Oral-History/Events/1954-Shooting/

Timeline of Events

https://history.house.gov/Exhibitions-and-Publications/1954-Shooting/Essays/Timeline/

“What happened to Lolita Lebrón in 1954 and not insurrectionists on Jan. 6” – an article by Brittany Valentine for Al Día News examining the contrasting unfolding of events, motives, and consequences between the attack on capitol Hill involving Lebrón and the Jan. 6 insurrection of 2021. I used this for more on how things transpired:

https://www.aldianews.com/thought-leaders/thought-leaders/white-privilege-then-now

An interesting online collection of archives that I also used for context and content but that features a voice clip of Lolita Lebrón speaking of Puertorriqueños’ vulnerable position within the wider US system.

https://www.freedomarchives.org/audio_samples/Lolita_Lebron.html

Brief Bio on Lebrón:

https://www.afcanatura.org/lolita-lebron

NPR covers Lebrón’s passing by interviewing Angelo Falcon, President of the National Institute for Latino Policy, on her legacy as a controversial, revolutionary figure in Puerto Rican history. In it, he describes her change of views on protesting from taking drastic measures to advocating civil disobedience.

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128959759

The last 2 pictures were taken from the Library of Congress website:

https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2020/05/1954-shooting-at-the-u-s-capitol/

[pdwsolutions]

#thisisnotamerica https://www.instagram.com/p/CRF8XZplGIx/?utm_medium=tumblr

[angelabang87]

His cheekbones are welcome to cut my thighs. 

[falcabooks]

CALIFORNIA [capoluogo: Sacramento]

09. Horace McCoy - Avrei dovuto restare a casa - Einaudi  Trad. Giovanni Galtieri. [vecchia edizione Einaudi contenente due romanzi brevi, intitolata “le luci di Hollywood “]

Lo scrittore di “Non si uccidono così anche i cavalli” bellissimo noir da cui poi Pollack ha tratto un film che se non lo avete visto cercatelo subito ora, alle prese con un romanzo breve sulla vita di due comparse che cercano di diventare attori a Hollywood. Scrittura secca, efficace. Storia amara da cui non si esce. Libro sulla disillusione del “sogno hollywoodiano”. Scrittura cinematografica e lettura piacevolissima.

10. James M. Cain - Mildred Pierce - Adelphi Trad. Maria Napolitano Infine il sentimento nuovo che aveva per Veda la possedeva ormai tutta, colorava tutto ciò che faceva.” La mia insulsa tesi per cui i libri che hanno come titolo nome e cognome di un personaggio del romanzo stesso sono dei capolavori, si riconferma con “Mildred Pierce”, storia noir/mélo ambientata nella Los Angeles degli anni 30. La storia di un’ossessione raccontata con maestria da James Cain. Talmente forte da diventare prima un film nel ‘45 con Joan Crawford e poi una serie tv con protagonista Kate Winslet. Naturalmente io non ho visto nessuna delle due.La cattiveria in questo libro raggiunge vette altissime. Leggetelo e vi divertirete.

[69rumours]

"This Is Not America" as written by David Bowie, Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays,  taken from the soundtrack to the 1985 film The Falcon and the Snowman.

David Robert Jones (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie was an English singer-songwriter and actor. He was a leading figure in the music industry and is considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. 

This is not America.... shalalalala

A little piece of you, the little piece in me, will die (this is not a miracle) For this is not America

Blossom fails to bloom this season, promise not to stare, too long (this is not America) For this is not the miracle

There was a time, a storm that blew, so pure For this could be the biggest sky And I could have the faintest idea

For this is not America

shalalalala shalalalala shalalalala

This is not America (No) This is not.... shalalalala

Snowman melting from the inside Falcon spirals to, the ground (this could be the biggest sky) So bloody red, tomorrow's clouds

A little piece of you, the little piece in me will die (this could be a miracle) For this is not America

There was a time, a wind that blew, so young For this could be the biggest sky And I could have the faintest idea

For this is not America

shalalalala shalalalala shalalalala

This is not America (No) This is not, shalalalala This is not America (No) This is not, shalalalala This is not America (No) This is not, shalalalala

[marcantoinephotographie]

[justisborred]

Posted @withregram • @realdlhughley Why do we always fall behind in every way that involves the well being or health of our people? The only thing we ever brag about is how mighty our military is. It’s sad because we ALL KNOW THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN HERE... #TeamDL #maga #thisISNOTamerica #Repost @shaunking with @get_repost ・・・ I just wanted you to have a glimpse of what true relief looks like in other countries. It took her 2 minutes to apply and 2 days to get the financial support. In the meantime, Americans haven’t gotten a dime, months into the crisis. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-1-i1Enca3/?igshid=1jnosmkilv0sg

[nojarama]

Happy anniversary to David Bowie & Pat Methany’s single, “This Is Not America”. Released this week in 1985. #bowie #davidbowie #patmethany #thisisnotamerica #thefalconandthesnowman #icon #legend #bowieismylordandsavior #imjustaspacecadetandhesthecommander #bowieforever

[menteserendipica]

“Desde Tierra del Fuego hasta Canadá” 🌎♥️ Me gustó mucho esta canción no solo por la música y el video, tiene una verdad que a veces ya ni siquiera vemos por costumbre. America somos muchos, no nada más USA, y me encantó que por fin alguien lo dijera.

[coversbeat]

#RSEE005 | En una industria que en los últimos años se ha reinventado con propuestas arriesgadas y folclóricas, donde la mediocridad de algunos artistas, por fin, ha empezado a castigarse. Residente continúa asumiendo su carrera con rebeldía, anteponiendo el arte por encima del negocio. Canciones de ocho minutos, con cientos de líneas y decenas de 'punch lines', expresan una posición clara frente a las ligerezas del mercado actual. Obstinado con la calidad, profundiza en sus líricas y articula sus rimas de forma matemática, creando canciones que hacen historia. Con Canserbero habitando otras constelaciones, y mientras que cientos de voces en el rap continúan en el anonimato, #Residente reclama, con ímpetu y genialidad, su trono como el MC más importante en la historia de la música en el español; y no es resultado solo de la contundencia de sus versos, también es la voz de una generación que ha encontrado en su música y su activismo el apoyo y la inspiración para manifestarse por sus derechos. -> Historia por: Diego Ortiz. Fotografía por: Greg Swales. Digital Tech: Amanda Yanez. Asistentes: Sandy Rivera, Kendall Connor Pack. Estudio: PMC Studios. . . . #RollingStoneEnEspañol #RollingStone #Música #René #ThisIsNotAmerica https://www.instagram.com/p/CbVmn-pO9Ie/?utm_medium=tumblr

[frankbrodauf]

[This is not America] [David Bowie/Pat Metheny Group] [1985] [12-inch Single] What great lyrics, what great composition ,and what great performance! . Btw, the movie is just as great! . . . . . This is not America (Sha, la, la, la, la) A little piece of you The little peace in me Will die (this is not a miracle) For this is not America . Blossom fails to bloom this season Promise not to stare Too long (this is not America) For this is not the miracle . There was a time A storm that blew so pure For this could be the biggest sky And I could have the faintest idea For this is not America (Sha, la, la, la, la) This is not America (no) This is not (sha, la, la, la, la) . Snowman melting from the inside Falcon spirals to the ground (this could be the biggest sky) So bloody red, tomorrow's clouds A little piece of you The little piece in me Will die (this could be a miracle) For this is not America . There was a time A wind that blew so young For this could be the biggest sky And I could have the faintest idea For this is not America . . . . . #DavidBowie #PatMethenyGroup #ThisIsNotAmerica #PatMetheny #LyleMays #SteveRodby #PaulWertico #BobClearmountain #BobLudwig #TheFalconAndTheSnowman #Soundtrack #OriginalMotionPictureSoundtrack #SoftRock #SynthiePop #JazzFusion #FusionJazz #SeanPenn #TimothyHutton #nowspinning #nowplaying #filmscore #JohnSlesinger #EmiRecords https://www.instagram.com/p/CWOXXvEo4UP/?utm_medium=tumblr

[tammygarciarealtor]

I posted this image on my story yesterday. Today we lost 12 of our heroes. 11 Marines and 1 Navy Medic. I don’t care what political party you belong to……this is AMERICA it belongs to us!!!! This is not what we do!! We don’t give away our military weapons to terrorists, we don’t give terrorists a list with all the names of those that fought by our side for freedom, we don’t leave Americans stranded, we do not ask terrorists to secure airports, we do not let terrorists tell us what to do, we do not crawl away in humiliation, and we do not do all that has been done that lead to this painful loss today!!! I look at yesterday’s picture and I wonder if that soldier in that picture is ok. My heart is broken because this is Not who we are!! This is Not The America I love. #thisisnotamerica (at Afghanistan) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTDXHwirC6C/?utm_medium=tumblr