Radical Imagination, Radical Humanity - In a time of social decay is a must

Photograph of the July 25th El Barrio Freedom March!  The photos were provided by Radhames Morales, of the ProLibertad Advisory Board and Fuerza De la Revolucion Dominicana, and Benjamin Ramos, of ProLibertad.

“Revolutionary Moral”

Our involvement in housing and education is how we first developed a sense of humanity. Our children were part of the organization. In order for us to go to the meetings, somebody had to take care of them. And we would all do that. Without anybody teaching us about the “socialist man and woman,” we started doing it. We did not start out by studying the theory and consciously implementing it. On the contrary, our theory developed through the relationships, the human relationships that evolved day-to-day as we dealt with issues that affected the community. That was not contrary to Marxism; it reaffirmed Marxism. We learned that later on.

 - Federico Lora, former member and founder of El Comité-MINP

    As I sit home on this rainy summer day in August, I became compelled to type and express my admiration of one of many books I read this summer of 2020 during this Global Pandemic. Oh yes, face mask and social distancing has become daily routine and norm for us all, but that does not mean we should shut ourselves away from a good read. One book I found to be insightful, inspirational, and powerful in ways that helped expand my social consciousness even greater was “Radical Imagination, Radical Humanity” by author and activist Rose Muzio.

An almost forgotten history within the LatinX Community of the Puerto Rican’s Political Activism in New York which I believe needs to be told. After reading Muzio’s book it gave me a broader sense of urban LatinX history within the context of social justice activism.

Too many times scholars and historians’ praises high profile political figures and pro-establishment institutions but tend to forget about other powerful grassroots movements that have shaken the US politics apparatus. In the 70s one radical organization that demanded change for a better way living for their community was the Marxist-Leninist radical left organization called El Comité-MINP.

El Comité-MINP (Movimento de Izquierda Nacional Puertorriqueño) was a Puerto Rican National Left Movement that inspired a whole new generation of progressive and left movements in the LatinX community today. I was able to understand the motivations and their commitment to fighting for public housing, education, and of course a FREE Puerto Rico under the grips of the US Empire.

The book tells the huge significant gains El Comité-MINP was able to accomplish but also the difficulties within the organization that ultimately ended on closing the doors to the public. However, their Revolutionary spirit lives on within new organizations inspired by organizations like El Comité-MINP.

I highly recommend this book to those that want to know more about Puerto Rican movements such as El Comité-MINP that no doubt has shed a light on our corrupt political and economic system in the United States.

Where to purchase the book:

https://www.sunypress.edu/p-6333-radical-imagination-radical-hum.aspx

https://www.revolutionbooks.org/book/9781438463544

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/radical-imagination-radical-humanity-rose-muzio/1125050126

https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Imagination-Humanity-Political-Activism/dp/1438463553

by César Omar Sánchez. Community organizer, New York/New Jersey Cuba Si Coalition, Advisory Board Member of ProLibertad: Free All Political Prisoners Campaign.