Michael was one of the young men he mentored. When they met, he had a lot of anger and always used violence to deal with conflict. Jaime helped him develop critical thinking skills and learn how to transform his anger into something productive. They met when Michael was 16 and they remain close to this day.
“He says I am a big brother/father to him. Now that he has his own, to see how he is with his kids and family makes me feel so proud. It feels good because I believe I did my bit to help him grow.”
Living by the words of Che Guevara, “A true revolutionary lives guided by strong feelings of love,” this man has dedicated his life to bring his community together, fight for the rights of people in prison, and help youth at risk heal and grow.
Jaime was born in the Bronx, New York and moved to San German, Puerto Rico when he was eight. Growing up in San German was great, but he witnessed discrimination as people considered him a gringo — a foreigner that came from the mainland. He ended up developing his own community of gringos and became close to some people that turned into friends and family for him.
“As a teenager I felt discriminated in my hometown because I was considered an outsider, then when I came back to the Bronx I was seen as a jibarito.”
As the youngest of two siblings, he saw his mother as the nurturer and his father as the provider. From them, he learned to live a life with character and integrity. His favorite thing was spending the holidays at his abuela’s apartment. Everyone used to gather there; his uncles, aunts and cousins all came by to celebrate. During those times, life was innocent and simple.
“After my grandmother transitioned to the ancestral world we weren’t as close anymore, I cherish those days.”
Nevertheless, he is still very fond of his mother’s side of the family and nothing is more important than family to him. Thus, he makes a point of spending quality time with his wife — who has advanced multiple sclerosis. They enjoy music, movies, TV shows, play board games and take care of their two guinea pigs with their college student daughter.
He says his daughter is his greatest inspiration, however there is no doubt she takes after him. He can’t be a prouder dad as he experiences her successes from graduating high school and enrolling and striving in college so far to becoming an advocate for social justice too. While he wishes to have completed his own college degree, seeing her advance towards this milestone is absolutely rewarding.
“The biggest regret is that I have not completed my college career. I try to make sure that I always say the good, the bad and the ugly to the folks I care for.”
With his attitude of real sharing, he hopes to leave this world a better one when his time comes to an end. As an activist, he fights, organizes, educates, and empowers folks to end environmental and social injustice. He thinks police reform and better criminal and juvenile justice systems are necessary. And what’s even more important to him, he dreams to see the self-determination for the people of Puerto Rico enacted one day.
One of his most heartfelt projects was being part of a prisoner’s rights movement. Along other supporters, he advocated and took part in becoming the voice of incarcerated men and women in the mainland and Puerto Rico. To this end, a march was organized in front of the Puerto Rican Senate building — El Capitolio — in San Juan. For 30 days, they stayed in vigil and camped in front of the building. Finally, they marched side by side with the friends and families of inmates demanding a better quality of life and services for their loved ones.
He has organized many marches, rallies, and protests through the years, but the highlight was organizing a community celebration after successfully shutting down a city plan to build a new juvenile jail in the South Bronx.
Presently unemployed, as the world turns and he hopes for some normality, he is looking to get officially involved in new community organizing projects and more community engagement ventures. He is also open to join nonprofit organizations that work to support communities of color. Organizing and educating the community are his main goals, to him these are serious responsibilities, and he brings valuable expertise and commitment to the table. He strives to always support them and be a vehicle of empowerment and transformation. These are the results that he has continuously fought for and shown to accomplish over his career.
As he faces the obstacles and challenges that are always present in this type of work, he realizes some come from people that have accepted or internalized the issues that impact us. There are also people who benefit from the issues, including public and private entities. Plus, there are nay ‘sayers’ to face. Approaching and surpassing these hurdles requires his thoughtful development of strategic techniques to gain support and create change.
“I believe living in the same community I serve has provided better insight about the reality we are facing and fighting. I have been a victim of police misconduct, which motivates me more. I have witnessed environmental, racial, and social injustices, which light my fire to keep on giving the good fight.”
Despite the challenges faced throughout his life, he has a great sense of humor. A trait he values in people who keep their spirit lifted while striving to make their lives better. The family he was born into and the family life has given him are crucial in his day to day life.
“My mentors are my inspiration; my children remind me that a better world is possible, and my wife has always been my biggest cheerleader.”
Tackling face on the differences that continue to be used as a focal point by groups and individuals perpetuating the cycles of injustice, abuse and inequality, he knows there are more steps to climb with unwavering effort and commitment. With little and big wins, a better world becomes palpable when the people he mentored and supported come back to thank him and still want him to be part of their lives. He has made a deep impact in them, whether teaching or standing firm against an honorable cause. He has improved the quality of life in his communities — both in the Island and the mainland. They’ll always know him as a person that lives with integrity and rejects abuse no matter where it comes from.
When love reigns, there are no strangers or outsiders — we all belong to one and the same community. Like him, let’s focus on the intersectionality instead.
Recuenta 