Father Tamayo's Journal: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

Father Tamayo's Journal DAY TWO The Tour Continues by Susan Ellsworth, National Field Organizer Father Tamayo answers a reporter's questions. Father Tamayo got an early start, first giving an interview with the Rain Forest Action Network for a movie they are making, then with Mother Jones Magazine. The afternoon was filled with more interviews, including a live one with Telemundo. Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club also took time to welcome Father Tamayo to the Club’s National Offices. Father Tamayo was impressed with the Sierra Club’s offices. He told Carl Pope that he had quite an impressive army in the fight for justice. In the evening, Father Tamayo visited the Stop CAFTA Coalition. He had the opportunity to visit with fellow activists and the luxury of understanding the perspective of the people he was meeting with, before meeting them. Father Tamayo addresses a gathering at the Mission Cultural Center. The evening reception and speech by Father Tamayo in San Francisco went off without a hitch. Well, there was one--a minor flooding incident as our cooler lacked a plug. Fortunately, this was discovered prior to any guests arriving. Sierra Club staffer Eric Wesselman managed to find a stick to plug the cooler drain. Sierra Club volunteer Chris Lepe, witnessing this, observed, “Only a Sierra Club staffer would have thought of that.” The reception was co-sponsored by a number of local organizations working on trade issues. More than 90 people showed up, including Larry Fahn, former president of the board of the Sierra Club. Father Tamayo’s reflections follow. Scroll down for the English translation. Lunes 20 de Junio de 2005 por Padre José Andrés Tamayo Cortez Amanecí descansado, el día estaba esplendido. Me adapté al momento. No quería sentirme presionado; expresé que es mejor sentirse libre para expresarse. Sierra Club volunteer Chris Lepe helped with translating. La libertad, hasta el momento, que he vivido es haber conocido a las personas y organizaciones más deliberantes. Se identifica lo que se piensa con lo que se vive. Las organizaciones aliadas con Sierra Club escucho con voluntad, es de pensamiento de izquierda, pensamiento del pueblo, pensamiento de la justicia. También analicé en sus intenciones que quieren ayudar y ayudar desde las iniciativas del pueblo Centroamericano. Las dos instituciones estaban representadas por gente joven, quines tienen mejor el criterio de la actitud de un gobierno capitalista y un pueblo que es sometido. Las dos organizaciones fueron abiertas y bien intencionadas. No me gustó el caso de los medios de comunicación que después de haber dicho que serían 80 segundo de participación se redujeron a 25. Esto es falta de respeto, o un medio sometido a un sometimiento. Por lo tanto no le importa la noticia sino lo que le conviene. Que tal si uno no le cumple como lo que ellos quieren. Me di cuenta que no hay seriedad, ni profesionalismo, ni tampoco le importa la problemática del CAFTA. After the event at the cultural center, many in the audience wished to get involved with the Sierra Club. La última experiencia me inyectó de ánimo comprender no al gringo en general sino a aquellos que quieren ser humano con los humanos especialmente con los explotados. Me sentí bien y me sirvió de testimonio porque comprobaba que hay unidad en las organizaciones de base, uniéndose gringos con latinos. En una mesa pobre, sin nada de diplomacia pero con grandes propósitos de detener el monstruo del capitalismo. Encontré un grupo de ¡compañeros! Con ideal. En este momento di a conocer la problemática de las bases y de las acciones que se están realizando en contra del CAFTA. El momento más importante fue el acto de las 7 PM. Me sentí bien pude conocer los de conciencia beligerantes, Hable lo que tenia que hablar, sin prefabricación. Me sentí humano, me sentí Andrés, me sentí Latino. Me di cuenta como en el silencio se entregan a su trabajo, diría se entregan a su ideal. Vi como sus miembros actúan mas de lo que hablan y su mente abierta, sin prejuicios. Tengo esperanza que sumando personas, con estos criterios, podríamos crear fuerza y un día vencer. Father Tamayo poses with friends, including Sierra Club staffer Margrete Strand (on the left). Translation: Monday, June 20, 2005 by Father José Andrés Tamayo Cortez I awoke well-rested, it was a splendid day. I adapted to the moment. I didn't want to feel pressured; it is better when one feels free to express oneself. The freedom I have felt up until this moment is that which comes from having met the most thoughtful people and organizations. You can identify what they believe in the way they live. I listened to the organizations working with the Sierra Club with interest; they are groups with leftist focus, a focus on the people, on justice. Within their thoughts, I also analyzed the fact that they want to help, and help from the initiatives of the Central American people. The two institutions were represented by young people, who better understand the criteria of a capitalist government and the people under its power. The two organizations were open and had good intentions. I did not like the encounter with the media, who, after having said that there would be 80 seconds of airtime, reduced it to 25. This is a lack of respect, or a case in which the media is subject to other interests. In other words, what mattered was not the news, but what was most convenient to them. What happens when one does not follow what others tell them to do? I realized that they lacked seriousness and professionalism, as well as a real interest in the issue of CAFTA. During the last event of the day it filled me with motivation to be able to understand not the American public in general, but those people who want to be human, joining forces with those who are being exploited. I felt good and the event served as evidence of the fact that there is unity in grassroots organizations, uniting gringos with Latinos. We met around a humble table, without diplomacy, but with the grand objective of halting the capitalist monster. There I found a group of compañeros! With ideals. It was then that I was able to understand the grassroots movement against CAFTA. The most important moment of the day was the event at 7pm. I felt good; I was able to meet those with the conscience of activists. I said what I had to say, without prefabrication. I felt human; I felt like Andrés, I felt Latino. I realized how they silently go about their work, how they make known their ideals. I saw how their members act more than they speak, with open minds, without prejudice. I am hopeful that as more people with these criteria join together, we will become stronger and one day overcome our struggle. Top photo: Courtesy Goldman Environmental Prize. All other images, Susan Ellsworth, Sierra Club. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club