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Quixote Center is an anti-racist organization. The history of racism, systematic oppression and exploitation of people of color began with the origins of this country and continues with devastating effects today. These include pervasive anti-Blackness as a hallmark of living in the United States, and the notion that making America great includes expelling immigrants of color. We believe that efforts toward diversity, equity and inclusion are what is making our country great.

Quixote Center will not waste our time condemning every vile comment coming from the new Administration.We do think it is important to state our values and to commit ourselves to being allies to those targeted by the vile comments. Attempts to dismantle DEI programs throughout government and the private sector look like white supremacism. DEI programs, however imperfect, have been a genuine attempt to include the historically excluded.

Quixote Center's work is designed to dismantle white colonial history so that the historically oppressed and marginalized will become artisans of their own destiny. We thank you for your support.

 

Fronteras de Paz y Bien
Training of Trainer Workshop in Panama

Quixote Center is excited to announce the launch of a 10-week long training program we have been planning with our partners at the Franciscan Network for Migrants (RFM) in Panama. On February 4th, the training will begin with the first in a series of 10 virtual sessions with an immersion into the multiple factors affecting migrants, asylum seekers and refugees and how to better protect them. The objective of this program is to train a team of volunteers to become human rights observers and provide accompaniment to the migrant population in the community of Bajo Chiquito in the Darien where the Franciscans have a permanent presence.

Most migrants who survive the dangerous trek though the Darien Gap arrive in Bajo Chiquito. Many are traumatized from what they had to endure or witness on the way and Panamanian authorities then take them to "reception centers" with virtually no oversight from civil society. The Franciscan community is stepping up their effort to respond to this humanitarian crisis through a program they named "Fronteras de Paz y Bien" (Borders of Peace and Good).Children, women and members of the LGBTQ+ community are particularly vulnerable, and the program will dedicate two full sessions to address how to best protect these groups.

This workshop will go beyond Panama with 15 trainees representing 6 different countries in Latin America taking part in the training of trainer program. Its content is applicable throughout the region and is perhaps more important now than ever before. Participants will learn best practices on how to accompany migrants through dangerous migration routes with lurking cartels and abusive local authorities. As human rights observers they will also collect data to use as a basis for advocacy for the dignity and rights of migrants with their own governments. The training will include methods to practice nonviolence in the face of threats and intimidation.

Quixote Center will provide an update on this training process as well as the situation on the ground after our Solidarity Trip to Panama in March.

 

Artist Corner

Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World (Without a Bullhorn)
by Omkari L. Williams

Micro Activism: How you can make a difference in the world (without a bullhorn)
By Omkari L Williams

At a time when it feels like we are facing crises on every front, it is easy to get overwhelmed, to fall into the trap of thinking that because we can't address it all, we can't address any of it.Omkari Wiliams' book Micro Activism is the antidote to this feeling of overwhelm.

In her book Omkari stresses that we don't need to take on every issue. In fact, we cannot take it all on and expect to be effective. She asserts that it is small, sustainable, local work that will build and ultimately create the changes we hope to see in the world. Omkari also speaks to those of us who are more introverted when she posits that we don't all need to be the leader in the front of the march with the bullhorn, there are roles for all of us.

Omkari's book Micro Activism walks the reader through the creation of an activist profile and an actionable and sustainable plan that considers each individual's strengths, personality, and availability.

Find out more about Omkari Williams and her book here: [link removed] ([link removed])

 

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