We, Afro-Panamanians, have vehemently adopted and defended cultural traditions, attitudes, and attachments to influencing social welfare in Panama as well as the U.S., to the point where even if change is desirable, many are so complacent and ignorant to the facts that they are willing to accept the “status quo.” Yet, the fault here is not inherent in the individuals, but in what we have been taught or believe. What others have written about the Negroes during the last three centuries has been mainly for the purpose of bringing us to a certain stage, where we are today, and holding us in limbo there. With the truth masked and hidden, coupled with our inability to unearth it, there is little room for enlightened expression of thought to the contrary. For example, it does not take much effort (after looking at the video shorts/collages herein) to draw a reasonable conclusion that there are obviously much more hidden footage of atrocities, irregularities, distortions regarding the Silvermen’s history. Rest assured, the whole, naked truth will eventually come to bear, it usually does.
We see this so clearly, today, in the multitude of people who have abdicated their God-given responsibility to think and act under their own spirit. They elect to think and act, instead, to please others’ thereby, placing themselves under external tutelage. There is really no history/tradition of merged corporation, communication or common ground between our two communities. Perhaps we have not been seeing the obvious because of our “mis-education.” That is, and by design, these obstacles (non-corporation/communication) to community solidarity have been adopted as learned behavior by external forces. We cannot fathom nor imagine our Afro-Panamanian history in Panama being understood without an analysis of the Silvermen’s struggles in the Caribbean as well as in Panama. Contrary to what some in the community would like you to believe, books, schooling and literacy, for the most part, were not a part of some of the Silvermen’s generation--including many of their children. All of our leaders/achievers since the arrival of the Silvermen (Garvey, Stoute, Ennis, Osborne, Gaskin, Westerman, etc.) were just regular folks who stepped outside their parameters, went beyond the limitations of their confinements and did what they had always been told they were incapable of doing or not supposed to do. They broke barriers, challenged the system and dared to achieve what none other before them could. If after three generations in Panama we have not produced qualified individuals to guide and administer our fragmented lives and affairs, then, not much can be said for our generation. We have lost our way; we have strayed from the path of wisdom. It may be of no importance to the race to be able to boast of many doctorates than the other two generations before us. The only question which should concern us here is whether the people whom we “select” to guide and lead us are actually equipped to handle the complexities, challenges and ordeals confronting us
We know that education is still the path out of ignorance and poverty, but in an ironic twist, as opportunities have increased over the past quarter century, so has the cultural disconnection amongst many of our black children in Colon. For these reasons we have been staunchly advocating abandoning the idea of traditional leadership as we know it. Instead, we hope to vigorously stimulate a larger number of people in the community to embrace responsibilities, assume definite tasks, selflessly dedicate and sacrifice their time and energy in promoting issues. By so doing, individually and collectively, we may be able to sustain and reinforce the common link that unites and bonds us.
In this same connection, we wish to create and promote an environment where constructive argumentation/disagreement is not divisive nor viewed as quarreling, but that of the art of communication that seeks to persuade through reason, judgment, and acceptable social behavior and cooperative practices. An environment where finding and speaking the truth is more honorable than merely winning an argument. By insisting, promoting and exposing the truth about our history, we hope to create a path for mutual dialogue and friendship.
Given such, we are always looking for opportunities and challenges from different and varied points of views within the community, in order to redesign, refocus, and rekindle our civic pride leading up to a bigger, brighter and better picture. We don’t profess to have all the answers nor “corner on smarts,” that‘s why we are reaching out. Our attempt is to establish the credibility of our intentions and fervent desire of compassion for group solidarity. Our views and principles are the product of our upbringing, which can be traced directly to the Rainbow City, Colon and other WI communities in Panama, where our parents taught us right from wrong, personal responsibility and instilled the importance of family and faith. We surely did not have much in comparison by the standards of the “Zonians,” but we were filthy rich in the things that mattered and made us strong. If anyone is interested and determines they have something of value and interest to contribute to our vision/cause, you may go to “Contact Us” and let us know, in detail, what you have in mind and we will provide more information of our plans; depending on your interest/area of expertise. We are primarily looking for individuals with talents and skills that will be useful, to be of service to the community, and to help us build on the mission’s vision and initiatives. After all, as Dr. Carter, would remind us, “Whoever is greatest among you, let him (her/them) be your servant. All comments, recommendations, observations, constructive criticisms regarding our opinions and views are welcome
The limited available photos of the "Silverwomen" that were taken during the construction era usually/strategically show them either barefooted and/or pregnant.
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