Where is the LOVE – Dónde Está el Amor

Mi nombre es Carlos Francisco Jose Hernandez Rodriguez Lopez Pi. 

We were taught to remember our family and be proud of who we were. I remember my grandparents teaching it to me. They only spoke Spanish. Both sets. My Abuela’s weren’t making chocolate chip cookies; they were making ropa vieja or congri…maybe both if you were a good little “jodedor”. 

Living in Miami in the 90s, being the child of Cuban immigrants wasn’t a rare story. There was a dime a dozen of those stories. We all have stories of people who helped get us here. 

You have a name just like it, too. My name is not special; it just shows where I’m from. The product of someone’s hard work, whether that’s 20 years or 700 years ago. Shout out to those that got us here.

Let’s break this down. 

Carlos – my first name, the “given” name

Francisco Jose (FJ) – my middle name, one carried by each grandfather

Hernandez – a name that made it’s way to me from Europe through Holguin, Cuba. 

Rodriguez – my mother’s lineage and her family’s history, which ties back to Spain and Pinar del Rio, Cuba.

Lopez – My Paternal Grandmother’s last name, comes from Spain

Pi – My maternal Grandmother’s last night. Ties back directly to Spain the the Plaza de Pi

First name + Middle name (optional) + Last Name + Your Mother’s Maiden Name + Your Dad’s Mom’s Maiden Name + Your Mom’s Mom’s Madien name = YOU. 

For generations, YOUR family has had someone do something unique, yet no one knows. Just how close was the family to existing? For you to be here in this spot, A LOT of things had to go right. Look into your family’s history. There are tons of stories of amazing things that happened JUST so you could be here today.

While my daughters have light eyes and white skin, their names proudly represent where they came from. I was proud when my oldest wrote out her first AND last name. I still have the picture hanging next to my tool bench. The picture can’t be seen. I was only concerned with the name she wrote on the back to identify the work of art.

Clearly written…

Hernandez. 

I was proud. 

And to think that some people want to live in a world where that name could negatively impact them concerns me.

I’ll still believe in humanity regardless of who gets elected. One day, we’ll link up and connect as one. Until then, we have a lot of healing to do. I see both parties throw jabs and stabs at each other. It’s all pretty distasteful, to be honest. 

Whether its the red hats or the woke agenda that gets you mad, we need to start seeing a lot more commonality in each other. Like fast. 

We can’t be so quick to judge or break down simply because of what bumper stickers they dorn or if they support a woman’s FUNDAMENTAL right to healthcare…they aren’t a bad person. We can’t be so quick to lash out at each other because it’s having consequences. 

Events like last night shows the normalization of “shit talking”, that gossip banter that happens when A LOT of people feel as if they are in a safe place amongst each other. We Latinos call it “hablando mierda” 

There will always be a reason to point a finger or to call someone out. What we do with the opportunity is up to us.

On May 12, 2003 the Black Eyed Peas released, Where is the Love. The message resonates now more than ever, and kindness paves the way for a unified tomorrow. 

Dónde está el Amor?

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