Games, Festivals, and Politics
Greetings to everyone! The Rio de Janeiro Olympics are under way! There was a lot of speculation on whether or not Brazil would be ready for the Games and even suggestions they should be conducted somewhere else. Surely, some of those problems were real. But, the games started with a great opening ceremony on August 5t and we pray everything goes well! The Olympic Games, like the FIFA World Cup and other global tournaments where nations from all over the world participate, are a wonderful thing for humanity. As people from all backgrounds and races get a chance to compete, but most importantly, get a chance to learn more about each other on a personal basis. Congratulations to Brazil for hosting the world in Rio and may it be a great success!
Hispanic Heritage Month is almost here! It will be observed from Sept 15 – Oct 15 and our region is already gearing up for great Festivals that we hope all Hispanics in our region will support. The Hola Tallahassee Festival is scheduled for September 10th at the beautiful Cascades Park (see ad in this edition) and the LARGEST indoor Hispanic Festival in our region takes place on September 18th at the Emerald Coast Convention Center! In addition, Conexión is working with the Greater FWB Chamber of Commerce and ZT MOTORS on two other Hispanic themed activities scheduled for September 15th and 17th respectively. Send us your information on any Hispanic festival or activity taking place in observance of Hispanic Heritage and we’ll do our best to publish it.
Political season is in full swing! On August 30th, primary elections take place throughout our region. Last July, we hosted a networking social in Tallahassee which was attended by area business leaders and several candidates for office. We appreciated everyone’s attendance, but especially those candidates that came and spoke to the audience (see pictures in our Qué Pasa Tally section).
We in Conexión think it is extremely important to provide avenues for area politicians to attend our events and get a chance to speak. Many politicians in our area do not see the Hispanic community as a “significant force” for their particular elections. Regardless, we will continue to build bridges between communities and ensure the political, business and civic leaders indeed consider the issues affecting the Hispanic community locally and regionally. Sometimes, even at the national level, the power of the Hispanic community is doubted. Economically, the statistics speak for themselves, but on the political spectrum, although that power has already been demonstrated, I hope this year becomes the ones that will remind national level candidates that it is hugely powerful and that without the Hispanic vote, they just cannot win the Presidency. Finding real solutions to problems appears to be the last of the things they want to come up with, common sense solutions especially dealing with the issues of jobs, education and indeed, the immigration mess we are in as a nation. Solutions that consider the human beings affected. Divisive politics is NOT a solution and using divisive language is very dangerous! I pray those at all levels, but especially at the Presidential race level, that are using such a strategy, will not prevail! I pray Hispanics will go out and vote this November in record numbers and vote and send a very loud and very clear message to the entire nation!
Conexion is proud to be a sponsor of the upcoming Candidates Forum taking place on August 16th in Fort Walton Beach. It will start at 5pm at the Civic Auditorium and I invite everyone that is reading this, and especially the Hispanics reading it, to join us for it.
May God bless everyone and “see you” in September!
