Beautiful People,

As we step into June, we find ourselves in the midst of celebrations and paradoxes that hold even more significance as we navigate through the increased air pollution caused by the fires of climate change.

Celebrating Puerto Rico and all our peoples under an Orange Sky

We started this month with the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, a vibrant celebration of our Puerto Rican community. The intentional visibility of our peoples on the streets continues to be an act of reclamation of identity and defiance against a history of erasure and colonialism. The celebration manifested on the heels of an orange sky reminding us of how prescient our ancestors were when they taught us to honor Mother Earth. Even as we celebrated, we knew the lungs of Black and Brown people, already compromised by a legacy of toxic exposure, would be further harmed by the by-product of greed and political compromises.

Juneteenth 

Mid-month brings Juneteenth, an historical marker of the end of enslavement in the United States. This day reminds us to continue fighting for Black Liberation and recognize the substantial contributions of the African American community to all who enjoy rights in the US. 

PRIDE

June is also Pride Month, and we stand firm with our LGBTQ+ BIPOC community, celebrating their strength, love, and courage, particularly at this time when all that they have fought for and hold sacred is being dismantled. 

Fathering Day

We round off our celebrations with Fathering Day, honoring the fathers and father-figures who have provided us guidance, strength, the acceptance of all genders and transformation.

In celebration of Fathering Day, UPROSE encourages critical reflection on the non-patriarchal aspects of fathering. Traditionally, the term "father" has been linked to expressions of dominance and control, and we propose a shift in perspective to better acknowledge the full spectrum of the fathering experience. A non-patriarchal approach emphasizes nurturing, collaboration, and emotional openness as key aspects of fathering. We honor all who play a decolonized fathering role, in its many forms and across genders, and we emphasize the importance of emotional connection, shared responsibilities, and the fostering of mutual growth. This Fathering Day, let's celebrate those who break away from strict patriarchal norms to create a world where nurturing care and empathy are intrinsic to the role of fathering. We must cultivate an environment where the matriarchal qualities of liberation and non-violence are the norm for future generations.

Our current situation with the wildfires underscores the urgency of our work. Despite these challenging times, our spirit remains unbroken, and we are more relentless than ever. We invite you to join us in these celebrations, in taking action, and in protecting the sacred. 

Walking With Our Ancestors,

Elizabeth and the UPROSE team