Cultural Indoctrination

Leslie "Chino" Williams

Little did I know that my marching band debut of 1952 would mark the end of our government’s role in providing “totally free” cultural presentations, really memorable events, to the people of Panama. Continue reading

The Problem of Culture in Panama

This is a sample cartelera from a Latin American tour. Image from holidayonice.com

Right now I am involved in workshops at the National Assembly’s Commission on Education, Culture and Sports to hammer out a law (Proyecto de Ley #416) that would transform our beleaguered and under-funded INAC (Instituto Nacional de Cultura) into a full Ministry.  It was long overdue in my opinion. Continue reading

Our Encounter at Corozal Cemetery

Here we are, my Cousins, me and the ex-administrator strolling back down from Section M in Corozal Cemetery.

On Friday March 23, 2012 I decided to take my cousins on a promised visit to one of the cemeteries where the bones of their ancestors rest and which, by the way, now belongs to the three cemeteries protected by our Silver People Law.  The Law was newly passed by the National Assembly on March 1, 2012, so this would be a perfect time to visit Corozal Cemetery.  There rests our Uncles Eric J. Reid, Vincent (Vicente) Reid, my grandmother, Fanny Elizabeth M. Reid and several of my aunts on my maternal side.  We were met with a surprise visitor. Continue reading

Another Blow to Panama’s Image

Image thanks to bloguez.com

In today’s headlines here in Panama we received yet another blow to the image of our beloved Panama in our foreign relations.  The case revolves around the Embassy of Panama in Brazil.  We leave you, our respected readers, to formulate your own opinions about this grave matter.  We’ve translated the La Prensa article but, you may read the original in Spanish here. Continue reading

We Have Found Each Other!

My newly found cousins Modesta Bert (L) and Iva P. Henry (R) flank me here on our last day together in Panama.

It all started with a simple Google search- a shot in the dark, as my cousin called it.  Iva P. Henry was looking for traces of her long lost family, the side of her family lost in Panama with the arrival of Joshua Austin Reid, my grandfather and, as it turned out, hers as well.  Continue reading

The Issue of Exposure to Culture

A classic Wurlitzer Juke Box of the kind you could find in the cantinas. Image: wikipedia.com

Living and growing up in the Panama of our times was always a total paradox. As someone said about being in such a state and trying to get untangled, “To manage a paradox you need to live with it as well as analyze it.” That is what I have being trying to do thus far along with chronicling how it has been with my people, as part of the Silver People of the Panama Canal Zone since its inception. Continue reading