The Documentary Day of Absence

I’m a descendant of immigrants parents who came to America for opportunity. This country was much different in the 1960’s in many ways, but some things haven’t changed. Specifically, the civil rights movement was a success for African Americans and immigrants of color. In fact, it was clear that immigrants and native African Americans had mixed feeling for one another. I believe immigrants respected the struggle of civil rights and supported the movement. My father has been an activist in NYC for decades, and whether it meant organizing meetings, promoting speakers at the Slave theater, raising money for legal defense funds, or holding the line in peaceful demonstrations.

I learned a lot from my Father and continue to support community daily with various activities. It’s not enough to sit silently as nooses are tied from trees in the south. Neither is it time to sit quietly by and listen to the bigotry of bill o’reilly. Kofi and I created this documentary to share the perspectives of immigrants and native born African Americans. Additionally, we stand in solidarity with our fellow latino and hispanic brethren who are now fighting for the rights of citizenship and equal rights.