Category Archives: Garifuna OPINION

Garifuna Coalition President JOSE FRANCISO AVILA

Copyright 2011 by Teofilo Colon Jr.  (a.k.a. “Tio Teo” or “Teofilo Campeon”) and Jose Francisco Avila.  All Rights Reserved.

Bronx, New York — Last week, The Garifuna Coalition USA Inc, a non-profit, Garifuna advocacy group had it’s 13th anniversary.  Garifuna Coalition President JOSE FRANCISCO AVILA used the occasion to reflect on this organization’s history, and overall its past, present and future in an essay that he posted on The Garifuna Coalition Facebook profile.  I will post it below, as well as note that Jose Francisco Avila has consistently wrote and published essays about various aspects of being Garifuna since becoming a Garifuna advocate.  While good public speaking ability is a ‘shortcut to distinction’, you cannot beat writing (and making the writing available to the general public) as a way to establish yourself as an expert in any field.  In this internet age, I am surprised that more individuals of Garifuna descent do not publish more often. There are a couple, but there should be MUCH more.  Mabriga Mabrigo Mabuigo (“Salute” in the Garifuna language) to Garifuna American Jose Francisco Avila for consistently writing about The Garifuna experience over the years.  — Tio Teo

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