Second Salem Area Pena Held

Friday evening, December 11, brought the second Pena to Salem's Coffee House Cafe. The Pena was hosted and organized by the Mid-Willamette Valley Jobs with Justice.Pena is a tradition of the Mexican and Latin American left. Participants bring their songs, poems and writings to share with each other. The atmosphere is one of open participation and sharing in a gathering of comrades. It's a bit like an open mike night at the bar, except those attending tend to know each other and performances are within a particular context or theme.

Friday's Pena was a quiet affair. The mood was positive as performers and participants move forward with the peoples' struggle. At the same time, we all know the struggle will continue to be hard and long. This sentiment was apparent at the Pena too.

Performers included the wonderful Bajo Salario (Low Wage), a duet of performers who really know how to belt out a tune. Sam Davila performed a number of songs, combining a well-played guitar with a solid and expressive voice.

Resilience was the theme. In this spirit songs were political, yet transcended the struggle as well. Bajo Salario performed a song about a peasant, exploited and oppressed. Yet still this peasant could find beauty in the world and hope in nature. Other songs were sung, about the animals, and loves as well as the Fight. Clearly hope is a necessary requirement in carrying the struggle forward!

Resilience

Pedro Sosa delivered a solid rap on the resilience of immigrant workers. He held up a $5 bill. You can crumple it, wad it up, throw it in the trash, yet still this little bill still contains its value. You can crumple up the immigrant worker, throw em' in the trash, tear them to pieces, but such solid folk still contain their value too. Thus, Pedro's lesson.

And then Honduras...

Friday's Pena was an acknowledgment of the continuing struggle for economic justice by Honduran workers and peasants. The story of this struggle was told by activist Maribel Gomez. The struggle as she tells us has been going on for decades. The struggle hit a new crescendo last June when a junta of wealthy landowners took power in a coup against the populist government of President Zemalya.

For decades, Honduran workers and peasants have been intimated, shot, and disappeared. Honduras has become a land where workers and peasants are worth nothing and where no human degradation is too deep. Yet still, the struggle continues and wealthy landowners still cannot call themselves secure.

My bet is is that there are Penas still yet to come. Next time one comes around, attend! It is time well spent.