GABRIELA YARELIZ

The Representative: Nicole Malliotakis

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I am proud to feature my congress rep (11th Congressional District), Nicole Malliotakis. I have never been prouder of voting for someone than I have been with her. I have voted for her on multiple occasions (like when she ran for NYC mayor in 2017), and she has done a phenomenal job as our rep. Our half-Greek/half-Cuban rep is someone who deeply cares about the Brooklyn/Staten Island community and our veterans. She helps community members through the citizenship process, and just recently, she got a family out of Afghanistan. Ms. Malliotakis, thank you for your hard work, integrity and dedication. It is because of this that you are an #orgullohispano.

The Comedian: LeJuan James

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I am not really sure what I can say about half-Dominican/half-Puerto Rican LeJuan James. He is wickedly funny. He became famous through his YouTube Channel where he makes light of our culture’s quirks and imitates our mothers when they would lecture us. What Hispanic person hasn’t sent one of these videos to a friend or even their own family? He has this incredible ability to bring back nostalgia and all the right intonations that remind us of our childhood.

Despite the fun he pokes at our family/culture dynamics that are less than perfect, he is all about family. In his wigs, he always brings joy to a dark day– LeJuan James is an #orgullohispano.

The Attorney: Kimberly Guilfoyle

By: Gabriela Yareliz

When I first heard of Kimberly Guilfoyle, I’ll admit I judged her based on politics (as an Independent, both parties are fair game. Ha!) When I researched more about her, I realized that she was raised by a Puerto Rican mother who was a special education teacher. Her mother passed away due to cancer when Kimberly was 11. Despite her loss at such a young age, Kimberly later went on to law school, became a prosecutor, became an assistant district attorney in SF, then First Lady of SF, then she worked at Fox News from 2006 to 2018, and then became an adviser to the 45th President.

I read that as a kid, she tried out for a boys’ soccer team and made the team. I admire her go-getter attitude that has brought her very far. She works hard, no matter what you think about her politics.

The List wrote of her, “As an adviser to the White House, Guilfoyle has shown that with hard work and nurtured ambition, anything is possible.” #orgullohispano

Advice from Kimberly: “You better have thick skin, for sure, but you also need to laugh at yourself.” (Source)

The Fighters: Nikki and Brie Bella

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I am a HUGE Nikki and Brie Bella fan. Their beautiful book, Incomparable, details growing up with a young mom and dad who were in an abusive relationship, how they were a surprise to a teen mom, their difficult and almost nonexistent childhood, their parent’s divorce, rape, the death of a loved boyfriend, and then how they started the journey to become the WWE’s most famous “diva” faces and fighters.

From a small suburb of Scottsdale, Arizona to being on WWE, Total Divas, Total Bellas (on E!), their famous YouTube channel, owning Birdiebee, Nicole+Brizee Beauty, and their wine company— these half-Mexican women are expanding their empire with each passing year. What I love about them is how they represent our culture with so much strength and dignity. They are examples of fitness; through their YouTube channel and podcast they encourage education and learning (even if it’s by making fun of themselves in trivia games like Bella Brains); they have fostered a community that is amazing #BellaArmy; and have overcome many past obstacles and shown the rewards of hard work.

Nikki Bella is the longest individual reigning Diva Champion in WWE history. Nicole came back to the ring 7 months after she essentially broke her neck and had surgery. After retirement, both were recently inducted into the WWE hall of fame.

Nikki and Brie Bella are an example to young women everywhere. They are an #orgullohispano.

The Actor: Luis Guzmán

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Those who know me, know that this man makes me smile. (Nothing Like the Holidays is a classic. That scene when they play baseball in the snow…). I think it’s fair to call Luis Guzmán an actor and comedian. The roles he takes often make us laugh. He is someone who has given the gift of joy to the world.

Guzmán was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico and grew up in NYC’s Lower East Side. He worked as a social worker (American University graduate– bet you didn’t know that!) and did acting on the side for fun, until his career took off. If you look at his filmography and TV appearances, there is a good chance he has been in something you have watched. Luis Guzmán, you have overcome obstacles and made a life beyond your wildest dreams. Because of this, eres un #orgullohispano.

“We know how to open the door now and walk in.”

The Designer: Nancy Gonzalez

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Her python bags go for thousands. You may remember that memorable closet scene in The Devil Wears Prada when her name is mentioned as Andy is handed a teal bag. Colombian-born designer Nancy Gonzalez has infiltrated the American and global handbag fashion world to the point of making her iconic. Her first collection debuted in 1998 in Bergdorf Goodman. (Source)

Since then, celebrities and important public figures have worn her Cali-made artisan bags. “She is a driving force for social change, employing almost all women and providing day-care for their children. Nancy strives to instill her employees with dignity, optimism and structure by providing a rewarding work environment.” (Source) She is described as a true visionary and artist. Nancy Gonzalez has been a fashion trailblazer and an example to mothers and Hispanic women everywhere. She has shown us that you can use your creativity to be a force in your community, elevate it and bring beauty into the world. This is why Nancy Gonzalez is an #orgullohispano.

Hispanic Heritage Month 2021

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! There is so much happening in the world– it’s hard to know where to look. Still, you know I believe in celebrating the good stuff. Life needs more of that. I often focus on one of the attributes I love about my culture, in this first post. Last year, I focused on joy.

This year, I want to focus on our strength. In these tough times, it has become pretty obvious to spot people who haven’t had many bad days in their life. It was reflected in the hysteria and lack of stability in so much that has been expressed. I will say that one of the many things I admire about my culture is that while we have been through some dark days and nights, we use this to be stable and resilient in unpredictable circumstances. We have a deep strength that allows us to dig our feet into the ground and still stand, in the craziest of storms. Part of that strength is our faith. It’s like a solid cinder block in our core.

I am always excited to feature some Hispanic folks who have made their mark and left their impact on this country (and on the world), paving the way for all of us. The stories around us remind us that anything is possible.

Typically, in my intro post (see last year’s here), I include some of the music I have been jamming out to.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month. Choose strength. And never forget the joy that comes with it, no matter how dark the night.

Stay tuned. We will be honoring some of the greats. xx

A Lesson from Jesus’ Selections

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Something that has truly impressed me about the series The Chosen is how alive the characters are. They stand before us in their flawed and relatable humanity. Sometimes, when we read Scripture or we have read certain stories over and over again, we see these characters as kind of flat. We miss some important lessons.

The disciples are an interesting bunch. Something that stands out as we watch is how truly different they were. Watching how most in the group excluded the former tax collector Matthew (and some like Simon hated him); watching the similarities between Matthew and Thomas (and the disdain Thomas has for this); watching the brother dynamics (there were several sets of brothers)– it’s fascinating. Scripture, just like the show, doesn’t shy away from the conflict that arose due to the differences in personality, background, profession, and even wealth. And what I find even more interesting is that these differences never went away. There are elements of these people that cannot be removed or taken away, like their pasts. It is what it is.

That’s not to say the disciples didn’t change. Their characters changed. As they spent time with Jesus and each other, the men we see in the book of Acts are not the same as the ones we see trekking in the gospels. They were able to learn to work together, despite their deep differences. More than that, God had a special purpose for each one. Jesus called each one because they had a sincere heart and something about that heart had something special to bring to the table and to the world (whether they knew it at the beginning or not).

Jesus saw every detail and put them together despite the friction and discomfort. The leadership in some, the nurturing in others, the beauty and craft of some, and the attention to detail in others. None of this was an accident. He gathered an unlikely group, but I would dare say that in this unlikely group, somewhere in there, we can find a piece of ourselves represented.

What a lesson, to see that what makes us different should not divide us, but should grow us. What a lesson to see that God doesn’t just use one type of person, but that pieces of His character can be seen across the spectrum. We are all made in His image. What a lesson that different people shouldn’t mean different groups, but it should mean one powerful group. What a lesson that as we walk with Jesus, we can learn to work together. Our goal and mission are bigger than who we are. It’s all about Him.

Company

“Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have answers. Let me keep company always with those who say, ‘Look!’ and laugh in astonishment and bow their heads.”
Mary Oliver, “Mysteries, Yes”

We all want answers. It’s our human desire. This desire impacts how we communicate with one another.

I have found that we often are not seeking to learn. This is reflected in how we engage with each other or how we don’t engage with each other. We’ve reached a level of narcissism as a society that is dazzling and keeps us tightly shut. I have seen people complain about dialogue. This week alone on Twitter, I saw at least 10 posts of people bashing those who responded negatively to their comment or “post.” If you can’t handle a different opinion than your own, then why post at all? Then, there are those who pride themselves in ignoring or brushing off those they disagree with– not out of care for the other person, but out of arrogance and feeling superiority. This is where we are at. Disagreement is just material for another complaining post that makes the writer or recipient some sort of victim of life.

I miss when people actually did things with their lives outside of posting or sharing a view on a certain topic. What happened to living a well-rounded, virtuous life? (Questions we should all be asking ourselves are: When was the last time we were willingly inconvenienced to meet another’s physical needs? How often do we step out of our comfort settings?) I miss when people had their own thoughts (meaning they could actually back them up with unique phrases, history and motivations rather than a regurgitation), even if they were disagreeable. I miss when we could actually engage with one another and have dialogue, so both sides could learn. This is diminishing, sometimes not even out of lack of willingness, but out of lack of depth. We have become echoes of other men, rather than separate voices.

As we enter a new season filled with its own challenges, I hope we can take time to shut off the noise and listen to God first. I hope we can develop our own thoughts. That we can do more with our lives than post. That we can show true character and care for others. Sometimes, care does look like a difficult conversation.

I have found in my own experience that sometimes, my intentionality in trying to show others kindness and respect in a moment of vulnerability has been misunderstood for agreement. And then, if something comes up where there is disagreement expressed, people look at you like you are another creature. You can feel the shift. Suddenly, you aren’t the person they want to turn to when you don’t mirror them. Textbook projection. I’ve had someone who didn’t know me try to tell me who I was. This was funny and insane, all the same.

There is nuance in life. I’ve mentioned it before, but it seems like something we keep trying to gloss over. It’s absurd to think that everyone you like thinks like you. I remember I was in a meeting once, and a superior was shocked that not everyone thought like him/her. How dare we all have our own minds, sets of experiences, and desires in the same org? We need to step out of this arrogance. I loved Mary Oliver’s words that opened the post. This idea of keeping in close company those willing enough to be wrong. (Notice others are not discarded or shut out but just left at a distance). We put surety on a pedastal, but what if surety is overrated? Who ever changed the world with something others thought was a “sure thing”? What we need is a world filled with more people trying to make discoveries, saying, “Look!”

What if we gave people freedom and space to move around in? What if the truly intelligent person is the one who leaves more space for the unknown, rather than trying to push something they believe is settled? What if we were ok being surprised by life–astonished even? What if we were humble enough to bow in that astonishment? Part of life’s mystery is how God continues to astonish us at every turn. Every turn.

I’m all for being a lifetime learner. If you hate this, let me know and explain why. xx

Some Gave All

By: Gabriela Yareliz

When I was young, I had a little bear that was dressed in a military uniform. I called him Lieu-teddy, short for lieutenant. My dad gave him to me when he was training to join the Air Force. I believed that if I squeezed him hard enough, my dad, out in training, would feel my hug. I blame Frances Hodgson Burnett’s A Little Princess for this line of thinking.

The news coming out of Afghanistan in these past couple of weeks has weighed heavy on my heart. I won’t delve into the incompentence that has led us here. It would be filled with anger, and to be honest, tears. If you think this was the right way to do things, you clearly have not had anything on the line or been personally connected to these issues. I’ll focus on the human element for just a moment. That’s all I want to see. You see, my rage and sadness was purely focused on the young heroes lives sacrificed and their grieving families.

This country has a deep-rooted problem in the level of disrespect and contempt many have for the military and police, quite frankly. In many ways, we have lost respect for the concepts of duty, freedom, honor, and sacrifice. We, for some reason, can’t deal with the nuance of life. My family was a military family during 9/11. I’ll never forget what that time did to this country and to our lives on the base. I’ll never forget how so many classmates had to say goodbye to one parent and sometimes, both.

I’ll never forget the friends in my high school ROTC program; my friend Christina’s Senior Project to make boxes of needs and goodies for the military and her beautiful wedding at the First Baptist Church, her young husband in uniform; and friends who enlisted after graduation.

I offer my condolences to the families and veterans who are grieving. Many of us have grieved at the news of your loss and will continue to do so. And to those who have suffered any loss or sacrificed anything in these past 20 years– we will not forget the heroism of all that was given. As painful as it is to just look at the now, it’s painful to look at all of it. To hold all of it, collectively. To know so many lives have been impacted. To know so many lives have been given on our behalf. To know so many lives have been spared due to brave men and women. We hold this grief and gratitude together.

“All gave some, and some gave all.”