08/15/2025
August 15th, 1519, marks the date that Spain colonized and founded what they called "Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Panamá", the first city Spain established on the Pacific coast. Since then, Panama has been a port of commerce surviving and healing from centuries of imperialism...
Coincidentally, today marks 39 years since I moved to the U.S.A., a land that Panamanians share a profoundly painful history with, and in common. The Panama Canal story isn’t the only one written by both countries. We’ve both lived the ravages of invaded indigenous communities, and slavery.
Today, here in the United States, us immigrants continue to endure the plight of oppressive systems. These systems have historically set the tone for the emergence of burnout. Immigrants bring to their daily functioning inherited practices of survival that exclude opportunities for regular pausing to replenish energy. All of this, when negotiating the process of assimilating and/or learning about the culture of a new environment. It’s a lot of work. Choosing to do this work, in an often not preferred journey abroad, and centering health may be a revolutionary act!

We also contribute fiercely to the culture and economy of this country. This, too, is true of the immigrant community now making Panama their home.
May we continue healing and going deeply into our history to create space for continued thriving. As we deepen our insights and stand firmly in the knowledge of our value, the present can be examined and the future envisioned with optimism. Our ancestors brought us to this moment. Let’s meet it with courage and in community 🙏🏾❤️
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