One of the first phrases that I learned when I
was a child was “bomba papi”. Probably all the artists from my generation in
Peru developed their vocal system repeating this phrase. We lived filed
with fear and anguish. No one was aloud out of their homes past seven at night.
We had to line up to buy bread and milk and disposable diapers where a complete
fantasy. We were forced to be vegetarian because we didn't have access to meat,
and chicken was insalubrious. There were blackouts every week, some made by the
Shining path bombs other made by the government. This society gave us a huge
opportunity to be activists and artivists. I remember not showing up to school
because of national strikes. Playing 24 hours of music in front of the congress
so the National Conservatory could be part of the national budget. Developing
Asthma due to tear gas at riots, and so on. Peru is a gold mine of social
problems and a great artivist training camp. Even the cool rich surfers needed to
protect their waves. Kids when they reach their teens have already developed a
contestary mindset and have developed their hunger for freedom. I wish I had
the opportunity to attend this Arts + Activism class, and read Fanon and
Foucault while I was in my mothers womb so I could really understand the
real meaning of “bomba papi”.
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