Juan Flores Memorial Blog

12/16/2014

Juan Flores (1943-2014) was an inspiring and impressive man, who left an indelible mark on many people. We want to hear how Juan has impacted and changed your life. What did Juan teach you that you carry forward with you? How can you use lessons he taught to help change culture around you? Leave a thought, comment or message and let us know!

No RSVP needed to attend the memorial, all are welcome.

19 Comments

Mariam BAGAYOKO

12/16/2014 03:27:49 am

Dear members of the Afrolatino Forum,

I was shocked to know about the sudden passing of Professor Juan Flores. I want to express my deepest sympathy to his wife, Miriam Jiménez, to his family and to the Afrolatino Forum.
I met Professor Flores and his wife once during the summer of 2007 (I had been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and came from France to conduct research on New-York based Puerto Ricans).
I was impressed by the fact that an intellectual of Professor Flores' stature was so accessible and kind.
I had read his books while studying at NYU and truly admired his work.
He was a brilliant person and his legacy will live on.

Sincerely,

Mariam Bagayoko

Aline Helg

12/16/2014 03:28:47 am

It is with deep sorrow that I have learned that Juan Flores has passed away. I had the chance to meet him and hear him at the Refashioning Blackness: Contesting Racism in the Afro-Americas conference at the Univesity of Texas at Austin in 2013. His leadership, his generosity, and his scholarship are irrepleaceable. I will miss him and his mobilizing thoughts and words. My deepest condoleances to Miriam Jiménez, their family and the members of the Afrolatino Forum.
Aline Helg

Sharon Zukin

12/16/2014 03:30:29 am

Dear Miriam and colleagues,

I still cannot grasp that Juan has passed, but I trust that he lives in the memory of all of us whom he enriched with his unquiet passion for understanding and his deep good humor.

In warmth and sympathy,
Sharon

alberto barrow

12/16/2014 03:33:51 am

My deepest sympathy goes to Miriam.

Un abrazo,

Alberto

WILLIE PERDOMO

12/16/2014 03:34:32 am

Juan was so important to our communities. This is a terrible loss. Juan's lenses were so necessary to our self-communal reflection. I'm going to miss him. I will not be able to attend his memorial as I will be in California tending to my sister who will be coming out of surgery. I will keep Profé in my prayers, in my thoughts, in my afro-latinidad, always. Hold fast.

Joe Scantlebury

12/16/2014 03:34:52 am

Condolences and Prayers to Miriam and family.
Joe Scantlebury

Arturo Lindsay

12/16/2014 03:35:56 am

Familia,

This is a serious loss for our community.

My condolences to his family.

Saludos,

Arturo

Hilda Lloréns

12/16/2014 03:36:23 am

Dear Miriam,

I am writing to express my condolences. I am incredibly sad about Juan’s passing and wanted to let you know that I am ever grateful to him for his support, encouragement, and generosity. Years ago, when I was a young, poor, Hartford-Rican from the barrio trying to make sense/understand my identity and my family’s and community’s place in the world, I saw/heard Juan give a talk at the Charter Oak Cultural Center, and his insights moved me to want to follow in his footsteps. In some ways, I have always been trying to emulate Juan--undoubtedly, the brightest of stars and the Godfather of Puerto Rican cultural studies! Not only is his scholarship transcendental, but his human qualities – the fact that he always tried to make one feel good, that I only have the best memories of him, and that I always knew that Juan would “have my back,” is what I most want to emulate—because in the end, is the quality of the person that matters—and Juan was an amazing person in the ways that truly matter. I will miss him deeply!

I can only image how you and his daughter are feeling and though words are inadequate in communicating how sad I feel—I still wanted to try to convey my appreciation for Juan to you. Please know that my thoughts are with you and his daughter during this difficult time.

Con un abrazo solidario,

-Hilda Lloréns

Thelmo Cordones

12/16/2014 03:36:49 am

My deepest condolences on the passing of Co-founder and Chair Prof. Juan Flores.

Sincerely,

Thelmo Cordones

Ali-Abdul Perez

12/16/2014 03:38:24 am

As I am taken back of Mr. Flores passing. My deepest condolences to his wife, Miriam, family members., and other close associates.
A good person, a respectful individual whom I enjoyed conversation with on topics that perhaps we might of disagreed. But he gave me an honest opinion
May Allah grant you eternal comfort in Paradise.

Ali-Abdul Perez

Reynoso Araceli

12/16/2014 03:38:42 am

Lamento muchisimo el desceso del profesor Flores, sin duda, académico brillante, interesado en la difusión de los valores culturales de nuestros pueblos. Nos hará mucha falta
Mi más sentido pésamo a sus familia, amigos y colaboradores.
Aaceli Reynoso M.
Cd de México.

Saeed Shabazz

12/16/2014 03:41:08 am

What a blow to humanity, just talked to him one time and he impressed me with his sincerity. he will truly be missed.
Saeed Shabazz, staff writer Final Call News

James Early

12/16/2014 03:44:23 am

Juan Flores is a GIFT introduced to me by our Brother Rene Lopez. Although now our Ancestor he is with me and will be with me through life in the most profound sense of the Spirit that emanates and lives on for what was contributed and remains in our lives on this plane called Earth.

No brotherhood I have experienced exceeds what he and I shared. No living-intellect opened path ways for my self confidence in my own sense- making world of work as the "Prompt-Sessions" as we came to call them on the water fall in the woods of the Catskills.

I and many thousands will call and read his name -- his intellect, his friendship and brotherhood, his social- justice values --for time to come. All lives are too short for the loving ones still on this plane, but comfort will come overtime in the memory in which he continues to speak, to smile, to embrace and love, to respect and point the way forward from the complexities and complications of the Now and the Future.

We listen, talk, and go with you Dear Brother.

Love-Respect
James Early
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Smithsonian Institution

Yasmin Ramirez

12/16/2014 03:44:53 am

Very sad. I posted a small tribute to Juan on FB this morning. He was one of the most influential thinkers in my life--right up there with cornell west. , I owe my Ph.D. and more to him.
Please extend sympathy to Miriam.

Best Regards

Yasmin Ramirez, Ph.D.

Evelyn Erickson

12/16/2014 08:55:14 am

I just met professors Flores and Jimenez during this past Afrolatino forum and was inspired by their vision, dedication and love. My deepest sympathy to his wife and loved ones. Professor Flores was truly a role model and a source of constant motivation to all of us who want to bring positive change to our communities. His legacy lives on. Hasta la Victoria Siempre.

Vanessa K. Valdés

12/16/2014 10:54:04 am

Divided Borders was one of the first books that changed the entire trajectory of my life - I had no idea what I was going to do as a career, until I read Latino Lit in college and saw and read voices that sounded like mine and those of the people I knew and loved. Divided Borders taught me that one could write literary analysis with love and respect for the texts you're writing about, that this emerges from a place of love for the culture, for the people we write about. I didn't know about Puerto Rican Studies, or Centro - he introduced me to all of this, to a field, to an institution he helped to build and maintain. He was one of the first academic superstars I held in that esteem, so that when I finally met him more than a decade later, I was stunned that I could just talk to him, that he was so approachable. It was a blessing to spend time with him and Miriam, and I thank them both for their generosity of time and spirit. My heart goes out to Miriam and to their loved ones, and to the members of the Afro-Latin@ Forum, through whom I met Miriam and Juan. We carry his memory forward not only by doing the work (however one defines it) but also by remembering the warmth of spirit, the passion, the intellectual curiosity, and allowing it to spark our own.

Eddie Telles

12/19/2014 09:13:14 am

I came to know Juan only in the past five years or so, soon after I moved out this way. I considered myself a newcomer compared to the many friends that Juan has understandably accumulated over the years. I can see why many have been drawn to him. I came to realize that Juan was a force. I am lucky to have become one of his latest friends.

I got to see Juan a lot in these last few months. Juan and Miriam organized the Afro-Latino Forum in New York. A couple of weeks before that, they had organized a panel on Afro Latinos and the Census. They, with their team of volunteers, pulled off the probably the most successful conference of its kind, pulling together Afro Latino leaders, students and other interested parties from throughout the Northeast. Juan and Miriam were really dedicated to increasing the visibility of Afro-Latinos, giving the topic the recognition it deserved.

Juan and Miriam had worked intensely in preparing for the forum’s conference, working on every last detail. The week after their conference, Juan and Miriam would participate in an Afro Latin American conference at Notre Dame and the week after at the conference at Duke. They must have been really tired but you could sense their excitement and dedication. They told me that they were looking forward to relaxing and recovering from their hard work, spending quality time together at their house in upstate New York.

I was happy that I was finally getting to know Juan during that time. I was at both conferences in New York and was with him at the Duke conference. I got to be with Juan and Miriam waiting at the Duke Hospital emergency room (and with Sandy and Kirsten) and Juan joked about how they shaved off his chest hairs. I really enjoyed their company then and in the past couple of months. Though I worried about Juan’s physical state, I never imagined the outcome of that day.

I was looking forward to more talks with him and soaking in the pleasure of his and Miriam’s company and wisdom. Today, we are better off because of Juan’s existence. Juan was a great man. I was looking forward to knowing him better.

Rebecca Gallego

12/21/2014 01:24:04 am

Juan Flores was one of my professors at New York University in 2008. He was an amazing scholar, a mentor, and friend to me. He introduced me to the beautiful Latin@ culture in New York. As a young Mexican-American from LA he really helped me learn the importance of education and scholarship for all Latin@s whether they are in LA, New York, Puerto Rico etc.. He showed me through his conversations and teaching how it was possible for me to follow my dreams and combine the study of music with social activism. He shared with me his amazing vinyl collection and allowed me to digitize it and spend hours listening to the amazing rhythms of Latin Jazz and Boogaloo. He was an advocate at all times for Afro-Latin@s and taught me so much. Now as I teach 8th graders from Boyle Heights, LA I make sure I pass the stories, histories, and music that Juan so generously shared with me. I will always cherish our conversations about our families, our past, and our present. He always listened , never rushed a conversation even though I am sure he had a 1000 things to do and for that I am so grateful. I am forever thankful and blest. From Bomba to Hip hop, through German poetry, and Afro-Latin@ stories - Juan Flores I pray you went listening to the waves of the Puertorican seas and the Nuyorican poets!
Rest in the tunes of Eddie Palmieri Juan!

María Elba Torres Muñoz, Ph.D

12/22/2014 10:33:37 am

Juan, gracias por las largas e intensas pláticas que tuvimos en Nueva York, cuando el Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños esta en John Jay en década de los setenta..De las posibilidades del país, de nuestra tormentosa realidad, l@s amiga@s que compartíamos en Puerto Rico, México y en los Estados Unidos. Luego por acá, en nuestra amada isla, el mar, el arte, la comida, los libros nos deleitábamos horas en un exquisito diálogo. Cuánto me enseñaste…! Tu alegría musical nos contagiaba a tod@s. Gracias por tu amistad, tu buen compartir, por querer desde lo profundo..Abrazos apretaos! Midiam abrazotes!

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