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Bittman John Rivas

November 11,1939 - May 21,1992

Bittman Rivas: "A Son, A Father, A Brother, and A Leader"

My uncle Bittman Rivas was born on November 11, 1939, in Puerto Rico. He developed a talent for acting and used it.

He was also a poet and teacher. He got his nickname from a cartoon he saw of an elephant named "Bimbo". The name lasted as he was better known to everyone as Bimbo Rivas. Among one of his students was actor Luis Guzman, who was trained at Charas in New York City.

Bimbo Rivas, was a Community Activist, who gave the Lower East Side the name

"Loisaida". He was a profound Poet, Actor, and playwright, whose talent enriched not

only the Puerto Rican Culture, but other Cultures as well. Bimbo's sprit and influence

live on in Loisaida today. We remember him and pay homage to our good friend and

Community Leader

Bimbo Rivas passed away on May 21, 1992, while teaching a second grade class bilingual lessons. He suffered a heart attack in the classroom and passed on soon after. He was 52. He left behind 6 children, most of them carry on his talents.

On May 27, 1992, Avenue C also became known as Loisaida Avenue. It was a token of appreciation for his contributions to the Lower East Side, his home, and for his people.

"Loisaida" (By Bimbo Rivas; Written in 1974)

Lower East Side

I love you.

You'er my lady fair.

No matter where I am,

I think of you!

The mountains and the

valleys cannot compare,

my love to you

Loisaida, I love you.

I dig the way you talk,

I dig the way you look.

Me vacila tu cantar

y yo me las juego

fria pa' que vivas

para siempre.

En mi mente, mi amada,

yo te llamo Loisaida

Increible

una mezcla, la perfecta

una gente bien decente

de to 'as rasas

que estiman

que te adoran

que no saben explicar

lo que le pasa

cuando ausente de

tus calles peligrosas

si te aman

A ti, mi hermosa Loisaida

O what a town.....

even with your drug-infested

pocket parks, playgrounds

where our young bloods

hang around

waiting, hoping that

one day when they too

get well and smile again

your love is all

they need to come around.

Loisaida, I love you.

Your buildings are

burning up

that we got to stop.

Loisaida, my love,

Te amo.

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