In this episode of The Thin Veil, Ezra sits down with musician, activist, and La Gente SF frontman Rafa Sarria Bustamante for a wide-ranging conversation on identity, decolonization, Palestine, diaspora, anti-fascism, and political awakening.

Rafa reflects on growing up Colombian-Nicaraguan in San Francisco’s Mission District, navigating mixed cultural identity, confronting racism and colorism, and how those experiences shaped his activism. The conversation explores connections between Indigenous struggles across the Americas, Palestinian liberation, Zionism, diaspora identity, and the ongoing work of decolonizing inherited narratives.

They also discuss activism, music as resistance, solidarity movements, electoral politics, direct action, and what it means to find your place in liberation work.

The Thin Veil / Ezra Lipp’s Patreon

Support Ezra’s Work and The Show on Patreon

The Mixtape for Palestine Concert benefiting United For Dignity Alliance

Tickets on Sale now!

Sunday 5/31/2026 Ivy Room, Albany CA

The Thin Veil with Ezra Lipp

The Thin Veil on all Podcast Platforms

The Thin Veil on Youtube

Ezra Lipp’s Sites

https://www.instagram.com/ezralipp

https://www.ezralipp.com

https://www.youtube.com/@Ezralipp

Thin Veil Theme Music by Magic In The Other

https://www.instagram.com/magicintheother

https://www.magicintheother.com

https://www.youtube.com/@magicintheother

• (00:00) - Intro
• (02:45) - Meet Rafa
• (03:20) - Growing Up Colombian-Nicaraguan in San Francisco
• (05:35) - Colorism, Colonialism & Identity
• (09:35) - Palestine, Arab Diaspora & Political Awakening
• (13:35) - Ashkenazi Jewish Identity & Decolonization
• (16:45) - Music as Activism
• (20:10) - Cultural Tokenism & Political Pushback
• (22:45) - Grief, Gaza & Radicalization
• (24:40) - Speaking Across Communities
• (27:45) - Land Back & Indigenous Liberation
• (29:45) - Armed Resistance vs Pacifism
• (32:20) - How to Start Organizing
• (34:10) - Outro