LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Dominican Republic - Feria del Libro

Now.

Derek Walcott spoke tonight at 8, Junot Diaz tomorrow at 8.

Reception with Junot Díaz and Derek Walcott at 8 p.m. Friday.

Vaquero does his talk on the Haitian Revolution (in Spanish -- and if you know the history of the DR and Haiti's relations, this talk of the Haitian Revolution at all is revolutionary) at 7 on Friday. His music performance is scheduled at 9, in another venue, so we figure he may be poorly attended. Ah well, there it is.

Happiness is in effect, nevertheless, and now, declares Vaquero, it is time to search for the perfect mofongo, which will provide even more happiness (for him -- if I ate a mofongo, I'd never be able to eat again).

There's a new Vaquero in town (meaning the DR), by the way. Except he is a rapper and he spells it ViKaro.

The Vaquero business began when he was down here, recording some of what went on Cowboy Rumba, ("Ghost Riders in the Sky") and making the video that went with it. His name is difficult, if not impossible, for native Spanish speakers to say. It was just easier to tell everybody to call him Vaquero. So that's how he was introduced on the DR television programs and radio shows he was on back then -- Vaquero!

1 comment:

Frank Partisan said...

Haiti should be mentioned more. In Minneapolis we have a Haiti solidarity group.