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

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Guantánamo: A Working Class History Between Empire and Revolution

Guantánamo: A Working Class History Between Empire and Revolution (Dec. 2008) is by a newly-achieved Ph.D. in history, who arrived on the faculty of the history dept. at Tulane in 2006, Jana Lipman.

Unfortunately the publisher of this book is aloof from contact, thus no reviews, thus no one knows about it. For example, we could review it, if we had a copy.

Fortunately, due to the Cuban Revolution's 50th anniversary January 1, Lipman scored a spot on "The Lenny Lopate Show" here on WNYC -- and um, how many people under 30 even have radios or listen to them? Or over 30 for that matter?

By chance I heard this segment while doing some housecleaning. The author is personable and knows her stuff. One of the most interesting parts was her description of how employment at the base worked, the employees joining the AFL-CIO, which backfired on the employers -- they expected it to give them more control over the Cubans, and how some of the Cubans employed at the base managed to smuggle out both goods and arms for the Revolution.

Listening to her speak with such energy and enthusiasm about the city of Guantánamo brought back happy memories. It's a beautiful city in the mountains of eastern Cuba, where culture remains deep and history vital.

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