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

Monday, May 9, 2011

U.S.: the Worst Country to Visit

This morning at the airport, one of our Muñequitos de Matanzas amigos just got busted.

This weekend the group concluded this magnificently successful US. tour with two shows, workshops and etc in NYC (el V cleverly managed to bring up our first load of moving things this weekend to attend!).  They are first Cuban band to tour the U.S. since bushtoo dis-allowed Cuban artists into the U.S. and disallowed U.S. artists to go to Cuba in 2003. N got busted for having a knife in his checked luggage at the airport, a knife you can buy at the counters of liquor stores right here in C'town. But these knives are illegal in NYC. But if you don't live in NYC you don't know that. I don't know that -- but I quit carrying my Swiss Army Knife because it set off alarms everywhere and I tend to visit City buildings regularly, like the court building.

M S Bell got busted walking along Central Park last winter for having one of these – he too, of course, lives in Maryland, where the knives are legal to own and carry on your person. It was sticking out of his pocket, from a chain hooked to his belt. Plainclothes cops tackled him out of nowhere, he fought back so he also got busted for resisting arrest.

So N currently is in Queens lockup. We’re looking for a lawyer. What are they going to do? Deport him? As mi herman cubana says, “The United State is so different since the last time we are here. It is a scary place and no fun. It assaults your dignity relentlessly.”
They are very anxious to get back to Cuba where they have civil rights and are treated with human dignity.

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