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

Friday, January 15, 2010

Haitian Earthquake

M's immediate birth family have regrouped and reached her. But at least one of her aunts is dead.

The woman who is the vignette on the cover of The World That Made New Orleans, has lost many family members. Also the house she was building with every penny she has been saving for 15 years. It is now dust.

Madison's in touch now, and his people are mostly all right, physically.

E's family is still not in touch at all.
FF's daughter has checked in, but his son is missing.
Nothing from Boukman Eksperyans.

On and on.

Bodies are being bulldozed into mass grave.

Even in Tsunami photos were taken of the dead. Nothing for Haitians. Nothing for New Orleans. They are black. Send 'em, down. Doesn't matter.

African diaspora peoples. If there is ANYTHING at all that is pan-African, pan-Caribbean, it is the respect for the ancestors. This is obscene.

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