cuba - Blogs - TheBlackList Pub2024-03-29T06:06:33Zhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/cubaHavana Times: The Meaning and Sense of Wordshttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/havana-times-the-meaning-and-sense-of-words2018-05-12T22:00:00.000Z2018-05-12T22:00:00.000ZTheBlackList-Publisherhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackListPublisher<div><p></p>
<p> <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828605583,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="749" class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828605583,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="3828605583?profile=original" /></a></p>
<p>Even though this heading shares the same name as a conference I used to teach when I was a university professor, I’m not going to talk about grammar or composition as this isn’t the place. I do, however, want to talk about the meaning and sense words have in political propaganda and the power these gain in the media, where we find words over and over again which communicate lies, half-truths and unfair and unmerited labels. Let’s take a look at a few examples.</p>
<p><br /> In the past, after World War 2, during the so-called Cold War, US imperialist propaganda against the Soviet Union and other socialist countries in Eastern Europe coined a series of terms which had previously had a derogatory meaning.</p>
<p><br /> For example, when referring to any of these countries, they didn’t say “socialist country” but “communist regime”, not without first spreading awareness about how bad a communist regime was, in spite of this kind of regime never having existed before then.</p>
<p><br /> “Red” was another term they gave a negative meaning to, as in their eagerness to make everyone identify the Soviet Union as humanity’s biggest enemy, they called it the “red threat” and compared it with the red bear which devoured everything.</p>
<p><br /> They also invented the fable of the “iron curtain” so nobody from the West would draw near to take a look at what was really happening in these socialist countries and therefore they could lie to people more easily.</p>
<p><br /> A whole arsenal of terms and lies have been used against the Cuban Revolution which is nearly 60 years old and they continue to add to this vocabulary as time goes on and new figures appear in the US. “Communist regime” has already been used to death and doesn’t hold the same weight anymore. Now, they call it a “socialist dictatorship”. They don’t care that Cuba holds general elections every five years and partial or municipal elections every two and a half years; they continue to call it a “dictatorship” and they have now also added the term “corrupt”, without any grounds to do so.</p>
<p><br /> They did the same thing with Venezuela, a country where the most elections have been held in the last 20 years, with every guarantee, no fraud and hundreds of international watchdogs; but the fact that the country’s natural resources are no longer being exploited by foreign multinationals to give these back to the people is enough for them to give it the “corrupt socialist dictatorship” sign, even though they have only given all of their citizens free healthcare and education, built millions of homes to improve the lives of people who were living in a precarious situation, as well as other social programs.</p>
<p><br /> Imperialism’s politicians aren’t the only ones who have used this worn out and out-dated terminology against the Cuban Revolution; the counter-revolution both in and outside the island have too, having to fulfill the Cuban people’s public enemy no.1’s orders because that’s what they get paid to do, to repeat the worse terms for the revolutionary government like parrots, over and over again.</p>
<p><br /> And while on the subject of the meaning and sense of words, all of these people continue to say that there is “repression” here in Cuba. This word has many meanings and gradients. If taking those who violate laws to trial and sending them to prison is repression, that is one of the meanings, but it is justified by the Law. However, everyone identifies repression with riot squads covered from head to toe, using shields like in medieval wars, hitting people left, right and center, shooting rubber or lead bullets, water cannons and tear gas.</p>
<p><br /> However, these scenes, which are everyday occurrences in many countries, haven’t taken place here in Cuba ever since the Batista dictatorship was overthrown on January 1st 1959, in spite of Batista having the US government’s support, like every dictatorship in the Americas has. So, using the word “repression” with the intention of giving it the meaning I have just described, is a disgrace, to put it simply. That’s why, when we read something, where seemingly inoffensive words are used, we have to analyze them beyond their meaning and find out what sense they are being given.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.havanatimes.org/?p=133183&utm_source=feedburner&..." target="_blank">Continues :</a></p>
<p style="background-color:transparent;color:#444444;font-size:15px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:24px;text-align:left;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;padding:0px;margin:0px 0px 15px 0px;border:0px none #444444;"><strong style="font-size:15px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:24px;vertical-align:baseline;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px none #444444;"><span style="color:#000080;font-size:15px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:bold;line-height:24px;vertical-align:baseline;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px none #000080;">By Elio Delgado Legon<br /></span></strong><a href="https://www.havanatimes.org/?p=133183&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+havanatimes%2Fapge+%28Havana+Times+Posts%29" target="_blank">HAVANA TIMES</a></p>
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<p></p></div>The Venceremos Brigade invites you "To Come with us to Cuba".https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-venceremos-brigade-invites-you-to-come-with-us-to-cuba2013-12-24T07:00:00.000Z2013-12-24T07:00:00.000ZTheBlackList Newshttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackListNews<div><p></p><div id="msgbody"><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><div dir="ltr"><center><h4><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828561828,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828561828,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="180" class="align-full" alt="3828561828?profile=original" /></a></h4><b><font size="6">The Venceremos Brigade</font></b><br /> <br /><h4>Who we are and what we do</h4>In 1969, a coalition of young people formed the Venceremos (We Shall Overcome) <span id="o1zj0y2191b_6" class="o1zj0y2191b">Brigade</span>, as a means of showing solidarity with the Cuban Revolution by working side by side with Cuban workers and challenging U.S. policies towards Cuba, including the economic blockade and our government’s ban on travel to the island. The first Brigades participated in sugar harvests and subsequent Brigades have done agricultural and construction work in many parts of the island. <br /> Now, in 2004, the VB is celebrating its 35th Anniversary. Over the last 35 years, the VB has given over 8,000 people from U.S. the opportunity for a life-changing experience. While the trip has evolved over time, the Venceremos Brigade has always kept its format of work, <span id="o1zj0y2191b_5" class="o1zj0y2191b">educational activities</span>, and travel. In addition, we remain committed to organizing the most diverse contingents possible; Brigadistas are young and older, of many races, nationalities, socioeconomic classes, and sexual orientations. The oldest Cuba solidarity organization in the world, the VB has never requested permission from the U.S. government to go to Cuba - and we never will! We believe it is our right as U.S. citizens to travel free of U.S. government obstacles. We also believe that we have much to learn from Cuba and the best way to do that is to travel there and see for ourselves. <br /><table class="chart" width="300"><tbody><tr><td><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828561837,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828561837,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="450" class="align-full" alt="3828561837?profile=original" /></a></td></tr><tr><td>celebrations at the border crossing in Buffalo<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Last summer, the VB joined with the IFCO-Pastors for Peace Caravan in declaring our most public and open challenge to the travel restrictions yet. We decided to organize a large and visible Travel Challenge because of the unique political climate of the times. Bush was increasing harassment of both “licensed” and non-licensed travelers. He eliminated the second largest category of so-called legal travel - the “<span id="o1zj0y2191b_1" class="o1zj0y2191b">people to people</span> educational exchanges - and tightened the travel categories still allowed. Yet, polls showed that over 75% of the U.S. public, and over 50% of the Cuban American community, support an end to the travel ban. We knew it was time for people of conscience to make our challenge in a powerful and public way. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Our Travel Challenge was extremely successful. After spending 2 weeks in <span id="o1zj0y2191b_8" class="o1zj0y2191b">Cuba</span> (during which we painted a<span id="o1zj0y2191b_4" class="o1zj0y2191b">neighborhood health</span> clinic and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the attack on the Moncada Garrison), 80 Brigadistas and many supporters walked over the International Peace Bridge from Canada into Buffalo, New York. Customs officials were expecting as was a large rally of supporters who welcomed us on the U.S. side of the border. When faced with this organized political resistance, the U.S. government backed down. The <span id="o1zj0y2191b_3" class="o1zj0y2191b">Bush Administration</span> is well aware that there is little support among the U.S. people for its policies towards Cuba. Not one Brigadista was harassed while crossing and to date no one from the last contingent has been fined or threatened by the U.S. government. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> However, since our return to the U.S., the Bush administration has increased its attacks on <span id="o1zj0y2191b_2" class="o1zj0y2191b">travel to Cuba</span>. After both Houses of Congress voted overwhelmingly against the enforcement of the travel restrictions in November, a special joint congressional committee stripped the Cuba provision from the bill and left the travel restrictions in place! For the first time in history, judges have now begun to hold hearings in order to fine people who have allegedly made “illegal” trips to Cuba ! The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, charged with the responsibility of enforcing the travel restrictions, has already scheduled many hearings and has several thousand cases pending. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> In October 2003, Bush formed a new “transition commission” headed by Secretary of State Powell to study further ways to overthrow the Cuban <span id="o1zj0y2191b_7" class="o1zj0y2191b">Revolution</span>. Bush ordered hundreds of Homeland Security agents to interrogate and harass more than 44,000 legal travelers on their way to Cuba. Several organizational religious licenses have been suspended. Criminal investigations against unnamed organizations have been ordered. Top Administration flunkies have made slanderous attacks on Cuba with no evidence whatsoever. Candidates for office in Florida speak openly of favoring an invasion of Cuba and millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars continue to be appropriated for the subversion of the Cuban government. <br /> The Venceremos Brigade is completely opposed to all these policies. In July 2004, the VB will again join with IFCO-Pastors for Peace in what will be an even bigger, more successful Travel Challenge. Now, more than ever, is the time to join a VB contingent as we exercise our constitutional right to travel and our right as human beings to learn about Cuban society and to create friendships with Cuban people. The 35th Anniversary Contingent will spend time in Cuba’s two most important cities--Santiago de Cuba and Havana. Our trip will have a special concentration on the African roots of Cuban history and contemporary society. We expect this to be one of the best Venceremos Brigade trips ever!<br /><h4>Introduction</h4></center>In 1969, a coalition of young people formed the Venceremos ("We Shall Overcome") Brigade, as a means of showing solidarity with the Cuban <span class="o1zj0y2191b">Revolution</span> by working side by side with Cuban workers and challenging U.S. policies towards Cuba, including the economic blockade and our government’s ban on travel to the island. The first Brigades participated in sugar harvests and subsequent Brigades have done agricultural and construction work in many parts of the island.<br /> Over the last four and half decades, the V.B. has given over 8,000 people from the U.S. the opportunity for a life-changing experience. While the trip has evolved over time, the Venceremos Brigade has always kept its format of work, <span class="o1zj0y2191b">educational activities</span>, and travel. In addition, we remain committed to organizing the most diverse contingents possible; Brigadistas are young and older, of many races, nationalities, socio-economic classes, and sexual orientations. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The oldest <span class="o1zj0y2191b">Cuba</span> solidarity organization in the world, the V.B. has never requested permission from the U.S. government to go to Cuba–and we never will! We believe it is our right as U.S. citizens to travel free of U.S. government obstacles. We also believe that we have much to learn from Cuba and the best way to do that is to travel there and see for ourselves!<br /> <br /> <br /><h3>An Overview of the Brigade Experience</h3><h4>The Program</h4>While in Cuba, the Venceremos Brigade is hosted by the <i>Cuban Institute for Friendship with the People</i>(ICAP).<br /> Every year, our friends at ICAP develop a program for our two-week visit to Cuba. Our Cuban hosts work very hard to ensure that Brigadistas can seize the opportunity of their visit to Cuba- seeing and learning as much as possible, and hearing from as many voices as possible- so that we return to the US with a wealth of knowledge and a dynamic perspective, enabling us to educate people about Cuba, replacing myths with realities.<br /> <br /> <br /> The program typically includes: <br /><ul><li>Meetings with leaders of Cuba’s federations, committees and assemblies, such as the Federation of Cuban Women, the Union of Communist Youth, Municipal, Regional and National assemblies, and others.</li><li>Visits to Cuban social and <span class="o1zj0y2191b">economic institutions</span>, such as health clinics, senior centers, orphanages, and others.</li><li>Cultural activities and visits, such as museum visits, musical and <span class="o1zj0y2191b">dance performances</span>, special events with other solidarity groups, and others.</li><li>Free time. There is very little incidental free time during a typical day. The program is a rigorous schedule of activities and visits that is often exhausting and logistically challenging. Incidental free time is usually used for taking showers, doing laundry (by hand,) and taking naps. Although Brigadistas often do find time to socialize at night (responsibly and without compromising the next day,) free time is otherwise built into the program. Depending upon where the Brigade is located, free time can include options to visit the beach, the city, the countryside, or maybe to just catch up on some sleep</li><li>Work. (See below.)</li></ul><h4>The Work</h4>The character of the Venceremos Brigade is inseparable from the work component of the program. Over the years, Brigadistas have harvested <span class="o1zj0y2191b">sugar cane</span>, painted buildings, repaired structures, hauled <span class="o1zj0y2191b">construction materials</span>, and much more. No matter what work projects are planned for a given year, there is always a valuable contribution for every Brigadista to make, regardless of skill, experience or ability. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The organizers of the Brigade will inform Brigadistas of the type of work that will be performed as soon as it is known, and will provide suggestions as to how to prepare and what tools (if any) to bring. <br /><h4>The Camp</h4>While in Cuba as part of the Venceremos Brigade you will experience <span class="o1zj0y2191b">living conditions</span> familiar to the majority of people in the world, but unfamiliar to most in the United States. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The Brigade often stays in camps that were built to host solidarity and other groups. <span class="o1zj0y2191b">Bunk beds</span> in rooms for 6-10 people ensure rapid bonding among Brigadistas. While in Cuba we will experience the impacts of the US economic blockade- economic warfare- against Cuba. Supply shortages make for simple facilities that are often compromised by the rigor of large groups; and water shortages & simple systems necessitate conservation and care. <br /> The organizers of the Brigade will provide suggestions as to how to prepare and what supplies to bring to make the camp experience comfortable. <br /><h4>The Travel Challenge</h4>The <span class="o1zj0y2191b">travel challenge</span> occurs when we cross the border on our return to the United States. <br /> Simply put, the travel restrictions imposed upon citizens and residents of the United States forbid us from<span class="o1zj0y2191b">spending money</span> in Cuba, or from spending money through transactions that would put that money into the hands of Cuban nationals. Technically speaking, the travel restrictions are not restrictions on “travel,” they are restrictions on “trading with the enemy.” <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> By traveling to Cuba <b>openly</b>, we affirm our Constitutional rights to free speech and free assembly, cultural exchange, and to see Cuba with our own eyes. <br /> Brigadistas will receive more detail on the travel challenge, including in depth legal training before and during our visit to Cuba, preparing us individually and - most importantly - as a collective to exercise our “duty to disobey unjust laws.” (Martin Luther King Jr.) <br /><p align="center"></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p><strong>Attachment: <a href="https://lists.riseup.net/www/viewmod/theblacklist/0578dc16a23b2f4c7ab074cc8ff8142b/msg00000/45th_Contingent_VB_Application.pdf"><tt>45th Contingent VB Application.pdf</tt></a></strong><br /> <em>Description:</em> Adobe PDF document</p></div><ul><li><b><a href="https://lists.riseup.net/www/viewmod/theblacklist/0578dc16a23b2f4c7ab074cc8ff8142b/msg00000.html">The Venceremos Brigade: Come with us to Cuba!</a></b>, <em>benjamin ramos, 12/19/2013</em></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p></div>Race and Class in Cuba & Building Global Pan Africanism -Cuban Delegation Reps on " NU Day" and at the Songhai Center in Phillyhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/race-and-class-in-cuba-building-global-pan-africanism-cuban2012-11-17T22:17:50.000Z2012-11-17T22:17:50.000ZOriginal MWM Sistahshttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/OriginalMWMSistahs<div><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>Two Primary Topics:</strong></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>1. CUBA: Race and Class Realities in the 21st Century<br /></strong></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>2. "The Importance of Building Allies, globally, and developing Pan African views, positions, and realities for today"</strong></span></p><p>Post comments here and/or <strong>Join the on line dialog</strong><span class="font-size-3"><strong><br /></strong></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><strong>TONIGHT Sat. Nov. 17 on "NU DAY RESURRECTION & LIBERATION" 10:30 PM "Cuban & Pan African Solidarity" featuring dialog with Gloria Rolando and tomorrow Sun. Nov. 18, 2012 at Songhai City Center in Philly-Cuban Delegation: Forum & Panel Discussion and new Film premier</strong></span> (1912: breaking The Silence)</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828542786,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828542786,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="194" alt="3828542786?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Join the <strong>National Million Woman March/Universal Movements</strong> and the <strong>"NU Day Resurrection and Liberation"</strong> radio team for another NIA (Purpose) November 2012, program.</p><p>Thanks to the African Awareness Association and affiliates, an Afro Cuban Delegation featuring internationally renowned filmmaker, <strong>Gloria Rolando</strong>, (Director of the acclaimed documentary on Assata Shakur "Eyes on the Rainbow" ) will share socio-political and cultural information and insight for greater Practical Unity & Pan African Solidarity</p><p>Hear the LIVE radio interview and powerful dialog on the issue of race in Cuba and the development of solidarity and Pan Africanism, worldwide, on the <strong>"NU Day Resurrection and Liberation"</strong> radio program on <strong>Sat. Nov. 17, 2012</strong> online at: <strong><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/empresschi">www.blogtalkradio.com/empresschi</a></strong> or listen in on your telephone via Podcast by calling: 646-652-2232. The "NU Day" radio broadcast begins at <strong>1030 PM</strong> EST.</p><p>TONIGHT'S: On the LIVE LINE Guest: Internationally renowned filmmaker, <strong>SIS. GLORIA ROLANDO</strong> and <strong>DR. TOMAS FERNANDEZ ROBANIA</strong>, Cuban National Archives</p><p>HOSTED BY: <strong>EMPRESS CHI</strong> (Sis Empress Phile' Chionesu) FOUNDER & PRESIDENT of the original and historic Million Woman March and Universal Movements</p><p><span class="font-size-4">Then, on November 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m</span>. Join us at the <strong>Songhai City Cultural Center located at 3117-19 Master St.</strong> in Philly PA, a powerful new film <strong>"1912: Breaking the Silence"</strong> will be presented followed by a panel discussion with the Cuban delegation. Donation is $10.00</p><p>For vending or other information e-mail: nationalmwm@aol.com or call: 267-636-3802.</p><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">The Cuban Delegation will be touring the US from Nov. 16-24, 2012.</span></strong></p><p>This African Awareness Association Afro-Cuban delegation will be lead by the world renowned filmmaker GLORIA ROLANDO, who's career spans over 20 years at ICAIC, the Cuban National Film Institute. She also heads an independent filmmaking group, imagines del Caribe, based in Havana. Many of her films can be ordered through AfroCubaWeb. Along with Ms. Rolando will be DR. TOMAS FERNANDEZ ROBANIA, Cuban National Archives and ROBERTO ZURBANO, Cuban Author, Casa de las Americas; they are both preparing new books on the subject of Cuban nationalism and new directions on the future of Cuban socialism, Race and Racism.</p><p>For more information on other tour stops, advance tickets, etc, call Bro. Lee Robinson of the African Awareness Asso. at: 804-549-7492 or e-mail: african_awareness_association@yahoo.com</p><p>REMEMBER: All shows can be heard at any time once aired by just going to the archives (go to the on demand section of the website at <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/empreschi">www.blogtalkradio.com/empreschi</a>)</p></div>39 AMERICAN CITIZENS TRAVEL TO CUBA IN DEFIANCE OF TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS!https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/39-american-citizens-travel-to2011-07-14T15:17:05.000Z2011-07-14T15:17:05.000ZSendMeYourNewshttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/SendMeYourNews<div><p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.venceremosbrigade.net/photos/images/buffalo2.jpg"><img class="align-center" src="http://www.venceremosbrigade.net/photos/images/buffalo2.jpg" alt="buffalo2.jpg" /></a></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="4">On Sunday July 17th, 39 U.S. citizens coming from 7 states, 25 of whom reside in the New York and New Jersey area, will participate in the Venceremos Brigade and will publicly engage in civil disobedience by defying the U.S. government’s travel restrictions on Cuba by traveling to the Caribbean island without a license.</font></font></p>
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<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">For 8 years, the Venceremos Brigade, an education project, which has sent over 9,000 U.S. citizens to Cuba for the past 42 years, has organized a public <b>“Travel Challenge”</b> to the island as a way to pressure the U.S. government to lift the embargo and work to rectify U.S. foreign policy towards Cuba. Brigade members, known as “brigadistas,” come from all over the U.S. and are diverse in race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, occupation, and political affiliation. Brigadistas will bring material aid to the island, volunteer on civic projects and engage in discourse with people from the various sectors of Cuban society.</font></font></p>
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<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Though the U.S. government only allows licensed travel to Cuba, brigadistas are proudly going without permission in solidarity with the Cuban people and in condemnation of a U.S. policy towards Cuba that is unpopular with Americans, Cuban-Americans and the international community.</font></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">While the Travel Challenge has triggered threats of fines from the U.S. Treasury Department as well as F.B.I. harassment, the Venceremos Brigade asserts they have the constitutional right to freedom of association and can travel anywhere, including Cuba. They argue that instead of sending FBI agents to the homes of Americans, who want to see Cuba for themselves, the U.S. government should lift the embargo and work to rectify its foreign policy towards Cuba. </font></font></p>
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<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">In January, the Obama Administration expanded travel and remittances to Cuba, a decision supported nationally by educational and cultural institutions, as well as by Cuban-Americans across the country. This action has resulted in a backlash spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (Republican) of South Florida, who sponsored an amendment, approved by the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, which would undo President Obama’s expansion and would reinforce the strict travel restrictions in place under former President George W. Bush.</font></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">With the limited travel openings under attack, the Venceremos Brigade’s trip to Cuba takes on a greater political significance, as brigadistas will return to the U.S. with a clear mission of educating people about the travel ban, the embargo, and how they can help defeat the Diaz-Balart Amendment.</font></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">The Pastors for Peace Caravan, an interfaith group traveling to Cuba and returning to the U.S. via Mexico, will be engaging in civil disobedience along with the Venceremos Brigade.</font></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">Brigadistas are available for interviews before their departure on Sunday July 17th and on their return Monday August 1st, when they will be entering the U.S. through the International Peace Bridge in Buffalo, N.Y., and holding demonstrations on both the U.S. and Canadian sides of the border.</font></font></p>
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</span><p align="center"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><strong><font face="Times New Roman" size="5">The Venceremos Brigade</font></strong></span></p>
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</i></span><p align="center"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><i><strong><font face="Times New Roman" size="5">Ansonia Station</font></strong></i></span></p>
<p align="center"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><i><strong><font face="Times New Roman" size="5">P.O. Box 230527</font></strong></i></span></p>
<p align="center"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><i><strong><font face="Times New Roman" size="5">New York, New York 10023</font></strong></i></span></p>
<p align="center"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><i><strong><font face="Times New Roman" size="5">Website: <a href="http://www.VenceremosBrigade.net" target="_blank">www.VenceremosBrigade.net</a><a href="mailto:Vbrigade@gmail.com"></a></font></strong></i></span></p>
<br /><p style="text-align:center;"><b><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Contact: Benjamin Ramos, 718-601-4751</font></font></b></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><b><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <a href="mailto:VBMedia2011@gmail.com">VBMedia2011@gmail.com</a></font></font></b></p>
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<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"> </font></font></p></div>Dance Africa at BAM Celebrates its 34th Year Memorial Weekend May 27-30https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/dance-africa-at-bam-celebrates2011-05-24T04:06:32.000Z2011-05-24T04:06:32.000ZSendMeYourNewshttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/SendMeYourNews<div><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template"></div>
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<div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template"><div class="post-body entry-content"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828524552,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828524552,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="220" alt="3828524552?profile=original" /></a>by <a href="http://gmail.com" target="_blank">Gloria Dulan-Wilson</a><br /><br />The Saturday before Memorial Day, is the kick off for Dance Africa, when Baba Chuck Davis, founder of the African American Dance Ensemble, and his troupe land in Brooklyn to regale us with his latest gathering of talent from Africa and her Diaspora. And this week end was absolutely spectacular. <br /><br />Davis who stands tall at 6’5” presided over the event from the sidelines, while locally based community groups presented their youth, attired in African regalia, dancing their hearts out to youthful and seasoned drummers, reminiscent of what it may have been like in traditional African villages. Local dance troupes were in great form. A young toddler with the spirit of a modern day baby-faced Sammy Davis Jr., played African drums in the manner of a seasoned drummer, to the pleasure and amazement of the adults in the audience. (I told you our children are born geniuses, when their talents and skills are nurtured, people call them prodigies.) <br /><br />The Elders wore full traditional clothing - lapas, geles, bubas, grand bubas, and agbadas; wearing lekes of their traditional Orisha (or Gods); priests/priestesses were attired in all white, came into the tent in a stately procession and sat in seats set aside for them on the right side of the tented area. <br /><br />Their clothing was somewhat rivaled by the audience, many of whom wore traditional African dress in respect for the event.<br /><br />They were addressed by Assemblywoman Annette M. Robinson, who was there to both celebrate Dance Africa’s kick off, and Delta Sigma Theta’s annual event, which also takes place at Bed Stuy Restoration the Saturday prior to Memorial Day. The joint events showcase local talent and pays homage to the accomplishments of locally based community organizations. <br /><br />Dance Troupes formed around the community performed both on the stage and on the ground - we were in Africa all afternoon - or was it that Africa was in us? <br /><br />But it was the folkloric group from Cuba, Folklorico Cutumba, whose Priest had blessed the opening of the event, that really had the audience going. Anyone who had didn’t get the linkage between Cuba and Africa, certainly got it yesterday. From the chants to the Orishas, through the dances, through the music - all ours, all theirs, all Africa’s - and we were all one. <br /><br />For those of you who are not totally culturally aware, let me explain - Cuba, Puerto Rico, and other islands (South America - esp. Brazil; the Caribbean - esp. Haiti) where those ships dropped us a few centuries ago, has some of the richest practices of Yoruba (primarily Benin and Nigeria) religion in tact, despite the efforts of the slave monsters and the Catholic church to wipe it. When necessary, they changed the names of their Orisha (Gods/Goddesses) to catholic priest names, and kept right on honoring them - and do so to this day. Santa Barbara is an alias for Shango (or Chango - my Orisha) <br /><br />In order to preserve their authentic ancestral and traditional beliefs, the Lukumi people disguised their orishas as Catholic saints. When the Roman Catholic slave owners observed Africans celebrating a Saint's Day, they were so dumb they thought the slaves were actually worshiping their sacred catholic saints. The term Santería means "the Way of the Saints", but was was originally a perjorative used Spanish to mock the slaves.<br /><br />Slavery in the US, however, was the most brutal, degrading and punitive of all the practices - anyone caught speaking in their native tongue, playing drums, or any form or remnant of our African culture was severely punished - castration, lynching, and other heinous practices, all but wiped out any remnants we had of our cultural ties to Africa. Notice I said “all but” wiped out -- we may not have maintained the forms, but the substance of who we are still remains, and has been growing ever more strongly daily. There are strong Yoruba centers in the US and parts of England. And while there is no move to leave the Christian faith, there has been more and more of a blending and understanding of the efficacies of many traditions that we were severed from over 400 years. <br /><br />Perhaps this is why Dance Africa, which started at BAM 34 years ago, remains strong and popular in New York, with thousands coming from all over the US to participate one of the biggest, grandest African American celebrations of Africa. The dancers and performers are brought from all over Africa and the diaspora to perform at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) for four days during Memorial Day Weekend, while on the streets surrounding the Music center a robust street festival with vendors, food products, performers, are likewise entertaining New Yorkers. <br /><br />This also coincides with Fleet Week, when the Navy comes to New York, so there are a significant number of African Americans from the Navy who have traveled throughout the world, but have never experienced the likes of this event.<br /><br />So if you think Memorial Day Weekend was a week end to go away, guess again. If you live in New York, you could find no better place to get away to than little old Brooklyn New York. Did I say “little“? There is definitely nothing “little” about Brooklyn. Brooklyn is actually the 4th largest city in the US. So, I strongly suggest you bring or wear comfortable (cute, but comfortable for the sisters) walking shoes; a shopping cart or big shoulder bag - because you will not be able to resist the bargains and the beautiful clothes and African art and crafts for sale; and be prepared to dance on the spot. <br /><br />By the way, it appears that many of our very own African brothers and sisters, residing right here in Little Old New York City, are totally unaware of Dance Africa or the street festival. So do them a favor, and bring them to Brooklyn, so they can see the influence traditional Africa still has on people of African Heritage. We celebrate the home of our ancestors here big time. Sometimes we are living right next to each other, working side by side, yet they are totally unaware of these wonderful events. So take an African brother or sister by the hand and bring them to Brooklyn. Give them a Dance Afrika Brochure. We have to draw the circle around us so that it brings us together, not leaves us out.<br /><br />That said, for my brothers and sisters from other parts of Africa, i.e, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, the Congo, South Africa, Namibia, The Gambia, etc; for my brothers and sisters from the Caribbean (actually little pockets of African-ness); South America or just the plain old USA South - south New York, South Carolina; Alabama, etc. - this is for all of us with one tenth of one per cent of Black Blood flowing through our veins - so don't get it twisted. It's for all of us. Come out and play<br /><br />Concert Dates and Times are: Friday, May 27, 2011 at 7:30pm<br />Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 2 & 7:30pm; and Sunday/Monday, May 29 & 30, 2011 at 3pm. If you haven’t purchased you tix for the concert, go online for BAM at <a href="http://www.bam.org/view.aspx?pid=2655">www.bam.org/view.aspx?pid=2655</a>.<br /><br />Africa is alive and well and living in New York City. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />STAY BLESSED &<br />ECLECTICALLY BLACK<br />Gloria Dulan-Wilson</span></div>
<h1 class="title"><a href="http://gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com/">Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog</a></h1>
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<br /></div>Will Obama Sell Assata Out?https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/will-obama-sell-assata-out2009-04-24T04:08:54.000Z2009-04-24T04:08:54.000ZMin. Paul Scotthttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/MinPaulScott<div>The New Assault on Assata Shakur:Will Obama Sell Assata Out?Paul ScottMost Americans are not familiar with Assata Shakur. After all, she's not exactly the type of black super hero that they parade around during Black History Month. This is the type ignorance that some legislators in New Jersey hope will allow them to extradite Shakur back to the US under the cover of our darkness.Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chisemard) was involved in a 1973 shootout on the New Jersey Turnpike that resulted in the deaths of fellow Black Liberation Army member Zayd Shakur and NJ State Trooper Werner Foerster. Shakur was sentenced to life in prison in 1977 but was broken out of prison by her comrades in 1979. She has been living under political asylum in Cuba since 1984.She still remains on the FBI's Most Wanted List with a million dollar reward for any snitch willing to give her up to the FEDS.<a href="http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/fugitives/dt/chesimard_jd.htm">http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/fugitives/dt/chesimard_jd.htm</a>However, with President Barack Obama seeking to open political channels with Cuba and ease US restrictions, politicians in New Jersey have been turning up the heat on the Prez to make the Cuban government give up Shakur if they want to be in Uncle Sam's good graces.While the current headlines of "NJ to Press for Return of Cop Killer" would lead you to believe that Shakur is some heartless street thugstress that went around shootin' up police stations just for kicks, the truth about the government repression by which groups like the Black Panther Party and its underground military arm, the Black Liberation Army sufferered has never really been told.We cannot allow the media to even begin discussing Assata Shakur without putting her struggle in the context of COINTELPRO. The Counter Intelligence Program was an effort by J. Edgar Hoover's Federal Bureau of Investigation and its associated agencies to destroy groups that dared stand against US oppression.It was under COINTELPRO that black leadership suffered under "dirty tricks" that ranged from political assassinations (Fred Hampton) to smear campaigns which are too many to even begin to name here. Even the good Rev. Martin Luther King JR was not immune to Hoover's "dirty tricks."Could you really expect Assata Shakur to get a fair trail under such repressive policies?According to the late Civil Rights attorney, William Kuntsler in his book "My Life as a Radical Lawyer," a law enforcement agent told him that during Shakur's trial " a member of the New Jersey State Assembly had gone to the hotel where the jury was sequestered and talked to them about the necessity to convict." In the book Kuntsler hints that even he underestimated the lengths that NJ law enforcement would go to get a conviction of Shakur.Today, those same types of people are at it again. On April 17th, NJ Senator Sean King sent a letter to President Obama asking him to "delay normalizing relations with Cuba unless they agree to extradite convicted cop killer JoAnne Chesimard."<a href="http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates_impact/2009/04/LettertoPresObamaSenatorKean.pdf">http://blog.nj.com/ledgerupdates_impact/2009/04/LettertoPresObamaSenatorKean.pdf</a>Also, NJ Attorney General Anne Milgram has been quoted as saying "Obama's move to ease sanctions against Cuba is an opportunity to bring back Joanne Chesimard."<a href="http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=521:attorney-general-anne-milgrim-to-seek-chesimard-extradition&catid=37:state&Itemid=150">http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=521:attorney-general-anne-milgrim-to-seek-chesimard-extradition&catid=37:state&Itemid=150</a>Now, do I think that Obama would sacrifice Assata Shakur on the alter of "Democracy" for political expediency ?You're darn right !To appease middle class white America President Obama will throw Shakur under the same Greyhound that he threw Rev. Jeremiah Wright.That is, if we don't raise our voices.There are organizations that have been fighting to keep the plight of Assata Shakur in our faces for years.<a href="http://www.assatashakur.org/">http://www.assatashakur.org/</a>Black bloggers must start an immediate, emergency mass education campaign to tell the true story of Assata Shakur and COINTELPRO to combat the efforts of the miseducation of the mainstream media.We must make sure that our local and national "urban" radio stations inform their listeners about this issue. (Tom Joyner, Michael Baisden, Russ Parr)We must arm ourselves with information about Assata Shakur and COINTELPRO through websites, DVD's and books such as "Show Down" by the late Del Jones and "Racial Matters" and "Black America:The FBI Files" by Kenneth O'Reilly.Finally, we must appeal to the Hip Hop artists who have the ears of the people to raise the issue if only for the reason of reppin' for "Tupac's kin folk." (If that will motivate them to take action.)If we do not raise this issue, loudly, Assata Shakur will be back in a US prison or worst before she knows what hit her.We owe this much to a sister who, as the rapper Common said in "A Song for Assata,""Went through all this.... so we can be free..."<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrWxrFr7TL4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrWxrFr7TL4</a>Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com <a href="http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com">http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com</a> He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com (919) 451-8283</div>