AfricAméricas Week to explore racism in Cuba,
Afro-Latin culture, history and arts
Pittsburgh, May 6-11, 2013

Five dissident black Cuban activists, all members of the Comité Ciudadanos por la Integración Racial [Citizens’ Committee for Racial Integration], participate in this Carnegie Mellon University event: Leonardo Calvo Cárdenas, Manuel Cuesta Morúa, Juan Antonio Madrazo Luna, Rafel Campoamor, and Dr. Juan Antonio Alvarado,. The Revista Isla is presented -- they received $124,466 in 2011 from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and have been financed by NED since 2005.

Carnegie Mellon Co-Presents AfricAméricas Week To Explore Afro-Latin Culture, History and Arts 4/24/2013 Carnegie Mellon News: "Carnegie Mellon University will co-present AfricAméricas Week (May 6-11, 2013), a series of events to explore racism in Cuba and Afro-Latin culture, history and the arts."

NED funded Black Cuban dissidents visit Pittsburgh for AfricAméricas Week, then move on to Miami and LASA 6/9/13

The five dissident black Cuban activists who attended AfricAméricas Week in Pittsburgh are all members of the Citizens’ Committee for Racial Integration -- Leonardo Calvo Cárdenas, Manuel Cuesta Morúa, Juan Antonio Madrazo Luna, Rafel Campoamor, and Dr. Juan Antonio Alvarado, the editor of Islas. Leonardo Calvo Cárdenas is the Cuba representative for Islas. The US based Afro-Cuban Alliance, Inc., the publisher of Islas, received $124,466 in 2011 from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), $110,000 in 2010, $122,350 in 2009, and has been financed by NED since 2005. Islas and CubaNet are the favored on-line spaces where the CIR posts their articles. CubaNet is also NED funded, having received $252,000 in 2011, $239,434 in 2010, and $155,710 in 2009. NED has its origins in CIA's operation Mockingbird, aka the "Mighty Wurlitzer" organ designed by the legendary Frank Wisner to play any propaganda tune. When the CIA's funding of a vast array of intellectual production was repeatedly revealed, this caused a great deal of embarrassment and lead Ronald Reagan and Congress to replace it with open funding mandated by Congress, as if that were going to make it OK for the US to intervene in other countries' internal affairs. Imagine Russia or China openly funding a US political opposition dedicated to the overthrow of the US government. Consider that NED heavily funded groups in Venezuela and Honduras that supported coups in those countries.

Leonardo Calvo Cárdenas, Manuel Cuesta Morúa, and Juan Antonio Madrazo Luna came up from Cuba, a historic first as dissidents have only recently been allowed to travel. The materials they had prepared for AfricAméricas were confiscated by Cuban customs, a practice I am familiar with as they confiscated some video tapes I made in the 90's where people were discussing racism in Cuba and the script had not been authorized. I later learned that the customs agents who confiscated my tapes were in secret Congo societies which proliferate across various official bodies. Future CIR presenters should get their presentations out before they leave! They could ask the people at CubaNet, their NED grant states: "CubaNet will also provide independent Cuban journalists with training on the use of new technologies and digital security techniques." Many people are actually interested in what they have to say - that was one element that was frustrating in Pittsburgh, there was only a superficial rendering of the content of the various events in the media.

This Pittsburgh event privileged certain US financed dissidents who, when all is said and done, act in coordination with those who seek the overthrow of the Cuban government. Focusing on the recipients of NED largess tends to obscure the many critical voices that now exist in Cuba and who work within the system. See Sujatha Fernandes' Cuban journalists exposing injustice merit more attention, 5/6/2013, for a look at this important issue.

The press coverage of AfricAméricas has unfortunately been scant, largely confined to the exiled plantocracy organs of CubaNet and Diario de Cuba. One article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette made the statement that Fidel Castro declared the racial problem was solved in Cuba. So far as I have been able to tell, he never said any such thing, so perhaps the CIR can produce the appropriate document.  Raul specifically stated in 2009 "Personally, I consider the insufficient advance on this matter in 50 years of Revolution to be a disgrace."  What Cuban government sources tend to claim is that the government has abolished institutional racism but has not been successful in changing the culture. There is some truth to this, though various forms of institutional racism are obfuscated in a typically latin style, common across France, Spain, and Latin America, including Brazil. Those sources are generally quick to point out that racism in the US is worse. This actually needs to be explained, as people get confused now that the US has a black president: Cubans have no idea or experience of the level of violent racism we see in the US, where police routinely carry out extrajudicial killings or a private security guard can kill a Trayvon Martin and have many citizens back him to the hilt. See for example the thousands of KKK comments at State pushes to keep Trayvon Martin's past out of George Zimmerman trial 5/13/2013, WKMG, Orlando.

The CIR's effort to show poor areas of Havana in a photographic exhibit in Pittsburgh is worthy, but trying to pin that on the Castro brothers, as they say in Miami, simply will not stand in the face of similar vistas across the continent. That's a stretch even for the Mighty Wurlitzer.

Feedback from people in the community of researchers that deals with racialidad in Cuba indicates that CIR members come to their presentations, but never make any comments and do not invite other researchers to their events. So there is little exchange of ideas of the sort that should happen if CIR is to become normalized and accepted, which seems to be in the cards given present trends. CIR, like other dissident groups, has a tendency to use the products of other Cubans to make their case - the research of Esteban Morales and others, the films of Gloria Rolando -- which were shown in Pittsburgh. CIR needs to pay more attention to producing their own original materials.

I note with interest that Rafel Campoamor is a member of SOS Racisme in France and would like to hear of his experiences there, given the many similarities between Cuban and French racism. That analysis finds that communism has little to do with racism in Cuba, it is much more related to Cuban republicanismo, which they inherited from the French like many countries in Latin America did. I can recommend to him the site Les Mots Sont Importants - lmsi.net - which takes apart all the rationalizations for racism the French indulge in, they sound remarkably like those found in Cuba. Oui, monsieur! Si, señor!

Once these CIR members got down to Miami, they showed their true colors by joining up with the Ladies in White, who have been extensively documented as receiving funds from plantocracy terrorist organizations (see the links on that page). Manuel Cuesta Morúa is said to be against the embargo, but he is perfectly willing to support Berta Soler and her Ladies in White, who have stated their approval of the embargo on multiple occasions. See Exilio cubano rinde tributo a las Damas de Blanco 5/20/2013 Marti Noticias: "Al evento también asistieron los opositores Manuel Cuesta Morúa, Antonio Madrazo y Leonardo Calvo."

The CIR members then went on to the 2013 LASA meeting of the Latin American Studies Association. A Cuban delegation was also there, including Miguel Barnet, the president of UNEAC, and Gisela Arandia, a long time researcher into issues of race and identity. I spoke to several reliable observers who related that Manuel Cuesta Morúa had done a superior job of organizing his event, which was better thought out and much better attended than the Cuban government event. With one exception, the Cuban delegation avoided any challenge to the dissidents, following the time honoured tactic of ignoring their opposition. With the increasing openness in communications and all the new money pouring into AfroCuban issues from the State Department and USAID, this may not prove to be a good counter to US public relations techniques. See Breakdown of the $20 million 5/22/2013 from Along the Malecon:

"The State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development plan to spend $20 million to promote democracy in Cuba. Below is a breakdown of the budget: …

TBD: Afro-Cuban Equality and Advocacy:$500,000. Funds will be used to "raise awareness of issues affecting Afro-Cubans and assist in the development of a network of independent Afro-Cuban groups in Cuba."

It is not clear if this is in addition to or includes the previous $120K or so Islas has been receiving each year, but in either case, it represents a significant ramping up of the dollars theoretically going to black dissidents after the usual Miami elements get their cut.

 -- Andy Petit, 6/9/13

FULL SCHEDULE for Crossing Havana exhibit and AfricAméricas Week

AFRICAMÉRICAS WEEK (with Crossing Havana exhibit)
DATE & TIME EVENT & VENUE

Monday
May 6 4:30-6:00PM Conversation on Deliberative Democracy & Civil Rights in Cuba
(CMU-UC-Dowd Room-Oakland)
With Dr. Robert Cavalier (Carnegie Mellon University Department of Philosophy) and Cuban scholar-activists Juan Antonio Madrazo, Leonardo Calvo Cárdenas, Manuel Cuesta Morúa, Rafel Campoamor and Dr. Juan Antonio Alvarado, all members of the Comité Ciudadanos por la Integración Racial [Citizens’ Committee for Racial Integration] (Cuba) and regular contributors to the journal ISLAS. Admission free. FREE PARKING AT CMU FORBES AVENUE-EAST CAMPUS GARAGE AFTER 5:30PM

Monday
May 6 4:00-9:00PM Exhibit opening “Crossing Havana” Reception 7-9PM
Young Men and Women’s African Heritage Association
(YMWAHA-Northside)
A social documentary photo exhibit about real, current living conditions for many black Cubans in Havana. The photographs were taken by Juan Antonio Madrazo, a black, Cuban, civil rights activist who is also the National Coordinator of the Comité Ciudadanos por la Integración Racial [Citizens’ Committee for Racial Integration] (CIR), the island’s premier, independent, civic organization devoted to fighting racism, discrimination and civic disengagement. Pre-opening: 4:00-7:00PM; Opening reception: 7:00-9:00PM. Hosts: Dr. Kenya Dworkin, Dr. Juan Alvarado, Dr. Eric Asongwed, Pamela Pennywell. Admission free. PARKING ALONG NORTH AVENUE OR AT ALCO PARKING AT
Federal North Garage
1215 Federal St
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Tuesday
May 7 12:00-8:00PM
Exhibit open—YMWAHA (Northside). Admission free.
PARKING ALONG NORTH AVENUE OR AT ALCO PARKING AT
Federal North Garage
1215 Federal St
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Tuesday
May 7 5:00-6:30PM Film afternoon I-Roots of My Heart (2001) by Gloria Rolando (YMWAHA-Northside) Discussant: Dr. Kenya C. Dworkin (Carnegie Mellon University)
Mercedes, a Cuban woman from Havana, begins to decipher her family secrets through the photo of her great-grandparents, María Victoria y José Julián. Between reality and the world of her dreams, she will learn about the ties this couple— especially her great-grandfather—had with the Independents of Color, a political party formed in 1908 and the massacre of 1912. 51 minutes. Admission free. Admission free. [Note: Carnegie Mellon purchased Gloria Rolando's film for their own use, she will not be presenting these films.]
PARKING ALONG NORTH AVENUE OR AT ALCO PARKING AT
Federal North Garage
1215 Federal St
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Tuesday
May 7 7:30-9:30PM Film night I-Raíces (2001) by Banco Popular (CMU-UC Connan Room -Oakland) Discussant: Jesabel Rivera (President, Latin American Cultural Union)
A television special funded by Puerto Rico’s Banco Popular about the influence of Africa on two of the island’s musical genres, particularly the bomba and plena. It features numerous prominent Puerto Rican musicians and performers, among them La familia Cepeda, Marc Anthony, La India, José Feliciano, Danny Rivera, Lucecita Benítez and Angel “Cuco”Peña. 90 minutes. Admission free. FREE.
FREE PARKING AT CMU FORBES AVENUE-EAST CAMPUS GARAGE AFTER 5:30PM

Wednesday
May 8 12:00-8:00PM
Exhibit open—YMWAHA (Northside). Admission free.
PARKING ALONG NORTH AVENUE OR AT ALCO PARKING AT
Federal North Garage
1215 Federal St
Pittsburgh, PA 15212


Wednesday
May 8 5:00-6:30PM

Film afternoon II-My Footsteps in Baragua (1996) by Gloria Rolando (YMWAHA-Northside) Discussant: Dr. Kenya C. Dworkin (Carnegie Mellon University)
In Baragua, in the present province of Ciego de Avila, Cuba, the stories and customs of the English-speaking West Indian immigrants who worked on the Panama Canal, and their descendants, are still alive. Today, they are a part of Cuba, but their traditions live on. This film is dedicated to three important Caribbean intellectuals—Nicolas Guillén (Cuba), George Lamming (Barbados) and Rex Nettleford (Jamaica). 52 minutes. Admission free. [Note: Carnegie Mellon purchased Gloria Rolando's film for their own use, she will not be presenting these films.]
PARKING ALONG NORTH AVENUE OR AT ALCO PARKING AT
Federal North Garage
1215 Federal St
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Wednesday
May 8 7:00-9:00PM ISLAS journal presentation, with panel & reception
City of Asylum (Northside) RSVP to COA required
Four Cuban scholars and civil rights activists—Juan Antonio Madrazo Luna, Leonardo Calvo Cárdenas, Manuel Cuesta Morúa and Rafel Campoamor, will be joined by Juan Antonio Alvarado, Editor-in-Chief of the bilingual journal ISLAS, a publication dedicated to the issue of racism and discrimination in Cuba and elsewhere, to discuss the grassroots work their organization and others are doing in Cuba. They will also be discussing the role of ISLAS as a space in which by publishing articles they can educate people about racism and discrimination in Cuba and dialogue with other civil rights activists around the world about shared problems and strategies for resolving them.

ADMISSION FREE - but space is limited. To reserve a seat, email ehutton@cityofasylumpittsburgh.org

Thursday
May 9 12:00-8:00PM
Exhibit open—YMWAHA (Northside). Admission free.


Thursday
May 9 7:30-9:30PM Film night II-Breaking the Silence: 1912 (2010) by Gloria Rolando (CMU-UC-Peter-McKenna Room-Oakland) Discussant: TBD
Chapter One of this documentary series explores the history of the Independent Party of Color in Cuba (PIC), the first black political party in this hemisphere (1908) and its violent repression, in 1912, by the Cuban government and army—an episode that left more than 3000 people dead. Relying heavily on archival material and personal interviews, the filmmaker reveals a history that has been relatively ignored for over 110 years in Cuba. Of additional importance for us now is that the PIC’s list of demands regarding most of this population’s hopes and desires, back between 1908-1912, is as cogent today as it was over a hundred years ago. With a Q&A and discussion period afterwards. 60 minutes. Admission free. [Note: Carnegie Mellon purchased Gloria Rolando's film for their own use, she will not be presenting these films.]
FREE PARKING AT CMU FORBES AVENUE-EAST CAMPUS GARAGE AFTER 5:30PM

Friday
May 10 12:00-8:00PM
Exhibit open—YMWAHA (Northside). Admission free.
PARKING ALONG NORTH AVENUE OR AT ALCO PARKING AT
Federal North Garage
1215 Federal St
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Friday
May 10 5:00-6:30PM Film afternoon III-Suite Habana (2003) by Fernando Pérez (YMWAHA -Northside) Discussant: Felipe Prunedas Sentíes, ABD (University of Pittsburgh)
A semi-documentary film that employs fictional cinema techniques and no dialogue to follow the lives of 13 residents of Havana, Cuba, as they face the challenges—personal and professional—of one given day. A graceful testimony to the resilience of the Cuban people. 80 minutes. Admission free.
PARKING ALONG NORTH AVENUE OR AT ALCO PARKING AT
Federal North Garage
1215 Federal St
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Friday
May 10 7:30-9:30PM
Performance-Poetry in Motion (Carnegie Mellon University-Rangos III-Oakland) Discussant: Dr. Candice Amich (Carnegie Mellon University A.W. Mellon Postdoctoral Humanities Fellow)
A presentation of Hispanic style ‘spoken word’ (declamación) and rhythmic accompaniment by local Pittsburgher’s María Eugenia “Geña” Nieves, from Puerto Rico, with poems by Puerto Rican poet Luis Palés Matos, and Eloy Nepo Leguia, from Peru, with décimas (ten-line, octosyllabic poetry) by Afro-Peruvian Nicomedes Santa Cruz. English-language translations will be available. Admission free.
FREE PARKING AT CMU FORBES AVENUE-EAST CAMPUS GARAGE AFTER 5:30PM

Saturday
May 11 12:00-3:00PM
Exhibit open—YMWAHA (Northside). Admission free.
PARKING ALONG NORTH AVENUE OR AT ALCO PARKING AT
Federal North Garage
1215 Federal St
Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Saturday
May 11 4:00-5:30PM
Five Afro-Latin Workshops Frick Fine Arts Building (Oakland)
1. Afro-Cuban arts, crafts, music, dance and Spanish-language workshop (for children). Dr. Shawn Alfonso Wells
2. Afro-Latin percussion workshop (for adolescents, teens, adults). Geña Nieves and Preach Freedom
3. Afro-Latin dance workshop (for children, adolescents, teens, adults). Gloria Ransom-Rodríguez, Teanna Medina and Miguel Sagué III
4. Steel Pan workshop (for children, adolescents, adults). Phil Solomon
5. Session on Cuban civil rights (for teens and adults). Dr. Juan Antonio Alvarado and Cuban civil rights activists Juan Antonio Madrazo, Leonardo Calvo Cárdenas, Manuel Cuesta Morúa, Rafel Campoamor

Admission free but ALL workshops require prior registration. To register, please call YMWAHA at 412-322-4008, Monday-Friday, May 6-10, from 9AM-3PM.
FREE PARKING AT CMU FORBES AVENUE-EAST CAMPUS GARAGE AFTER 5:30PM, OR AT SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS', OR NEAR UPITT.

Saturday
May 11 5:30-7:00PM Intermission
Frick Fine Arts Building (Oakland)

Saturday
May 11 7:00-9:30PM AFRICAMÉRICAS concert
MC: Jesabel Rivera (President, Latin American Cultural Union)
Frick Fine Arts Auditorium (Oakland)
A performance of Afro-Latin American choral music by Pittsburgh’s Coro Latinoamericano, and dance performances by the Balafon West African Dance Ensemble, a coalition of Latin American Cultural Union, Salsa Ritmo and Latina Productions dancers (Gloria Ransom-Rodríguez,Teanna Medina, Mayela Taylor, Linda Atkins, Miguel Sagué III, and Geña Nieves), and the Slippery Rock University Afro-Colombian Dance Ensemble. Admission free.
FREE PARKING AT CMU FORBES AVENUE-EAST CAMPUS GARAGE AFTER 5:30PM, OR AT SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS', OR NEAR UPITT.

For more information on any of these activities contact 412-345-1047 or coroladirectpgh@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/CrossingHavana