Rather than engage in a book burning, Vigilia Mambisa’s Miguel Saavedra got himself what appears to be a nice cordless paper shredder to do justice to Juanita Castro’s new book. The performance art protest was double-barreled, taking place in front of
The book, he says, is full of “lies that make fun of the Cuban community” in exile, he told EFE.
Speaking of Juanita Castro, Rui Ferreira reports in El Mundo that in 1969 she urged the U.S.government to arrest Cuban exiles before they could embark on an armed expedition to
(Photo from Cuaderno de Cuba.)
Like the German author Oscar Maria Graf said, when the Nazis were burning other writers' books, but had apparently overlooked his: "I demand that you burn my book as well."
ReplyDeleteIs there anyway that I can get Vigilia Mambisa to burn my book? Not only does such an act of senseless rage stimulate interest in the tome being destroyed, but it again amphasizes the point that if we expect to foster democracy in a future free Cuba, we need to begin by practicing tolerance and respect for free speech in Miami. It is the point which I make ad- nauseum in my book "Up Dog Street."
TGonzalez,
ReplyDeleteVigilia Mambisa is also exercising their free speech right. Free speech doesn't mean that everyone has to communicate in a way that is agreeable to everyone else. As a matter of fact disagreable speech is the best indicator of free speech.
BTW could someone explain what is the difference (philosophical not physical) between what they did to J.Castro and M.A.Collins' book in this rally and the savaging of the authors in this and other blogs by commentators and others?
The Rui Ferreira article is valuable because adds another dimension to the discussion but the document that is cited is open to many interpretations not just the one that is proposed in his article.
Vecino de NF
BTW it is very instructive to watch the video posted in Generación Y about the exclusion of independent bloggers of a discussion on the Internet in Cuba sponsored by the magazine Temas. Another facet of the raw emotions felt by some Cubans.
ReplyDeleteVecino de NF
so book burning is your idea of free speech, -- of course there is a political basis for it - same as the nazis.
ReplyDeletewhat next, lynching as a free speech expression as well.
you always seem to be on the wrong side of the argument, while trying your best at moderation.
Book burning by private individuals is definitely free speech just as flag burning, etc. Someone burning my books is definitely not free speech. It is an intrusion on my pursuit of happiness (the US Founding Fathers used that euphemism to refer to private property). Lynching is also wrong because it denies life. Get the distinction?
ReplyDeleteNot knowing who you are I have no idea whether "you always seem to be on the wrong side of the argument". So please sign with a handle, if you want to engage in dialogue rather than ciberchantecleo!
Vecino de NF