It was great to see old friends and meet new ones at the festival this
year. Have you all been following the recent series of journal articles
in the New York times?
There seems to have been more than "dust" in the atmosphere this time. I
was fortunate enough to pick up the little yellow alternative comic spoof
on the festival titled "cine-gritude" as in (negritude). Daily, I am
understanding the politics of this precious little artifact. Did you also
see the alternative press badges with Sankara's photo affixed? One
starry evening before our exile at the airport...talking to Festival
troopers...a discussion about what the festival used to be about was our
focus...and where it stood now...and where we as independents...of the
African Diaspora stood now... ensued. In the short time that I have
attended this festival (1991, 93,95 and 97) I have seen big changes. I
realize that I was not there during Sankara's time, but have much respect
for what he achieved. So...where do We as independents stand now over there?
a luta continua...
In the struggle,
Portia Cobb
========
Portia - would you mind sending me a copy of the New York Times articles?
I'd be happy to then copy and send them out to all that are interested. I
don't think copyright rules would allow me to send them out via this
listserver, but photocopying for free for friends should be allowable...
Steve Smith, moderator
In-Reply-To: 199703122008.MAA05952@abraham.xc.org