Sunday, January 4, 2015

Hip-Hop in the Spotlight

Hip-Hop in the Spotlight / Fernando Damaso
Posted on January 3, 2015

I love information / I need an airplane / I need information / I love
information

Allegations continue in the Cuban official press about the subversion
organized by USAID against the ruling regime in the country. Now it
touches the hip-hop musical movement. I will not devote time to whether
or not it is true or a fictional plot released by the Associated Press
news agency, because I prefer the episodes of "Homeland." I will address
some unpublished questions which I consider more important and which
constitute the genesis of the problem.

It is no secret that in the Cuban musical world there are groups and
performers cheered on by the authorities who enjoy economic privileges
and dissemination, those popularly called "officialistic." These
participated in a repudiation rally organized by the Pineapple Festival
in Ciego de Avila, to offer just one example. They are abundant and we
see and hear them in many Government political activities.

Currently they will be present on Christmas Eve, Christmas, or New
Year's, not to make these events any more agreeable, but to celebrate
the 56th anniversary of the Triumph of the Revolution. I don't remember
that during the Republican Era musical groups and performers answered to
the government or to political parties.

There are others who, while addressing the acute social problems that
plague the country, are questioned by the authorities, enjoy no
privileges, and have to fend for themselves to survive, primarily in
"underground" spaces. They have emerged and do emerge, not because USAID
creates them, but as a result of the absurd government policies
maintained for 56 years, which have destroyed the lives of thousands of
Cubans and the country, leaving young people with no hopes in their own
land.

Protesting musical groups and performers have existed and do exist in
every country, including the United States, and have not been created by
USAID. They are respected and form part of the musical world of those
with equal rights. To suggest that events in Serbia or Ukraine were
promoted by USAID through groups of this type is not only a laughable,
it shows a lack of respect for the intelligence of readers.

When will our authorities stop blaming the "enemy" for the problems they
themselves created? When will they accept their fault?

Respect for differences and preferences refers not only to the sexual,
but also to the political, religious, musical and many others. Until
there is full freedom for all Cubans, there will be musical and other
types of protesters. USAID is not to blame.

15 December 2014

Source: Hip-Hop in the Spotlight / Fernando Damaso | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/hip-hop-in-the-spotlight-fernando-damaso-2/

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