Saturday, January 20, 2007
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Thoughts on the trip...
I love to travel and so it’s no surprise that when I was given the opportunity to join the Henry Wallace Brigade, a trip that mixed both social justice and travel, I did not hesitate to participate!
Although I never personally knew Henry, I definitely knew of him. I feel that I have become closer to him on this trip. It just seems right that my relationship with him began in Cuba, a country he loved so much.
My family moved to the United States from Argentina when I was four years old. They came here for the same reasons that many come, a better opportunity for themselves and for their children. That being said, not everything that our government does is right. And that’s why I’m proud to say that I am a part of the Henry Wallace Brigade. We took (and are still taking) a stand against the embargo and travel restrictions to Cuba.
This trip to Cuba was an amazing learning experience. Because of the embargo, Cubans have been forced to become creative in problem solving and they have stepped up to the challenge. They also appreciate and undestand community in a way that I have only read about in scholarly articles and national conferences.
My favorite example to share that highlights this so simply occured during our visit to a community center. After a discussion on the history of the center, a tour, and presentations by some youth, we gathered for lunch. We were a large group - around 26 - plus the staff and youth from the center, and it wasn't long before they ran out of plates before we had all be served. Not a problem. Someone from the center just went down the block, knocking on doors and asking for plates. She returned with a stack of 15-20 plates, and we were all able to eat. Can you first image one of your neighbors knocking on your door and saying, "I'm having a party and ran out of plates. Can I borrow some?" And second, if that ever happened, how would you reply? We need this sense of community in our communities.
I cannot wait for the travel ban to be lifted. This will allow even more Americans to travel to Cuba and have the opportunity to experience the Cuba that I did.
Although I never personally knew Henry, I definitely knew of him. I feel that I have become closer to him on this trip. It just seems right that my relationship with him began in Cuba, a country he loved so much.
My family moved to the United States from Argentina when I was four years old. They came here for the same reasons that many come, a better opportunity for themselves and for their children. That being said, not everything that our government does is right. And that’s why I’m proud to say that I am a part of the Henry Wallace Brigade. We took (and are still taking) a stand against the embargo and travel restrictions to Cuba.
This trip to Cuba was an amazing learning experience. Because of the embargo, Cubans have been forced to become creative in problem solving and they have stepped up to the challenge. They also appreciate and undestand community in a way that I have only read about in scholarly articles and national conferences.
My favorite example to share that highlights this so simply occured during our visit to a community center. After a discussion on the history of the center, a tour, and presentations by some youth, we gathered for lunch. We were a large group - around 26 - plus the staff and youth from the center, and it wasn't long before they ran out of plates before we had all be served. Not a problem. Someone from the center just went down the block, knocking on doors and asking for plates. She returned with a stack of 15-20 plates, and we were all able to eat. Can you first image one of your neighbors knocking on your door and saying, "I'm having a party and ran out of plates. Can I borrow some?" And second, if that ever happened, how would you reply? We need this sense of community in our communities.
I cannot wait for the travel ban to be lifted. This will allow even more Americans to travel to Cuba and have the opportunity to experience the Cuba that I did.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Two Current Related News Articles...
"Peace activists hope new U.S. congressional leadership will ease sanctions against Cuba"
by the Associated Press via the International Herald Tribune
"Activists Hope Cuba Sanctions Are Eased"
by Anita Snow of ABC News International
by the Associated Press via the International Herald Tribune
"Activists Hope Cuba Sanctions Are Eased"
by Anita Snow of ABC News International
Report Back Dates
We have 3 report backs currently scheduled:
1/11 6:30-8pm at the Alternative
1/22 6-8pm at the Braden Center (Third Monday dialogue)
1/28 6-8pm Central Pres
We hope to have several people give their general impressions of the trip
as well as cover topics like:
the Free the Cuban Five Campaign,
Sex Ed and HIV/AIDS programs,
basic ideals of the revolution (housing, education, health care),
Microbrigades and Mural/Theatre/Hip Hop projects,
et cetera.
We plan to allow for about a 1/2 hour of discussion and questions.
1/11 6:30-8pm at the Alternative
1/22 6-8pm at the Braden Center (Third Monday dialogue)
1/28 6-8pm Central Pres
We hope to have several people give their general impressions of the trip
as well as cover topics like:
the Free the Cuban Five Campaign,
Sex Ed and HIV/AIDS programs,
basic ideals of the revolution (housing, education, health care),
Microbrigades and Mural/Theatre/Hip Hop projects,
et cetera.
We plan to allow for about a 1/2 hour of discussion and questions.
Friday, January 5, 2007
Remember Rosa Parks
How are those remembered who broke the law
to help American slaves escape to freedom?
How are those remembered who opposed Civil Rights
or Women's Suffrage?
Are they on the wrong side of history?
Are certain laws inherently unjust and tyrannical?
Is it my duty as a responsible US citizen to disobey any laws
that are unjust and tyrannical?
Whose interests does the US travel ban on Cuba serve?
Does it serve the many or the few?
Justice or tyranny?
How will those who support the US travel ban on Cuba
be remembered in 20 years?
Will they be remembered as being on the wrong side of history
like those who opposed Civil Rights or Women's Suffrage?
How will those who support the Iraq War be remembered in 20 years?
Does the US Constitution protect my rights
to freely travel wherever I choose?
Isn't the Cold War over?
Would the world be a better place if
people started asking each other more questions
instead of telling each other what to think or believe?
Can you argue with a question?
to help American slaves escape to freedom?
How are those remembered who opposed Civil Rights
or Women's Suffrage?
Are they on the wrong side of history?
Are certain laws inherently unjust and tyrannical?
Is it my duty as a responsible US citizen to disobey any laws
that are unjust and tyrannical?
Whose interests does the US travel ban on Cuba serve?
Does it serve the many or the few?
Justice or tyranny?
How will those who support the US travel ban on Cuba
be remembered in 20 years?
Will they be remembered as being on the wrong side of history
like those who opposed Civil Rights or Women's Suffrage?
How will those who support the Iraq War be remembered in 20 years?
Does the US Constitution protect my rights
to freely travel wherever I choose?
Isn't the Cold War over?
Would the world be a better place if
people started asking each other more questions
instead of telling each other what to think or believe?
Can you argue with a question?
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Technical Difficulties...
Due to the high cost and slow speed of the internet here in Havana,
we will not be able post any new content on this blog until our return.
Thanks to everyone who has expressed their interests or support in our journey!
Happy new year!
The Henry Wallace Brigade
we will not be able post any new content on this blog until our return.
Thanks to everyone who has expressed their interests or support in our journey!
Happy new year!
The Henry Wallace Brigade
Monday, December 11, 2006
Who are we
In their own words.....
Devlin, 8 year old wizard and lover of wild things. Believes that all people have good and bad in them and that sometimes they just cant open their hearts to get to the good.
Carol, Native of Louisivlle Ky where she has spent the last 15 years as an activist in Gay,Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender organizing, anti- racist work and economic justice, and as a cultural worker and musician.
Bob, 72 year old social justice activist. This is his third visit to Cuba.He is strongly imporessed by the country and especially the Cuban people. Bob is appalled at the ongoing blockade against Cuba and will try in his way to bring an end to the blockade. He goes this time in honour of his friend Henry Wallace who, he says "was a dear friend of mine, of Cuba and of the World"
Penny, Is going to Cuba to learn about their way of produce farming. She lives on a farm with many different types of animals where they recycle the animal wastes to replenish the soil. Penny plans to learn about the process from Cubans of how they are able to produce healthy crops to feed their country.
Shirley, She is 45 years old and this is her first time our of the United States. She wants to find out about life in Cuba. She is interested in Education and not using pesticides to grow food.
Carla has been working an movement building for justice and peace for over 30 years. Her work includes efforts on racial justice, International Solidarity and l/g/b/t human rights.
Jake is a grandson of Henry Wallace and a Cuba supporting Anarchist who lives in Louisville.
Shameka is 14 years old and wants to be a clothing designer. She likes cleaning and helping animals and hates being questioned!
Shameka (mother of Shameka!!) is a single mother of four attending college full time and working as an activist for Social Justice through Social Change. She feels this trip is almost impossible for people in her situation and she feels priveleged and honored to visit Cuba.
Allie is a daughter, a sister and friend of many wonderful people in Kentucky, hoping to do her part in improving the lives of the daughters,sisters and friends of Cuba and other nations around the World.
Beth is a 47 year old Mexican- American queer and a US Navy Veteran. She does HIV/AIDS work in Louisiville, Kentucky and is also active in doing social justice activism. This will be her third trip to Cuba.
Maria's family moved to the US from Argentina when she was 4 years old.Her parents taught her to apreciate diversity and give back to the community. She hopes to learn from this trip and to be able to educate her communiy about what is really going on in Cuba.
Carolyn is a 16 year old student and a recreational musician. She is hoping to gain an understanding of what Cuba's culture, people and government are really like, rather than being misled and misinformed by the impressions that the US governments actions and non-factual information make on her.
Beth has been involved in social activism since 1989 and currently directs a civil liberties organization in Kentucky. She is a former newspaper reporter who turned to social justice work after witnessing a variety of injustices and feeling the need to be more actively involved.
Howard is an African American male who has embraced the opportunity to go to Cuba to learn about a culture in which the people have learned to hold on to the virtues of available healthcare,education,food and housing for all, despite tremendous pressure not to do so.
Sonja is a social justice activist, a filmmaker and a mom of three incredible children. She lived in Cuba in the early 90's and has travelled there many times. The Cuban Revolution continues to inspire and challenge her in all its beauty, generosity and contradictions.
Jerry is a farmer and farm manager with an interest in organic farming and environmentalism. He was also a very dear and lifelong friend of Henry Wallace.
Caitlin Mcleod is 17 years old with a keen interest in theater and acting. Next year she hopes to attend either a University to study Drama or an Acting School. In travelling to Cuba she is very excited to learn more about its perfroming arts as well as its culture and political society. Caitlin is imensely proud to be part of such a delegation.
Bruce Mcleod is a teacher, screen writer and children's novelist. He is presently co-writing a film with Naomi Wallace called RUBBERTOWN, for the director Sonja de Vries.
Naomi Wallace is a playwright and screenwriter. Her work has been widely produced in both the UK and the United States. Her new play for Ators Theater of Louisivlle is about Environmental Justice in Louisiville.
Tegan McLeod is a high school student interested in literature and drama. She is looking forward to learning about the Cuban Revolution.
Stephon is a Hip Hop commentator. He wants to explore Hip Hop from other countries and see first hand the land where a small group of people overthrew the Batista government based off the Mao led Revolution in China. Also, he wants to experience a socialist country first hand.
Anne is a mother and grandmother, has been active in her community against racism and Police abuse. Anne has also been involved in theater, and taught school for many years.
Devlin, 8 year old wizard and lover of wild things. Believes that all people have good and bad in them and that sometimes they just cant open their hearts to get to the good.
Carol, Native of Louisivlle Ky where she has spent the last 15 years as an activist in Gay,Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender organizing, anti- racist work and economic justice, and as a cultural worker and musician.
Bob, 72 year old social justice activist. This is his third visit to Cuba.He is strongly imporessed by the country and especially the Cuban people. Bob is appalled at the ongoing blockade against Cuba and will try in his way to bring an end to the blockade. He goes this time in honour of his friend Henry Wallace who, he says "was a dear friend of mine, of Cuba and of the World"
Penny, Is going to Cuba to learn about their way of produce farming. She lives on a farm with many different types of animals where they recycle the animal wastes to replenish the soil. Penny plans to learn about the process from Cubans of how they are able to produce healthy crops to feed their country.
Shirley, She is 45 years old and this is her first time our of the United States. She wants to find out about life in Cuba. She is interested in Education and not using pesticides to grow food.
Carla has been working an movement building for justice and peace for over 30 years. Her work includes efforts on racial justice, International Solidarity and l/g/b/t human rights.
Jake is a grandson of Henry Wallace and a Cuba supporting Anarchist who lives in Louisville.
Shameka is 14 years old and wants to be a clothing designer. She likes cleaning and helping animals and hates being questioned!
Shameka (mother of Shameka!!) is a single mother of four attending college full time and working as an activist for Social Justice through Social Change. She feels this trip is almost impossible for people in her situation and she feels priveleged and honored to visit Cuba.
Allie is a daughter, a sister and friend of many wonderful people in Kentucky, hoping to do her part in improving the lives of the daughters,sisters and friends of Cuba and other nations around the World.
Beth is a 47 year old Mexican- American queer and a US Navy Veteran. She does HIV/AIDS work in Louisiville, Kentucky and is also active in doing social justice activism. This will be her third trip to Cuba.
Maria's family moved to the US from Argentina when she was 4 years old.Her parents taught her to apreciate diversity and give back to the community. She hopes to learn from this trip and to be able to educate her communiy about what is really going on in Cuba.
Carolyn is a 16 year old student and a recreational musician. She is hoping to gain an understanding of what Cuba's culture, people and government are really like, rather than being misled and misinformed by the impressions that the US governments actions and non-factual information make on her.
Beth has been involved in social activism since 1989 and currently directs a civil liberties organization in Kentucky. She is a former newspaper reporter who turned to social justice work after witnessing a variety of injustices and feeling the need to be more actively involved.
Howard is an African American male who has embraced the opportunity to go to Cuba to learn about a culture in which the people have learned to hold on to the virtues of available healthcare,education,food and housing for all, despite tremendous pressure not to do so.
Sonja is a social justice activist, a filmmaker and a mom of three incredible children. She lived in Cuba in the early 90's and has travelled there many times. The Cuban Revolution continues to inspire and challenge her in all its beauty, generosity and contradictions.
Jerry is a farmer and farm manager with an interest in organic farming and environmentalism. He was also a very dear and lifelong friend of Henry Wallace.
Caitlin Mcleod is 17 years old with a keen interest in theater and acting. Next year she hopes to attend either a University to study Drama or an Acting School. In travelling to Cuba she is very excited to learn more about its perfroming arts as well as its culture and political society. Caitlin is imensely proud to be part of such a delegation.
Bruce Mcleod is a teacher, screen writer and children's novelist. He is presently co-writing a film with Naomi Wallace called RUBBERTOWN, for the director Sonja de Vries.
Naomi Wallace is a playwright and screenwriter. Her work has been widely produced in both the UK and the United States. Her new play for Ators Theater of Louisivlle is about Environmental Justice in Louisiville.
Tegan McLeod is a high school student interested in literature and drama. She is looking forward to learning about the Cuban Revolution.
Stephon is a Hip Hop commentator. He wants to explore Hip Hop from other countries and see first hand the land where a small group of people overthrew the Batista government based off the Mao led Revolution in China. Also, he wants to experience a socialist country first hand.
Anne is a mother and grandmother, has been active in her community against racism and Police abuse. Anne has also been involved in theater, and taught school for many years.
Friday, November 24, 2006
First Post
The Henry Wallace Brigade was initiated in honor of the late Henry F Wallace. Henry was a journalist, a civil rights and social justice activist and a supporter of the Cuban Revolution his entire life. Henry first went to Cuba as a journalist in the 1940's where he witnessed the brutal racism and inequality under a U.S. supported dictatorship. When Henry returned to Cuba in 1959 he was deeply impressed with the commitment the Cuban Revolution had toward eradicating racism,creating better living conditions for all, universal health care and education and the right to housing. He saw in Cuba an example of how to put human needs before profit.
Henry wrote letters to the editor about Cuba for over 40 years, always calling for an end to the U.S. Embargo of Cuba and the Travel restricitions that keep U.S. citizens from travelling to Cuba. Henry urged people to go and see Cuba for themselves and he made his final trip there in February of 2006, two months before he died. Now 21 Lousivillians are travelling to Cuba in Henry's honor to learn for ourselves about this country that he loved so much. When we return we will share our experiences with our communities. We know that Henry will be with us all the way.
Henry wrote letters to the editor about Cuba for over 40 years, always calling for an end to the U.S. Embargo of Cuba and the Travel restricitions that keep U.S. citizens from travelling to Cuba. Henry urged people to go and see Cuba for themselves and he made his final trip there in February of 2006, two months before he died. Now 21 Lousivillians are travelling to Cuba in Henry's honor to learn for ourselves about this country that he loved so much. When we return we will share our experiences with our communities. We know that Henry will be with us all the way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)