Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

This view is shared by a number of individuals

Wednesday, July 5, 2006

Thank you for Ms Adams' well written commentary regarding the collective state of mind of our Caribbean and Caribbean-American Diaspora. Her view is shared by a number of individuals and was recently expressed by one of them during the Q&A period at a forum regarding the Caribbean experience here in the New York area.

On Saturday, June 24, 2006, the Carlos Lezama Archives & Caribbean Cultural Center (CLACC-C) hosted a panel discussion entitled, "The Caribbean Experience, From the Harlem Renaissance To Present," in honor of Caribbean Heritage month at Medgar Evers College. The distinguished speakers included Dr Edison Jackson, Dr Elizabeth Nunez and Dr George Irish, to name a few.

It was an honor, and "a humbling" experience, to listen to each of the panelists recount their lineage and history in the New York area. A statement made by Dr Nunez struck a chord with me -- "the brain is a muscle and in order to exercise it you must READ!" What a simple yet profound statement. The other statement was made by Professor Gabriel Viera, and it was, "a renaissance can only occur when the current generation is ready for change."

Perhaps, if more individuals could tune out the mindless media blitz then a return to productive, fruitful and resourceful thinking could be facilitated; thus, manifesting a presentation of the Caribbean culture in an informative and economic manner.

That being said, I believe that a number of us are ready for change. A collective voice, an initiative, and determination that will support, nurture and preserve the dignity of the Caribbean community needs to be implemented to plant the seeds of change in the same individuals who are catering to the sensory side of the brain.

Ms Adams is are one of those individuals -- continue to use this presentation medium wisely.

Sherry L. Theus
New York

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