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--- On Tue, 9/21/10, O E <[email protected]> wrote:
From: O E <[email protected]>
Subject: Fw: Interview with M-1 of Dead Prez In Zimbabwean Herald
To: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],
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Date: Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 6:40 PM
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: O E <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tue, September 21, 2010 9:35:01 PM
Subject: Interview with M-1 of Dead Prez In Zimbabwean Herald
US artistes take on sanctions
INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed hip hop group Dead Prez recently announced plans to
make a song that would call for the lifting of the US-EU sanctions against
Zimbabwe, as well as the US blockade on Cuba. En route to Washington DC, one of
the group’s lyricists, brother Mutulu Olugbala whose stage name is M-1 gave The
Herald’s US correspondent, Obi Egbuna (OE) an exclusive interview and shared
the reasons behind the decision for a song focusing on both Zimbabwe and Cuba.
OE: Brother Mutulu, thank you for granting The Herald this interview. Could we
begin by having you share the reason for doing a song concerning US-EU
sanctions on Zimbabwe and the US blockade on Cuba?
M-1: In the case of Zimbabwe, the US-EU sanctions are approaching 10 years very
rapidly, and the monstrous US blockade on Cuba, is approaching 50 years old.
This tactic being used by our former colonial and slave masters to politically
isolate countries and stifle their economic growth and ability to strengthen
basic infrastructure is as destructive as war, military invasions (and) natural
calamities like hurricanes and tornadoes. But (it) hasn’t received the same
attention.
We feel the US Government is extremely hypocritical when it labels both
Zimbabwe and Cuba dictatorships, boldly claiming both countries deprive its
people basic democratic freedoms.
However, the international community vehemently opposes US-EU sanctions on
Zimbabwe and the US blockade on Cuba and the White House, US Senate and
Congress won’t budge at all.
I sincerely hope this song will not only bring more awareness to the suffering
these policies have caused in Zimbabwe and Cuba, but also celebrate the
resilience of the leadership and people on the ground in these countries, who
overcome daily challenges therefore standing firm in the face of adversity.
OE: Brother Mutulu, the timing of the decision to do this song will be received
very well in Zimbabwe and Cuba.
In Zimbabwe Akon, Sizzla Kalonji and Maxi Priest have all performed there
recently, and in Cuba earlier this year Kool and the Gang performed and
received an award. Will Dead Prez do this song alone or reach out to other
artistes to have more impact?
M-1: We will definitely reach out to the artistes you mentioned who performed
in Zimbabwe and the artistes who we know have performed in Cuba. We also want
to involve artistes in both Zimbabwe and Cuba because in the final analysis who
else can speak better for their leaders and people?
I was amazed when I was told that Zimbabweans affectionately refer to their
country as the land of musicians, and we know in the case of Cuba, it would be
hard to find a country that has used art in a revolutionary framework better
than they have.
I am getting excited just thinking of the potential of this song. It will cross
genres and generations, and complement the genuine efforts of countless freedom
fighters who dedicated their lives to building bridges between people driven by
an unyielding passion for freedom and justice.
OE: Brother Mutulu, what in your opinion are the broader implications of having
the first US president of African descent extending sanctions on Zimbabwe two
years in a row, and approaching lifting of the US blockade on Cuba on the
Democratic Party’s timetable, instead of the ties of the world community?
M-1: First and foremost, it is important for President Obama to look at
Zimbabwe and Cuba as a US Democrat and not an African; therefore he is mainly
preoccupied with US interests in both nations, not what is in the best interest
of the masses.
If he is not challenged he will maintain the course of his predecessors.
Frederick Douglas taught us, "Power concedes nothing without demand", therefore
we must intensify the battle to lift US-EU sanctions on Zimbabwe and the US
blockade on Cuba in the streets of the United States.
In our case as artistes, until we match the pressure of the international
community in relationship to US policy on Zimbabwe and Cuba, the US government
will go on with business as usual.
If we don’t aggressively confront President Obama about lifting US-EU sanctions
on Zimbabwe and the US blockade on Cuba, we give the impression his failure to
do so has our political blessing.
OE: Brother Mutulu, inside the United States we saw the leader of the National
Action Network, Reverend Al Sharpton recently organise a march in commemoration
of the historic March on Washington in 1963 where Dr Martin Luther King, Jr
made the "I have a dream" speech.
Because Zimbabwe and Cuba were both liberated through armed struggles, do you
think that's what makes Africans born and raised in the US who consider
non-violence as a cardinal principle reluctant to embrace these nations?
M-1: This is a rational explanation but nevertheless is not acceptable. The
most moderate and conservative elements in our community all celebrate the
Civil War as the driving force in relationship to abolishing slavery, but
ignore 200 slave revolts in response to forced free labour, rape and torture.
These same groups amongst our people have also written the Deacons for Defence
out of the history of the civil rights movement. You have touched on overcoming
the colonial and slave mentality, therefore embracing all genuine forms of
resistance, because you celebrate true progress regardless of the political
manner in which it was brought about.
Zimbabwe defeated the second most powerful European army on the African
continent, and Cuba launched a guerrilla war from the Sierra Maestra Mountains.
This meant both countries overcame almost insurmountable odds to attain
independence. Both stories bring tears to my eyes, and must be taught to our
children without apology or hesitation.
OE: Brother Mutulu, what would you say to this generation of Zimbabweans and
Cubans who might not appreciate Dead Prez wanting to stand with them, and would
like the opportunity to relocate to the US?
M-1: The inability of the formerly enslaved and colonised to fully
contextualise their political significance and succumb to pressure is part and
parcel of the struggle to defend your sovereignty.
Our artistic mission is to capture for the African world, the true plight of
the African in the United States, which defiantly contradicts the colonialist
and imperialist version of our story.
This will make not only this generation of Zimbabweans and Cubans, but all
young people not yet in touch with their fighting spirit realise that the
battlefield for oppressed people is truly heaven on earth.
OE: Thanks for your thoughts and time!M-1: Long live the heroic people and
leadership of Zimbabwe and Cuba!
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