English Version / Deutsche Version
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Transnational and Intercultural Diplomacy
"....We Have A Dream
and Still We Rise...."
A Sense of Destiny
A dear departed friend of mine, author, raconteur Joseph Louis Turner and
I used to note, as we were struggling with studies at Loyola University or
some other ideas for projects we had in mind, “It ain’t easy trying to be
rich and famous.”
Now years later, I am often reminded of our words as I progress through life,
with the undertakings of family, friends and projects based upon my efforts
for redemption through hoped for enlightenment.
As I once read, the Greeks said, “Physician heal thyself,” and my friend and
mentor Oscar Brown Jr. said, “What is the plan by which you confront the issues
which are of concern to you, Donald?”
Sigh, more pressure.
My beloved father said among many important things, “Son, use your head for
something besides growing hair!”
Hmmm, I wondered what he meant by that?
As brother Joe and I said, “It ain’t easy trying to be rich and famous”, plus
sensible?
Oh oh, now I have to try to be sensible too?
Will this struggle never end?
So, step by step I began to try to process all this input and more, into a
plan to address my dawning realities in life, personal and otherwise, often
presented as history or as my friend and colleague Mahide Lein constantly
reminds forgetful me, herstory.
I find myself as many of us find ourselves, addressing developments over which
we have little or no control and ask ourselves, which way is up and out, towards
constructive resolutions?
Yes I know, this is a subjective term, but since I am the storyteller, please
permit me to be the oracle, momentarily.
As Prof. Susan Watson Turner reminded me last year during her interview on
our television program, The Collegium - Forum & Television Program Berlin,
less than 10 percent of persons entering the arts have the opportunity to
earn a living wage.
It would seem that many other social and economic categories of life are also
catching up too or falling down towards, the inability to earn a living which
provides basic sustenance, especially without disturbing the family social
structure.
Of course, this state of affairs has been occurring in many countries for
many years, including the United States of America and Europe. What we are
attempting with Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre, Black International Cinema Berlin,
The Collegium- Forum & Television Program Berlin and Cultural Zephyr e.V.,
is to provide an infrastructure, which in some ways addresses the social,
economic, psychological and political needs of persons with whom we cooperate
either directly or indirectly and whose acquaintance we establish via mail,
printed matter, electronic means or word of mouth.
We are attempting to address some of the informational, psychological and
inspirational needs of our friends, colleagues, unknown and distant people
in the undertaking of transmitting some informational hope to these persons,
which in some small way will support them in their endeavours. It is no small
matter, that we, many other persons and organizations are striving to create
a better set of circumstances for humankind on a daily basis.
Our voice is small, but when we participate in an international chorus of
voices, our resonance through suggestions and demands become more difficult
to overlook.
We appreciate the many men, women and young people who have provided the opportunities
from which we and others benefit, past, present and future.
Thank you Manning Marable for your contributions to these efforts.
“Forget about the money, the most important thing,
is to get the message out…”
“How can you be a capitalist, if you don’t have any capital?”
Oscar Brown Jr.
“We were wise indeed, could we discern truly the
signs of our own time; and by knowledge of its wants and advantages, wisely
adjust our own position in it. Let us, instead of gazing wildly into the obscure
distance, look calmly around us, for a little, on a perplexed scene where
we stand.”
Thomas Carlyle
In other words: “Dip your bucket down where you are.” - Booker T. Washington
Welcome to the XXVI. Black International Cinema
Berlin 2011!
Prof. Donald Muldrow Griffith
MOTTOES "I
may not make it if I try, but I damn sure won´t if I don´t..." "Mankind
will either find a way or make one." "Whatever
you do..., be cool!" "Yes,
I can...!" "Yes, We can...!"
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Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre | ||||||
The Collegium - Forum & Television Program | ||||||
Fountainhead® Distribution - Film & Anthologies | ||||||
Classic In Black | ||||||
Portraits and Poems |
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