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A COMPLEXION CHANGE
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..."
Oscar Brown Jr.

"Mankind will either find a way or make one."
C.P. Snow

"Whatever you do..., be cool!"
Joseph Louis Turner

"Yes, I can...!"
Sammy Davis Jr.

"Yes, We can...!"
Barack Obama

 






 
 
Fountainhead® Tanz Theatre
The Collegium - Forum & Television Program
Fountainhead® Distribution - Film & Anthologies
Classic In Black
Portraits and Poems

 

A COMPLEXION CHANGE
Transnational and Intercultural Diplomacy


XXVI.
Black International Cinema Berlin

Germany & U.S.A.

MAY 4 - 8, 2011

You may submit
your entry fee
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"Footprints in the Sand?"
Euromight.com