Another trip to Cuba, another ‘people-to-dictatorship’ exchange
You'd think I would get tired of debunking all these "cultural exchange" trips to Cuba by Americans, which are really nothing more than people-to-dictatorship exchanges. But when they make it this easy, I simply can't resist.
My comments in brackets on Northwestern College's symphonic band's visit to Cuba:
Northwestern College Symphonic Band to perform in Cuba
After several months of preparations, members of Northwestern College’s Symphonic Band soon will tour Cuba as guests of the National Band of Cuba. [A group organized and controlled by the Castro dictatorship.]
The 54-member Northwestern ensemble will work with the professional musicians and present a number of concerts March 2–12. ["Professional musicians" is nothing more than a euphemism for musicians who work for and are beholden to the Castro dictatorship. If they do not toe the communist party line, they are not allowed to be musicians.]
Northwestern’s group will be the first full symphonic band from the United States to perform in Cuba. The Northwestern students will spend time with members of the National Band, rehearsing together and presenting one or two joint concerts. [Concerts organized and run by the Castro dictatorship to maximize the propaganda value and promote the despotic Cuban regime.]
The Symphonic Band also will perform at high school and college music conservatories and a church. [State controlled high schools, state controlled college music conservatories, and unfortunately, in Cuba, the church is also state controlled.]
“There’s a great anticipation among the students,” says Dr. Tim McGarvey, professor of music and director of Northwestern’s Symphonic Band. “They are excited for a cross-cultural experience, the opportunity to go someplace that’s really different.” [Apparently, Professor McGarvey considers a strictly controlled Potemkin Village experience under the watchful eye of the repressive Cuban dictatorship a "cross-cultural experience." At least he's right about one thing: Having students visit a totalitarian dictatorship and allowing themselves to be their pawns is "really different."]
The Northwestern band will bring supplies — including mouthpieces, reeds, mutes, musical scores, and valve and slide oil — to Cuban musicians, who can’t easily access them because of U.S. economic sanctions. The band exceeded its fundraising goal, bringing in $60,000, which is enabling it to deliver more supplies than originally planned. [U.S. sanctions? Are band supplies only produced in the U.S.? Talk about lazy reporting. Nevertheless, we have no doubt the Cuban regime is very happy about the $60K gift.]
The band is partnering with Ray’s Midbell Music of Sioux City to contribute many items.
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