Who is Eugene H. Robinson?

I happen to agree with Eric Holder that Americans in general are cowards when it comes to talking about race. All race cowards step forward, not so fast Eugene Robinson, you stay there. This book is breathtaking.

I discovered the book as I started to write about Eugene Robinson. I started the lens because I admire the work he does on MSNBC and well, I have a little crush on him. I discovered that the research is harder than usual as there isn't much. Wiki, even, was spotty. There were just a couple of pictures, although I did find one of his wife, or I think it is her.

But he had written these two books, I ordered this one, hoping to learn more and find some quotes. I expected the book to be good, but I had no idea the treasure I was getting.

This book is a page turner. Odd thing to say about a memoir/travel log/treatise on race relations, but I tell you, I couldn't put it down. I felt like I was having a conversation with this amazing man. I felt like we were becoming friends. I learned so much about him, about his take on the issues, but he wrote it in a way that helped me learn about myself also. I don't think this was his intent, but he was so unflinchingly honest about himself, that I couldn't help but be more honest about myself as I read it.

He and I couldn't be much more different than we are. I am a white woman, raised in small town Iowa at about the same time, a little earlier. I grew up in a totally white society. We didn't have Italians, for goodness sake and I can remember the first time I saw black people. We had gone to a park in the 'big city' of Davenport to see the zoo. I remember seeing, and staring at, a family with black children my age. The girls wore starched white dresses, with white gloves and ankle socks with shiny Mary Janes. I don't even remember what I was wearing, I know it was clean and neat, but it most certainly was not starched and white to go to the zoo. But then I didn't have to dress up. The racial issues that were a part of his entire life were unheard of in the small town where I lived. Even today, they are things that I can go for long periods of time without having any overt effect on my life or much of a thought. But yet, he made it so easy to join his world that I maintained a running dialogue as I read, learning more about myself as I learned about him and his worlds.

The book is no longer in print, a travesty, but there are used copies on Amazon. Run, don't walk to the website to get your copy before they are all gone. There are now 48 left. Get one now, you will thank me.

BTW, the crush part has developed into a deeper respect from reading this book. I have a fantasy of talking to him about the different places at nearly the same time and a conceit that he might be interested in some experiences of a girl who was raised in the confines of a community newspaper. Arrowsmith Printing

Are you a music fan? History? Politics? Religion? Sociology? Just like a good story?

Eugene Robinson's talent is remarkable in that he has written a book that includes all of the above, yet is focused and flows as another story that builds interest and knows where it is going. On top of that, while this book was not about him, I felt I was learning more about him as I read it. Robinson writes so that we can feel we are seeing Cuba, its music and its people through his eyes (I am reminded of a sane Being John Malkovich) yet he leaves the us free to form our own opinion. Remarkable.

Robinson is a liberal, he has a viewpoint, yet he portrays Cuba in a light that is gentle, while exposing every wrinkle and sag in its face to the harsh light of reality. He visited Cuba several times to learn and write about its music. What we see is people who, even under grinding poverty and repression, dance, no, they DANCE!! Cubans are a people who are both resigned and joyous. Each of his several trips pealed one more layer of the onion that is Cuba.

I attended a Baptist Church that had a sister church in Matansas, Cuba. Occasionally a church member would go to visit and every 2 or 3 years the Youth Group would go to live with families and help them build something. One group was there when Elian Gonzales returned. Robinson reports that those who loved Castro and those who hated him (everyone seemed to have some combination) all asked, "Why does the United States keep a child from his father". This was not about Castro's propaganda, but rather just not understanding why we did it. The youth group reported that they were surprised when there wasn't a bigger deal made of the return of this young icon. Robinson sheds light on that.

The youth were horrified and angry that the people of Cuba could not go to the beaches. Robinson gives us the history and reality of Cuba and tourism. I wished I had read this book when the Cuban music group visited our church. I bought a couple of CD's, but now that has so much more interest for me.

He covers all kinds of music on the island and it really covers many forms. He talks about the business of music, the religion of music and the joy of music. I learned that Cuba is the home of some of the best music education in the world, to the point where children's orchestras are actually good.

He gives history of the revolution and before, just when it is needed to advance the story. He looks into the void of the future, as no one even dares to guess what will happen when Castro dies.

Just when I thought that he had covered everything, I started reading about the American fugitives who live on the island, up front and personal. I learned about the fear that all Cubans have about the idea of Castro's death. Those who like him, those who hate him all worry about that day.

But no more, get the book and read it. I can't wait for Robinson's next.