Paraguay in the News…
Just in case you missed it, we thought we should write and alert you that Paraguay was in the US news this past weekend. Actually the subject was the outgoing US Ambassador to Paraguay. James Carson was interviewed by NPR’s Scott Simon on Weekend Edition Saturday. (HERE to listen)
While the NPR review seemed pretty positive, reviews here in Paraguay have been more mixed:
“In a review of the CD release show in the Ultima Hora newspaper, a critic noted that Cason ‘’sat on a stool with the lyrics in front of him” during the entire performance, appearing ”nervous or unsure about the tune and pronunciation of Guaraní.” The newspaper La Nación was more direct: The ambassador, it said, “sang in the monotone of a tired bird.”
And here’s a translation from an ABC (Paraguayan newspaper) article:
“The radical liberal senator Laino Sunday announced to the media presentation of a draft resolution of the Upper House of reproach against the American ambassador in Asuncion, James Cason. . According Laino, the diplomat “offended the Paraguayan people” with its interventions in artistic works.
The American ambassador in Asuncion offended the Paraguayan people with their artistic interventions because pretend to speak in Guarani language has said anything, according Laino said.
By pretending to speak in Guarani language, James Cason balbucea and offends, said liberal legislator noting that the diplomat should be the subject of public criticism.“
Cason also disguises of bishop in plays with his voice and bad manners seeks to imitate Paraguayan artists performing very poor interpretations of songs Guarani, said the politician.
Whatever you may think of his music, James Cason has our respect and that of many Paraguayans for taking the time and effort to learn Guaraní, a language that is a huge part of Paraguayan culture and identity.
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August 12th, 2008 at 9:43 am
SO
August 12th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
“So”?– You sound like Dick Cheney!
The “So” is this: James Cason is an American representing us abroad, and what distinguishes him from many in our supposedly diverse culture, is his willingness to see value in the culture of another country and his further willingness to embrace that foreign culture rather than dismissing it or believing that they are the ones who should be more like the “superior” and oft thought “normative” us.
THAT, is why Mr. Cason is news worthy– Since you asked.