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Grammys
-- and Dissent
Posted on Thu, Aug. 14, 2003.
The Miami Herald.
The show, it seems, will go on, and so will protests
-- should Cuban musicians attend the Latin Grammys
next month.
Miami and Cuban-exile groups have settled on
a location where protesters can express themselves.
They will stand about 260 feet from American Airlines
Arena, and on the same side of the street. A coalition
of exile organizations approved the agreement
Tuesday night. This is heartening news.
The pact represents a victory of cooperation
over contention. Calm, intense negotiations between
the city and exile groups were a welcome change
from the unseemly spectacle two years ago. In
2001, the city was at odds with groups about the
location of the protest. In addition, the city
was at odds with itself. The former police chief
and former mayor held opposing views. Latin Grammys'
leaders decided to pull the show out of Miami,
thus making the city look like a loser.
Mayor Manny Díaz and other leaders made
a persuasive case and lured the Latin Grammys
back to Miami this year. Then they steered negotiations
with protesters to a fair and acceptable conclusion.
Bravo for their efforts. This time, Miami comes
out the winner.
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