Bob Michaels' exhibits in Orlando & Havana

Bob Michaels

Bob Michaels

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For those in the Orlando Florida area, I am having a 30 photo exhibit at the University of Central Florida library for the month of September. This exhibit is from my "Cuba - people" series I have been doing for the last few years. These are photos of Cuban people as found in their natural environment. There is a talk September 13th.

If you happen to be traveling to Havana Cuba, I have an exhibit at Galeria Carmen Montilla in Habana Vieja. Title is "Cuba y Sud Apopka - dos culturas similares". The translation is "Cuba and South Apopka - two similar cultures". This exhibit is 26 prints showing the common culture that exists in Cuba and South Apopka, a historic Negro community in the southern US. Opening & meet the photographer on October 14th (free rum & blues band). Exhibit ends November 13th.

All RFF'ers are welcome at either or both.
 
Congrats on the exhibitions, sounds very interesting!

So, is South Apopka so historic they still use the term "Negro" there?
 
That's brilliant Bob. Congratulations!

What can be better than your own exhibition? Your own exhibition in Havana of course!
It's one of my favourite places, I'd love to pop over to see your show. Unfortunately I don't quite have the jet-setting lifestyle I desire yet. ;)
 
Pablito said:
........................................ So, is South Apopka so historic they still use the term "Negro" there?
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Absolutely. I was criticized by the community several years ago when I relented to an exhibit curator's demand to use the term "African-American" on the invitation. They say they feel no relationship to Africa and are simply Americans. They point out the terms Negro or black is the same as white and has no negative connotations.

Of course, race would simply not be mentioned at all unless the historical significance is that the community remains as it existed prior to the days of racial integration.
 
Bob Michaels said:
They say they feel no relationship to Africa and are simply Americans. They point out the terms Negro or black is the same as white and has no negative connotations.
Click to expand...

Wow. I certainly don't dispute that they say this, but the implication is that, conversely, having a relationship to Africa (using the term "African American") DOES have negative connotations.

Historically and sociologically speaking, the terms Negro and black are not interchangeable in the U.S. even though as you know, "negro" means black in Spanish. Negro and black each have different connotations; there was a time when "Negro" was largely rejected in favor of "black."

So this community actually favors "Negro"? Even the younger people?

Please don't misinterpret, I'm not trying to be the PC police. But I have spent a lot of time photographing people of African descent in the Americas so I find these questions of identity really interesting.

Again, congratulations on the two exhibits.
 
Bob,
Thanks for letting us know about this. I am in Gainesville and I will definitely do my best to see your exhibit. It sounds terrific!
Eric
 
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