In my opinion the sovereignty of the Cuban Revolution was guaranteed by the existence and USSR. withdrawal of the missiles by Khruschev also guaranteed that there would be no military atOf course, his enormous popularity was the major factor, but Cuba is only a small island. Anyway let us agree to differ on this old, old Leaving politics aside for the moment, could we discuss your other passion, cricket. Could I ask two initial questions: why is it that cricket in the Caribbean and India-Pakistan is a mass sport like football in Britain, and secondly why did it not catch on in some of the other colonies such as CLR: In Britain there is a very wide range of things that the people can be interested in, but the impact of cricket in India and the Caribbean was different. The overwhelming majority of the masses were illiterate. They saw cricket, which is a marvellous game altogether, as an art form.
It was the easiest and most accessible part of Western civilisation that they could identify with In my book Beyond the Boundary I develop this theme in greater detail. Western literature, music, painting was only for the élite, but cricket the masses could adopt and take over. Instinctively they appreciated the artistic quality of the The great critics of the fine arts have yet to realise the fact that when 100,000 people go to see a football or a cricket match it is, even if they do TA: Could it not also be said that in some ways £4.95 pbk.
CLR: Trotsky used to say that the working class was far too interested in sport. He said that far , too much of their energy and interests were Bookshop, devoted to sport rather than in the organisation 'The Black Jacobins' by CLR James is published by Alison & Busby at It is available from The Other ,328 Upper St, London N1. Add 10% if ordering by mail.
Socialist Challenge 3 July 1980 Page 9
OVER the past year or so the Caribbean has become focus of politics. On 13 March last year the New Jewel Movement in Grenada overthrew tatorial régime of Eric Gairy. Four months later the successful revolution in Nicaragua dealt a severe blow to the interests of American perialism in the whole region.
At the same time the régime of Fidel Castro in Cuba has managed to establish diplomatic and trade links with an increasing number of Caribbean countries. thus breaking from the political isolation imposed by the United States in 1960 since Gairy's overthrown in Grenada. the New Jewel Movement (NJM) led by Maurice Bishop has carried out a number of radical and democratic measures. regular army nas deen swept away and in its place a People's Revolutionary Army and a popular militia have been set up.
The price of three basic commodities — rice, sugar and cement reduced with the establishment of a National Importing Board. Secondary school rees nave ocen reaucea by a tnira. A youtn programme the Youth Reconstruction — has been set up, and it Has success uny moorse• mousanes or people for voluntary community building projects and road construction NICW cooles Government has cut the government ministers, and reduced their salaries allu alowances Dy aboul a tira.
The Newspaper Publications Act, increasingly Miles the dieUNITED STATES im• have been Forces Revolutionary number PANAMA VEN Carbbean sea Trinidad and Tobaco5!
DOMINICAN / REP PUERTO RICO
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