Censorship: we do not not like it! we do not condone it! we will not tolerate it!

On the other hand, we endeavor to check our facts when making (farcical) statements about people places or things-most of what we have written is indeed founded on facts that can be readily found on the internet or in print. Well, perhaps, Val Kilmer doesn’t exactly live on his own reservation, but that was metaphor. And, it is funny! Actually I believe we’ve dubbed it “rancher-vation,” get it? It’s a ranch but he’s an Indian and Indians live on reservations and sometimes, if they are lucky, ranches, but mostly reservations..well no according to recent census records most Indians live in urban cities but mainstream America thinks they live on reservations or don’t live at all. See? It’s a fine line between creative articulations and boring fact based journo-blah blah. But we do endeavor to check our facts before posting.
However, opinions and rhetorical/diaristic blogging is another case altogether. If it is my opinion a film or exhibition is, or is not, lacking in anyway than I have a right to express my opinions on what amounts to a public display open to interpretation, i.e. a gallery opens it’s door to the public who consumes the show, a screening is held, people are invited to sit and watch, etc.

Interpretation. Interpretation. Interpretation which is mine and mine alone. In this case interpreting art events or whatever else I happen upon is the same as expressing my own opinion with the minor exception that I do not have to base my opinion in anything other than my subjective predilections while interpreting work for public consumption requires forethought, investigation and objective reason. As editor of NAICA and Longviews it has been a great thrill to me that most of the contributors to the webzine and blog have easily fell within this dichotomous writing style without my having to coach or weedle them. Objective journalism blends easily with their informed tastes to create the effect (perhaps illusion) of fine art and film criticism. We have lofty ideas here, critical and lofty.

Their writings have been inspired, their visual contributions (art direction, graphic design, photography, etc) consistently excellent, and again, their dedication to the advancement of Native cinema and contemporary art has gotten us where we are today which is largely broke but having fun. Being the forerunners on recognizing the growth of Native film and contemporary art nationally and globally is a relief as well. This is why I do not censor my collaborators when it comes to their writings, especially on something like a blog. We do not pretend that this space is anything more than a current events forum to express our opinions and offer timely interviews with artists, filmmakers and the like on topics of the day. Therefore, the contributors and interviewees must stand by whatever statements they make or criticisms they levy. To ensure public retort there is a nifty comments section per blog so that the general public may weigh in. Unfortunately, people are too lazy to bother registering. They jump to emails and phone calls often to negative effect-in most cases it turns out they only partially read the blogs.

Jee-bus save us!

If I can offer our dear readers, whom we are all too grateful for, any advice it is this: READ THE WHOLE BLOG AND EMPLOY COMPREHENSION SKILLS WHILST DOING SO!
Then if you have further questions or comments register here on the blog and tell us what you think. I promise we will post your comments and then we will respond-if necessary. I have to say, behind the scenes phone-calling and emailing isn’t as effective as people might think. Really, it makes the people who do it look lazy and uninformed and, even worse, as if they are lacking in fine reading comprehension skills. I mean I know I did pretty well on the verbal/analytical sections of the GRE and that makes me pretty much a genius but I sincerely doubt I am the only one who can discern subtext in writing and/or censorship issues-subtle and not so subtle.
Or maybe I am?

“Sunstroke” magazine: courtesy of crafty ole Colon