“White leftists are the biggest hypocrites in America. White leftists and young hip-hoppers: both of them have been missing in action; both of them are full of criticism, but there's very little participation. They fight everybody who's fighting the system, but they never get around to fighting the system themselves.”

—from Reverend Al Sharpton's “Just Keep Talking”

 

TRANSITION 91: Table of Contents

 

DISPATCHES____________________

The Seat of Europe
On a continent obsessed with nationalism, Belgium is a nation obsessed with continentalism—it's no coincidence that Brussels has been named the administrative capital of the European Union. But not all of Tintin's countrymen love the idea of a unified Europe; for some of them, a unified Belgium is too big by half. Naresh Fernandes tells a tale of Walloons, cartoons, and racist goons.

POSITION____________________

Learning from McDonald's
Who says a cultural revolution can't be quick, convenient, and delicious? It's been a quarter century since Mao's death, and the new Chinese economy is a hodgepodge of great walls and golden arches. Jianying Zha goes in search of a homegrown happy meal.

FICTION____________________

Cunanan's Wake
A feast fit for a queen.
By Gina Apostol

The Beaten Grave
Eyes wide shut.
By George Makana Clark

CONVERSATIONS____________________

Just Keep Talking
The Reverend Al Sharpton has been running his mouth almost since the day he was born. Ordained as a minister at the age of ten, he has been associated with James Brown, Abner Louima, Tawana Brawley, and the family of Amadou Diallo. Depending on your point of view, he might be the greatest civil rights leader of his generation, a two-bit hustler, or both. Scott Sherman tussles with Al Sharpton about Martin, Jesse, and other slick talkers.

I Don't Care
Haiti's greatest pop star is a cross-dressing provocateur who brags about his indifference to current events. In a country where “politics” often means gang warfare, he's content to drink his whiskey, wear his dresses, and entertain his fans—even if some of them are government-sponsored killers. Trenton Daniel asks Michel “Sweet Micky” Martelly about thugs, drugs, and electronic music.

The Third Citizen
An Armenian who moved to Cairo, Van Leo became known as the premier photographer of the Middle East: an exacting craftsman who developed his signature style by studying Hollywood films from the forties. He's watched as his adoptive home was overrun by the Allies, torched by Arab nationalists, and threatened by Islamic fundamentalists. Akram Zaatari and Van Leo discuss art, craftiness, and Egyptian cheesecake.

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