New York, NY (UCTP Taino News) - Filmmakers Carlos Germosen and Crystal
Whelan of Nu Heightz Cinema have produced a new Public Service
Announcement (PSA) urging the American Public to "Reconsider Columbus
Day".The 60 second spot features a compelling message which they hope
will "encourage people to learn the other side to the story of
Columbus".
"We want to help shed light on the truth by using mass media" stated
Whelan. She continued stating "We hope people will petition for a
nationally recognized indigenous holiday to honor the people who were
here first."
The producers reached out to local community activists and indigenous
organizations like the United Confederation of Taino People to help
develop the script.
"We were honored to be asked to collaborate on this project as our
ancestors in particular were the first to be negatively impacted by
Columbus" stated Roberto Borrero, a representative of the Confederation.
"The issue goes beyond Caribbean Indigenous Peoples however, it is
really about society being complacent with symbols of genocide." said
Borrero.
The Reconsider Columbus Day PSA is currently being featured on You Tube
and the producers are working to broadcast it on local television
networks. Nu Heights Cinema has also set up a Reconsider Columbus Day
website at www.reconsidercolumbusday.org to help bring more attention to the issue.
10.08.2009