Fragment of a message from the future, rolled up in a bottle:

A Cuba where the children don't beg in the streets.

A Cuba where the children don't sell themselves in the streets.

A Cuba where the peso makes the dollar look like the euro.

A Cuba where black is beautiful.

A Cuba that welcomes every god, goddess, spirit and idea, along with mutual respect.

A Cuba unafraid of the world! A sovereign nation!

A Cuba with a Navy!

A Cuban on Mars by 2030!

We have nothing to lose but our despair. Freedom grows. We are inevitable.

JdB

Val,

Off topic from this specific post, but when was the last time you were in Cuba? If I was in your situation I don't know if I would travel there illegally or not. It would be tempting.

I travelled there a few years ago. It was a legal trip; we were there to research their agricultural sector. A collegue of mine is actually working on a book about Cuban culture. So far it is quite nice-she stays away from discussion about the Castro regime and talks about the rest of the population, which is the more interesting I think. The only talk of the regime is one portion where she discusses how it has shaped their culture to become even more unique. I will keep you in mind when it is published and maybe get her to send you a copy. It should be quite good aside from the sheer length of it.

Justin,

Take it from a Cuban, Castro didnt create a culture, he destroyed it. Cuba is not even a mere shadow of what it used to be nor what it could be now had it not been for one fucked up man.

Shaped a culture my ass. You know, just because youve been there doesnt mean you know it, much less understand it.

But, Val, their so unique, those cubans. And quaint, too. I mean, I know they're poor and all, and don't have the same freedoms we have. But the crumbling buildings and third world conditions make their struggle so...pastoral? Well, quaint anyway. Be sure and go to Cuba soon, before the Americans run it over after Castro dies. All those buildings are going to get painted and there won't be those really cool old cars around much anymore. Did I mention how quaint the people are there? --scott

Damn it Scott, you had me going. Blood pressure was rising....

I think the culture has been effected having Castro in power for so long. You don't think that the people have changed by living under his rule for so long? It seems they have to me.

Justin, if by "affected" you mean "destroyed" then yes.

I did not purport to 'know' cuba or anything. I just asked you if you ever considered going to your home country. I was curious. I said that Castro has changed the culture. I didn't say it was for better or worse-just different. I know Cuba is not what it 'could be'. I wasn't arguing that Castro was a great leader or something. Just wondered what you thought of people in your situation that returned to their country. I know you know more about the culture than I do, which is why I asked. I came here for some constructive conversation, not to argue. I have never met a Cuban-American that was actually born in the country. Just a simple question dude.

but do you really think he destroyed it completely? I know he doesn't encourage diversity, but haven't they fought to retain some of their culture in private or something? Do you really think it is all gone?

Justin,

I have stated many times on this blog that I would never go to Cuba while the man that encarcerated my father, and was about to kill him save for an act of fate, is in power. I just wont do it.

How do you think it feels to not know or remember where you were born? Where you lived as a child? Where your parents met and courted and wed? Where you have a history?

Dont you think I have grappled with this all my life? Dont you think I long for the day to see the house where I was born? To see my grandparents house? To drop to my knees in sheer agony from the pain, not just mine but my family's?

It is a matter of principle. Castro took everything my family had except our dignity and our convictions. I have buried half my family here in the US, away from their Cuba, because of one man. Do you think that I would allow myslef to denigrate their memory or their honor by going there now? I would not even think about going to Cuba while Castro is still in power. I dont need to go there to learn about myslef. To learn about being Cuban. I am Cuban. I know what it is to be Cuban. I dont need to visit the house of the devil to understand myself.

alright, that is what I was asking. I didn't know as I am new to this blog. I also couldn't have just expected it because I know there are cubans that go back to the island for various reasons regularly. Again, I didn't know. I was curious. I wasn't questioning your morals or anything

I know there are people, Cubans, that travel to Cuba for various reasons. I will probably be posting something on that issue tomorrow.

I know you werent questioning my morals, no worries.

I would never go to Cuba
Val Prieto

Well here is something we have in common. I also would _never_ go to Cuba while that fucker is there, embargo or not. The only way I could ever see myself there is as a freedom fighter up in the hills somewhere. I would never travel there as a tourist.

Madtom

don't have the same freedoms we have
scott

dude Cuba is not Turkey. The Turks don't have the same freedoms we have. The Cubans don't have any freedoms, none not even the most basic freedoms. The Cubans on the island are all slaves of the state. There is not any other word to describe the situation than Slave. So just have that in mind.

Madtom

Madtom: You can't deny the "quaintness" of the island. Despite, the, uh, communist enslavement and all. I think it's more important for north americans to have the freedom to travel to a place unspoilt by capitalism and commerce than to free the Cuban people. I mean, you know I'll tip the doorman and all, like a dollar or something. --s

Scott,

Your comments make me laugh although afterwards I feel guilty for doing so.