June 13, 2005
In a nutshell...
I've been sitting here in front of a blank screen for about an hour now, absolutely unable to come up with word one to post here on this blog after reading the following incredibly lucid comment from a previous post:
The BIGGEST problem we have ALWAYS faced is that of "internal disagreements”. We (Cubans) have swallowed the first axiom of strategic warfare propaganda hook line and sinker "Divide and Conquer". It is inconceivable to me that whether is Paya or Menoyo or Burundanga that there are ANY issues more important that GETTING RID OF THE BEAST. But here we are 46 years of total bullshit. What POSSIBLE differences can separate us to a point where we rather see KaSStro maintain his stronghold on Cuba than to shake hands and move forward.We have history to teach valuable lessons, that we as Cubans (and let’s face it WE think we ALWAYS know better) .
WWII was full of compromises geared to a common goal. GET HITLER!
Now after 60 years we begin to see the internal struggles of the “allied” troops which technically as far as “allied” it was only by name.
Why there should be 6 or 7 or 10 dissident parties in Cuba? in fact why should there be more than ONE in the USA ?
Why, cause you feel that former property owners should be compensated and the other guys feel otherwise , now aint THAT a bitch ?!
We Cubans suffer from what I called the curse of the high intellect. WE ALWAYS KNOW BETTER, MY PLAN IS SURELY BETTER THAN YOUR PLAN!
The same passion that made us successful in the USA has made us incapable of getting rid of Castro. We are unyielding, determined, focused and most of all we do suffer from a superiority complex. I just can NOT be more honest as far as the way I see OUR race. We are descendants of people who had chrome plated cojones and we all carry that DNA . Whether it was the Spaniard who at 6 years old jumped on a ship as a stowaway (like my dad) and in 1959 was a wealthy businessman without having ONE day of formal schooling or the Chinese who left China in 1949 with NOTHING but the clothes they wore and, or the black slave who had the strength and intelligence to survive as a slave we , ALL of US have that gene of the determined the self assured the survivor and unfortunately that makes for TREMENDOUS leadership but very a very poor ability t be a “follower” .
TOO many chiefs, too many cooks... Whatever the allegory you want to adopt, that is US. And that my friends, has FUCKED US UP TO NO END!
Last year I was sitting at Versalles in Miami with a few friends all OLD buddies from Cuba there were 5 of us, and we could not agree on ONE god damn thing as to how Cuba was going to be managed after The Beast is gone.
There was the abolsute patriot who did not want ANY YANK help AT ALL “ Yo no quiero una bandera Americana flotando en La Habana”, well you know what FUCK YOU ! neither do I but I DO want American troops making sure that whatever little is left in La Habana doesn’t succumb to 46 years of pent up passions. and I trust a UN force as much as I trust Kasstro
“Cuba must be led by a Cuban-American.” Again yes there’s much validity to it, for the simple reason that a Cuban American has been exposed to a lot more has had a better education and probably has accomplished a lot more in life than one of the ones that stayed behind. But.. How are you gonna sell that to a man who’s been in jail in Cuba for 15 years ?
And belive it or not “THAT” is a profound fear in the consciousness of the Cuban people in the island; that we will arrive as conquerors that will impose our will. A will, of which they know nothing about. And as the old saying goes
“Mas vale malo conocido que bueno por conocer”
Cubans in the USA must put aside ALL differences act as ONE family and make the rest of the family in Cuba BELIVE with all their hearts that we have no desire for vengeance nor dominance.
There should NOT be a HEAD of Cuban politics after Castro there should be a transional commission a parliamentary group. Cuba is NOT ready for a democratic election. Cuba is not ready for political parties and we will not be ready for that for YEARS to come.
We need to heal, it is OUR (the ones on THIS side) absolute duty to help those THERE to function under a capitalist system. We should care enough to avoid profiteering and abuses during the transition .. And I am sorry to say something of that magnitude can only be accomplished under the eye of a transional body most probably supported by a USA military force.
We have suffered 46 years of absolute tyranny. 2 / 3 years of decompression , of LEARNING how to be free and democratic can NOT be considered as a capitulation to USA imperialism. It should be looked at as (they say in Chess) the FORCED move. And right there just by saying that *I* become guilty of my own criticism against Cubans.
*I* KNOW WHAT IS BEST!.. See ? we are FUCKED!
Gracias, KillCastro, you took the words right out of my mouth.
Posted by Val Prieto at June 13, 2005 07:55 AM
Comments
The fact that you mention "US Imerialism" tells me more about you than everything you wrote previously. One issue that will have to addressed is the apportionment of reponsibility for the atrocities that have been committed, (and are being committed), and for that there can be no easy answer, as many who are in power now will NOT abrogate that power with fidelito's death.
Posted by: Bill at June 13, 2005 09:37 AM
Bill,
While I agree wholeheartedly with the meaning of Killcastros comment, I dont necessarily agree on the use of the word "imperialist" when referencing today's US.
Posted by: Val Prieto at June 13, 2005 09:47 AM
Val - We must have been thinking the same thing: I was utterly tempted to do cut and paste and post this awesome post, it was a magnificent essay and should be read by all! As I opened your blog, I was amazed to find it right there!
Posted by: A.M. Mora y Leon at June 13, 2005 10:04 AM
Val, I sat weeping yesterday when I read Killcastro's comment. Rereading it this morning, I weep again.
Posted by: Kathleen at June 13, 2005 10:54 AM
There is a tiny difference between being "unyielding" and being "muleish". The latter never gets you anywhere. I'll agree with this: I never met a Cuban who needed assertiveness training!
Posted by: PTG at June 13, 2005 12:39 PM
"I never met a Cuban who needed assertiveness training!"
An admirable trait, because the meek are generally useless for getting anything done.
Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at June 13, 2005 01:15 PM
you know, i was so wrapped up in the "questions" thread that i missed this all together.. whats so different from what i said there and here? the message is the same.. we cant agree on anything and its what has held us back.. or is it that because i dont support the embargo my words have no value?
Posted by: daniel at June 13, 2005 02:03 PM
Again, daniel, its not that your words have no value. They do. But I keep asking for you to give me something other than lets lift the embargo and see.
Posted by: Val Prieto at June 13, 2005 02:18 PM
Well now there are two of us, might not be much, but we are growing.
Posted by: madtom at June 13, 2005 04:40 PM