August 04, 2005

yanomassmall.jpg (UPDATED)

I have been thinking and thinking about this post for about two or three weeks now. I hadn't posted it because I wanted to consult with a group of folks whose opinions I respect, and pick their brains on how best to start this meme* that may help the struggle in Cuba. (The Spanish version is below.)

This all began after the beatings of the demonstrators who were commemorating the 13 de marzo tugboat ramming. We heard (and saw) these demonstrators bravely confront the goons, we have read about people fighting back when their television sets are to be confiscated. (Mora wrote, in a previous post, that the Cuban people are saying, “¡ya basta!”) Yesterday, Val relayed news of an attack on an EU Commissioner and how the towns-people came to their aid.

I spoke to Val after those 13 de marzo demonstrations and told him that I thought the time seemed right for the people in Cuba to begin to think differently about their situation. After hearing my idea, he pointed me to Jerome DuBois and Catherine King's online novel, La Pionera and The New Mango, which describes the fictional events leading up to the failure of the castro government by the unleashing of a simple idea -- a meme* -- that takes root in the minds and hearts of the Cuban people. After devouring the parts of the novel that had been published, I knew that the synchronicity of my idea, coupled with Val's recommendation of this novel with the same theme, was not a coincidence.

I feel very strongly that this idea – this meme* -- can begin to infect the Cuban people with the strength and will to overcome what they are going through. Overcome the fear of the military, the fear of the CDRs, the fear of the filthy chivatos in the neighborhoods, all of it. Since armed insurrection is not possible at this point, my modest proposal to the people of Cuba is simple. Whenever it gets to the point that the situation seems hopeless, all of you have to say are three words written in Spanish: ¡Ya no mas! – "I've had enough!"

To the folks on the island, I want you to say these three simple words: repeat them, believe them. Don't just say them. All of you on the island have to understand that despite the CDRs, despite the lack of electricity, despite the lack of fresh milk for your babies, despite the all of these things, you are still human beings, you have dignity and worth, you are God’s children like the rest of us. And when the frustration is too much, you have to rise up and yell, ¡Ya no mas! -- "I've had enough!"

Everything around us, that is created by man, was once just a thought. The power of the mind to create reality is beyond dispute. These words can empower the people of Cuba with the spirit of liberty. Despite all that the government can do to them, they can still say them and they can still think them. I hope they pass the meme along, paint the words on buildings, write them on the sidewalk, write them in their ration books. All they have to do is to believe them.

“I’ve had enough.”

Un Mensaje para el pueblo de Cuba

En las últimas semanas hemos visto el pueblo de Cuba despertarse del sueño malévolo de fidel castro y conmemorar el 13 de marzo, protestar los policías cuando querían confiscar los televisores (en Calle San Eugenio en Güira de Melena). Estas protestas en Cuba nos afectan mucho en el exilio. Cuando los chivatos y los lacayos de fidel maltratan a los que estan ejercitando sus derechos, como seres humanos dignos, de protestar un gobierno injusto y malévolo, nos dan una gran esperanza para el futuro del pueblo cubano.

Sigo creyendo que tiene que haber una idea, simple y poderosa, que pueda infectar al pueblo cubano con el deseo y la voluntad para sobrepasar lo peor que les puedan dar las fuerzas policíacas de fidel. Una simple idea que ni los militares, ni los comités por la defensa de la revolución, ni los chivatos, ni nadie, pueda quitarle de las cabezas. Al pueblo de Cuba le hago esta modesta propuesta: Cuando lleguen al punto donde ya no pueden más con la situación en Cuba, tienen que decir, tienen que gritar

yanomassmall.jpg

Tres palabritas. ¡Desahóguense, repítanlas, créenlas! No solamente decirlas, no. Tienen que creer en lo que están diciendo. Que ¡Ya no mas! con los apagones, que ¡Ya no mas! con las esas arroceras tontas, que ¡Ya no mas! con la falta de comida, que ¡Ya no mas! con la falta de leche, que ¡Ya no mas! con la falta de todo que nos permitirían vivir como seres humanos dignos.

yanomassmall.jpg

Tres palabritas. Escríbanlas en sus libretitas, en las paredes, en el piso, en las calles, en todos los lugares donde puedan. Creen esas palabritas, y cuando en sus mentes ya tengan la seguridad de que ¡Ya no mas! entonces tomen acción.

Note for Spanish readers: if anyone needs to correct my Spanish, feel free to do so in the comments. Any improvement would be appreciated.
*Meme: noun; inflected form: -s; etymology: alteration of mimeme, from mim- (as in mimesis) + -eme: an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture. (Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002. http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com.)

UPDATE:Ed. It's important to point out that similar feelings and thoughts are already being expressed in the island prison as this report from Cubanet shows:

CIENFUEGOS, Cuba - August 2 (Alejandro Tur Valladares, Cubanacán Press / www.cubanet.org) - Colored strips of cardboard with caricatures and anti-government slogans were placed on benches in the Plaza de la Revolución.

According to Roberto Pérez, who saw the strips, one of them depicted a man with a gag over his mouth an the number 46, an apparent allusion to the number of years that Fidel Castro has been in power.

The park is well visited, especially by young people.

Update II: A big thank you to Dean Esmay, who is always first to say "Presente!"

Update III: In addition to Dean Esmay (Thank you, Dean - you are a mensch!) I would like to acknowledge other blogs who linked to the ¡Ya no mas! post (in alphabetical order):

A big THANK YOU to all of you!

Posted by George Moneo at August 4, 2005 08:31 AM |

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» Helping Spread A Meme: ¡Ya no mas! from Dean's World

I may just be an ugly American, but I'm happy to live in freedom and be able to say and do things like this:

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» 'YA NO MAS' FOR CUBA from Publius Pundit
Amid growing signs of discontent in Cuba now, George Moneo at Babalu blog proposes a new meme for Cubans on the island, to remind them and reinforce them that the vile Castro regime is over and it's time for the birth of freedom. His words, which he ur... [Read More]

Tracked on August 4, 2005 01:49 PM

» Cuba: Anti-Castro Bloggers Meme from Global Voices Online
George Moneo on Babalu Blog is trying to spread a bloggers’ meme to start a “I’ve Had Enough” campaign throughout the Cuban-American blogosphere. ... [Read More]

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» ¡Ya No Mas! from The Tears of Things
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» Old Reliable from HOG ON ICE
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» While we're on the subject from Not Exactly Rocket Science
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» ¡Ya no más!. Extiende la idea from Juan Freire
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» Ya No Mas from Brandon's Puppy
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» Ya No Mas (UPDATED) from Brandon's Puppy
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Comments

FROM ADMIN: Stefania, I posted your comment as its own post below this one. I felt it was important enough to place it on the main page. Thank you again for your wonderful support.

Posted by: Stefania at August 3, 2005 11:11 AM

Awesome George. I will find somewhere on my blog to place the meme permanently. Hopefully we can get the other Cuban-American bloggers to do the same.

Posted by: Robert at August 3, 2005 11:45 AM

Excellent idea George. Cubans are very creative and I am sure many are already saying certain things to each other that have anticastro meanings.

!Ya no mas! I like it.

Posted by: Jose Aguirre at August 3, 2005 12:15 PM

I've been waiting for this George. I believe it. Just wow.

Posted by: Kathleen at August 3, 2005 12:28 PM

I liked the idea. GOOD JOB!.
By the way, your spanish writing is very good indeed, I only found one or two mistakes:
Se dice "creánlas" and "crean", but this is not important, the key thing is the message, and that one is very valid.
Thanks.

Posted by: travolta at August 3, 2005 12:56 PM

Ya no mas!

Bien dicho Jorgito!

Boca-abajo (por las patas) con Fidel y Raulita!


Posted by: LaMaraca at August 3, 2005 03:56 PM

George:

It's perfect, man. The heels dug in. Catherine says, "Corners are crossroads." There's no way to go but forward.

Reading Babalu and the other Cuban blogs, I often think that we need to boogie, that reality will overtake our novel. No hay problema; we would gladly sacrifice it on the altar of Cuban freedom.

About armed insurrection --meaning gunpowder and worse-- I agree. But I'll give away one of the necessary tactics in our novel, to combat the chivatos, who we call Roaches in our book (because they come pouring out of their subsidized dormitories). In our book, whenever the chivatos come out to harrass dissidents or "guerrila capitalists" (unregistered vendors), small foursomes, armed with telescoping batons or special sticks, appear at the fringes and hit, run, and hide --the Highland way-- breaking some arms and legs, and then dispersing before the Roaches can counterattack. Then they have to tend the wounded. After a few such incidents, the Roaches become increasingly reluctant to leave their rooms. They are not being paid that much more than ordinary Cubans, after all.

Of course, it's only a novel.

Which I need to get back to. We'll be posting some more later today.

A free Cuba . . . it's not fiction.

Jerome du Bois

Posted by: Jerome du Bois at August 3, 2005 04:08 PM

George,
I sent you some highly specific feedback about this matter to your "universal" e-mail address.
Let me know what you think.
And in case everyone else is wondering, I, too, think it's a very good idea. Way to go, G!
Julio

Posted by: Julio C. Zangroniz at August 3, 2005 07:52 PM

Lovin' it George! The logo is up on our site and I think it should be emailed to as many anti-castro people/site/blogs as possible, as well as al the castro supporting sites (including fidel). It'll work better if we're in teams, so if your interested George, and if there are some email happy people out there, maybe we can coordinate a message, this logo, and a link to this post AND SPREAD THE WORD!

Posted by: Songuacassal at August 4, 2005 02:56 AM

Just to say that it should be más instead of mas, but I think the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language decided that it was easier (for everybody) using just mas.

Posted by: K-2 at August 4, 2005 06:08 AM

OJALA QUE ESTA SENCILLA FRASE TERMINE POR DESENCADENAR LA LUCHA FINAL Y DECISIVA DEL PUEBLO DE CUBA CONTRA ESTE GRAN TIRANO Y SU CAMARILLA DE LACAYOS Y LAMEBOTAS COMUNISTAS, CUBA NO PUEDE CONTINUAR SIENDO UNA "ISLA CARCEL" Y LA ALDEA PARTICULAR DE ESE DICTADOR, VIEJO, MENTIROSO,DECREPITO E HIJO DE PUTA, YA ES HORA DE QUE CUBA SE LEVANTE Y LO EXPULSE DE ESA TIERRA A PATADAS, NO HAY OTRA VIA.
MUERA FIDEL CASTRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: TOMMY at August 4, 2005 09:20 AM

This has the look of something BIG!!!!!
!Ya no mas!
Words turn into action!

Posted by: pototo at August 4, 2005 10:01 AM

Very well done, I believe to overcome oppression the cuban people need to rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed, Freedom is not easy and the cuban people have been spilling their blood for freedom. I will wait for the day my Cuban people in Cuba will chant this words,"FREE AT LAST,FREE AT LAST,THANKS GOD ALMIGHTY, WE ARE FREE AT LAST" I still believe that one day God will hear the cuban people's prayers and he will triumphant over Castro's oppression and unjustice and Bloodshed and will bring the goodwill of the land. Castro is not God, God is more powerful and he will proclaim justice and freedom in Cuba soon!"THOSE WHO DENY FREEDOM TO OTHERS DESERVE IT NOT FOR THEMSELVES" Abraham Lincoln.

Posted by: Alex at August 4, 2005 11:12 AM

Anyone remember the term "Solidarnosc"? It used to be everywhere.

Hey how do you put diatritics into your comments anyway?

Posted by: el bibliotecario at August 4, 2005 11:14 AM

George,

You inspire with your words. More importantly, you said the three words everyone already had in their hearts. I have linked your post permanently in my side bar, and posted the logo.

A see a movement starting! Keep getting the word out. This is important for the security of all Americans, it is important for the improvement of the economy in the region, and it is important to win the war on drugs. Mainly, it is important to all Americans because we are a nation of freedom, democracy and human rights endowed by the creator!

Ya no mas!!

~ Josue
http://latinoissues.blogspot.com

Posted by: Josue Sierra at August 4, 2005 11:22 AM

Thank you, Josue. Your words mean a lot. I just want what all of us want: libertad para Cuba. I will add you to the ¡Ya No Mas! blogroll list later today.

Posted by: George L. Moneo at August 4, 2005 11:45 AM

George- I love this, I have added this article to my blog. Thank you for your inspiration...

Posted by: Tremenda Trigueña at August 4, 2005 12:02 PM

Friends: some week ago I emailed Darsi Ferrer, Cuban dissident living in Cuba. Today he has replied to me and told that he wants to keep in touch.

I'd be good if you also send your message of support to him by contacting to his email address ( as you know, it may take a bit for him to reply you ).

darsiferrer@yahoo.com

Meantime, here are some photos of him and how he was attacked by regime's forces:

http://www.diarionoticubainternacional.com/desdecuba/DarsiFerrer.html

Posted by: Stefania at August 4, 2005 02:47 PM

I don't post about politics very often but I linked to this. All the best to the people of Cuba.

Posted by: Lynn S at August 4, 2005 06:18 PM

I´ve just posted the Ya no más message in my own blog, with slight modifications:

http://blogbis.blogspot.com/2005/08/tres-palabritas-ya-no-ms.html

Posted by: blogbis at August 4, 2005 06:27 PM

You should print up T-Shirts and sell them on your site.

Better yet, add the "!Yo No Mas!" to the 'babalu eyes' t-shirt...I think that would look very compelling in that it would add whole new dimension to the artwork...in a Mona Lisa kind of way.

Posted by: barbee at August 4, 2005 09:55 PM

EXACTAMENTO!
I hope my Spanish is correct. You're exactly right, a slogan, everywhere. Or a sign by using a small wormhead with eyes. Los Gusanos. Turn the hated term into a positive term; they've already made the term almost universal, so why not use it?

The signs that people are ready, that all they need is to feel that others all over the country feel the same way, that they have support, is enough to encourage them to turn the cucarachas out of office!

If he dies in office, he dies a hero! They'll give him a legendary hero's sendoff and the LA Times and NY Times will eulogize the punk as of he was the Second Coming of Christ, and 1958 will be the beginning of a new calendar, all things will start in that year for the Liberals. They'll build a masoleum for him that would defy an atom bomb, if they get the chance.

YA NO MAS
It's perfect. Now, make a list of his failures, which is just about everything in Cuba, beginning with the socialist Economy. Cuban workers average about 5 cents an hour, according to Dr. Caro. That's a good place to begin, isn't it George? I'll put it on my Blog too.

Posted by: Howarde at August 4, 2005 11:05 PM

I've added a post as well. Great idea. Denmark is infected with Tontos utiles (including unfortunately Cubanos), who spread the lies about Cuba. I'm working on a street based campain here in Copenhagen to counter it.

Posted by: Pelle at August 5, 2005 02:36 AM

"!Ya No Más!" is what I should like to hear Castro say when he's hung upside down from some lamppost in the near future. "But, he's too old," some might protest. Thankfully, you're never too old to experience pain.

Posted by: M.A.T. at August 7, 2005 02:46 PM