July 10, 2008

In Defense of Yoani

A couple of weeks ago, the regime in Havana launched a new effort to stall the efforts of Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez. The popularity of Sanchez’s blog and her inclusion in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people sparked fear within the dictatorship and led to access to her site from within the island being blocked. Around the same time, ailing Cuban dictator Fidel Castro released a new book titled “Fidel, Bolivia and Something More,” the preface of which makes direct mention of Sanchez and her efforts.

This begs the question – what should the reaction be should this brave young woman be directly threatened by the Cuban security apparatus? In response to a recent blog posting here on Babalu, I stated quite matter-of-factly, the need to respond directly to any provocations or threats made against Sanchez. Those individuals on the island who would do harm to this young woman need to understand that all of their actions will be reciprocated. Since I do not condone terrorist acts, what should this reaction be?

It goes without saying that any efforts to answer the regime’s potential actions against Sanchez would most surely need to be directed at Cuban officials and representatives working overseas in consulates, embassies and missions. While I will never stoop to the level of those thugs currently working on behalf of the dictatorship, there are ways to get the message across by non-violent means. One that immediately comes to mind would be what amounts to a blockade of entrances leading into Cuban “government” occupied buildings, thus preventing anyone from entering or exiting these establishments. This tactic was effectively used recently in Berkeley, California, where anti-war demonstrators blocked access to a military recruiting station for several days.

Staff vehicles are another easy mark for disabling. A few well-placed nails beneath the tires of said vehicles can do wonders – anyone with a mischievous childhood background is well aware of this. Diplomatic license plates make for well-marked, easy-to-ID vehicles and are fair targets.

Shame tactics are another possibility. Photographing these individuals and plastering the city’s in which they work with mug shots listing the crimes of the regimes beside their names and any other pertinent information should most certainly be considered.

The bottom line is, we should be ready to get creative without using violent means. It is quite easy to become mired in the same sort of self-destructive nature that has so thoroughly corrupted the morals of half-a-century worth of Cuban slave masters. Given the choice, I will always choose to be the shackled man as opposed to the whipping agent.

Posted by Anatasio Blanco at July 10, 2008 10:02 AM

Comments

After 50 years of being deprived of most human rights, ANY reaction would be welcomed! Sabotage against government owns would be a good start, but selective violence directed at their henchmen would also certainly be understood.

Posted by: Jose Aguirre [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 10, 2008 10:51 AM

Just a word of caution. Putting nails under tires is not a form non-violent protest.

Posted by: jsb [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 10, 2008 02:18 PM

LOL

OK, I'll give you that - "technically" you are correct.

I think it's good insurance to point that out. Thanks.

-AB

Posted by: CubaWatch [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 10, 2008 02:29 PM

"Given the choice, I will always choose to be the shackled man as opposed to the whipping agent."

Say there are three people, one is the shackled man, one the whipping agent, and one bystander. What should the bystander do?

Posted by: Ziva Sahl [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 10, 2008 03:28 PM

Z,

I sense you're going somewhere with this and am curious to find out.

My answer is to simply take the whip - though I sense I'm going to be surprised by your response.

-AB

Posted by: CubaWatch [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 10, 2008 03:30 PM

My answer is that the bystander has a moral obligation to stop the whipping agent by whatever means necessary. It is our responsibility to stop evil, and those who commit evil do not deserve our pity.

Posted by: Ziva Sahl [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 10, 2008 05:32 PM


You have reached an old version of a post at BabaluBlog.com, probably because a search engine referred you or you followed an old link. If you'd like to view this post at its new home you can do so by clicking here and searching for the post on our new site. Tip: Take note of the date of this post and use our calendar feature to find it in its new home.