Another Perspective on Cuba & Castro's Response to Obama (Middle Ground)
Still, his speeches address directly not just the flaws in the so-called "free market capitalism" of the united stated, but also the flaws of western and American preeminence, and the mindset of millions who have made the dollar their holy grail, and subscribe to The "America is the world's greatest nation" mentality, currently in vogue among the American Right.
These speeches by Castro are brilliant. But they still do not feed Cuba, nor garish support in the U.S.
While I do not agree for my far-right cousins in Miami, and find them as out of touch with reality as Castro is, I also find the current Cuban "revolutionary" rhetoric
Espoused by well-to-do middle class kids here in the United States, equally out of touch with reality. It's a pose on both sides. And ideal that is long dead. The Cuban American right wing wants to return to the "good old days" of plantations, and class power, and the misguided left here in California and New York dreams of a romantic return to the legendary days of Che (note the t-shirts and tattoos), Tania, and not only dress the part, but also adore traditional Son, and Nueva Trova music, while they fantasize about the romantic days of high adventure in Cuba. Many visit Cuba, but Very few attempt to apply for Cuban Citizen Status. (My family at my mother's prodding tried this in 1968, while we stayed in Vera Cruz Mexico, when she wanted us to live where my Father was born, in Matanzas, and were stonewalled by the Cuban government. )
News flash to the left:
The revolution is over.
You were never really a part of it. Go back to sipping your lattes, cruising the internet, jamming your MP3's, and accept that you, are part of a capitalist society, because you are, and no amount of Che t-shirts, Son music, and "revolutionary" posing will ever change that. You are American, and a product of capitalist society. Deal with it.
Castro is nearly on his death bed, and Cuba, like every other country in the world, will have to contend with the perils and pitfalls of capitalism. Mark my words. Ten years tops.
News flash to the Cuban right:
You'll never get your plantation back.
Cuba will never return to the idyllic land where blacks lived only to serve, and If you want anyone to believe that you have a better plan for Cuba, you can start by treating Black Cubans here in the United States, as well as you do Your own white Cuban cousins. You have acted in as patently a racist fashion as any other white group here in the United States.
There are some dirty secrets that few Cubans wish to address here, and that is Race, and class. Also skeletons in the closet of the left, (especially here in the bay area)
Race: when you are in Cuba, you are Cuban. At least that is the official governmental position. Racial equality and rights has long been a mainstay of Castro's party line. While there is still some division, between the vanishing Gallego class, (old Spanish and Creole blue bloods) and the Population that is considered "Mulato" or is of mostly African descent, it is downplayed, in favor of a "united socialist" population.
Then something happens.
These Cubans come to the United States and a sudden and remarkable change occurs.
The suddenly become WHITE or BLACK Cuban Americans.
I challenge anyone to find even ONE black face among all the protesters filmed during the Elián González affair in 2000. You won't
Reason: Black Cubans, once they arrive automatically become part of the American Black immigrant underclass. Most black Cubans live in places Like Overton, while the Haitian and Dominican black populations. Black Cubans are not welcomed, nor embraced openly by white Cubans in Miami. This is a holdover from plantation times, and a Spanish colonial mindset that has only festered in the Deep South (you can't get any deeper south then Florida) and with the help of rabid right wing groups like "brothers to the rescue" (they should be more aptly named "White Cuban brothers to the rescue") and other far right American organizations.
Accepting the reality of the situation for both sides has proven difficult for nearly everyone involved. Cuban exiles, leftist activists, the American and Cuban governments, and the free press at large.
Change will not come from these tired old models. Change will not come from romanticizing. Change will only come from moderation. And anyone not willing to moderate, and compromise in this situation, will only be revealing themselves as part of the problem. A problem that leave Cubans Both in Cuba and Here in the united states out in the cold, and without a promising future.
Think about it.
Piero Amadeo Infante
Piero Amadeo Infante
Interesting article. After several Decades, This man, who once embodied the very essence of social change and progress, has now become a stodgy old man, out of touch with a younger generation of Cubans, their needs, and their dreams for a better Cuba.
You see, after more than 30 years, Castro has still not delivered on his promise for a prosperous Cuba. In truth, it was never his to deliver. Make no Mistake. I love the man for what he USED to represent, but now he is as status quo for his situation, as John McCain is for ours. Out of touch, single-minded, resistant to change, and a sad caricature of his glory days, as the firebrand who stood against the mightiest nation on earth and held his ground.
Interesting article. After several Decades, This man, who once embodied the very essence of social change and progress, has now become a stodgy old man, out of touch with a younger generation of Cubans, their needs, and their dreams for a better Cuba.
You see, after more than 30 years, Castro has still not delivered on his promise for a prosperous Cuba. In truth, it was never his to deliver. Make no Mistake. I love the man for what he USED to represent, but now he is as status quo for his situation, as John McCain is for ours. Out of touch, single-minded, resistant to change, and a sad caricature of his glory days, as the firebrand who stood against the mightiest nation on earth and held his ground.
Still, his speeches address directly not just the flaws in the so-called "free market capitalism" of the united stated, but also the flaws of western and American preeminence, and the mindset of millions who have made the dollar their holy grail, and subscribe to The "America is the world's greatest nation" mentality, currently in vogue among the American Right.
These speeches by Castro are brilliant. But they still do not feed Cuba, nor garish support in the U.S.
While I do not agree for my far-right cousins in Miami, and find them as out of touch with reality as Castro is, I also find the current Cuban "revolutionary" rhetoric
Espoused by well-to-do middle class kids here in the United States, equally out of touch with reality. It's a pose on both sides. And ideal that is long dead. The Cuban American right wing wants to return to the "good old days" of plantations, and class power, and the misguided left here in California and New York dreams of a romantic return to the legendary days of Che (note the t-shirts and tattoos), Tania, and not only dress the part, but also adore traditional Son, and Nueva Trova music, while they fantasize about the romantic days of high adventure in Cuba. Many visit Cuba, but Very few attempt to apply for Cuban Citizen Status. (My family at my mother's prodding tried this in 1968, while we stayed in Vera Cruz Mexico, when she wanted us to live where my Father was born, in Matanzas, and were stonewalled by the Cuban government. )
News flash to the left:
The revolution is over.
You were never really a part of it. Go back to sipping your lattes, cruising the internet, jamming your MP3's, and accept that you, are part of a capitalist society, because you are, and no amount of Che t-shirts, Son music, and "revolutionary" posing will ever change that. You are American, and a product of capitalist society. Deal with it.
Castro is nearly on his death bed, and Cuba, like every other country in the world, will have to contend with the perils and pitfalls of capitalism. Mark my words. Ten years tops.
News flash to the Cuban right:
You'll never get your plantation back.
Cuba will never return to the idyllic land where blacks lived only to serve, and If you want anyone to believe that you have a better plan for Cuba, you can start by treating Black Cubans here in the United States, as well as you do Your own white Cuban cousins. You have acted in as patently a racist fashion as any other white group here in the United States.
There are some dirty secrets that few Cubans wish to address here, and that is Race, and class. Also skeletons in the closet of the left, (especially here in the bay area)
Race: when you are in Cuba, you are Cuban. At least that is the official governmental position. Racial equality and rights has long been a mainstay of Castro's party line. While there is still some division, between the vanishing Gallego class, (old Spanish and Creole blue bloods) and the Population that is considered "Mulato" or is of mostly African descent, it is downplayed, in favor of a "united socialist" population.
Then something happens.
These Cubans come to the United States and a sudden and remarkable change occurs.
The suddenly become WHITE or BLACK Cuban Americans.
I challenge anyone to find even ONE black face among all the protesters filmed during the Elián González affair in 2000. You won't
Reason: Black Cubans, once they arrive automatically become part of the American Black immigrant underclass. Most black Cubans live in places Like Overton, while the Haitian and Dominican black populations. Black Cubans are not welcomed, nor embraced openly by white Cubans in Miami. This is a holdover from plantation times, and a Spanish colonial mindset that has only festered in the Deep South (you can't get any deeper south then Florida) and with the help of rabid right wing groups like "brothers to the rescue" (they should be more aptly named "White Cuban brothers to the rescue") and other far right American organizations.
Accepting the reality of the situation for both sides has proven difficult for nearly everyone involved. Cuban exiles, leftist activists, the American and Cuban governments, and the free press at large.
Change will not come from these tired old models. Change will not come from romanticizing. Change will only come from moderation. And anyone not willing to moderate, and compromise in this situation, will only be revealing themselves as part of the problem. A problem that leave Cubans Both in Cuba and Here in the united states out in the cold, and without a promising future.
Think about it.
Piero Amadeo Infante
