The canistel fruit or El Dorado
My grandmother told me about it with the same rapture that, decades earlier, her parents had spoken of the old dream of El Dorado. She divulged that its mass was between yellow and orange, dry at first bite but pleasant and soft once inside the mouth. Her favorite game consisted of explaining the canistel fruit to me, as there is nothing more difficult than understanding the taste of something you’ve never tried. “Ana, what does it taste like?” I asked, because only a comparison would help me capture the aroma of this fruit that was missing from my life. “Like a mamey, but richer,” was the laconic phrase she managed to dig up before falling silent.
Many of my generation knew certain flavors by hearsay, described by those whose memories have stored the tempting taste of the loquat, the star apple, the marañón or cashew apple, and the guava. This ability to activate our taste buds with something we had never chewed helped us during the hardest years of the Special Period.* On the rusted iron bunk at the student hostel in Alquizar, I regaled a group of girls with what these fruits—which they had never heard of or tried—were like. The story was repeated weekly in an extemporaneous discussion group, where the principle themes were “sex and food,” the latter being the true obsession of all the fifteen year old girls gathered there.
Time passed and a week ago my mother showed up at the house with three canistels. She had bought them from a farmer for more than a full day’s wages. I thought first of Ana, who died more than twenty years ago and who, in the last decades of her life, never saw the golden roundness she so much longed for. Teo took the first bite and made a rare gesture before confirming, “It’s like a mamey.” Then he went back to his room without seeing the indecision on my face. To try it or not to try it? And what if it’s not like what I’d been told? Happily, it turned out to be the equal of that canistel which—while we both salivated—my grandmother had regaled me with.
Translator’s note
Special Period: The years after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the loss of its financial support for Cuba. It was named by Fidel Castro as “A Special Period in a Time of Peace.”
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 12:24
@#55
Cubans in Cuba are NOT cowards!
For all you know there is more going on than what we know in this side of the isle.
Perhaps the courage is hidden by the necessity of survival, from the hope for change, thru the faith in God …
I don’t think nor I belive Cubans to be cowards; to speak of how to live under the cover of the impunity allowed by living in another place out of reach from the regime is easy.
After one is “out” bravery and courage grows eh”
In Cuba all precautions are observed: “watch how you talk in front of the children (even your own) watch for the neighbor’s ears, watch for the passer, for the store keeper’s ears, careful what you say to your “comanero at work” …”
So what does it take to survive in a state of paranoia?
Cowardice? I know not!
It takes courage to get up everyday, to the same poverty, to the same denigrations, to the same abuses and to keep on living while secretly: whithin the folds of your mind you think, you feel … you know there is a better way of living to be had and made.
All this is fueled by hope, you know that tomorrow will be better eventually … coward’s words and wishes?
No, Cubans are not cowards !!!
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 11:38
Julio:
Perhaps Cuba is not at the front of the line (not even in the middle) in the attention of the world leaders.
There is no sufficient economic value to the transaction ahead.
There is not that many people sufferenig in the island.
The regime is predictable in its actions & reactions.
But … the voices are getting stronger & loude; the web IS the most important tool for freedom we must use it!
It can not be silenced, to big; it can not be sensored, to powerful; it can not be controlled, to far reaching.
The threat to the regime is not from within; is from anywhere in the world, is from the fear of being “hacked”; from the fear of the unquestionable truths, from the realization that their own lies no longer hold fast.
Since they monitor (as they have to) this blog & others, the circle of people working for them to do so is getting larger; the paranoia of the regime is proportionally getting worse as well.
Who controls & monitors the controllers … who can they trust how many ?
Control you see: that is their key for this beasts … it is getting harder & more complicated to mantain.
Lets push them harder, lets find their dirty laundry, lets engage their “talking boxes” lets push them from everywhere to the corner where they will have to do something … wh knows … give up … as for mercy …
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 14:37
FORGOT THE LINK TO POST BELOW! HERE IT IS!
WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE: U.S. government contractor arrested by Cuban officials
http://www.washingtonpost.com/.....01549.html
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 14:29
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARREST OF THE AMERICAN CITIZEN ARRESTED IN CUBA!!
WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE: U.S. government contractor arrested by Cuban officials
“Consular officers with the U.S. Interest Section in Havana are seeking access to the detainee, who was arrested Dec. 5. The specific charges have not been made public, though under Cuban law, a Cuban citizen or a foreign visitor can be arrested for nearly anything under the claim of “dangerousness.”
All so-called counter-revolutionary activities, which include mild protests and critical writings, carry the risk of arrest. Anti-government graffiti and speech are considered serious crimes.
Cuba has a fledging blogging community, led by the popular commentator Yoani Sánchez, who often writes about how she and her husband are followed and harassed by government agents. Sánchez has repeatedly applied for permission to leave the country to accept awards but has been denied permission. ”
“”The arrest and detention are clearly wrong. An activity that in any other open society would be legal — giving away free cellphones — is in Cuba a crime,” said Jose Miguel Vivanco, director of the Americas program of the group Human Rights Watch, which recently issued a tough report on freedoms in Cuba called “New Castro, Same Cuba,” a reference to the installation of Raul Castro as the leader of the country to replace his ailing older brother Fidel. “
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 14:26
Humberto, it’s actually very easy to donate money to support Yoani and independent Cuban bloggers.
Click on the ‘How to Help’ button above. After reading the text (the money is mostly used by the bloggers to pay for internet access at tourist hotels), click on the yellow ‘donar’ button at the bottom of the page.
Click in the amount you wish to donate (payable in Euros) and the country in which you are located, and press the update button. When I entered ‘Canada’ as my country, the form automatically changed to English.
Fill in the rest of the required fields including credit card information, press the submit button and you’re done. Within minutes, you will receive an email confirming your donation. No need to even have your own Pay Pal account. The donations are coordinated by a friend of Yoani’s in Europe, the same person who hosts the website you and I read and comment on.
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 13:52
Nobody should be astonished if he knows that giving away computers, telephones, books, etc, etc, is something forbidden and against the laws established in Cuba.
Nobody should be astonished, if by the very ideology implanted by Castro and his mafia gang, the essence of life, the main reason for living that is FREEDOM!!!!!, is prohibited, repressed and humiliated until the duration of this diabolical system!!!!, and has been like that for almost 51 years!!!
Candido
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 13:50
Go to How to Help tab
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 13:43
I DID NOT KNOW YOU CAN DONATE MONEY DIRECTLY TO YOANI AND HER FRIENDS!
Where do I go for that?
Humberto
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 13:36
Its my impression that Cuba is getting close to boiling point again.
It will be wise for Obama’s administration to be mindful of this fact since usually for them when they get to boiling point they let people go in masses to US.
You can see the attacks to the ladies in white by the repressive forces of the government.
The use of violence against pacific people. They are loosing ground rapidly.
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 12:41
Hank, I agree. These prohibitions are ridiculous, and obviously designed to maintain the regime’s monopoly on all forms of communication.
And I’m as guilty as the fellow from Development Alternatives, because earlier this week I made a donation to Yoani’s PayPal account using the ‘How to Help’ donation form above.
Catch me if you can, agents of Cuban state security. LOL.
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 12:18
… his PERSONAL cell phone… not his “person cell phone”…
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 12:17
About distributing cell phones and computers… and other things.
I am far from the expert on this but I seem to remember reading somewhere that yes, it is forbidden to give any technology to Cubans, and I think it is formally forbidden to give books. And a lot of other things.
So:
1 — we have no idea if this supposed cell-phone-giver-outer person even exists.
2 — if he’s a real person we don’t know if he was giving out cell phones etc.
3 — if he was giving out “cell phones and computers” we don’t know if that means he loaned his person cell phone to a friend to make a single call… or something more than that.
4 — if he was actually giving out cell phones etc., we don’t know under whose auspices he was doing it.
2a — and we don’t know if he’s an American.
2b — maybe he’s a she
5 — we don’t know whether or not he was arrested
6 — if he was arrested, we don’t know if it was for giving out cell phones… maybe he was drunk and punched a cop…
7 — in other words, we know nothing. It’s all based on news reports. Who was there? Who saw it? Who told the NYTimes reporter about it.
I’m waiting… for a little confirmation.
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 12:05
Cuba commemorate ALBA’s Fifth Anniversary, with greatest achievement and remarks, like; after these past 50 years, Cuba is able to trade a wide range of professional services in exchange of 11 millions mouth to feed, incapable of producing any basic food products for their own sustainability. Likewise, as many other goals, ALBA’s economy project aims to replace the actual free market capitalist economy, responsible for feeding latin-american, in the next 50 years for another 100 millions professionals capable of trading services to the rest of the world in exchange of basic food products to feed these countries when the times comes, if we all don’t perish by 2012, LOL, just look like a joke, jajajajajajaja.
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 11:50
John Two,
Thank you for your rational analysis. There are a lot of things I do not understand about this, so any light you can shed on the topic is much appreciated. It is important to get these facts right and know the details. I agree with you.
But, won’t you agree with me that based on the NYT report, the fundamental fact remains…a person who was distributing free stuff in Cuba got arrested because he was distributing free stuff. Does that make any sense? Does his affiliation with an NGO or otherwise make any difference at all? Or is the problem that he was distributing computers, cell phones and the like. We have seen from Regina’s website that this is discouraged, maybe even prohibited.
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 11:48
Guys
I did not know that youtube has and automatic translate of captions to english
you can access that on the right bottom corner. Of course the translation will not be very good since it is machine translation. We are still working in a good human translation.
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 11:25
Hank and Humberto, I’ll await further information before drawing conclusions about the Development Alternatives worker detained in Cuba.
As the article points out Development Alternatives works legally in dozens of Latin American, Asian and African countries doing grassroots development work. And there’s a difference between receiving contracts or funds from the US Government to support development work (many NGOs do), and having US Government authorization to distribute cellphones and laptops in Cuba. What we don’t know yet is whether the US Government authorized this, or whether the DA worker was freelancing with or without the okay of his organization.
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 11:10
Humberto #53
Good point! I missed it entirely. Why would anyone be arrested for giving stuff away freely to anyone at random? That makes absolutely NO SENSE at all! I challenge anyone to name one country (ok, except maybe North Korea and Burma) where you can be ARRESTED for giving stuff to people for free. If I were to go right now to the downtown where I live and start giving away computers, cell phones and stuff like that, I might make the news, but it would be in a GOOD LIGHT. What kind of nutty craziness is this?? Just another example of the INSANITY that exists there - IN CUBA. Ninety miles away from the US.
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 11:05
MRWICH0305 and cubanDOCTOR, those young people in the video are speaking out courageously and deserve the support and solidarity of those of us not living in Cuba. They - along with others on the island who stand for human rights - will be the catalysts for democratic change, not us.
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 10:17
http://vocescubanas.com/desdel.....-historia/
This one is in Spanish but is incredible.
it relates the story of a man whose niece died and for the funeral they are allowed to have only two floral arrangements! and the coffin was like 3 feet larger than the body. The mother was asking to talk to one of the independent reporters.
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 10:02
MR… THEY are coward, they are afraid of to be out of the society, waiting a miracle to abandon Hitlerist system which swallow everyone who opposite it: look at the political prisoner, look at the beaten for nothing… just look at.
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 09:57
great video Humberto, I enjoy it a lot. It give me more hope than tons of words, spoken in since Miami
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 09:49
Cowards Nothing but cowards look in the eyes of those kids. Im cuban american but im not proud of being one im full of shame, sadness & disappointment ! I rather die on my feet then to live on my knees!!! cubans in cuba are cowards
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 08:49
THANKS TO JOEL GARCIA! HERE ARE THE KIDS AGAIN ASKING FOR SOME DIGNITY!
(Segunda Parte) Protesta alumnos del ISA el 22 de octubre del 2009 Habana Cuba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
Segunda parte de la protesta de los estudiantes del Instituto Superior de Arte en la habana Cuba el 22 de octubre del 2009, los alumnos dan la cara ante los decanos del instituto, le refutan argumentos y dicen verdades enormes, si bien al final del video, en el discurso de unos de los muchachos ahĂ un poco de retĂłrica “revolucionaria” no es menos cierto que es normal que metan retĂłrica, están hablando delante de decanos, de gente con poder, ellos solo son estudiantes y todos sabemos que en Cuba si te sales de la retĂłrica y hablas directamente las consecuencias son graves (recordar aquel alumno de la UCI que puso contra las cuerdas al mismĂsimo Ricardo AlarcĂłn con la excusa de que querĂa ir a Bolivia a ver donde muriĂł el Che), en el mejor de los casos serian expulsados del instituto.
YOU TUBE VIDEO - click below
http://uncubanoencanarias.blog.....-cuba.html
“On October 22, 2009 several students from the Arts Institute in Havana were tired, tired of eating the same crap food every day, in a platic tray as a dish with a little pea, a little rice and a small portion of soy meat. In an act of spontaneity they mounted a protest on this issue, but then it turned into a claim fo…r the most basic human rights such as dignity and freedom.”
“El 22 de octubre del 2009 varios estudiantes de el Instituto Superior de Artes de La Habana se cansaron, se cansaron de comer la misma porquerĂa todos los dĂas, en una bandeja de plástico (seguro que China pues antes eran de aluminio) un poco de chicharo, un poco de arroz y una pequeña porciĂłn de picadillo de soya.
En un acto de espontaneidad inédito (al menos para mi) se montó una protesta en torno a este tema, pero luego derivo en un reclamo por los derechos humanos mas básicos como el derecho a la dignidad y la libertad.
Espero disfruten (como yo) ver como dentro de Cuba algo esta cambiando, la gente esta perdiendo el miedo a expresarse y los Ăłrganos represores cada vez abarcan menos con la informaciĂłn que un simple telĂ©fono mĂłvil puede hacer.”
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 08:38
HANK,
The oddest part is why should a man be arrested for beign SANTA CLAUS! Now maybe it was a case of mistaken identity since is too hot in Cuba to wear that suit.
Humberto
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 06:56
This reminds me so of all good things lost,the things i never saw but heard of from my father,irrespective whether they would be practical now or not.They’re usually lost to lack of appreciation,or neglect,or they’re lost to extinction of their enviourment. I envy my father who told me of times when riding a bike was possible;when danger & crime were less;when make up was strictly for special occasions;& when people still talked to eachother-_-
Diciembre 12th, 2009 at 01:38
Humberto, #50
This is a bizarre story.
A “United States government contract worker, who was distributing cellphones, laptops and other communications equipment in Cuba on behalf of the Obama administration…”
Really? How did he get all those things into Cuba? How did HE get into Cuba? And what is a US government contract worker doing there in the first place? This is odd.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 23:18
NEW YORK TIMES: Cuba Detains a U.S. Contractor
HAVANA — A United States government contract worker, who was distributing cellphones, laptops and other communications equipment in Cuba on behalf of the Obama administration, has been detained by the authorities here, American officials said Friday.
Cuba has allowed more citizens than ever to buy cellphones and computers, but even the limited access to digital technology that is available has created problems for the government. Cuban officials have shown particular concern about Yoani Sánchez, a prominent government critic who keeps in touch with thousands of followers with a blog and a Twitter account.
Recently, the Cuban government denied Ms. Sánchez a visa to accept a prestigious journalism award in New York. President Obama has also made a guest appearance on her blog, sending written answers to questions she submitted to him.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12.....2cuba.html
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 22:17
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT! AS MONTY PYTHON WOULD SAY!
Salsa dancing British granny Paddy Jones wins Spain’s Got Talent
YOU TUBE VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
“With a series of shimmies, flips and slides, Mrs Jones, originally from Stourbridge, West Midlands, won the Spanish equivalent of Britain’s Got Talent with an acrobatic salsa routine, winning her and her partner — 40 years her junior — the first prize of €10,000 (ÂŁ9,100) and whatever other fortune her new-found fame can bring.
Dressed in a tight, dark-blue dress, the demure British grandmother wowed the audience on the Spanish television programme Tu Si Que Vales (You Are Worth It) and left the judges alternately open-mouthed or holding their heads in their hands as she was flipped over her partner’s head and through his legs, sliding around the dance floor like someone a third of her age. ”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/t.....951839.ece
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 21:24
GUARDIAN UK ARTICLE:Castro supporters clash with Cuban dissidents on human rights marches
Pro-government groups target relatives calling for liberty of Cuban political prisoners
“Hundreds of government supporters have jostled and jeered Cuban dissidents who staged two small marches in Havana to mark Human Rights Day.
The crowds, who chanted pro-Castro slogans, also targeted a British diplomat who attended the smaller of the two marches as an observer, surrounding and banging on his car until police intervened.
The incidents happened yesterday after a 30-strong group of female relatives of political prisoners ‑ known as “the ladies in white” ‑ marched through the capital chanting “liberty”. They carried flowers, Cuban flags and copies of the universal declaration of human rights.
A crowd of about 250 people surrounded them and shouted “traitors” and “the street belongs to Fidel”, a reference to the communist leader who ceded power last year to his brother Raul.
“How can it be possible that they won’t let us walk in the streets on this day?” Melba Santana Ariz, whose husband has been held as a political prisoner since 2003, told Reuters. “There are no human rights here.”"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worl.....dissidents
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 21:14
If any of you do not see spanish caption rememeber to turn it on
in the bottom right corner of the video
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 20:50
Ok my friends here is the version of the students protest with spanish close caption
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNmH1-Icv7A
I will post another version with english close caption soon
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 20:35
IN MY OPINION, FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND THOSE SOCIAL NETWORKING SYSTEMS ARE THE KEY!
Putting pictures, links to articles, letters etc in places were they can be seen and passed on. I hit several blogs with my info. and post it on Facebook page. That is a good start. Make it personal!
Humberto Capiro
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 20:05
Humberto,
Thank you for posting the information in #43. This is very important. How can we, here collectively, do something about this using the blogosphere? Let’s brainstorm.
I will start… How about setting up websites, blogs or whatever you wish to call them to draw attention to the people who are suffering these atrocities. We can post photographs of these people, they are real human beings. We can also post letters from family members. We can post letters from the prisoners themselves. We can post any official records that exist related to their prosecution and sentencing. What else?
After we set up these websites, then what? Why not invite people to look at the websites. Ok, how do we do that? Advertising? Emails?
Suggestions…
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 19:11
THESE ARE THE TOP 5 COUNTRIES JAILING JOURNALISTS! RECOGNIZE A CARIBBEAN ISLAND? China: 24 Iran: 23 Cuba: 22 Eritrea: 19 This list includes 22 journalists jailed in Cuba with a brief story of their case.
COMMITEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS (CPJ) finds jump in imprisonments At least 136 journalists all over the world are now in jail, a nine percent increase over 2008. CPJ’s census of imprisoned journalists shows that freelancers and online journalists are increasingly vulnerable.
http://www.cpj.org/imprisoned/2009.php
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 17:10
Concubino.
I do not understand why you have to try to mock me or offend me.
I am just a simple man with my pro’s and contra’s trying to put in writing my views and experiences.
And yes, everytime I see a cuban on a raft desperate risking their lives to freedom, or others like the kids in the ISA being so brave and so wonderful human beings putting themselves in danger for freedom, my heart gets broken and tears come to my eyes(and by now I can assure you I do not cry easyly). But I love my country and feel their suffering.
And this is my last comment in this site. Good luck!!
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 16:45
Julio.
We make it look like Yoani and this kids are the only ones in Cuba fighting back, they just got filmed, and I am all but with them on their fight.
But we can not denied the fact that thousands and thousands of us there have been fighting that dictatorship throughout the years.
When the horrifying years of the UMAP’s, it was cubans in the island the ones that did not stop going to church, of celebrating Elegua with that sounded “tambor” facing harrasment, jail and loosing their jobs and schools.
There were only maybe 50 in church at the begining, until we filled those churches and those tambores were heard all over the towns, then the dictator lose the battle and have to make concesions and allow publicly all religions in our dayly life.
Thousands have been jailed for talking openly against the abuse through all this terrible years in Cuba, gays and lesbians did not go in the closet and were jailed for years when they introduce the terrible “peligrosidad law” but they survive and went out again with dignity and did not accept to be pushed into the dark.
Now the goverment has to accept them and it’s trying to make up for all the abuse through a public campaign to totally integrate homosexuals into the cuban society.
Cubans have been fighting, we have not take it without a fight. We have Yoani now and many others. Just el tirano is too strong and I firmly believe we do not want violence, we do not want to kill each other, no matter our differences.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 16:40
The idea on the speech is that sometimes non violence is possible and best solution while some other times war is the only recourse. In our case we have no choice but to used non violence resistance against the regime.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 16:34
I know that Concubino but the only path we have is that one.
Force failed against the regime before.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 16:30
All I can do for them Julio is to talk from my own experiences to every cuban in the island I know and let them know my views on the danger of leading their struggle for change to go in the direction of a system like the one in the US.
I try to get everyone I know to get back to school, and no matter how bad the situation is, to study hard and even harder now that is still free, becuase that will help them to be better human beings and create a better society.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 16:13
Julio
Comment #30 takes the whole idea of the President’s speech out of context. The main idea of the speech was this…
“But as a head of state sworn to protect and defend my nation, I cannot be guided by their examples alone. I face the world as it is, and cannot stand idle in the face of threats to the American people. For make no mistake: evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler’s armies. Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda’s leaders to lay down their arms. To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism - it is a recognition of history; the imperfections of man and the limits of reason.”
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-.....eace-prize
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 15:27
El peor es el mal-nombrado sitio “cubadebate”. Alla publican poco que no concuerda con su version euforica de la realidad cubana.
Creo que la re-eleccion de los que nos gobiernan es algo negativo. Si queremos “gobierno del pueblo”, que gobiernen una vez y ya.
Ya mejore mi nueva pagina- espero que les guste. Aqui unos ejemplos:
“Our Revolution practices the democratic principle, but it’s a humanistic democracy. Humanism means that, to satisfy man’s material needs it’s not necessary to sacrifice the dearest desires of man, which are his freedoms.”
“Nuestra Revolución practica el principio democrático, mas es una democracia humanista. El humanismo significa que, para satisfacer las necesidades materiales del hombre no es necesario sacrificar los deseos mas acariciados del hombre, que son sus libertades.”
“Neither bread without freedom, nor freedom without bread. Nor human dictatorship.”
“Ni pan sin libertad, ni libertad sin pan. Ni dictadura humana.”
“I don’t agree with communism. We are democracy. We are against all kinds of dictators… That is why we oppose communism.”
“No concuerdo con el comunismo. Somos democracia. Estamos en contra de toda clase de dictador….Por eso nos oponemos al comunismo.”
“….I have supreme confidence in public opinion and in freedom of the press….”
“….tengo suprema confianza en la opinión pública y en la libertad de prensa….”
(Citas de Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz - http://www.reflexionesdefidel.info )
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 15:24
Re #33
Julio–again I agree–but I also think that we all can be that power hungry person–I think there is an inner-Castro in all of us Cubans, especially those of us who who left the island early on–anyone in Castro’s generation certainly developed his or her political ideas in the same milieu–we have to recognize our proclivity as Cubans to stop others from voicing opinions when they differ from our own. We love the idea of democracy and freedom, but the truth is (at least I believe) we have not yet perfected the practice–ironically, dissidents living in the hell of Cuba’s repression seem to be getting it right–will the rest of us who enjoin so many freedoms outside of Cuba get it, as well?
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 15:18
Can someone enlighten me…I am new to the blogosphere…I posted a critical comment (critical to the Cuban regime) on Yohandry’s blog, which seems to me to be a government blog, and immediately my comment was deleted and my computer blocked from posting further. This only confirms my suspicion, but I was wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 15:15
HEFA,
yes we do need protection against power hungry people like the Castros we can do that by rebuilding the Cuban civil society and placing human rights at the top of constitutional guaranties in Cuba. Making term limits mandatory. So that none can do the same. Our time is coming, our time for freedom is near. The regime knows it and that is why it is acting with repression.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 14:34
I posted the video on my face book page and some of my friends have posted it on their face book page also the news is spreading!
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 14:01
@#30
Julio
as always dead on “the head of the nail”
Until the realization of its futility … with violence nothing changed, it did not make a difference then and things remain the same after.
Only the pain & the resentment remain.
It does not meassure the man, it does not benefit either even if there is such a thing as a time or a place for it.
Nevertheless … is at times unavoidable, when that time happens then is when the choice is made, perhaps then the patern can be broken …
In MLK speach … he was not affraid … he saw the … he accepted he may not get there … still he obeyed …
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 13:23
This is out of Obama speech acepting the Nobel
“Violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem: it merely creates new and more complicated ones.” As someone who stands here as a direct consequence of Dr. King’s life’s work, I am living testimony to the moral force of nonviolence. I know there is nothing weak — nothing passive — nothing naive — in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King.”
This moral force of nonviolence is the power we have against the Cuban regime.
Following the ideas of Gandhi and Martin Luther King we are on the right path to freedom.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 13:18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ1SZ80ptNs
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 12:45
ANOTHER GREAT YOU TUBE POSTING FROM JOEL GARCIA:
TELEMUNDO PIECE ON Acts of repudiation in Cuba, on the day of Human Rights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....tube_gdata
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 12:33
Julio–I agree with you–we are all born with freedom or the yearning for freedom. We are also born with other, less noble desires and these we must acknowledge in ourselves to ensure they don’t overcome the desire for freedom. The lust for power, especially power over others is also born in us to one degree or another. If Cuba is really to move past the century-long nightmare it has lived we all have to learn this lesson–while the last 50 years have been the worst, the 50 years before that did not prepare us well for the likes of the Castros.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 12:11
HEFA we have talk about it before. Freedom is something we all are born with. There is no amount of brain washing that will take it away. Is a consequence of free will.
We all seem to be free willing people.
Some more than other but we all have it.
Repression is unnatural to humans. And nature does find its normal course eventually.
We rather hope they do find their natural course sooner than later so we most help in any way we can.
The simplest way we can help is by spreading the news about this things happening in Cuba with friends and family or using social media on the internet, blogs, face book , tweeter etc.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 11:49
Albert–thank you for your response to my postings. I think you are right–Cuba will be a big news story when the old, babbling, toothless man finally dies. There is a portion of the world that is still enamored with the idea of the idealist young revolutionary–unfortunately, these people after January 1, 1959 went on to the next cause cĂ©lèbre, feeling that Cuba was now taken care of they went on to the next “let’s-feel-good-about-ourselves-by-celebrating-the-little-brown-people’s-struggles party.” The truth, however, cannot be hidden forever–history is full of examples of demagogues who were finally revealed for what they were–the Castros and their ilk are no different. Let’s see what the expert pundits have to say on that day!
Man’s yearning for freedom is as innate as our need to breathe–this can’t be stopped or eliminated anymore than our need for food or water can be. The young man in the school video is evidence of that–and the best part of this is that the old baboso’s lackey’s cannot do anything to stop it! The Revolution creted him! He is the new man!
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 11:16
Here is a story posted today on the BBC about protests in Cuba.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8407276.stm
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 11:12
Andy#9
Probably nothing happened.That’s why EHB and PD are not following through on that story.Probably PD knew of that video a while ago and decided not to posted in its website.Why?I’m wondering..
Julio mentioned that foreign media do great a disservice to the Cubans by not following the real story behind the real people like these students at ISA.I agree with that,but is also true that some Cubans living outside of Cuba who have a great access to the information inside the Island choose not to break any news to us because somehow it does not serve their agenda .
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 09:37
“Cubano”
With “TEARS” in my eyes, with my “HEART” tearing apart and with my “deepest regrets”, I have no choice but to ask you this…
Are you an impostor or a real cubano?
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 08:14
Cubano
“With the terrible repression in Cuba, we cubans have to get together and fight”
yes you are right get together unity is not time to see where we differ we will be able to exercise differences in freedom.
As for this
“Now, after this, are you going to start making the selection of who is what on that group, race, social class, gay, straight, going to Malecon after hours to make that dollar?”
I think you got the wrong impression about me. I do not discriminate people in any way. So let us help this kids. We are planning to make the same video with English subtitles so English speaking people can see it.
What are you doing for them?
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 07:50
I was thinking … t
To borrow from Cantinflas oops! sorry guevara’s foco theory …
The intent was (If I understood his point) to apply pressure and attain change.
The execution needed a blend of military strategy with political intentions (inspired by the knowledgable elite).
This would (his theory) initiate the movement towards a political goal without the support of the masses (at its beginings).
All this under the assumption that violence IS the only tool, not even of last resort but of a confrontaion norrowly focused in one goal: power.
I realize I just condensed (hopefully accurately) a ton of the clown’s ideas.
His only military training & experience derived from a veteran of the Spanish wars.
One of the problems for this type of “actions: is the disregard for context and for the people.
The other is the “imposition” of ideals without the opinin of the people and the trust from the people, to be crated not by impulse & demagogery but by well thought & placed plans, ahead of time, not after the fact by a knee jerk” decision.
The difference, yesterday and today … (I think) is that the basic quest for freedom is devoid of intellectual postulations & definitions is what inspires the move away from the present regime, any regime.
It seems all dictators and their lackies fall under the same spell of infalibility
and self justification of higher mind and inspiration.
The movement of today, the quest for freedom is supported from within by the weight of its just aim & inspiration, it has a consensus among a growing group called “the dissidents” if not worse.
It has world wide exposure and it does not owes its existency to impunity (which they don’t have) but in its right foundations it seeks help without asking, it has a very good posibility of success by being simple in its postulation.
The need for freedom I think is visceral, as the need for breathing …
It can’t be stopped because of mans individuality, becasue you can for man to do just about anything but you can’t force man to think “away” from freedom.
Even with the most sofisticated methods there is never a certainty …
So I was thinking … it will work, it will take time, it will cause suffering … but it will come …
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 07:07
Hefa:
I admire your knowledge and precise analysis of the Cuban situation; it is text book.
As you well stated there is more than just a fixed definition of the present situation, more than what theory pretends to define.
While the “learned” conclusions are for the most from an “arm chair” analysis but still of some value let us not forget the reality & value of the tangible suffering, however subtle and/or refined.
I thank you for your postulations, they represent food for my thoughts, they represent academical information to my “from the gut” education.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 06:50
Hefa @ #8 & Julio @ # 5
Unfortunally Cuba is not in the top of the list about news.
It does not generate interest (as it should) ergo it does not represent income potential … until fidel dies.
Then all hell will break loose, we’ll be regaled w/his life stories, pictures, documentaries, pundits & their “educated opinion” etc. etc. etc.
The idea (Julio’s) of using the web media & other forms of comunication is working, it takes time (wish patience was that easy).
The youth may not know what we know, by instinct the know what should be and what not.
As they say … “the situation is fluid”
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 06:18
A very evocative piece of writing Yoani.
Liam
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 05:52
A video of the “Ladies in White” can be seen at: http://www.elpais.com/videos/i.....int_3/Ves/
Of course, the European Union is sending our cash to subsidize these atrocities while, at the same time, further impoverishing to people of Honduras with sanctions because Chavez and his “wise Grandfather” aren’t satisfied with the elections.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 01:42
What about the Cubans in Miami?
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 01:09
Today and yesterday Damas de Blanco protested in the streets of Cuba and met by Turbas with actos de repudia.Many pictures and video taken and now breaking news. Protest has taken to the streets.. COOL…
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 01:04
Julio about the media.
You know most of the media is after what it gives them an extra dollar.
And the strugle around the world for social justice won’t sell in US, to say less news like that from our insignificant island, you’ll see first(like it had happened already) news about Fidel’s health(he is known and always news)on the American media than our brave kids from the ISA defying a whole powerful institution like the cuban goverment.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 00:58
Julio. this one for you. I am kind of trouble..I know.
With the terrible repression in Cuba, we cubans have to get together and fight. What those kids at the ISA did, it’s so brave I feel humble and admire them deeply.
Now, after this, are you going to start making the selection of who is what on that group, race, social class, gay, straight, going to Malecon after hours to make that dollar? After their great bravery(and they are doing it for us too) are you willing to give them a future of a freedom that does not include everyone with absolutely the same rights? If we ever leave one cuban behind because of their personal choices, we do not have respect for ourserlves and less for young brave cubans like those at the ISA. They are doing it for us here too, and they do not know us, less have the least intention of judging anyone of us.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 00:29
Earn it..
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 00:28
President Obama did not deserved the Nobel.But after that Oslo speech he will earned.We are having a President who is getting it right in a hurry. Pragmatism at its best. Proud to be a Cuban(American) like my son would said.
Diciembre 11th, 2009 at 00:20
The protest video is from October 22… what happened next?
HEFA — thank you for your very powerful comment.
Diciembre 10th, 2009 at 23:40
The brave young man in the video posted by Julio (#1) was born and raised after the tree of the fruit of free speech and expression of thought had been reportedly destroyed, long gone–apparently extinct in Cuba, a fertile place where most seeds will grow by simply being dropped on the ground. How is it, then, that he knows how that fruit tastes? He knows intimately its texture and smell, perhaps where it grows. The fruit with which he is intoxicated is within and no matter how much eradication the regime attempts, it cannot be uprooted.
Diciembre 10th, 2009 at 22:21
Human Rights in cuba???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
Diciembre 10th, 2009 at 22:14
Watch the pictures of the Cuban police
http://vocescubanas.com/desdel.....-azulejos/
Diciembre 10th, 2009 at 21:48
Again I will like to ask the foreign press in Cuba that their function is not to be cushy with the regime, They are our eyes and ears why don’t they do their job and research this?
What happen to the students?
Diciembre 10th, 2009 at 21:43
Guys the way we can help is by propagating this video far.
I posted it on my face book page and my blog
anyone here please do the same. That’s how we citizens give wings to the news and let it fly free!
Diciembre 10th, 2009 at 21:37
The authorities offered the young guy to take him to the head quartes of the communist party. the kid of course refused.He felt threatened .
Also he was complaininig about some surveys but he has to leave his name and his id number. He refused as well .he said surveys should be anonymus.
So started as a simple complain about the food, but deep down these kids are tired of the same BS. Basically they said they are in that school to be artists ,not to be famous but to be able to have freedom of expression in the whole meaning of the phrase, but they feel trapped. at the end they all were agreed that the next day at 9 am they will be there and they are no going to take classes until somebody anserwerd to them.
Diciembre 10th, 2009 at 21:31
Yoani
Not sure if you can read this
But it will be nice if you could post the video of the Students Protest
here is the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0mztIF8wxE
It will sure be seem by a lot of people if you could please post it
Diciembre 10th, 2009 at 21:27
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Julio Rey, Protagonists. Protagonists said: #Cuba The canistel fruit or El Dorado: My grandmother told me about it with the same rapture that, decades earlier,… http://bit.ly/680kcI [...]