About two years ago I came across this letter
from a young Cuban. Of course, it was sent out anonymously and
in Spanish. It hit me very hard, where it counts. Having nephews and other
family still in Cuba, I know these situations are real. Specially
when this young man talks about the inability to express his thoughts if
against the government.
I translated it with only one comment inserted, and
this to explain a term of common usage in today’s Cuba
It says:
“I was born in Cuba
I'm told I live in a democracy, but throughout my life I
have only known one (political) party, one viewpoint, one government. I can
vote in elections, but there is only one candidate.
My education was free, but I had to work as a volunteer in
the back country schools so I would not be thrown out of the free schools; my
education was free but I had no choice in what I could study. I have a
university degree but I work in a “paladar” (Note:
private, semi clandestine mini restaurants catering mainly to foreigners, a way
to earn some badly needed “hard” currency); officially these do not
exist nor can they be advertised because they will be closed by authorities.
Officially we have nothing because of the American blockade,
but for the tourists and foreigners the blockade does not exist; for them,
there is everything. My mother used to tell me that before this government,
when there was little to eat, they would eat flour cookies … by the way … What
is flour?
My health care is free but at the clinic there are no
medicines and the doctor who is supposed to take care of us in this area is too
busy driving a taxi; the nurse is making do as a prostitute and, as this keeps
her awake all night, we cannot call on her during the day
I have a TV, but there are only two channels and we see the
same face on both. I have an electric fan, but often we have no electricity. I
like to bathe, but often there is no water in my neighborhood.
When I have a toothbrush, there is no toothpaste; when I
have toothpaste there is no toothbrush … I have a pencil but no paper and, when
I have pencil and paper, I then remember that I cannot write what I think.
They say that you only live once … obviously, whoever wrote
this was not in Cuba
Think about communism and socialism and what it really
brings to the people next time someone tells you these are the panacea. They
are not. As systems, these two have been an abject failure in every country
where they have been put in practice.
Remember that those who push these flawed systems will be
the ones who will benefit for they are the people who will be in control.
Be Well … Be Back!!!
Final
Notes:
· Pray for those who are fighting an illness
which may take them away from their loved ones… Every request is heard, and
counts!!
· Follow us on Twitter … @RJAsPandora
· Any comments please send to rjalcazar@gmail.comComments to 
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