tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post5512736631523862613..comments2024-01-02T07:12:39.616-05:00Comments on El Yuma: Heat and LightEl Yumahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14100978974463973370noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-42495796107996167352009-11-13T18:06:30.470-05:002009-11-13T18:06:30.470-05:00Professor Henken:
A few words of congratulations...Professor Henken: <br /><br />A few words of congratulations on your new blog. I follow Phil Peters, as well as a dozen other blogs on Cuba, emanating from the U.S., the diaspora, as well as a few rarities from the island. <br /><br />Like you, I'm frustrated by the tendency of some cultures to resort to anger, vitriol and even violence, when faced with differing points of view. I'm Cuban born, but I'm "Yuma" by nurture and conviction. I grew up in Miami, eventually left for law school (Fordham...in your neighborhood) and later returned to South Florida in the mid eighties. In my own experience, including a short time living in West Berlin, I learned that there are few things more corrosive than freedom. Liberty is so corrosive, in fact, that tyrannies have to build walls to isolate and insulate themselves from its' onslaught. Cuba is an example, but it has had help...from South Florida.<br /><br />In Miami, I was outspoken, often expressing the belief that the embargo, while not precluding Cuba from buying anything from another country, merely served the Cuban government's agenda by providing an excuse for their failures and by insulating them from democracy's challenge. I was blacklisted, isolated and tagged as "infiltrado," merely for expressing a different point of view. I learned then, that I was not like these people and appreciated for once, just how truly American I'd become.<br /><br />I find it supremely ironic how many in South Florida are always screaming freedom, but like the Puritans of old, adhere to that principle only as long as the words being spoken conform to their rigid agenda. Quite understandable then, why we have Castro still in power; we love strong men of breeding (whether real or imagined) to come to our rescue and to define what is right. The Elian Gonzalez fiasco was a last straw for me, since I saw first hand how much like Castro many in Miami were willing to stoop. They defied American law, as well as the sanctity of the family, advocating the separation of a child from his loving father for political expediency. I packed up my two American sons and moved to the West coast of Florida.<br /><br />At this point, my greatest concern is that the exiles, rather than serving as catalyst for the spread of democratic ideals in Cuba, will instead contribute to the spread of rightwing pseudo fascist thinking. Cuba could be relegated to oscillating between dictatorships of right and left. A possibility that is neither in the best interests of the Cuban people, nor of the United States.<br /><br />Ultimately, I penned a political satire which not only exposes this intolerance, but which also addresses the failure of democracies like ours to demand a modicum of respect for other points of view and yes, call it what it is: our failure to expect that those we shelter abide by our democratic ideals. If we allow fascists to insulate themselves under the guise of cultural relativism, either on an island or in one of our immigrant enclaves, what chance for democracy to endure here, let alone propagate elsewhere? <br /><br />A couple of literary agents read my yarn. I felt that, in the best tradition of men like Jonathan Swift and George Orwell, it would resonate (though I'm not in their league). However, they advised that it was too intellectual and more alarmingly, might be perceived in Miami as anti-Cuban. Imagine that: a Cuban writing an anti-Cuban satire. I told them this seemed self-censorship as scandalous as that exhibited in Europe over Mohammed cartoons. They merely shrugged in agreement.<br /><br />When you have a chance, check out my website. If you have an interest, please let me know and I'll send you a free copy. I'm working for democracy in Cuba and Miami, one book and one soul at a time. Congrats again and sorry for the long-winded speech.<br /><br />www.Updogstreet.com <br /> Tony GonzalezAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4166373147417754257.post-1798903699116379122009-11-03T19:45:18.035-05:002009-11-03T19:45:18.035-05:00It is true that Yoani deserves credit for trying t...It is true that Yoani deserves credit for trying to maintain a respectful tone on her blog. But it is worth noting this is done through rules that are to the detriment of what we usually define as freedom of expression. (Nevermind that contradiction) But I have to say that what strikes one the most, is that her site has nothing to do with a dialogue. It is pure monologue. <br /><br />And at a time when the Cuban Government is holding a second round of community discussion meetings around the country (thousands of them in workplaces, neighborhoods, etc. intended to "debate fearlessly" and "identify problems and solutions") I don't think it is fair to hold up one meeting held by a magazine in a small cafe (I've been there) as an example that the Government does not want dialogue. Especially not when none of us really know the circumstances behind Yoani's friends not being allowed in. How many seats were available for the public vs invited guests? Did they simply show up too late? Did they show up in a group in an antagonistic way, etc? In any regard, Yoani was there - and was caled on by name by the moderator. So her presence was not the secret she wants us all to believe it was - with her wig and all. Her "message" certainly got into the debate... and is being debated online in Cuba quite ferociously right now (do a search for "Yoani site:.cu"), with most not too impressed by her and her tactics. <br /><br />But it seems clear to me, that this was not about any message or dialogue. This was another well planned event designed for maximum PR effect. This is evidenced by the first people she contacted upon leaving - Radio/TV Marti - where she appeared live on air right after her performance (of course, Marti is a station created and funded by the US Government as part of our official regime change policy that still stands). And where was she spotted in the following days after this show? In a line outside the Polish embassy. What was the reason for visiting an Embassy of a country is one of a very few in the world that view Cuba as an enemy - and works closely with the US? Why did she not Tweet about that? <br /><br />So far, Yoani has made herself an unfathomable living for her work against the Cuban Revolution - they almost always do. She has worked with organs of the US Government to further our anti-Cuba policy. Now she is working with foreign Governments. <br /><br />If none of this seems to matter to an American audience, perhaps folks should posit what would happen if our best known blogger dared appear on Iranian State TV or Radio? Or the same blogger was spotted entering the Venezuelan embassy, or receiving paychecks from Libyan human rights groups. How would that person be looked at in the US?leftsidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00676827005815770066noreply@blogger.com