Agreeing to Disagree - The Best Things (about Cuba) I've read (in Spanish) this week (II)

I've just read two provocative and well reasoned blog posts about the unfolding situation on the ground in Cuba, "Repression as a Means of Distraction" (by Alejandro Armengol, Blog Cuaderno de Cuba) and about the debate over lifting the travel ban, "Of Tourists and Suitcases" (by Frank Rodriguez, Blog de Emilio Echikawa).

While I don't share the totality of either argument, both reflections are highly recommended for their civil, rational tone, critical analysis, and original point of view. Also, both are notable since they openly differ with the latest actions and statements from Yoani Sanchez, Reinaldo Escobar, and their blogger movement, but do so in a spirit of clear sympathy and solidarity.

The best thing (about Cuba) I've read (in Spanish) this week (I): Haroldo Dilla - "Cuba: algo mas que un simple chancleteo"

Today I will inaugurate a new weekly (mas o menos) feature on my blog.

Some of the best writing about Cuba is published not surprisingly en cubano (as famed Cuban poet Nicolas Guillen liked to say) and thus largely inaccessible to my unfortunately many, many Yuma compatriotas (para no decir companeros), who do not easily read, speak, or understand the language (yet).

Until they learn cubano (hasta cuando?), I will help the cause of inter-American understanding (entre nuestra America y la otra America, como diria Marti) by highlighting one story, essay, blog, article, song, speech, joke, etc. not available in English.

While I can't promise a full translation (I do still have a day job), I will provide a quick summary and link to the original source (en cubano).

Ojo: My highlighting of a "best thing" should not be taken as an unequivocal endorsement of its content, sentiment, judgment, or political positioning. Instead, I aim to draw attention to what I consider important, thoughtful, serious contributions to critical dialogue and debate (whether I agree with them or not) - often from heterodox points of view.

So, here goes...
Haroldo Dilla - "Cuba: algo mas que un simple chancleteo"*
"Cuba: Something More Than Mere Gutter Talk"

Pull quote: "But in this 'ciberchancleteo' Yoani rescues two ideas that are vital for the future of Cuba. Above all, she defends her right, as well as that of her fellow bloggers and of the many millions of Cubans (including exiles), to live in their homeland, freely express their opinions, and work to realize their goals. In the second place, she calls attention to the duty of those in positions of power to open up public spaces to all opinions, above all when these same officials have used public spaces (in this case nothing more and nothing less than a university in Miami) to sloppily disqualify those who already suffer from repression and stigmatization by the reigning power."

Heat and Light

Can we talk? Can we listen? Can we hear one another?

In the header above, I explain that I intended this blog to serve as a platform where "one Yuma (me) could share his toughts on all things Cuban, a subject that often generates more heat than light."

Recent heated events in Miami and Havana have made my words seem somewhat prophetic. But, then again, it's not rocket science to accurately predict that Cubans of different opinioins and political persuasions will come to (verbal) blows. The tendency toward personal attacks, disqualification of anyone who thinks differently, and EL GRITO!!! - in short "verbal violence" - is a trait deeply rooted in Cuba's political culture (tanto en La Habana como en La Pequena Habana).

Que Viva el Chancleteo!

Hold the presses!

After I put up my last post, I got a tweet from Yoani. It seems that La Flaca lives on Twitter and publishes and updates her posts faster than Sullivan of the Daily Dish! And each week she gives us a new bomba!

Her newest post at Generacion Y has a new and much improved video from the Temas internet "debate." It has the same beginning and end, but also includes Yoss' forceful comments (he's the Cuban science fiction writer who looks like he's in Metallica), as well as some words of wisdom from a blond transvestite!

Once we are inside the room where the "debate" takes place, we see what looks like a European reporter with spikey blond hair, then we hear from Yoss, then we are back to this blond woman who turns out to be none other than Yoani herself. The audio in this version of her comments is much clearer. She makes direct reference to Rafael Hernandez's unfortunate comments at FIU last week of her being engaged in "ciber-chancleteo," saying (more or less):

"I was born and raised in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood of Centro Habana - so don't lecture me about being a ciber-chancletera (aprox. trans., "white trash"). And if what I do is chancleteo, long live chancleteo. If what we do on our blogs is chancleteo, then this society needs a good dose of chancleteo."