When the Cuban Revolution took place in 1959, the lives of millions of Cubans were forever altered. Many reforms were implemented: seizing of private property, control of the press, one party government and religious persecution. Christmas wasn't a recognized holiday until 1998, after Pope John Paul II asked the communist, therefore godless state, to allow Cuban believers to freely celebrate their savior's birth day.
Like many Cubans, I grew up Catholic, which is of course thanks to the influence of the Spanish conquistadors. Once, I was asked to take part of a procession composed of children, where I would be playing the role of Joseph. My cousin, Yinet, was to play Mary. All we had to do was carry the ceramic, and very heavy, representation of baby Jesus to a make-shift manger that was set up near the altar. Then we would stand there for a couple of minutes, until the priest would give us a signal to carry on. I was too worried about not dropping baby Jesus, and too young, to notice something else going on.
On that same day, many leaders of a clandestine and peaceful opposition were congregated at the church. For centuries, and in many different locations around the world, churches have been a safe haven for people with differing opinions, but not in communist Cuba. In the middle of the ceremony, government officials entered the church and stood at the back. They hadn't come to see me act out my role of Joseph, but they were there to coerce the opposition leaders.
As soon as the procession was over, and the opposition leaders stepped outside the church, they were forcefully placed in police cars and driven away. None of them resisted, but they did shout "Freedom! Freedom!" Their crimes? Wanting to have free and pluralistic elections and being pro-life.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Cuba; Like You've Never Seen It Before
Cuba has always been a mystery to people who have never visited the beautiful island. Being born there, under the rule of Communism, I have many interesting stories to share with you all. Living and growing up there is like being torn between two worlds, first, there's the Communist dogma and propaganda, and second, there's what your parents secretly whisper at home. In the following weeks I will be sharing stories of my experiences growing up there, some sad, some funny, but all true.
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