One Side

Being a journalist in Cuba is no more than being a puppet in the hands of a puppeteer. The government controls all the information, thus it controls newspapers and TV stations. Whatever little information the people actually receive, its been filtered and diluted. Journalists, then are no more than parrots.

This class would be very different in Cuba. All our Internet searches, for those lucky to access it, would be controlled and limited. If anyone searches or expresses an opinion other than that of the government, their careers is not the only thing at stake.

The official Cuban newspaper is called Granma. The link is below:

http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/

The Bias of History

The Cuban education system is without a doubt very successful. While their counterparts in many parts of the world are barely learning the basics of language and arithmetic, Cuban children are taught advanced concepts early on. Cuba is one of the most literate nations in the world.

When it comes to math, reading, writing and science, Cuba is no doubt ahead. However, when it comes to history, the textbooks are undoubtedly biased. History textbooks in Cuba are mere propaganda for the Cuban Revolution. One clear example is the unabashed linking of one of Cuba's greatest patriots, José Martí with the Revolution and Communism. Not only was Martí born over a hundred years before Fidel ever entered Havana with his troops, but he was also completely and totally anti-Communist. But alas, Martí is long gone and dead men can't defend themselves. Sadly his legacy has been used by Fidel, as he has used many other heroes of the past.

While the education in Cuba is wonderful overall, it has its obvious and glaring biases.

Old Havana

Wonderful video of Old Havana (Habana Vieja), where my family used to take me to the bookseller's market. Please, ignore the cheesy narration.



This video appears here courtesy of Code Cuba

Where I Grew Up

This is the place where I grew up part of my life. I have wonderful memories of playing with my friends in the park beneath the buildings of "La Esquina de Tejas."




The following link will take you to a picture of the building where I grew up, which would be the one to the right of your screen. You can see it here


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Being Catholic in Cuba

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.

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.