Cuban system versus Freedom

[Sister Lily Mihirete Amlak]

I saw one post about the shouting for freedom of five cuban 'heroes' jailed in the u.s.a. I posted this message there and I want to do it here too, so maybe people can read it. I know how many people view Cuba and I also know about the reaction against anyone who dares to speak the truth about that regimen. Well this is my message.

It is sad our brothers and sisters are not demanding freedom too of the political prisoners inside the Cuban jails, people whom the only crime committed have been to criticise the government and its repressive politics. Some of our Rasta brothers have been in jail for some time without a trial, with their locks cut off, their human rights violated in the everyday basis. There is not much saying about the brutal police actions against anyone who dares to speak their mind and criticise in peaceful manner the unjust system. From the moment you make yourself known as a dissident in Cuba your life becomes like hell.
There is deep racism in Cuba rooted in many people’s mind and people in power also, it manifests in different areas, the police for instant, in a country where the majority of the population is African descendent, a black man is more likely to be stopped by police than a white-looking like Cuban. And that’s a fact. Not only the economical problems that manifest in Cuba are the reason of so much unhappiness (and please do not blame everything on the American embargo, the way how the economy is run and the way the resources are shared, is a big reason of such problems) More reason of unhappiness amongst Cubans is the violations of human rights people faced on daily basis. If you don’t go to the activities organised by the communist party, you can lose your job easy and be listed on the undesirable group of people. People do not have access to the net, and the ones who has it, the access is restricted. The information is censured and limited. Most of our African descendent in Cuba does not know about their history. While you people have the liberty of buying books about the Kemet, our glorious ancient past and history, while we in the west can buy videos, DVDs and books of lectures and works of black scholars, in Cuba, Africans are limited to know just about slavery and maybe a little bit more about African ancient history. Not enough to make them proud of themselves.
I am talking here based on experiences, I was born and raised in Cuba, I lived 24 years of my life there, and I have been back different times and still close to many of our brothers and sisters there. I travelled around the country many times, in the way normal Cubans travel around, in tracks, old Russian vehicles, and was able to talk to many people about their real feelings towards the system. People have fear of expressing their truth feelings because of the known repression dissidents suffer. When they trust you, they open up and express so much sorrow and anger and pain, of which people outside Cuba is unaware off. If you go to Cuba in an official visit, they will show the fake Cuba, people smiling and happy and saying everything is alright. If you go there and live with Cubans, like Cubans and make them feel they can trust you, then, you will hear about the real Cuba. Unless a person has gone to Cuba and done that, I don’t think they are qualified to talk about the situation in there.
For some people there the brainwash has work perfectly for others, well, they just can't speak their mind openly...
While you all are shouting for the freedom of those white Cuban, please share a thought about your black brothers and sisters who suffer in the hand of the Cuban s***stem.
That principle of ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’ does not work. It distracts the eyes from the real situation and the real suffering.
I don’t care if I get insulted for this message; I have received already a lot of negativity amongst panafrican brothers for my views about Cuban politics and situation. I was given the chance to leave the country, that’s why I will continue spreading the voice of a lot of people whose voice has been silenced by the Cuban regimen. Voiceless people....
I am humbly a rastafari sistren, working for the betterment of the African race globally.
One love

[Minister 8-Ball]

Although I've never been to Cuba, I've always been curious about how Cubans of African descent have been treated under Castro as well as Batista. I don't know if Castro has made a significant attempt to eradicate the racism that continues to plague the African World Community.

My biggest concern is for people like exile Assata Shakur, who still lives with a $1,000,000 bounty placed on her head by the U.S. Once the Castro brothers are gone, what will be the fate of Shakur as well as the Afro-Cubans? Will their situation change for the better?

I've heard so much until I don't even know who or what to believe about Cuba anymore. Fortunately, I've never romanticized "the Revolution" because everyone has a story to tell. However, the story of the Afro-Cubans has yet to be heard. We want to know that the Pan-Africanism of Marcus Garvey still lives on that island.

It seems that we still have a long way to go..................

[Sun Ship]

Sister Lily Mihirete Amlak, thanks for your comments and personal observations.

Sister you are not alone, for there are many who attempt to have a more balanced view of Castro’s Cuba and are not caught up in the fanaticism that's sometimes induced by revolutionary fervor that romanticizes all matters with tunnel vision as it concerns the politics of liberation.

I have read a few articles and comments over the years made by other African Cubans as it relates to color prejudice in today’s Cuba, and this problem can be witnessed also within other nations in the Latin world.

This type of shortsightedness you have experienced coming found within Pan Africanism or in African-centered socio-politics is not merely contributed to Cuban politics, but can be found too many times as it pertains to various other concerns within the broader African Diasporic community. Too many times our communities are seduced into blindly celebrating and upholding leaders, politicians, scholars, activist, pundits, and organizations without any further critique or analysis; and too many times because of this, those who get such a pass take advantage of our people’s commitment to them and exploit the people.

And seeing that you are a rastafari sistren, to be fair and honest, even when some look at Rastafarianism, there are those historians who question the life and times of Haile Selassie as it relates to his socio-political judgments in relation to the Ethiopian nation and it’s people.

Peace and respect, Brother Sun Ship

[Sister Lily Mihirete Amlak]

With all my respect whatever you say it does not change the facts, that reality that many like you out there do not want to hear or recognise. Castro is another dictator that has done a lot of bad for his people, a real manipulator, he has many of you believing he is good, a very good manipulator. Many cubans know that, we know what we have experienced and continue experiencing. Unless you go cuba and live like an ordinary cuban, without any priviledge, then I dont think you know what really is going on there.
the real revolution has not manifested yet...

[truBlue]

Thank you for sharing your experiences as a Cuban. Like you pointed out, from here it's difficult to judge. I've corresponded with a Cuban brother who sung Castro and the communist system praises. I'm looking forward to hearing more from you about what you feel is the best way a Pan-African movement could have a more realistic view of the situations in Cuba.