English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
Hurricane Sandy crossed the eastern region south to north, leaving a trail of destruction and death, mainly because of the fragility of the houses and facilities and their lack of maintenance and improvement over a period of decades. They were sad days, but luckily we got rid of the usual political, ideological and patriotic tirades … Continue reading “Fictional Chronicle of a Mercenary Hurricane / Fernando Dámaso”
The prejudice and discrimination that affect men who have sex with other men (MSM) in many places around the world and how this contributes to the propagation of HIV among this population is another key topic of this year’s conference. The legislative reform around MSM in Africa and the Caribbean was the central theme of … Continue reading “HIV, Social Stigma, and Men Who Have Sex with Other Men / Wendy Iriepa and Ignacio Estrada”
By Gladys Rodiles-Haney My brother Antonio Enrique González-Rodiles Fernández was born in Havana on July 21, 1972. He attended primary and secondary school in Havana, and graduated from the “Marcelo Salado” National School of Swimming where he belonged to the National Team. From when he was little, arbitrariness bothered him. When he was a boy … Continue reading “My Brother Antonio Rodiles / Gladys Rodiles-Haney”
Dear Brothers and Sisters: In Santiago de Cuba it is just dawning. Today, Friday October 26, 2012, just 48 hours after the horrible devastation left behind Hurricane Sandy, I got up early to pray and write. Amid the sadness for so many families left destitute, as Eliseo Diego said of the man with the bundle … Continue reading “To My Cuban Brothers and Sisters in Exile / Padre Jose Conrado Rodriguez Alegre”
A few months ago, in a post about Puerto Rico, I wrote that in November, in a plebiscite to be held, we would know what Puerto Ricans now think about their political status. The results of the constitutional inquiry show that most citizens were in favor of changing the current status of the Commonwealth and … Continue reading “The Fourth Plebiscite / Fernando Damaso”
November 11 2012
November 4, 2012. The second round of voting was held, where both aspirants tied to become delegates from that constituency. Part of the population didn’t vote because they consider it an unnecessary activity. The neighbors of the constituency gave a “no” in not participating to choose in a delegate. María González who is 46 years … Continue reading “A Second Round in the Municipal Elections in Arroyo Naranjo / Anddy Sierra Alvarez”
The Cuban government is a joke. They make us participate in elections in which we have to elect a member of their party to represent us to them? Judge and Jury? The conflict of interest mold has been broken! The second act of the Cuban election parody occurred this Sunday, November 4. I’m not joking, … Continue reading “Second Act / Rosa Maria Rodriguez Torrado”
Because the right to health doesn’t stop at the cell doors in Cuba. From November 1st to December 10th, 2012, to mark the World Day Against AIDS. We denounce the lack of rights, the poor food and the terrible sanitary conditions in the prisons for people with HIV/AIDS. The number of patients with HIV/AIDS within … Continue reading “New Day of the Cuban League Against AIDS / Wendy Iriepa and Ignacio Estrada”
Meanwhile the Great Culprit shelters behind the wise protection of the forehead. “Defense of the innocent myocardium” Rubén Martínez Villena My family claims for itself that mass of neurons, reinforced with the care lavished on me as a child. The teacher who taught me to read demands credit for the connections that helped to unite … Continue reading “Whose Brain Is It? / Yoani Sanchez”
In his time, Marti wrote “arms are iron.” It is the iron I perceived confronting the agents of Section 21 — State Security — posted in the doorway of Lilia and Jose Alberto’s building at J and Calzada, this Thursday, November 1. It has been a long time that the iron in Cuba, the iron … Continue reading “Knocking Down the Iron / Lilianne Ruiz”
As a result of the next baseball season, the State press and fans have unleashed a debate, looking to raise the level of ball played on the island. There were more than 170 proposals to design a new competitive structure. In a meeting with the national press, the Cuban Federation let it be known how … Continue reading “Cuban Baseball: Open the Gate / Ivan Garcia”
Miriam Leiva, Havana | 09/27/2012 9:52 am From Cubaencuentro National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States, from September 15th to October 15th, holds particular importance this year, since it occurs during the electoral campaign heading up to the elections on November 6th. Hispanics can determine the results, especially if they use their right, which they do not always … Continue reading “The Impact of Hispanics in the United States / Miriam Leiva”
If you want to see first hand how the syndrome of secrecy works in Cuba, visit the office of the commissioner of baseball. Such is the lack of information, that not even the managers of the teams know for sure the day and month the new season will start. No one knows what the new … Continue reading “Cuba: Baseball and Rumors / Iván García”
Corruption — the action of corrupting — is the result of many causes, that range from personal conduct to the political-economic system of each country. It is an ancient social phenomenon to that occurs to a greater or lesser extent in all societies and has been present throughout the history of Cuba. In the colony, … Continue reading “Corruption and the Morality of Survival / Dimas Castellano”