English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
Somos+, Eliecer Avila, Havana, 21 March 2017 — During those days we observed with deep sorrow the disaster that Peruvians are enduring, with many deaths and thousands homeless due to flooding and landslides. A beautiful country that has overcome some of the most unfavourable historical events, to rise up to one of the continent’s and … Continue reading “Peru,Thank You for Your Example and Great Strength / Somos+”
Somos+, Roberto Camba, 21 March 2017 — The United Nations has just launched the 2017 World Happiness Report, coinciding with the World Happiness Day on March 20th. From its first publication in 2012, the world has come to understand more and more that happiness has to be used as the correct measure with regards to social … Continue reading “Happiness / Somos+”
Somos+, Ezequiel Álvarez, 27 March 2017 — I believe that, in the resistance against the totalitarian, military dictatorship of the Castros, the existence of diverse organizations is essential and necessary. If we fight against a monolithic system, it is indispensable to start from a pluralist base wherein there is room for different ideas.
Island, what happened to you? Who changed the spring? Who shut the door? What ship left you alone? Island, they have changed your clothes They have distorted decency They have trafficked your innocence They have shit on your equality and mine. Island, by Lien Y Rey Somos+, Gretther Yedra Rodriguez, 29 March 2017 — A few … Continue reading “Requiem For My Havana / Somos+, Grettha Yedra”
We trust in the purity of our intention, May God favor us, To achieve the Empire of Justice in our country. José Antonio Echeverría Bianchi Somos+, Jose Presol, 13 March 2017 — Today, March 13, we celebrate a date that, fifty years ago, could have radically changed the history of Cuba. A date that could … Continue reading “13 March 1957: The Assault on the Presidential Palace / Somos+”
Somos+, Eliecer Avila, 8 March 2017 — Daily, as part of my functions as leader of Somos+ (We Are More), I meet people who are interested in knowing the details of the organization. In theory, these people would become members of Somos+ if there is a sufficient match between their ideas and the ones we … Continue reading “Numbers, Reason and Principles / Somos+”
Somos+, 28 January 2017 — Very early today, January 28th [José Martí’s birthday], State Security agents were at Eliecer Avila’s house to warn him about the impossibility of his “doing anything” today. Later they returned and still have a guard posted out front. We know of several colleagues who are in the same situation or, … Continue reading “Who Does Jose Marti Belong To? / Somos+”
Somos+, Pedro Acosta, 19 January 2017 — Thirty-three years later, I talked to more than 60 people under age 40 and with more than a 9th grade education; none of them knew exactly what I was talking about. I asked them: Do you know what happened on the island of Granada in 1983? Most of … Continue reading “Granada, 1983, the Hidden Cuban Martyrology / Somos+, Pedro Acosta”
Somos+, Jose Presol, 18 January 2017 — We expected it for a long time and it happened, but when we weren’t in the line for the ration book. I am referring to the end of the “wet foot, dry foot” policy. We all knew that it would end, but what we least imagined was that it … Continue reading “And Now What? / Somos+, Jose Presol”
Somos+, 14 January 2017 — Forty-eight hours have passed since we have officially declared ourselves, as a movement, with regards to the elimination of the “Wet foot/Dry foot” policy. There is a reason for that: We do not want to say anything without, at least, consulting the National Council and the greatest possible number of active … Continue reading “We Have to Take Responsibility for Our Own Land… / Somos+”
Somos+, Eliecer Avila, 12 January 2017 — Two days ago, our eastern coordinator in Las Tunas, Wiliam Espinosa, spent 24 hours in jail when he tried to leave to attend our meeting in Havana. Last night there was a great witch hunt and persecution all over the Havana neighborhood of Vededo to prevent us from … Continue reading “Repression Spiking in Cuba / Somos+, Eliecer Avila”
Somos+, Javier Cabrera, 24 December 2016 — I was an atypical Cuban child because I always had Christmas. My mother, whom they tried to expel from her teaching job once because Christians didn’t have the morals to teach classes to the “New Man,” said that she wasn’t going to let a man tell her whether … Continue reading “Revolutionary Christmas / Somos+, Javier Cabrera”
Somos+, Arlenys Miranda Mesa, 21 December 2016 — December 3rd was the ceremony in Santiago de Cuba after the death of Fidel Castro and the procession of his ashes across the entire Cuban archipelago. I sat down to observe the ceremony, although I knew it would be repeated many times, but I preferred to be … Continue reading “It Is Not Because Fidel Says It, It Is Because I Believe It / Somos+, Arlenys Miranda Mesa”
Somos+, Pedro Acosta, 6 December 2016 — After your departure the Cuban people should be eternally grateful for: The fall of the dictatorship. Fulfilling your political promises, especially the respect for the 1940 Constitution, the quick holding of free elections, and not placing yourself permanently in power. For making us economically independent (??!), developing our industry … Continue reading “Legacy and End Point / Somos+, Pedro Acosta”
Somos+, Marcia Castillo Alvarez, 7 December 2016 — Today I woke up with many thoughts and memories I’m trying to sort out, and it seems incredible to me how time passes and we with it. I remember when I was a girl, how I dreamt of and visioned the future, always wanting to see farther. … Continue reading “From Girl to Woman in Cuba / Somos+, Marcia Castillo Alvarez”
