English Translations of Cubans Writing From the Island
In Cuba, with its pregnant history of violent acts, we pay exaggerated attention to episodes of war in detriment to other ways of making history, such as science–forger of knowledge and of culture–that contributes so much to the formation of nationality the nation and the country over centuries. On May 19 of this year we … Continue reading “Heroes Without Weapons / Dimas Castellanos”
(Published Friday May 27, 2011 on the site: http:www.vocescubanas.com) The common characteristics that identify the human race also have important differences that cannot be ignored. The social character–the most defining and essential peculiarity of man–manifests itself in the diversity of associations that he creates for collaboration, promotion and the defense of his interests; reality that … Continue reading “Cuba: the Illogic of the Single Party / Dimas Castellanos”
The government extended authorizations to contract workers, a decision which violates the Constitution and which no tribunal can question. Laritza Diversent The Council of Ministers agreed to extend the authorization to hire workers in the 178 authorized activities of self employment. The measure was announced by the Granma Newspaper, the official voice of the Communist … Continue reading “Cuban State Remains Silent About Unconstitutional Measures / Laritza Diversent”
Some 6.97 percent of Cubans expressed their views about the Party Guidelines, but in the legal process of implementing them, it is not expected that the assembly will consult the people through a referendum. Laritza Diversent In the midst of a crisis and the collapse of the economic system, Cuban communists decided to undertake reforms … Continue reading “The Cuban Parliament Will Not Consult the People / Laritza Diversent”
Racial discrimination in Cuba goes back to the slavery system introduced by Spanish colonialism. Given the demand for sugar in world trade, the Creole oligarchy freely engaged in the slave trade and the massive importation of slaves from Africa, a trade in human beings that took off with the British occupation of Havana, to the … Continue reading “Racial Discrimination in Cuba, a Problem to Resolve / Dimas Castellanos”
When Castro says that Cuba is the most democratic country in the world, I am uncertain if he is being serious or it is black humor. I can understand that a lifelong guerrilla, fiercely opposed to the capitalist model, does not appreciate at all the system of representative democracy in the Western world. But from … Continue reading “Without One Vote Against / Iván García”
The official communication media enjoy press freedom to defend the system, to violate the rights of citizens, and to defame, because its owner — the Socialist State — offers them total impunity. Laritza Diversent In the period from February 26th to April 4th of this year, Cuban TV premiered 5 chapters of the “accusation series … Continue reading “Cuban Press Defames; the Government Assures Impunity / Laritza Diversent”
The trial of Alan Gross, the US subcontractor arrested in Cuba, concluded with its verdict this past March 4th. In determining his sentence, does the Cuban court base it on justice and reason, or on political differences which define the relationship between Cuba and the United States? Which arguments does the Cuban justice system use … Continue reading “Another Victim of the Dispute / Laritza Diversent”
A few hours after former President Carted ended his visit to Cuba, one of those controversies developed that can rightfully claim to be a dialog of the deaf. On one side are those who criticized Carter for having come to visit our leaders without media conditions, while he met with “persons critical of the government” … Continue reading “Carter’s Visit: A Question of Legitimacy / Reinaldo Escobar”
At a gathering last February with young people interested in the political history of Cuba, on my referring to the protest of Thirteen, one of those present threw out the question: Why do these events do not occur today? I reproduce here my response in honor of the 88th anniversary of that memorable event and … Continue reading “The Protest of the 13 / Dimas Castellanos”
When a state decides to aim all its weapons at a citizen there is little he can do about it. Without access to the mass media, in a country with low Internet connectivity, with arbitrary laws against freedom of expression and with the impunity to defame, distort, lie and lay waste on national television to … Continue reading “Me and the Soap Opera / Claudia Cadelo”
People of the black race are those who live the worst in Cuban. Also, the descendants of Africans are the majority of those in prison. Despite the fact that blacks and mixed-race exceed 50% of the population, they occupy the hardest jobs and earn the lowest salaries. On the social scale, there are a minority … Continue reading “Blacks in Cuba Aspire to More / Iván García”
Social harmony implies that scientific, technological, economic and cultural rights have a corresponding reflection in social justice, democratization and civil liberties. The absence of this correspondence makes the demands of the past coexist with the present and, therefore, its solution has to be undertaken jointly, which gives a high degree of complexity to the processes … Continue reading “February 24: Old and New Demands / Dimas Castellanos”
A Cuban knows that appearing to unconditionally support revolutionary ideas and stepping forward every time you’re called is better than to criticize. The road is bumpy, but the ride is always smoother if it is known that you are an enrolled member of political and mass organizations, especially the Communist Party of Cuba (PPC). Better yet … Continue reading “Price and Guarantees of the Governmental Cadres / Laritza Diversent”
(Published in Cuba Daily, www.ddcuba.com, 28 January 2011) The birthdays of figures who marked our history in past times and are observed today constitute an excellent opportunity to return to their ideas. This is the case of the 158th anniversary of José Martí’s birthday, who, at this opportunity, coincides with the start of the changes … Continue reading “Let’s Talk About Martí on His 158th Birthday / Dimas Castellanos”