Please / 14ymedio

Propaganda poster to highlight the importance of values. “Excuse me.” It is so easy! (14ymedio)
Propaganda poster to highlight the importance of values. “Excuse me.” It is so easy! (14ymedio)

14ymedio bigger14ymedio, Havana, 6 January 2016 – The loss of values has been at the center of the Cuban government’s official discourse for several years. The lack of formal education and urban and neighborhood social indisciplines, have been addressed with concern by officials and in the national media. Countless television ads call for not shouting when talking, avoiding loud music, and recovering the formulas of courtesy such as “please” and “thank you.” However, the deterioration has not been reversed nor has the situation shown any improvement.

Last October an article published in the Catholic magazine Palabra Nueva (New Word) addressed the ethical and moral deficiencies that run through Cuban society. The author, Orlando Marquez, recalled some declarations by Raul Castro in 2013 in which he affirmed that it was time for religious entities to help in recovering these values. However, the writer claimed that, from his point of view, religious institutions should be allowed “to develop their work freely.”