Cuban family reunification and damned walls
Next week, six of my relatives in Havana will meet with representatives of the American government. With luck and prayers they will be given a set date to get the hell out of Cuba. They’re ready to shake the sand from their shoes and start anew. We’re ready to help them — recession or not.
The Baby Brother Dictator just had a shake-up in his government that has caused much curiousity in American government. This is happening at the same time Cubans and Cuban-Americans are closely watching to see what direction the new U.S. president’s policy will take toward the island nation. Some Americans want to continue the trade embargo, which has been squeezing Cuba for 47 years. Some want it loosened up.
Having no government or diplomatic training, I admit I have no idea what the right answer is. There’s a valid and just case for not dealing with thugs and liars, but there’s also something about beating your head against a wall for 47 years and expecting it will stop hurting.
So, I guess I’m voting for talking, for finding a way in that works for everybody, particularly the Cuban people.
Whenever the trade embargo and travel restrictions are in the news, my memory goes back to an exchange I had in 1991 with a Cuban teen-ager. (pictured left.)
I was walking along the Malecon, Havana’s famous sea wall. It’s a place for lovers, for families, for tourists. Somehow I got to talking with this young guy and he asked me questions about my life, my career, my future.
“You can move anywhere you want, you can travel to any country you want?” he asked.
“Yes, I can,” I explained.
He gently touched the Malecon wall: ”Mi mundo para aqui.”
My world ends here.
He broke my heart.
I was 24, with a new career and bold future.
And, he was stuck behind a wall.
It’ll be interesting to watch what happens, now that we have a President who is willing to lower the historical “walls” a little. I wonder what happened to the guy on the Malecon?
I wonder about that guy all the time. All the time.
This is such a sensitive topic. I can’t in good conscience support lifting the embargo, even though it was never placed for “moral” reasons only financial reasons.
Given that fifo is free to trade with the rest of the world, is not a good payer, and people from the island I’ve met tell me that the embargo is internal – as in created by fifo – I’m inclined to keep it in place. That said, even though China and Vietnam settled their debts with US, allowing for opening trade, I still would not trade with them. *sigh*
I think the only possibility here is the lifting of the travel restrictions for family members. There are just no winners in that situation, and both sides can be validly argued.
Honestly, I just hope one day Cubans are able to elect their government and start working towards their own Democracy whatever model that should be.
Ok, my comment posted before I finished.
I wanted to say Carrie, that your experience was really something. That would haunt me for eternity too.
I hope your parientes are able to leave and start their new lives wherever they want, FREELY.
Yup, Adriana…tough subject. Easy to see both sides. Sensitive for sure.
I have been to Cuba three times and each time I have left crying. Difficult.
And thank you for the thoughts for my family.
Hi Carrie,
I have been reading your blog for a while and really like it. I was born in Cuba and have been in this country since 1965. I left when I was seven years old and have never been back. I swore that I never would step foot there, but after recently celebrating my 50th birthday, I have changed my mind. I think that I will return and see my aunt and cousins for the first time in 43 years. I now look forward to taking my 13-year-old son to see the place where his mom was born. I have to admit, I have such a longing to see Cuba again. My parents died without ever returning and it makes me so sad. But, I know when I see my aunt, my mom’s only sister again, it will be one of the happiest days of my life.
Maria Eugenia
Me encanta tu blog. Me gusta todo lo que tiene – las palabras y las fotos.
Me gusta eso de Los Pollitos Dicen tambien…Conozco la cancion….
Tengo una idea para lo de Cuba. Please check out my blog to read about it.