Guardalavaca, Cuba, 1996 I know it is Cinco de Mayo, and I really should be writing something about getting sauced on margaritas and taco truck asadas, but I heard Jim Acosta on CNN this morning. I cried and was inspired. Acosta is a CNN correspondent. He’s Cuban-American, son of a man who left Cuba in [...]

It isn’t usually so quiet around here, as quiet is not my nature. But, you know, sometimes a thing like a pukey stomach bug washes the brain of anything smart to say. I have been a little green these last few days. I could tell you a few things, like how I sat in front [...]

Boys. Havana, Cuba. 1991 When some members of the Congressional Black Caucus came back from  Cuba this week, the members stuck their foot in their mouths by saying that they saw no oppression. When I heard a congressman say that on the radio, I sucked my breath in so fast, I nearly passed out. I [...]

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. [...]

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. [...]

A friend loaned me a book during the holidays she knew I would enjoy: “Jubana! The Awkwardly True and Dazzling Adventures of a Jewish Cubana Goddess” by Gigi Anders.  It has all the ingredients I like: Cuban Goddess, family nuttiness, assimilation, and journalism. Anders is a journalist whose Eastern European and Russian relatives immigrated to [...]

A friend loaned me a book during the holidays she knew I would enjoy: “Jubana! The Awkwardly True and Dazzling Adventures of a Jewish Cubana Goddess” by Gigi Anders.  It has all the ingredients I like: Cuban Goddess, family nuttiness, assimilation, and journalism. Anders is a journalist whose Eastern European and Russian relatives immigrated to [...]

Isabel Toledo by Ruben Toledo source: A shaded View On Fashion.com Cuban-born Isabel Toledo designed the beautiful gold dress Michelle Obama wore today. This past Sunday, she wore dress by Cuban-American designer fabuloso Narcisco Rodriguez dress to the “We Are One” concert. From Newsday: “Obama’s choice of a sparkly gold-yellow brocade ribbon-closed coat and dress ensemble [...]

Isabel Toledo by Ruben Toledo source: A shaded View On Fashion.com Cuban-born Isabel Toledo designed the beautiful gold dress Michelle Obama wore today. This past Sunday, she wore dress by Cuban-American designer fabuloso Narcisco Rodriguez dress to the “We Are One” concert. From Newsday: “Obama’s choice of a sparkly gold-yellow brocade ribbon-closed coat and dress ensemble [...]

My family. Miami, 1958 My mom is the skinny one on the right. Tomorrow, January 1, marks Cuba’s 50th year under communism. My family fled in 1957, when the Retired Bearded Dictator and his rebels were in the mountains near their home in the Oriente province.   There are a lot of Cubans sitting around [...]