Nationalism in Cuban Politics
Nationalism has always been the ace in the hole of Cuban political culture, which is logical: that’s the typical reaction of a small society facing immense external challenges. This has endured since the times of Spanish colonialism to the period of intervention by the United States, whose imperialist vocation for the island has always been a love-hate relationship.
The Russians vs. the Chinese in Cuba
As the popular saying goes, “You only value what you’ve lost.” It’s a sad statement – right? But since I’m trying to be fair, I always add that memories too are created and later recalled through the prism of nostalgia, with plenty of those memories becoming adulterated.
Health Care in Cuba
In recent times, it has been common to hear the same kinds of phrases at bus stops or while waiting in whatever type of line; people will say things like: “Hell, seems like I’m going to have to move to Venezuela.” Many people talk half-jokingly about the health care in our country.
The Chinese Model Seen from Cuba
“Mao would be broken-hearted. He would probably turn over in his grave if he saw how capitalism was developing in China. However Deng would be ecstatic,” summed up political scientist Zhang Wei Wei.
Rebecca, My First Experience
There was less than an hour left until the six o’clock closing time. Up on the fourth floor, we guides waited for the opportunity of a visiting tourist, infrequent in May, the classic month of the slow season in Cuba. According to the established order, it was my turn when the bell rang with the code that indicated a recent arrival.
Alba Rico, Syria and the Black Hole
Without beating around the bush, Santiago Alba Rico denounces the criminal role of governments and the “Western” media, but he also recognizes and supports the existence of a genuine and justified popular insurrection against the Syrian government.
Leaving the Building Repairs Half-finished
Ana Rivero is demanding an answer: “The leaks haven’t been fixed. The ceilings are caving in the apartments on the upper floors.” Meanwhile another neighbor, Mary Coche, said that the paint used on the facade was off very poor quality and is already peeling.
Marginality in the 21st Century
Marginality is a description given to a certain social strata of people. It is a phenomenon influenced not only by economic resources as its main link, but also has cultural, political, ethnic, sexual and racial factors associated with it.
When Squash Reigns Supreme
When the markets in my neighborhood are running short on calabazas (squash) — those long and heavy Cuban calabazas that are reddish-yellow on the inside — I can’t help but remember an old conga song (or was it rumba?) sung by the Afro-Havanans of the late nineteenth century.
Teachings of Virtual Violence
Whenever we hear about these videos games in the news, it always seems they’re referring to some foreign phenomenon, something happening elsewhere. We see classic lines like: “The evils of the capitalist world are suggesting to youth a universe filled with horror and sensationalism.”
Our Cherished Cobblers
Shoe repair services are appreciated by many people I know. The lack of good quality shoes and the impossibility of an acceptable range require average Cubans to get their footwear mended time again and time again.
Homespun Anti-capitalists
A group of friends and workers’ self-management advocates who are members of the (new-left) Critical Observatory Network decided — on our own, (independently of the Cuban government) — to demonstrate against capitalism on Saturday, May 12. This was the date on which those involved in the worldwide 15-M movement did the same.
How I Became an Accomplice
A few days ago I traveled to San Jose de las Lajas, like I do almost every week. For this trip, I always stash away 10 pesos for the taxi ride – an investment that prevents me from getting dehydrated on the highway waiting for a public bus.
