Anniversary of Sorrows

Recently, I celebrated the 16th anniversary of my arrival in the United States. Then, in 2010, I felt as if I were climbing Mount Everest. The joy of getting out of Cuba was immense, as I had suffered a lot under the rules of the Castros.

After a while, the excitement faded away as the toughest reality of all sank deep in my heart: My family and friends who stayed behind to endure suffering that only got worse with time.

People ask me all the time how my dear ones are doing in Cuba. The response screeches out of my throat: no electricity, no way to preserve the food, no communication, no medicine. Who knows or will ever know how many people are dying in hospitals?

Fears are Real in a World of Weapons

Some people fear a military intervention from the United States; some people want it. The truth is, Cubans are so desperate and disappointed that they don’t care anymore about what happens. I’m not living there, so I have to respect the opinion of the Cubans living on the island. What I fear is that a military intervention could cost the lives of many of my people, and every Cuban is my people.

My other fear is military intervention in a country in full force and violence to remove one or two people from power, without fixing the system, is not going to fix the issues Cubans have. I call that a half-done job. Maduro hurt a lot of Venezuelans, and lots of people felt redeemed when he was imprisoned, but I don’t think leaving the same party in place fixed the economic and political issues in Venezuela. In the same way, indicting Raúl Castro will be redeeming to a lot of us, but it won’t address the problems of the Cuban people on the island.

Destabilizing Nations

What does the current government of the United States want? This is a necessary question. Money? Votes? “Every time something sounds suspicious, follow the money.” Says my husband all the time.

While some of us know the history of Cuba, others don’t. I will give you the short version and suggest a book if you want more.

Cuba has been fighting for independence since 1864. We fought three wars against Spain to become a nation. It wasn’t until the Independence War, organized by José Martí and the Tabacaleros from Tampa, that the Cuban Mambises (warriors) almost won the war. It was only then that the United States, which already had a lot of economic interest in the island, intervened in the war by declaring war on Spain when the Spanish army was completely decimated by the Cuban Army. As a result, the United States signed a treaty with Spain to get Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.

Old Issues, New Businessmen

I also want prosperity for my country. I also want freedom for my people. Will these new powers deliver that prosperity and freedom? Or will these new powers do what the old powers did? Fill their bank accounts with the sweat of the Cuban people’s backs? Run away on their private jets when things get dangerous letting millions of people suffering behind? Should we blindly trust mega-rich people who are starving their own people in the United States, the lives of Cubans?

My grandmother, who was ignorant and illiterate, used to say: if you don’t treat your own blood nicely, what can the rest of the world expect from you.

What Can you Do?

Whatever happens with Cuba is not in our hands. But we should be conscious of the consequences. Love is blind, but justice is not blind. Don’t believe what you hear or see until you have done research. It doesn’t take long to dig the truth. If you want to help even more, share this post with people who are interested in learning about the Cuban issue.

What Can I Do?

The best I can do is to write. I hide behind books and my stories full of Cuban memories. That’s why I asked my mentor, best friend, and father figure in my life to embark on this publishing adventure with me. José Angel Lamas Ruiz, a talented designer, historian, and illustrator, unconditionally jumped into my project with his hands broken by age, illness, and his disappointments. He draws by the window, because there is no electricity to sit at his drawing table. Buy my books here and here. All the money is going to help a Cuban family on the island, who now more than ever need resources.

Au Revoir

This post is far from what I promised in the last post. Thank you for reading and supporting me. Last week, I stuffed my head in a pillow to recover from migraines. Part of me wanted to write, but I needed to rest. I will continue writing about writing and publishing, always hoping to inspire you to write your story.

Anechy Padron