History is Passing
This is the year of the impossibles, the nevers, and the surprises. The who-would-have-thought-its, and the it'll-never-happens. From Brexit, to the Colombian peace accord, to (oh, God!) Trump, and now to Fidel Castro.
I seem to be waking up this year to hearing momentous announcements on the morning radio. This year seems to want to be written about in history books one day. Turning points are scattered all over the calendar; the latest, the end of an era that has lasted almost sixty years.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Communism has been whittled down to just a few states; North Korea, Vietnam, China, and Cuba. Of those, Vietnam and China have evolved into a type of capitalist communism. Cuba has been the last to begin the evolution. North Korea is stuck in a time warp, and probably will be for a while. Now, where that evolution can lead after the death of the Commandante that led the fight against the tyrannical Batista, is a mystery.
I have mixed feelings about Castro. He was not the absolute monster toward his people as he has been depicted in the U.S. for so many years. His fight in the 1950's was mainly against the corruption and injustices common citizens suffered from, in a country that was more intent on making friends with big American companies that wanted to exploit Cuban natural resources, than on attending to its citizens' needs. Some of Castro's first actions after taking power were to make education and healthcare universal, and the legal and social equality of blacks, whites, and women. But, as he embraced Marxism, his attempt to turn the island into a model of Communism meant that many people were silenced for their ideas. People were locked into certain paths in life that they had no choice in. Neighbors spied on neighbors.
Perhaps the point at which the defiance of the regime reached heights of inventiveness was during the embargo placed upon Cuba, and when it lost its principle ally, the Soviet Union. No aspirin can be imported? Let's find a natural substitute for it. No car parts can be found? Let's invent some from old pieces of scrap metal. Since then, Cuba has become a leader in alternative medicine and biochemistry.
The opening up to the outside world, and a relaxation of currency laws and travel permits, has begun to bring a little bit of prosperity to families who have members outside and who can now send in hard currency. The government allowing people to set up their small businesses has also helped a little. Cuba is no longer like a little child looking at its rich neighbor and wishing for its toys. Slowly, it is beginning to acquire its own toys, though still with little say on how it can play with them. Maybe, as the old leaders of the Revolución die, pragmatic heads will prevail, and the Cuban people can decide their own future.
I seem to be waking up this year to hearing momentous announcements on the morning radio. This year seems to want to be written about in history books one day. Turning points are scattered all over the calendar; the latest, the end of an era that has lasted almost sixty years.
After the fall of the Soviet Union, Communism has been whittled down to just a few states; North Korea, Vietnam, China, and Cuba. Of those, Vietnam and China have evolved into a type of capitalist communism. Cuba has been the last to begin the evolution. North Korea is stuck in a time warp, and probably will be for a while. Now, where that evolution can lead after the death of the Commandante that led the fight against the tyrannical Batista, is a mystery.
I have mixed feelings about Castro. He was not the absolute monster toward his people as he has been depicted in the U.S. for so many years. His fight in the 1950's was mainly against the corruption and injustices common citizens suffered from, in a country that was more intent on making friends with big American companies that wanted to exploit Cuban natural resources, than on attending to its citizens' needs. Some of Castro's first actions after taking power were to make education and healthcare universal, and the legal and social equality of blacks, whites, and women. But, as he embraced Marxism, his attempt to turn the island into a model of Communism meant that many people were silenced for their ideas. People were locked into certain paths in life that they had no choice in. Neighbors spied on neighbors.
Perhaps the point at which the defiance of the regime reached heights of inventiveness was during the embargo placed upon Cuba, and when it lost its principle ally, the Soviet Union. No aspirin can be imported? Let's find a natural substitute for it. No car parts can be found? Let's invent some from old pieces of scrap metal. Since then, Cuba has become a leader in alternative medicine and biochemistry.
The opening up to the outside world, and a relaxation of currency laws and travel permits, has begun to bring a little bit of prosperity to families who have members outside and who can now send in hard currency. The government allowing people to set up their small businesses has also helped a little. Cuba is no longer like a little child looking at its rich neighbor and wishing for its toys. Slowly, it is beginning to acquire its own toys, though still with little say on how it can play with them. Maybe, as the old leaders of the Revolución die, pragmatic heads will prevail, and the Cuban people can decide their own future. 
Thank you.
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