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Cuban officials visit Columbia
By TreAndres Members Staff Writer In an effort to promote the upcoming International Youth Conference that will take place in Havana, Cuba this July, Yanelis Martinez and Professor Javier Duenas visited Columbia to discuss “Youth In Cuba Today.” The discussion was co-sponsored by Professor Carmelo Esterrich, who teaches in the Liberal Education department at Columbia. Duenas opened the discussion addressing the audience in Spanish. Esterrich translated for the non-Spanish speaking members of the audience. Duenas attributed the success of the Cuban Revolution to the youth of Cuba. However, he never really expounded upon the role of the youth in bringing the revolution to frutation. After giving a concise history of the Cuban revolution and its achievements: the establishment of free social security, free medical care and Cuba’s 90 percent literacy rate since the revolution; Duenas spoke about the U.S. embargo on his country. The embargo was initiated by the Kennedy administration in 1961 and upheld by every U.S. President thereafter. Essterich espouses the popular views that the U.S. embargo is out-dated and unnecessary. He feels that the embargo is “anachronistic,” and said that many people don’t see the point of maintaining it. Essterich believes that a major reason the U.S. government has not lifted the embargo is because of anti-Castro groups like the Cuban American National Foundation, an organization that has major clout in United States. According to Duenas it is the Cuban youth that suffer most from the embargo. Because of the embargo many ingredients that are needed to make medicine to cure diseases are unattainable. As a result many people die or become paralyzed due to inefficient medical treatment. “It is the youth that continue to give hope to all the people in Cuba,” Duenas said. One way Cubans cope with the crisis is by reflecting on and promoting their rich culture. Culture is of utmost importance in Cuba and is an integral part of the Cuban identity. Martinez, who studies law at the University of Havana, spoke of Cuba’s struggle to be more than just a U.S. colony. “[Cuba] became the nightmare of all the American presidents,” Martinez said. Martinez, like Duenas, praised the accomplishments of the revolution, and spoke about the ills of the U.S. embargo. “We are not two youths who are trying to paint a paradise for you,” Martinez said. “We are just two youth that would like to speak about the realities of our country.” According to Martinez the American media is portrays Cuba unrealistically and unjustly. Esterrich relates that Duenas and Martinez have a huge responsibility as representatives of their country. Esterrich, however, admitted that he had some difficulty interpreting the discussion. “It seemed like the two Cubans were speaking a complex rhetoric that only communists can understand,” Esterrich said. “They were not able to speak common language.” One can only speculate as to the fate of communism in Cuba after Castro leaves his post as commander and chief. “Everyone is just waiting for him to die,” said Anna Maria Soto, the Latino Cultural Affairs coordinator at Columbia. Soto, who is Cuban, stated that the accomplishments Castro’s government boasts about, like its medical and educational reforms, are falling apart. “It has been 41 years since the people in Cuba have had freedom,” Soto who also claimed that on every block in Cuban cities, said there is a neighborhood watch. Only unlike in America the purpose of the neighborhood watch is to make sure that Cuban citizens are not engaging in activity that is deemed counter revolutionary. The story of Cuba is a long and complicated one, with many versions. Perhaps the only way to truly get the whole picture is to see it up close and personal. According to Duenas and Martinez, the reason for their visit to America is to invite students to attend the International Youth Conference that will be held in Havana this July. The Columbia Chronicle would like to hear your opinion on this topic. Note: If your browser does not support multiple windows, click here. Back to top | Home The Columbia Chronicle is a student produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of Columbia College administrators, faculty or students. |
April 23, 2001 This week in Campus News:
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