CUBAN TRANSITIONS

Through all the Cuban based readings, movies, and discussions that this class has allowed me to experience, one of the most interesting concepts that I’ve been introduced to has been that of isolation. Perhaps we haven’t read anything explicitly about this notion, most of the feelings of isolation have been through the lens of other things; sexism, racism, economic needs, etc. However, this notion of isolation seems to be an intrinsic component of everything I learn about Cuba.

When I read one of my last assignments for this class, a section of Cuba: What Everyone Needs to Know by Julia Sweig, this idea jumped out at me more explicitly than it previously had. One of the sections was dedicated to Raul Castro as a leader and the differences between him and his brother in both leadership style and disposition. Sweig elaborated, “Raul also reportedly probed the possibility of eliminating the tarjeta blanca, the onerous and widely reviled permission slip long required for all Cubans to leave the country and travel abroad…” (Sweig 216) The fact that the tarjeta blanca, a very real symbol of the isolation that regular Cubans face, was not explained until page 216 of a book that is supposedly designed to tell all that “everyone needs to know” about the fascinating nation of Cuba is very telling.

In retrospect I was introduced to isolation as an important concept in the very first film screening for this class, the American made ¡Cuba Va! The format of this film was mostly that of an interview session, as well as what one might hear when listening in to debates featuring the younger generation about Cuban citizenship or the future of the country. The young people that were featured reveal a varying degrees of response to the issue of isolation; acceptance, anger, rebelliousness, hopelessness, and even sometimes, hopefulness. Some attempted to make the best of their situation and realize the blessed nature of their health care and education systems, things that can even compete (and perhaps beat) their American counterparts.

The second film we watched, Balseros, also had a strong message about isolation. Here, the issue centered more closely around connecting with family members that had left the island rather than the political freedoms involved in the debate of isolation. However, the images of the long lines at the customs officials and the coarsely crafted boats intended to cross the dangerous waters to the United States were none the less very poignant.

Isolation manifests itself in many paths. One critical form is that of economical or consumption based isolation. In our travel preparations, we are warned to bring everything we will need for two weeks as it will be almost impossible to obtain things that we as American tourists often take for granted. For many who have traveled to other foreign nations, I suppose this might be old hat, but the meaning is still amplified when preparing to travel to a country that has been economically isolated to such a degree from the rest of the world.

Beyond the consumption based constraints, I’m reminded of Balseros in my own preparations for travel. I applied for my first passport in October. My foreign travel is limited to the roadtrips I had taken to both Mexico and Canada before passports were required for entry into either of those two nations via automobile. I recognize that I am very privileged in my ability to travel to Cuba; a barrier that many Americans are still expected to face for the next few years. Still, this procedural difficulty for Americans is such a minimal barrier compared to the everyday battles that many Cubans face in their attempts to leave the country.