No Homeless in Cuba, Cuba holds up a mirror to the U.S

[XXPANTHAXX]

by scott winn

"But one thing is clear: Whatever its imperfections, in Cuba the poor have not been held in contempt; they have been empowered. Which is different from being made wealthy in a capitalist sense, and more lasting."
Ñ ALICE WALKER, WRITER/ACTIVIST

You must be de la gente," the taxi driver joked to my friend. She had just negotiated a price for a taxi for our group of four. She was dubbed "of the people" for her leadership. In revolutionary Cuba, "the people" threw a United States-backed dictator off their backs in 1959. The working people of the island took over. Being a leader or an official in the Cuban government gives you the automatic title of being of the people. Now, in what seemed both a sign of respect and a sarcastic jab at the government, the taxi driver had begged the question: what happens when "the people" take over?

That the lives of Cuban people have been bettered by the 1959 revolution is without a doubt. The people of Cuba have created almost universal literacy, and have provided themselves with free or largely subsidized necessities. For them, this means not only education, health care and housing, but books, films, and ballet. In a testament to what the revolution has created, there is no homelessness in Cuba. The country has stood against racism and imperialism, both in its borders and the world. It was the only country to send troops to fight apartheid when South Africa invaded Angola in the 1980s. Cuba has given hope and possibility to many in the struggle for justice.

But the most amazing aspect of the country is its perspective on poverty. In the US, poverty is framed as an individual issue. A poor person has a problem and must come up with a solution. In Cuba, poverty is a societal problem requiring a societal solution. The fruits of the land, the water, the industry Ñ all of it Ñ has been nationalized and shared by members of society. Material wealth, as well as the responsibility for ending poverty, has been collectivized.

There are many critiques of Cuba, and with my hopes for the planet I have created a list of my own. However, over my travels and studies, it has become apparent that the US government actively promotes if not causes so many of Cuba's problems. The US government then turns around and acts as the almighty critic. To stand in solidarity with the people of Cuba, the best I can offer is to give them room to be human. Which, to me, means to be imperfect. Cubans have proven to me that a revolution is not solely an event, but a process of transformation. I have faith that the Cuban people take responsibility for their triumphs, as well as their mistakes. Besides, there are clearly enough imperfections in the US that need my attention.

Cuba is one example of how things might change. It is this example that the US government has tried to extinguish through the economic blockade of the island since the early 1960s. The blockade makes my simple trip a violation of federal law. More importantly, it virtually stops all trade between the US and Cuba, including life-saving medicines. The US government's blockade of Cuba lessens us, making us all complicit with the harming and suffering of our neighbors.

A revolutionary in exile
"Now is not the time for armed struggle, but it is always the time for self-defense," remarks Nehanda Abiodun, a twinkle of determination in her eye, assessing the political climate in the US. I am visiting Nehanda in her home in Havana, sharing a bottle of rum, discussing racism and political struggle in the US. Her seriousness has a wonderful light edge, sprinkled with laughter.

Her home, a typical Cuban apartment, is decorated with African art, pictures of her children and granddaughter who live in the US, and images of Malcolm X and political prisoners. Abiodun is a "revolutionary nationalist" committed to the development of the Republic of New Afrika, an independent self-governed nation that would exist in what is now the Southern United States.

Abiodun is a US citizen wanted by the FBI on 32 counts under the RICO conspiracy statutes. She was allegedly involved in the Black Liberation Army (BLA) in the late Ô70s and early Ô80s. Among other things, she was allegedly part of the liberation of BLA member Assata Shakur from a New Jersey prison in 1979. Shakur lives in political exile in Cuba as well. Abiodun was forced underground in the United States in 1982 and has been in Cuba since 1990, as an official guest of the Cuban people.

"It is crucial that those in struggle support US political prisoners," declares Abiodun. "If we do not honor them for their sacrifices and commitment, what faith do we have in our own commitment to justice?" Abiodun is talking to a group of college students from the United States. She frequently meets with groups to share the reality that people, due to their political beliefs and actions, are in prison in the US, and forced to live in exile. Many of her former comrades are behind bars, adding to the near 100 US political prisoners. She is still a fighter in Cuba, devoting herself as co-founder of Black August, a collective working to raise awareness of US political prisoners and the US blockade of Cuba. They hold hip hop shows in New York and Havana every August to raise money for US political prisoners and to build a recording studio for Cuban hip-hop artists.

"Of course I think I am going home someday," Abiodun remarks, a distant hope in her eyes, when asked about the prospects of her returning to the United States. "If I didn't it would mean that I didn't think we would win. We will win Ñ we have to. Too much is at stake."

-scott winn traveled to Cuba this past January. He has been twice before with Pastors for Peace and the Venceremos Brigade. He is the city organizer for the Tenants Union and a regular contributor to Real Change.

[Learn06]

Alot of people I know want to get an education that suits our goal and to travel and see the world and not only know what is in America.

Not only what is down the street or around the corner, in the neighborhood and such, rather around the continent or on the other side of the oceans.

[AfroCuban]

No there is no homelessness in Cuba, and there is no disdain for people who are poor.

[QUOTE=XXPANTHAXX;21863]by scott winn

"But one thing is clear: Whatever its imperfections, in Cuba the poor have not been held in contempt; they have been empowered. Which is different from being made wealthy in a capitalist sense, and more lasting."
Ñ ALICE WALKER, WRITER/ACTIVIST