Music Censorship Back with Full Force in Miami

Stopping artists coming from Cuba and performing is an old practice which, if anything, satisfies some people emotionally and justifies an alleged punishment against the loathsome Cuban government.

By Alejandro Armengol  (Cubencuentro)

HAVANA TIMES – Music censorship has flared its ugly head in Miami yet again. The intolerance of yelling groups, who are against any artist coming from Cuba to perform, goes hand-in-hand with support for local government politicians, who could be using their time for more praiseworthy causes instead.

The mark of a stupid cultural policy towards Cuba, which was put into practice during George W. Bush’s time in office, has made a comeback with full force thanks to Donald Trump’s administration, determined not to lose a single vote from the Cuban exile community and protected by a bitterness and vindictiveness which is so useless as it is excessive. They are forgetting the futility of these efforts back then; inciting them to repeat the wasted energy of a shouting match amongst the deaf.

Stopping artists coming from Cuba and performing is an old practice which, if anything, satisfies some people emotionally and justifies an alleged punishment against the loathsome Cuban government. However, behind these supposed “benefits”, there are two consequences which are worth considering.

One is the innate vocation of censorship. Those defending the ban argue that exiled Cuban musicians aren’t allow to play on the island. It’s interesting that they have to turn to the enemy for lack of a better explanation as if censorship in Cuba is the perfect excuse to practice it in this city. Instead of condemning both practices, establish an unhealthy symbiotic relationship. Anti-Castrismo as the final stage of totalitarianism.

There is another belief that the Cuban exile community in Miami is so immature politically-speaking, that they must be kept far away from any visitor that might upset them.

However, the most harmful thing is denying every individual the chance to decide for themselves, and for this to happen without the need for guides and censors. Why don’t they just leave it up to the ticket office? How can they deny that the sacrosanct law of the market doesn’t dominate here, which they so eagerly and fairly say doesn’t exist under the Cuban regime? On the contrary, everything boils down to a vulgar use of power: you do whatever you want there, and we’ll do the same here.

The argument they seek for supporting some bans with others goes over and above the reality that the US is a democratic society, even in Miami.

It underestimates the fact that the Cuban exile community is not homogeneous in its political beliefs, but also different when it comes to their interests, points of view and opinions in general.

Some people are still trying to uphold a monopoly on opposition thought; longing for time to stand still which allows them to walk down the street with a smile on their faces while they try and manipulate voters.

Over the years, Cuban-American mayors, commissioners, officials and lawmakers (in Miami or any other state) have been insistent on confusing voters with taxpayers, and if they are doing this, it’s because of the electoral benefits this nonsense gives them. We could say that they are doing what their voters want them to; we could also say that they are reducing their position to pursuing such foolish efforts, such as the persecution of bongo players.

While Miami Mayor Francis Suarez has every right (and power) to declare anyone non grata in this city, that’s the limit of his power, but not of his intentions.

With a resolution passed in Miami beforehand, which asks the US Congress to end the “cultural exchange” with artists coming from Cuba, the old vocation of Republic we suffer was reaffirmed. Those who rule in a place that is nothing more than an urban settlement (in the most heroic of statements) feel an imperative need to dictate guidelines of US foreign policy, which by the way the Trump administration hasn’t satisfied thus far.

It seems that it’s hard for these people to understand that exchanges are between one country and another, and Miami isn’t a country as far as I know.

As a matter of fact, Miami and the people who rule it, carry on determined to repeat the past and not let anyone decide whether they want to go to these concerts or not, in true Reagan-style: without the imposition of the government. Everything else is the repetition of many moments without a Spring.