In the late 80’s, a program was conceived by the Cuban health care system. The idea was to create a new kind of physician to assist pregnant women and to treat children and seniors – with all of this directly within the local community.
I heard an interview with a young musician on a television program where he said, “We who have had the possibility of traveling.” This made me think about something that’s almost taken for granted here: For Cubans, traveling (like many other things) is only a possibility.
A Census is the official lists of the inhabitants or citizens of a state, as well as their assets or properties. A rather unusual census is being carried out in Cuba right now, one in sotto voce (a hushed voice).
If the mainstream journalists were paid in Cuba according to their area of coverage, there would be two large castes: one, the very well remunerated sphere of international news; and the other, the very poorly paid field of national news.
“Eating crow” is a less formal way of expressing the humiliation of having been proven wrong after taking a firm position. For some time now in Cuba, such a kick in the teeth has been reflected in joint ventures, corporations and foreign investment, which are currently quite common.
An editorial published a few days ago in the official Cubadebate web site is one of the most sickening examples of media manipulation that I have read of late. They lie without the most minimal scruples while their non-stop discourse is scathing, offensive and threatening.
Perhaps my level of suspicion concerning government strategies has become overblown, but since this is what we’ve gotten used to over the course of years, there aren’t many reasons to be trusting.
This past Wednesday, the Cuban television program “La Mesa Redonda” dedicated a broadcast to commemorate the sports hero, boxer Teofilio Stevensen who died on June 11th. I had expected a program that would show highlights of the personal and sports life.
Visiting Havana, there are several artistic choices that are hard for me to pass up. The 11th Biennale of Visual Arts was showcasing fabulous exhibits where installations, digital art and collages are integrated in such a way that post-modernism is now invading the city.
Speaking of politics (an unavoidable topic for Cubans), a friend of mine expressed what in my opinion was an odd reflection – though sharp at the same time. He said we Cubans have conformed to our situation so much that we’re like women who suffer anorgasmia.