Diaries

The Misery of Poverty in Cuba (Part 2)

In the first part of this piece I asked if Jean Marat and the “misery of poverty” were alive in present day Cuba. For the second part of this piece I’m going to explain why I think Jean Marat is alive, even though much as been done to remove “misery” from poverty.

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Faith Put to the Test by Dengue

My dear father is a true revolutionary soldier, one who describes himself as an “unconditional supporter.” He’ll put his shoulder to any Olympian task and attempt to execute it without question…though later he might grumble.

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What Great Thinkers Would We Interview Today?

By chance, I came across the book (actually, I bought it for 60 Cuban pesos in a used bookstore) by the French journalist Guy Sorman called “The real thinkers of our time”, published in Spanish in 1991 (the French language original dates from 1989). It is a volume of interviews with intellectuals chosen by the author.

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Chavez’s Farewell?

This past Saturday night, as people sat in front of their TV’s watching the Brazilian telenovela, a voice suddenly cut in. An announcement came on saying the broadcast was being interrupted for a live report with important information from the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, Venezuela.

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Cellular Stress

“You’re a fool if you don’t buy a cellphone. How are we supposed to reach you in the case of an emergency or some need?” My brother and Osmel have cellphones. When they get together at home all they do is try to tempt and entice me.

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Cuba’s Gay Population Is Itself Responsible

The current session of the Cuban parliament is ending and the issue of the extension of rights to people with sexual orientations that are not heterosexual has again been left off the island’s legislative agenda. Though outraged, I’m really not too surprised given the lack of autonomy of the Cuban Parliament.

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Controversy around the Word ‘Terror’

The subject that succeeded in catching the focus of the group was a debate around the use of the words “state of terror” in describing Cuba. The question was whether it’s appropriate to use the “terror” in referring to people’s emotional state here and to explain their behavior.

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My Julieta Venegas Concert

The Mexican singer Julieta Venegas was in Cuba to support the initiative “Todas contracorriente” (Everyone Against the Current), which opposes violence against women and girls. She gave a concert at the National Theater in Havana.

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The Artist of 23rd and 12th in Havana

He seemed more like a cartoonist, one of those who charge ten pesos or one CUC for a job that often isn’t even that good and only takes a few seconds. My first reaction was to ignore him and to continue the conversation I was having with some friends…

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