Diaries Archives - Page 428 of 647

Tania and Her Questions

A few months ago, the teacher of my eight-year-old daughter asked me during a parents’ meeting how my little Tania had managed to learn so much about so many different subjects.

Religion and Politics in Cuba & Russia

In Cuba the Catholic sect of the Christian religion is proactively broadening topics of discourse in the country. At the same time, in Russia, a trio of female musicians is facing a 7-year incarceration for their less than one minute song protest in the Russian Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Black Mannequin Seeking Employment

My grandparents used to tell me that in their hometown of Madruga, racial discrimination was once alive and well. Few whites would associate with blacks, and a white woman who got involved with a black man was rejected by everyone (white). (8 photos)

Theft Prevention on the Beach

“Sir! Sir! Excuse me!” someone yelled to me while I was dozing off in the sand, lying under an umbrella. “Is this your stuff? he asked.

Do Gays Need Their Own Olympics? (Part I)

A good friend of mine lent me an interesting documentary about the “Gay Games,” so I wanted to share a few comments about it, especially since so many people on the planet are now concentrating on the 2012 London Olympics.

Cuba and those that Practice Entrapment

About ten years ago, I had a bunch of friends who were “burnouts” (as we used to call them) because of conditions of life here, though I didn’t choose them because of that condition.

Modig “Plays the Swede”

The main character was a fairly shrewd Swede who manages to survive in Cuba by taking advantage of his status as a foreigner. This was exactly how Swedish national Jens Aron Modig seemed to me when he appeared at the center of a press conference.

To Whomever God Gives, St. Peter Blesses

The title of this post is connected to my personality. That’s how I am. I’m glad if a neighbor builds a new house, paints their old one or makes any other home improvement.

Wood Born for the Violin

Since he was a child, his mother suffered miserably because she wanted him to change. It didn’t matter how or even what he became, she just didn’t want him to be like that. She would use any method to achieve that aim – punishment, hitting, screaming and even the most absolutely ignorant methods.

Responses of a Free Person to ‘American’ Conservatism

When I am “accused” of flirting with socialism, I always explain that my being left isn’t something that offends me, because everything I’ve done in my intellectual and political life is related to agendas and movements that are identified with that ideological perspective in its various expressions.