Salt Residue and Whatever Happens (Part 3)

—Alexander’s story of coming to the Capital from another city to prostitute himself is not an isolated account. Neither is it atypical that Alexander does not consider himself a homosexual, despite his wide menu of bedroom offerings.

His most profound dream is also shared by many: to meet a foreigner who will go crazy for him and take him away to another country.

He would work like a dog and save a bundle of money and eventually return to Pinar del Río and build a beautiful house so that his girlfriend wouldn’t have to continue living with her intolerable family, and so they could sleep together, and make love as God intended.

Then he would finish his law degree at the University, get a job and create a stable environment for raising at least two children.

This is not a singular case. There are hundreds like Alexander, with some variation, but with the same basic storyline. It is amazing how well known this situation is among the people of Havana. It is equally amazing how uniformed the media is.

Or are they? Who are we trying to fool? Who is the real enemy? Who are we fighting? What are our objectives? Why fall into such an abysmal state of disrepute after having achieved such marvelous dreams of social justice?

Why the fear of constructive criticism made from a truly revolutionary standpoint? Why do we wear ourselves out answering the crude criticisms from exiles abroad instead of attending to the needs of a population that wants to stay here?

We are men and women of dreams who seek to build a better world. Now is the time to acknowledge the Cuban reality in order to change it.