The Benign State

Irina Echarry

When we’re little, they make us believe that somebody can pull candy out of our ears, or that the girl with braids who sat down in the desk up front didn’t come to the school because her daddy had traveled to heaven, or that your nose will grow if you lie. Those things you learn when you’re growing up.

What we don’t forgive is when our parents continue treating us like kids even after we reach a certain age and begin trying to live our own lives.  Neither de we accept that older people want to impose their laws, thoughts or bitterness on us or demonstrate the kindness they don’t possess.

Something similar is happening right now here in Cuba.

The benign State is expressing itself and it’s necessary to applaud its magnanimity.  It has had the kindness to listen to complaints from the Catholic Church (though it hasn’t wanted to pay attention to those from other Cubans); it paid attention to foreigners who served as mediators; and even recognized that someone was willing to die, did not want this, and also kept in mind his health conditions.

Has the State had its ears operated on?  Now it’s no longer so deaf?  Truly, I believe that it is listening to what suits it and uses that to its benefit.

Suddenly, the same State —that has imprisoned people for writing what they think, that doesn’t recognize its political prisoners, that shows itself irreversible in its policy against dissidents— has shown signs of extreme “kindness” and has left everyone speechless.

The wives of the prisoners recognized that change when they received the news of the release of 52 prisoners when they had thought only a handful would be freed.  Fariñas will quit his hunger strike (fortunately) while waiting for the promises to be satisfied.  Once free, the prisoners will be able to leave the country if they please, but beyond this, their property will be respected – something that is not done for other Cuban citizens who emigrate from the island.

Is this change because the State has turned “good” or because it recognizes its errors?  Whatever the reason, it’s difficult to believe that somebody becomes good overnight.  And if it believes that it made a mistake, why doesn’t it apologize openly?  Or could it be, like an authoritarian father, it is only interested in demonstrating its power?