How Mara Roque Got to Go to London

Yenisel Rodriguez Perez

HAVANA TIMES, March 26 — The complicity of Cuban natural scientists in the demagogic slogan promoted by the British Embassy — “For a Green 2012 London Olympics — evidenced their future Eurocentric aspirations.

On that evening marking World Environment Day at the British Embassy in Havana, the foreign diplomats announced to the Cuban scholars present the profoundly ecological aims of the British government. Not long ago you’ll recall there had occurred the disastrous oil spill at the hand of the UK corporation “British Petroleum.”

It was all very ironic…nothing more than the ambassador earning his paycheck.

But what was more disgraceful was happening on the other side of the auditorium.

Among our anti-imperialist scientists of nature and ecology could be seen an unprecedented optimism thanks to the promises of the ambassador. I couldn’t believe it. I felt so offended that I wrote a blog entry on the subject earlier this year.

Since that time, I discovered one of those personalities of the natural sciences in circumstances announced months after that prestigious First World evening.

Mara Roque — the host of the TV program “Antena,” the media face for the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment — appeared on my TV set reporting live from London about sustainable construction progress by the host nation of the upcoming Olympic games.

In her face one could discern her smug self-satisfaction for having achieved her objective, a goal that perhaps had begun to take shape that very evening when she promised the British ambassador to broadcast on her show a “magnificent documentary” that was promoting the “Green Empire.” In doing so she had managed to earn herself a trip to Europe.

This is how many scientists conduct themselves in the Cuban Academy of Natural Sciences, betraying the revolutionary policies that they defend in schools and seminars here.

…selling themselves to the English for little more than nothing.

Yenisel Rodriguez

Yenisel Rodriguez Perez: I have lived in Cuba my entire life, except for several months in 2013 when I was in Miami with my father. Despite the 90 miles that separate Havana and Miami, I find profound reasons in both for political and community activism. My encounter with socio-cultural anthropology eight years ago prepared me for a commitment of love for cultural diversity.

One thought on “How Mara Roque Got to Go to London”

  • Yenisel, your accusation that Senora Roque compromised her professional dignity for a trip abroad is the same type of accusation dissidents receive when they criticize the current Cuban regime. While I agree that your supposition is highly likely, you should be careful not to fall into the same habits that are practiced by those who seek to maintain the status quo in Cuba.

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