January 1, 1959.
Fifty years ago today.
A group of bearded rebels rode into Havana (my hometown) and turned our lives upside-down.
My sisters and me. This photo was taken in early 1961 when we were newly arrived in the U.S. after fleeing the communist takeover.
The details of our exile include:
- constant fear
- difficult decisions
- separation from familiar places and the people we loved.
I think just about every Cuban family I know has a photo like this.
And a story to go with it.
We've spent fifty years telling our stories.
And every story has those same themes: constant fear, difficult decisions, separation from familiar places and the people we loved.
I know I'm a perpetual optimist, but I sincerely pray that in my lifetime I will get to see a free Cuba.
Because fifty years under communist rule is WAY. TOO. LONG.
Cuba Libre! Wear it with pride and hope.
More photos and stories from Chantel and Carrie and Marc. And this fabulous piece posted by Anastasio Blanco, written by Cuban author, Carlos Eire.
I was lucky enough to have parents who were brave and fled the oppressive regime. Being born in the great USA deprived me of being in one of those famous photos. I used to be really jealous that the four of them shared this ‘adventure’ without me. They would reminice about this far away fantasy land called ‘Cuba’. But now I realize the special gift they gave me, they made me Cuban, so very Cuban without stepping one foot on the soil. Thanks Mami, Papi, Tata and Armanducho. I love you guys. Thanks to you too Marta for reminding us how Cuban we are and how great is still is. And yes, 50 years is way too long.
Well said, Marta.
Hi Marta!Desi and I are sending you a big HUG and our best wishes to you for a wonderful 2009. Hope to have a chance to visit with you again this year. Lots of love, Amy
It bothers me to feel this way, but someday I hope to spit on his grave. Please to forgive the venom in a lovely family blog. May this be the year we all get our wish of a free Cuba.
I’m glad you made it here safely. God has a plan for you and your family, i am so glad you are my friend. was thinking of you and all your family and so many orthers who suffered. Bless you all!!
My parents have a photo like this. Ours is a faded color photograph and my dress is a sort of mod type child’s miniskirt dress (we arrived on one of the Freedom Flights in 1969), but the look of cautious optimism mingled with immense relief and hope is the same.
god i sure hope for a cuba libre,people suffer and they dont care, its time for somebody to step up and fight,there are more than 12,000,000 cubans i guess, and just about 4 millon are related to the goverment, they could win, but they dont try, because of the constant fear they face every single day. Yo soy cubano and… danm, it hurts to know that my people suffer,viva cuba libre, PERO LIBRE DE VERDAD!!!!!!
Wess,It’s bad manners to enter someone’s home and act so boorishly. I won’t enter into a debate with someone who doesn’t respect my home, my culture, or my history.
I’m deleting your ignorant comment right now.
Marta
Why does the American government trade with communist countries such as China and Russia? Why has the longest trade embargo in history been executed against Cuban People? ( It doesn’t harm the leader.. it harms the citizens. ) Why does America refuse medical supplies to Cuba?Please author of this page, i wish for constructive dialog. I would like to know the other side of the story.. the one i have not heard. Your story; Your parents story of life before the revolution…
Educate me is all i ask so i may forum my own opinion. Right now all i understand is that life was not better before the revolution… and that many Cubans today are happy there. ( And many may not be. )
Please lets engage in constructive dialog so not only myself may become more educated and understanding of the issues but so other viewers of this page may understand as well…
Bless you and your family for doing what you think and beleive what is right and for doing what you needed to do to attain what in essence would be your version of ‘freedom’. We are all born free men and women under God. ( and nobody has the right to take this away from us. )
Marta,Sorry i missed your reply to my previous comment. I do not disrespect you or your family for thier choices.
I apologize if my post came out as sounding harsh.
I hope my other ‘comment’ was more acceptable.. as i stated i do not fully understand foreign policy. I agree many things may be wrong there. I also think the USA should lift thier trade embargo.. would you not agree that it would help the people of cuba?
Again; Bless you and your family. take care.
I ask you Marta becuase your family has lived through it.I was not there to witness. I know what i read from historical fact… I know it was not good for both sides, i know allot of people suffered…
If you find it necessary delete my comments and i shall comment no further. I do not wish to disrespect you in any way. Only to understand.
When i travelled to Cuba i met many people who were happy. I also met many who were not.
One man walked up to me as i was walking down a country road.. we spoke… i gave him some of my belongings out of good will… He asked me “Do you like my country?” I replied “Yes it is beautiful” and he said “Why? In the United States in Canada, anywhere else in the world you are ‘FREE’. Needless to say i felt really… bad.. not sure what the word was.. heartbroke…
Wess,I appreciate your insistence, however, if you were indeed curious about my views, I would have appreciated a personal email to begin a dialogue.
Let me direct you to the pages of some of my fellow Cuban bloggers who explain the embargo and its consequences much more articulately than I can. It’s a long and complex subject.
http://babalublog.com/2012/02/cuba-u-s-a-blogger-perspectives-on-the-embargos-50th-anniversary/
Also, my friend, Marc Masferrer eloquently introduces the Che Guevara Re-education Program:http://marcmasferrer.typepad.com/uncommon_sense/2006/05/the_ch_guevara_.html
Yes, Cuba under Batista was under a corrupt government. Fidel promised to reinstate the constitution of 1940 and also promised free elections. The people hailed him as a hero. We quickly learned he was a liar.
My family before the revolution was well off. We were able to travel out of the country, own private property, in short, we enjoyed the many freedoms of a capitalist society. It was the Castros who enslaved the population using The Big Bad USA as a scapegoat as often as possible. We Cubans call that propaganda.Cubans today are not happy. They are afraid. They have been indoctrinated to fear. The lifting of the embargo would do nothing to alleviate their suffering.
My daughter wrote about her trip there last year:
http://www.mybigfatcubanfamily.com/my_big_fat_cuban_family/kikitas-trip-to-cuba-2010/