Inability to Differentiate?…or to Recognize Injustice?

Inability to Differentiate?…or to Recognize Injustice? / Hablemos Press,
Eduardo Herrera

Hablemos Press, Dr. Eduardo Herrera, Havana, 16 April 2016 – Juventud
Rebelde newspaper, in its "Letters" section—in which they usually
publish cases of social injustice or irregularities—ran an article this
past 16 March titled, "Inability to Differentiate," which recounts how a
research scientist with the Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute was
slapped with a fine for trying to sell an Argentine national soccer team
jersey.

The scientist's name is Marité Bello Corredor, resident of No. 1714,
Seventh Street, between Second and Acosta Avenue, Casino Deportivo
district, Havana. At the time of the incident, she was on unpaid leave,
caring for her sick mother.

Bello decided to sell the garment because she needed the money, but
despite explaining to the inspectors that she is a worker, they imposed
a fine on her of 1,500 Cuban pesos (about US$60), according to the
article by journalist José Alejandro Rodríguez.

The columnist sees this event as an injustice, and I do not doubt that
it is, because the matter pertains to a scientist, someone who makes
significant contributions to society. Regardless, in my opinion there is
an error in focus, because as it turns out, everyone, equally, should
abide by the laws of the land, being that all citizens enjoy equal
rights and are subject to equal duties, according to the Constitution.

What is shameful (for the Cuban state) is to see someone who makes a
great social contribution having to sell an article of clothing at a
bargain price just to survive.

In Cuba, many people who provide important benefits to society do not
make a salary that can guarantee them a dignified life. Therefore they
are liable to commit crimes without knowing.

A scientific researcher can make approximately US$60 a
month—insufficient to feed himself properly, let alone feed a family,
even a small one.

Personally, I would have titled José Alejandro Rodríguez' article,
"Incapacity to Recognize," being that in our country, people's work is
not recognized, because workers are not compensated as they should be.
Thus, citizens are discouraged from making greater contributions to society.

Translated by: Alicia Barraqué Ellison

Source: Inability to Differentiate?…or to Recognize Injustice? /
Hablemos Press, Eduardo Herrera – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/inability-to-differentiateor-to-recognize-injustice-hablemos-press-eduardo-herrera/