Here's a reflection, Fidel
After reading Fidel Castro's last ``reflection,'' I thought it was time
that someone wrote him one and briefly analyze his revolution:
Since becoming ill in July 2006 and transferring power to your brother,
Raúl, you have written more than 250 Reflections. They have varied from
declarations, letters, eulogies or tirades, a clear demonstration that
you cannot give up the power and influence you have had over 11.2
million Cubans for more than 50 years.
I was born in Cuba in 1954. I remember vividly your victorious entrance
in Havana and how all the hopes and promises of changes you talked about
excited the nation. However, it did not take long for many to realize
that you were more interested in personal power and an alliance with
communism. Given that Sunday is the anniversary of the attack on the
Moncada Barracks in Santiago, my ``reflection'' is about why you and the
Cuban Revolution have failed.
The people on the island mock you for your ridiculous and erratic
behavior. Cuba's youth has now gone as far as contradicting the ideology
with which you indoctrinated them from their early days in school. The
economic conditions are as bad, or worse, than during the ``Special
Period'' (1991-present). Even members of your inner circle such as
Felipe Perez Roque and Carlos Lage were removed from their positions
simply for criticizing you and your system of governing. Raúl has told
you repeatedly that if your failed system is going to continue, basic
economic reforms are needed. When will you realize that your days are
quickly coming to an end and so is your power?
Winston Churchill described a practical test for the success of
government: Does the government rest upon a free, constitutional basis?
Is there a right to free expression of opinions, free advocacy and free
criticism of the government? Are courts of justice free from
interference by the executive branch and free from all association with
political parties? Will the rights of individuals, subject to his or her
duties to the state, be maintained, asserted and exalted? In short, does
the government own the people or do the people own the government?
It is clear that your revolution has failed. More important, you have
failed, as you are a prisoner in your own system. You have never
established a ``dictatorship of the proletariat,'' as you have been
Cuba's sole dictator. Cuba is far from a classless society, as rising
inequalities strain any credibility that the revolution may have left.
Your ``worker's paradise'' is far from a reality -- millions of Cubans
have fled when given the opportunity.
The sun is beginning to shine again over Cuba. Change has begun to take
place, and you will not be able to stop it. You have not succeeded in
destroying Cubans' spirit and thirst for freedom.
Many innocent Cubans have died in your jails, and many remain in jails
across the island because you see them as a threat to your power. Many
have died in the ocean seeking freedom. All this has made the Cuban
people stronger and has given them the will to end your tyranny.
Fidel, once you are gone everything will change. You once stated:
``History will absolve me.'' Let me assure you that once the last
chapter of your failed revolution is written, history will not be kind
to you. Your name shall not be uttered in the same sentence as Jose
Marti and Father Felix Varela, who put our great country before
themselves. You will simply be a dark asterisk in Cuba's history.
It is time for you and Raúl to admit your mistakes. Step aside so that,
perhaps, history will be kinder to you. Let the Cuban people be free.
ANDY GOMEZ, senior fellow, Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American
Studies, University of Miami, Coral Gables
Here's a reflection, Fidel - Letters to the Editor - MiamiHerald.com (26
July 2009)
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/letters/story/1156984.html
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