Hip hop has a vagina. - Brown University

20
Of course, no form of government is perfect and I have seen how the Revolution has
beenvery successful. Education is free. You don’t have to pay to get a degree. Healthcare
is free. Doctors practice preventive care and whatever ailment you have they will treat
you. You never have to feel unsafe walking down the street. Food is scarce but people
don’t die of hunger. If there is a hurricane, your government won’t forget about you. All of
these things are important, but I am constantly wondering what all of this means when you
were historically marginalized before 1959? What does it mean when your entire country
constantly tries to erase your racial identity? What happens when opportunities open up
for you like they did with the “triumph” of the Revolution, but you still lag behind from a
historical disadvantage that stems from racial, class or gender affinity? Although the Revolution
was meant for those who were on the margins of society, it was something that was
created by—and continues to be run by—white men. Blacks, women, people who identify
as LGBTQ, farmers, workers and the poor are still trying to catch up. And since there are
no social programs for Blacks (because the act of publicly recognizing racial inequalities
is socially dangerous or “counter-revolutionary”), they are even further from reaching the
finish line.
Although I have read so much about the shortcomings of Red Cuba before I came here, it
is hard having such a romantic idea of the Revolution and being forced to face its reality.
At times I feel I do not even have the tools to address social issues here. Being in Cuba has
allowed me to realize that Cuba cannot be preserved as a moment of revolutionary possibility
to which we fondly like to refer. Yes, it is an example of a sustaining political and social
movement that has big implications when we think about the ideas of anti-capitalism, and
anti-imperialism, and Third World Unity. But I am constantly thinking: what is going to be
this “Third Way” that we talk about creating? What is going to be the new example of revolution?
These thoughts have especially been on my mind when I see what is going on with
the failure of the US economic system and how it is affecting my family and community.
Despite all of my frustrations I have found some amazing people here and a supportive
community. I have hooked up with a Black Nationalist who is in political exile here from
the United States. She has been wonderful in helping me look at my experience constructively.
I have also met so many people who have found ways to fight the shortcomings of
the Revolution and have created mechanisms for collective survival that I feel at times we
lack in the United States. Through music, literature, art, and religion many people have
found spaces to be resistive and critical inside the Revolution. Meeting these people has
made my experience truly wonderful. I cannot wait to share all my discoveries with you all.
Clearly, I am very critical but I guess it is the “burden” of being a conscious person.
In solidarity,
Courtney J. Smith
November, 2008
Havana