Sometimes in life there are moments or events that occur that remind me that I am entirely too comfortable with the status quo...with what my country’s government represents. For the past week, I have spent so much of my precious time defending my public support of Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz. It was to be expected, considering Castro was a controversial figure. And, I never shy away from a debate or a challenge to support my opinions and beliefs.
Admittedly, I know Castro was responsible for numerous acts that caused some Cubans a great deal of pain and discomfort. Some say he was personally linked to murdering those who did not accept his policies...dictatorship. Is this an accusation made without legitimate proof...an assertion created by the United States of America propaganda machine to benefit Her?
Conversely, others joyfully boast that Fidel Castro was a sergeant at arms world figure who positioned his country to safeguard its sovereignty and block Western imperialism. Perhaps, he feared the Westerners and Europeans would do what they have always done: Rape, Steal and Destroy. He is also a man who continues to receive praise in his death for his contributions to the political, social-justice and cultural landscape of Cuba and various countries throughout the world. Countless world leaders have issued poignant statements that support that he was a decent man...a man who did all he could for the Cuban people...a man who was the essence of social rebellion during a time when brute force was used by United States government to eliminate the Black Panther Party, MOVE Organization, SCLC and other bodies of righteous rebellion. The world leaders include the presidents of Mexico, Ecuador, Bolivia, Venezuela and South Africa. The accolades continue with sentiments that echo Fidel Castro’s legacy. Should we write these leaders off as misguided or as men who have a grudge against the Western World? Should we not consider that Fidel Castro has received multitudinous decorations over a 50 year period?
Hypocrisy and Lies
It is simple to me, Fidel Castro was a man who did not own slaves, he was a man who did not state-sponsor programs to infect men with disease, he did not represent a country that used hanging as a killing contrivance to kill black people simply because the black men and women wanted to be free, he was not the the leader of a country that denied human beings civil rights for decades, he was not a man who ordered intelligence services to topple foreign governments only to expand neocolonialism, he was not the leader that with malice orchestrated civil wars in Africa and Asia, he was not the man who sanctioned illegal surveillance of groups that did not agree with racist governmental mandates, he definitely was not the man who intentionally flooded neighborhoods with crack cocaine…
Fidel Castro never blocked the bearer of life (women) to take part in the voting process, Fidel Castro never allowed people to die simply because they could not afford basic healthcare, Fidel Castro was not the head of a nation that flaunts itself as ‘The Best’ when in fact the country ranks significantly low in education. Unlike the US government, the Cuban government does not support institutional racism which has permanently crippled people of color.
Yes, Castro’s government was/is a dictatorship - but ironically it functions as a government that cares about its citizens. Yes, the United States government is a democracy - but ironically it functions as a government that does nothing when black men are shot in the back by overzealous police officers.
Good Deeds
Here are some truths...here are Fidel Castro’s achievements that many consider ‘Good Deeds’.
1. Cuba’s literacy rate at one point in history was extremely low. While Castro was president the literacy rate grew dramatically. He was a proponent of reading and learning for everyone including the poor. Sadly,, the United States government allows states to implement educational barriers (standardized testing) that further disenfranchises the poor and people of color. 2. The Cuban military bravely fought against Apartheid while the United States government did not lift a finger to lend assistance. 3. Under Castro’s leadership Cubans had access to free medical services. The United States of America have allowed men, women and children to die simply because they could not afford medical assistance. 4. The Cuban government ordered the construction of more schools to accommodate those who were without classrooms (mostly the poor). Inconsequently, the United States government continues to sanction state takeovers of schools because kids are failing culturally biased exams. 5. Under Castro, the ownership of land was limited to 993 acres per owner to prevent sole proprietorship of unlimited acres - and it was made illegal for foreigners to buy land. In the United States of America land was stolen by Her founding fathers, and never returned to the rightful owners, The Native Americans. 6. Castro's acceptance of environmentalism led Cuba to become the first nation in the world to meet eco-sustainable development standards. In the United States the environment is treated as an afterthought leaving lower socioeconomic communities barren. 7. The eradication of racism was a hallmark of Fidel’s government. They have done everything possible to remove race as a factor. Not in the United States. If you are a African American, Asian or Hispanic you are last to be employed in most white collar positions. 8. Castro ordered the dissolution of a capitalist system that allowed American-owned businesses to flourish while the Poor became what a capitalist economy dictates, poorer. This supports the truth that capitalism is not a ‘superior’ enterprise as the Americans swank.
I do not hold any misdirected allegiance to Cuba. I am a man who calls a spade a spade. The United States government is that Spade. She is the Snake in the grass. She is the Hypocrite that throws stones in the faces of its citizenry. She is the country that feeds lies to its people with the intention of demonizing those who do not Pledge Allegiance.
The Shadow
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