On Sunday, Raul Castro succeeded his brother Fidel as president of Cuba. And in so doing, he consummated a historic transition that was as predictable and seamless as the night follows the day.Yet to read all of the political analysis and commentary that attended this occasion, you’d think it portended change akin to the fall of the Berlin wall. But even though newsworthy, I do not think Raul’s official coronation warrants anything more than the republication of a commentary I wrote almost two years ago, in which I presaged the truth and consequences of this succession.
Accordingly, here for your (re)edification is Dancing on Castro’s grave is not only unseemly; it’s also premature, which was published originally on August 2, 2006:
Meanwhile, most people around the world are acutely aware that America’s relationship with Cuba, not Palestine, is “Exhibit A“ for the patent double standards that govern US foreign policy. Moreover, an increasing number of Americans are beginning to resent the undue deference their goverment pays to a cabal of Cuban exiles in Miami – whose political sensibilities are guided by nothing more than their visceral, vindictive and, ultimately, self-defeating hatred of Fidel Castro.
Although to hear them fulminate against him, one can be forgiven the impression that Cuban immigrants have far greater regard for the democratic principle “that all men are created equal…” than anyone else in the world. However, I know too many Haitian immigrants living in their midst to have any respect for the moral indignation they hurl at Castro.
Indeed, it constitutes an ironic racial symmetry that “white” Cubans in Miami discriminate against black Haitians, just as their grandparents back in Cuba discriminated against black Cubans before Castro forced them to flee his “socialist” revolution.
Let me hasten to clarify, however, that I’m not the least bit enamored of Castro. After all, I am mindful that the people who have suffered most under his dictatorship are blacks who – like black Americans too poor to escape Hurricane Katrina – simply did not have the means to flee his revolution.
My assertion in this regard is informed, among other things, by the testimonials of black athletes – whose escape was invariably orchestrated by white Cuban agents hoping to make a fast buck by selling them to professional sport teams in the US.
Not to mention that it indicts not only Castro but also his international supporters (especially black Americans) that the vast majority of black Cubans live in more squalid conditions today – four decades into his socialist dictatorship – than they did under the dictatorship of the man Castro overthrew, Fulgencio Batista.
When you say there’s racial discrimination in Cuba, you’re told there’s not. Yes, there is! When you go looking for work … they’re looking to see whether you’re black or white.… Ever since television reached Cuba 40 years ago, the image projected has been overwhelmingly white.
[Alden White, a 59-year-old black unemployable actor]
Therefore, it is precisely because poor blacks in Cuba have suffered most from America’s embargo against Cuba that I condemn white Miami Cubans for using their considerable political influence to keep it in place.
Not to mention that they voice support for this embargo while shedding (crocodile) tears about Cubans having to depend on remittances of everything from hard cash to soft toilet paper. Alas, they are too self-righteous to appreciate the brazen, unconscionable contradiction inherent in their support.
And if anyone doubts my characterization of these Cuban exiles as a bunch of hopelessly misguided zealots, consider that they’re dancing on Castro’s grave even though Fidel will be succeeded by his brother Raul who – by all accounts – will be just as ruthless, even if a less vain a dictator.
Actually, I predict that the pragmatic Raul will emulate his new Chinese patrons by pursuing liberal economic policies while imposing even stricter political and military controls in Cuba. Indeed, friendly nations like China and Venezuela are flushed with cash and seem eager to help him develop Cuba into a Caribbean economic tiger, if only to spite the U.S. (To be fair, Canada and EU countries seem equally eager to help in this respect.)
Most significantly, apropos Cuba post-Castros, Raul has pledged to groom Fidel’s hand-picked protégés to lead the next generation of the revolution.
Hence, it is a testament to the conceit and arrogance of Miami Cubans that they firmly believe they’ll be able to return to Cuba after Fidel dies – to inherit the political power and social privileges they or family members ancestors abdicated decades ago.
And they assume this prerogative without any regard for the Cubans who have been toiling at home, waiting for their opportunity to govern their country. Except that, at this rate, a well-indoctrinated Elian Gonzalez will be Cuban dictator before Miami Cubans are disabused of their antic pining for their paradise lost….
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