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The expression of the subversive love of the Cuban revolution

posted by F Espinoza | 02.08.2007 21:01 | Education | Health | Workers' Movements | London

Not only have you graduated as medical doctors, but also as humanists. You have learned what it means to practice international solidarity and have understood the reality of preventive and healing medicine in a socio-political context. This brings to reality the much celebrated phrase of Jose Marti: Homeland is humanity.







The expression of the subversive love of the Cuban revolution




By Father Luis Barrios




Not only have you graduated as medical doctors, but also as humanists. You have learned what it means to practice international solidarity and have understood the reality of preventive and healing medicine in a socio-political context. This brings to reality the much celebrated phrase of Jose Marti: Homeland is humanity.

This was the message conceptualized in the third graduation of the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) in Habana, Cuba on the 24th of July. More than 1,200 students coming from more than 20 countries saw their dreams become reality. The majority of these students, now medical doctors, come from indigenous, working class, unemployed and minority families, etc. Therefore, these are the children of the condemned peoples who were robbed of their hope by our corporate capitalist system.

These young adults are a small representation of the people which ruling class governments have stripped of human and civil rights. However they have been blessed by the socialist revolution of Cuba and are attending this school without paying for tuition, books, food, or living space; and they now return to their countries to re-evaluate and continue their studies in specialized medicine. This demonstrates once again that regardless of the kicking and screaming of the Pentagon and Washington this Cuban revolution is in fact irreversible and increasingly revolutionary.

Like round balls that come in square boxes, from the richest country in the world-the United States- eight students graduated including one from the New York City borough known for salsa: the Bronx. These eight young adults are poor, black, and Latinos/as, who have traveled from far away with the sole purpose of benefiting from the international solidarity.

This Cuban sense of international solidarity which is manifested by a subversive love and a radical morality was taught to us by the doctor turned guerilla fighter, Ernesto Che Guevara. This is why we say without fear of being mistaken: Che continues to gallop on the roads of the ALBA and his ideas of a new human being as well as Fidel’s works for a better world continue to be present. Therefore this project of democratic socialism, on one hand continues to demonstrate the failures of our corporate capitalism, and on the other hand lets us see that there is still hope of building a paradise on earth.

A very important point in the medical formation of these young doctors is that they were not trained to commercialize medicine. Contrary to what is taught in medical schools in the United States, they have learned that the principal of social medicine is to save lives and that it is immoral, dishonest, and profane to use this practice to gain money.

In other words, these young doctors have understood that health care is a right and not a privilege. This concept, as well as the Cuban revolution, makes these doctors more spiritual and brings them closer to God. This is possible, even though Cuba is a poor country that has had to confront a blockade for the past 49 years. This is where the Cuban revolution, as well as the graduated students, through their actions are bringing to reality what our brother and comrade Jesus told us: Blessed are those who are peacemakers, for they shall be called the people of God. Cuba does not export soldiers around the world to kill people, much less sets out to invade or colonize other countries as the United States does. This Cuban revolution, through their love, sends out doctors and teachers throughout the world as missionaries to save lives, as well as to cure, save and protect the image of God.

For this reason I constantly ask myself; how can a religious person such as Bush have so much malice and cruelty towards the image of God and a non-religious person such as Fidel have so much respect and love for this image of God? And so the Bible says: they will be known by the fruits they bear.”

It is because of this and more that I do not get tired of saying that in a class society, such as the one we live in, the United States, the expression of subversive and radical love is part of the conspiring project of our Goddess. With this project we will build this paradise on earth with democratic socialism. Long live the Cuban revolution and may God bless us all!



Fr. Luis Barrios

Iglesia San Romero de las Américas

July 26, 2007

Habana, Cuba

 lbarrios@jjay.cuny.edu



Translation: Kaila Paulino & Manolo de los Santos


 http://18thcubacaravan.blogspot.com/


 http://www.ifconews.org/index.htm






The New York Caravan: A Rolling Revolution

We have once again successfully crossed the border and broken the immoral and illegal US blockade against Cuba. Our spirits were high as we entered Texas from México, since this served as a mark of our victory. On the 28th of July, we reached McAllen, Texas, where the caravan parted ways and we began our journeys home. Saying goodbye to people that have become friends and family is never easy, but we did so knowing that there is much work to be done back home and that we all have a commitment to do that work.

There are 15 of us on the East Coast, New York, bus. We have been in the US for 2 days now and in these 2 days there has been much reflection on the bus. As soon as we got off the airplane in México we noticed huge billboard advertisements, promoting consumerism. This was an immediate slap in the face for us and we realized that we were no longer in the midst of community, rather in the belly of the beast where we’d be expected to fend for ourselves and care solely about personal gain. Again, we realized that the work we must do is much more serious and even more necessary than we had previously conceived. Due to this, there are many mixed feelings on the bus. We are all aware of the necessary work and we are currently at a processing stage. Some of us are excited about the work, others nervous about what this year has in store and what this work will mean for our lives, but overall work is on all of our minds which is ultimately the most important. We rapidly approach our destination, currently being in Atlanta and expecting to reach New York this Wednesday, August 1, 2007. And so, the true struggle begins; the struggle of work and progress towards education in the United States, the journey towards changing the things we must in order to create a better world and in turn end the blockade.

We learned many things during our stay in Cuba. The most prominent thing, however, or the thing that was always present was a feeling of great love. Wherever we traveled in Cuba there was community, which was a huge contrast to the individualistic lifestyles we had been used to seeing in the US. Though Cuba still has many problems, the Cuban people are working hard and collectively towards victory. The Cuban people are constantly working to change the things they want to see different. This, among other things, is an example of what people of the US, Canada and Mexico can learn from; collective work to change injustice. This is the solidarity the IFCO/Pastors for Peace caravan expresses, the solidarity with our brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends. There was an outstanding concern about the wellbeing of others that was strange and beautiful to those of us that have not been accustomed to it. One of the most powerful things was seeing the process of universal healthcare and education in practice. We had the opportunity to attend the third graduation ceremony of the Latin American School of Medicine, which was the first graduating class of more than one US student. On our bus we now have a medical student that has been studying in the Latin American School of Medicine for a year and a half, and is visiting home during her vacation. Cuba has taught us that a better world is not only possible, but it is in existence. Now that we are aware of this reality, our pressing challenge is working towards making that better world a reality in the US.


We have returned with more than just a good impression and a good tan. This caravan has reminded us of the words of our brother and compañero César Chávez who said “I am convinced that the truest act of courage, the stronger act of manliness [and womanliness], is to sacrifice ourselves for others in a totally non-violent struggle for justice. Non-violence is not inaction. It is not discussion. It is not for the timid or the weak.” Because we are not weak and we do not let the government intimidate us. This is the reason why we made a decision that we are not going to be silence. And more important, in our struggle against the USA blockage against Cuba, like César Chávez we are going to tell Washington in particular and the world in general: “non violence is hard. It is the willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience to win.” We know how to work hard, we know how to sacrifice and we have already won. ¡Sí se puede! We must take this on. Cuba has given us a responsibility to defend and to be in solidarity with the alternative of another world that the Cuban Revolution presented to us. This among other things means to pressure and lobby our Congress to eliminate the travel ban, it means to actively work to create links between communities, and it means to break the information blockade by writing and talking more about Cuba and its example.


Many of us wanted to stay in Cuba but the Cuban people would remind us many times again and in various forms that they needed us in the United States working throughout the year to end the blockade. We have returned from Cuba, many of us feel physically tired but full of a spiritual energy inspired by the possibility of another world. We have come to realize that another purpose of this caravan was to be able to learn from Cuba’s heroic resistance and that we in the United States have a lot of work to do in order to avoid more aggressions against Cuba.. Throughout the caravan we asked ourselves, “Where are our brothers and sisters and how do we truly show our love for them?” Now it becomes more relevant to ask the question after traveling to Cuba. To answer this question means to actively work to end the blockade. In opening their hospitals, schools, homes, and hearts to us, the Cuban people are expecting us to take these examples to our communities. These experiences have to become more than just memories and actually serve as models of change.


18th IFCO/Pastors for Peace Cuba Caravan

Back to Work Blog:  http://18thcubacaravan.blogspot.com/

Reporting from the road:
Manolo Enrique de los Santos (  guerillerourbano@yahoo.com ) & Kaila Paulino (  paulinokaila@hotmail.com )

July 30, 2007







Visit also:


 http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6910000/newsid_6914900/6914990.stm?bw=nb&mp=wm&asb=1&news=1&ms3=50

 http://www.ifconews.org/index.htm

 http://www.elacm.sld.cu

 http://www.cubacoop.com

 http://www.cuba-humanidad.org/

 http://www.cubainformacion.tv

 http://www.saludthefilm.net/ns/index.html

posted by F Espinoza

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Comments

Hide the following 15 comments

Creepy pics

04.08.2007 11:06

Everyone smiles in Cuba all the time. Very creepy. Is smiling compulsory? No wonder they don't let Amnesty International, Human rights Watch or the Red Cross to visit - the government is obviously abusing the population by forcing them to smile all the time under threat of imprisonment without trial in prisons that the Red Cross isn't allowed to visit.


Shall we give the Cuban system a go in the UK? No free elections, no free association, no freedom to travel abroad, no free press, no independent judiciary - would this cause us all to be grinning like Cheshire cats and waving the union jack at pro-government demos in our city centres? Yes it most probably would, because we'd know what would happen to us if we didn't grin long and hard enough when the government and its henchmen was watching and taking photographs.


No Cuba Indymedia site. Why?

simon


You're quite right Simon..

04.08.2007 14:41

...lets keep our three party , free maket , permanent war dictatorship.
40% turnout , right wing media and 28 days in prison without charge or defense.
Demonstrations only if pre-arranged , and a miserable , overworked population that never smile and freak out if you say good morning to them.
Happy days.

daggle


"Everyone smiles in Cuba all the time..."

04.08.2007 20:25

some of the low cost cuban mercenaries ("working" for the US government)
some of the low cost cuban mercenaries ("working" for the US government)

Cuban people
Cuban people

Real Cuba
Real Cuba

Yes, yes, my dear Simon, you are right. "Everyone smiles in Cuba all the time", even the imprisonned low cost mercenaries... as you can see in this photo I found in one of their websites, taked inside a "terrible" cuban jail (Police Station of 7th y 62th in La Habana) . The website address is:

 http://www.asambleasociedadcivilcuba.info/pic_pris.htm

Jajajajajaja what a patethic group!! You can inform urgently to the AI, the CICR/ICRC, the ONU, the Security Council, the Delta Force, Superman, Batman, Spiderman...

And... of course... in the front page of this same "dissident" website there is also a delicate and pretty letter of the "President of the United States of America" wich name I believe is still Bushit, dedicated to all these "heroes" of hypocrisy.

F Espinoza


Wrong name for the US president

05.08.2007 02:46

You called the US president Bushit. Nearly right. It's Bush. It must be hard for you Espinoza to have to learn the name of a new president every few years, as this doesn't happen in Cuba does it? They've had Castro for nearly 50 years. How popular he must be. Either that or he doesn't allow free elections. Tell which it is Espinoza.

Since Castro took power in Cuba, the US has had the following presidents - Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush Snr, Clinton and Bush Jnr. The US, like all free countries but unlike Cuba, changes leader from time to time.

Why no Cuba Indymedia site?

simon


God bless U.S.democracy

05.08.2007 11:04

So you're advocating a system that has two parties that are so similar in their methods , objectives and goals that they have created the most perfect one party system in the world , with only the illusion of democracy and choice.

Over 50% in that "democracy" don't even cast a vote , and the team that has the most money tends to win by hook or by crook. So the winners only ever get 25% of the vote.

It is the large national and international companies that actually govern.
They make all the decisions on investment and development.
They are responsible for material production , economic services and a large part of social services.

The state simply collects taxes (most from the workers) and then ditributes them or spends them on things such as foreign wars , which in turn is to profit these same companies.

This version of " democracy " is now imposing a neoliberal and globalized order that is simply unsustainable , with fictitous wealth and stocks that have nothing to do with actual production.

There is nothing this system has to offer humanity other than enormous personal fortunes and the plunder the worlds natural resources.

If thats what you want , then fill your boots Simon and good luck.


daggle


Cuba is a dictatorship

05.08.2007 16:17

Daggle, we are all aware that the western system is imperfect, just as all systems of government are. That's why Indymedia exists and why people campaign for change through all sorts of groups and associations. In Cuba Indymedia does not exist and people don't camapign for change if they don't like what is going on because they'd end up in jail, without a meaningful trial, and with no visits from human rights groups.

Jus because we don't live in a perfect society doesn't mean that Cuba, with a poor standard of living, no free press, no free trade unions, no free association, no free elections and no freedom to travel abroad is an example to follow.

Espinoza, why doesn't Castro allow free elections? If he is so popular that the people of Cuba frequently take to the streets and wave flags while smiling happily, what has he got to fear from a free electorate?

Simon


Elections in Cuba

05.08.2007 19:23

Information for those who are really interested in Cuban democracy and the election process there,  http://www.cubaheadlines.com/2007/08/05/4946/nomination_of_candidates_to_take_place_in_september.html

Dave


Thanks Dave

05.08.2007 20:36

Your link included the following -

'The training lectures for the members of the 15,236 electoral commissions for upcoming elections in cuba concluded on Thursday with a positive outcome. The assemblies for the nomination of candidates will be held from September 1-26 at 50,635 nomination sites across the country'

Training lectures? Positive outcome? What do these things mean? I'll tell you. Fidel Castro will win the election by a massive majority. Cuba's equivalent of Peter Snow will not be anxiously awaiting the reuslts of exit polls or debating with studio colleagues about the significance of Havana South East being won by the opposition, and the Cuba TV swingometer will not do much swinging. It's needle has been nailed in place long ago, at 99.9% votes for Fidel and his henchmen.

Training lectures for elections? Is that where they tell everyone what will happen if they don't vote for Castro, F?


What odds are Ladborkes offering on Castro in these elections? Espinoza, tell us.

Why is there no Cuba Indymedia site?

simon


CUBA '' living socialism ''

05.08.2007 23:28

Simon i take it you live in good old democratic Britain, i dont know if your aware of a of a group called the SWP but they also slag off Cuba, every chance they get, while claiming the labour party as some good old socialist just waiting to lead the revolution here in britain
i think if you get in touch with them they will be more than willing to take your bank details.

THE POOR AND OPPRESSED OF THE WORLD SUPPORT SOCIALIST CUBA
THATS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.
BUT NOT FOR THE THOSE MIDDLE CLASS TOSSIERS WHO CLAIM TO BE SOCIALIST LIKE THIER HERO TONY BENN (LABOUR PARTY IMPERIALIST ALL HIS LIFE)



jojo


Castro dose not have his name on an electoral ballot

06.08.2007 00:19

I suggest you research the Cuban system a little more before spouting your nonsense.

Once you've done that maybe we can have a serious debate on whether you agree with it or not.

Why does Cuba not have a Daily Mail , Daily Express , or Sun?

You say the Western system is not perfect. A bit of an understatement Simon.

Nobody is saying that the Cuban system is perfect , name me one that is or was.

Give me your alternative Simon.

Indymedia is a luxury tolerated by most states and believe me if it mattered or made a difference at all to the dealings of our " democratic " institutions , would be banned tomorrow.
Indymedia gives you the feeling of freedom and free speech yet you have fuck all.

You are tolerated full stop.

I admire Castro , Guevarra and many more of that ilk for their spirit and their balls to stand up to the biggest , murdering self serving pigs that have ever lived.

They actually fought for what they believe in whether you like it or not.

Castro must be doing something right for these so called " democratic " nations to try and murder him so many times.

Castro , Bush or Blair , who would you choose?

I know your answer will be none and that you would love a society with no state...blah ..blah ..blah..

Its not going to happen...is it?

















daggle


Come on Espinoza

06.08.2007 14:40

Tell me why Castro doesn't allow free elections in Cuba.

All those happy, smiling Cubans living in a paradise that Castro built. What's he got to fear from free elections?

Please tell us. And tell us why there is no Cuba Indymedia site too.

Simon


Human Rights Watch's opinion of Cuban democracy (2006)

06.08.2007 14:57


See  http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/01/18/cuba12207.htm


'Cuba remains a Latin American anomaly: an undemocratic government that represses nearly all forms of political dissent. President Fidel Castro, now in his forty-seventh year in power, shows no willingness to consider even minor reforms. Instead, his government continues to enforce political conformity using criminal prosecutions, long- and short-term detentions, mob harassment, police warnings, surveillance, house arrests, travel restrictions, and politically-motivated dismissals from employment. The end result is that Cubans are systematically denied basic rights to free expression, association, assembly, privacy, movement, and due process of law.'


Espinoza, why do you support such a disgusting regime?

simon


"Cuba remains a Latin American anomaly"

06.08.2007 18:46

"Ninja Turtles" in action in Sao Paulo, Brasil
"Ninja Turtles" in action in Sao Paulo, Brasil

"Ninja Turtles" in action in Deutschland
"Ninja Turtles" in action in Deutschland

"Ninja Turtles" in action in México
"Ninja Turtles" in action in México

"Ninja Turtles" in action in Argentina
"Ninja Turtles" in action in Argentina

"Ninja Turtles" in action in the USA
"Ninja Turtles" in action in the USA

"Ninja Turtles" in action in Denmark
"Ninja Turtles" in action in Denmark

"Ninja Turtles" in action in Chile
"Ninja Turtles" in action in Chile

It's very simple my little Simon: I support such a regime because of it's subversive love. Anywhere and nowadays in this section of the Universe a regime brings Love to the extension and quality as the cuban regime does, it's simple enough for me: "all we need is Love...", that's why Cuba is a "Latin American anomaly" as HRW says.

When everywhere we can easily obtain photos as the ones I post here -even in your own neighborhood-, showing to us as a brutal testimony the extent of the repressive and inhumane life that "free and democratic" governments gives commonly their people... I turn my sight to Cuba, where "Everyone smiles all the time" constructing his own reference of Freedom, Dignity, Peace and Solidarity.

Don't be afraid and come to Cuba: that's also very simple... and of course more safe.

F Espinoza


subversive Espinoza

07.08.2007 11:31



From Espinoza

'It's very simple my little Simon: I support such a regime because of it's subversive love. Anywhere and nowadays in this section of the Universe a regime brings Love to the extension and quality as the cuban regime does, it's simple enough for me: "all we need is Love...", that's why Cuba is a "Latin American anomaly" as HRW says.'

HRW says


'Cuba remains a Latin American anomaly: an undemocratic government that represses nearly all forms of political dissent. President Fidel Castro, now in his forty-seventh year in power, shows no willingness to consider even minor reforms. Instead, his government continues to enforce political conformity using criminal prosecutions, long- and short-term detentions, mob harassment, police warnings, surveillance, house arrests, travel restrictions, and politically-motivated dismissals from employment. The end result is that Cubans are systematically denied basic rights to free expression, association, assembly, privacy, movement, and due process of law.'

So just to be subversive you support a regime that denies basic freedoms to its citizens? Unless you are a clueless, middle-class student I pity you. If you aren't a clueless middle-class student I expect you'll grow out of supporting repressive regimes because it makes you feel subversive and interesting.

simon


Basics for a little troll named simon...

07.08.2007 20:16

"basic freedom" in Chile
"basic freedom" in Chile

"basic freedom" in Houston, Texas, USA
"basic freedom" in Houston, Texas, USA

"basic freedom" somewhere in the USA
"basic freedom" somewhere in the USA

"basic freedom" in Oaxaca, México
"basic freedom" in Oaxaca, México

"basic freedom" in Berlin
"basic freedom" in Berlin

"basic freedom" in Argentina
"basic freedom" in Argentina

"basic freedom" in Spain
"basic freedom" in Spain

The photos show some of the "Basic freedom's" denied to cubans. Poor cubans! they doesn't have these rights that other "free and democratics" societies give their people...

F Espinoza (the "subversive" jajajaja)


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