vivacuba
The collapse of Cuban socialism will be, I think, one of the most tragic events to kick off the 21st century. Perhaps not as well remembered in the following decades or even in all of history as more Western events such as the attack on the World Trade Centre and the events following, as it and its effects remain inevitable, but still a great loss to human culture.
The perserverance of Cuba to the great ideal astounds me. Even to this day and age when the rumblings of its fall echo even from within (and no bloody surprise), the ability to persist in such a vein in this modern, capitalistic world astounds me. Venezuela makes sense. Cuba, with its rapidly declining economy, amazes me with the sheer will the people exhibit to go on.
Perhaps the world would be a better place if the entire world was made of such spirits. But then, I delude myself. There are in Cuba, as everywhere else, those people who according to their own interests. The collapse of Cuban socialism is inevitable. The day the charismatic (and admirable) Castro dies, the Cuban government will be left with no choice but capitulation, unless some unforseen (and likely far more overtly tyrannical) leader steps up to the plate.
Knowing the American government and its unwavering policy towards Cuba and 'rogue nations', I would bet on the former.
You might ask why Cuban socialism is such a treasure that I would wish to preserve it, despite its may flaws. Its cultural heritage is priceless. Cuba is an economic paradise, should it ever escape its embargoes and enter the Capitalist market proper. The character and flavour of Cuban individualism and its rugged determination to survive despite all odds will be destroyed forever.
I long to visit Cuba. I am well aware that a great number (perhaps even a majority) only await Castro's death to break out into modernity. That is perhaps the most revealing tale there is to tell. Humans crave conformism and the luxuries of modern living, even at the cost of a beautiful culture.
So many Westerners rant about the pleasures of a simple life. It isn't what it's cracked up to be, for chrissakes, it's hard work. Work that most people that rant on about it wouldn't be accustomed to. It might even turn them off. Hell, it might even turn me off.
But Cuban perserverance amazes me. The ability to keep such ancient cars running, when the most of us would've written them off as junk long ago. The endurance through economic embargo, even reverting (out of necessity) to ass-backwards ways of doing things to keep things going, and yet retaining a cultural pride and a sense of one-ness. The fact that they can muster rallies of thousands against practically anything, while we can barely muster three people together unless it involves Bush and/or Iraq.
Aww hell. I'm going to go rant at my friends a while about things in my life rather than going on with my socialist ways. But seriously, what the fuck.