Ana Menendez on the Price of Silence

Here we go again.

One crisis and we Cubans set upon each other like a pack of rabid dogs, scratching and snarling to the amusement of the few outsiders who still give a damn about Cuba.

Forty-seven years and what have we learned? Our history demanded the difficult work of self-reflection. Instead, we've poured our many talents into the business of self-destruction.

Three journalists were fired from El Nuevo Herald. It was sad. They were fired too quickly and their bosses were left unscathed. Fine. Anywhere else it might have been just a controversial personnel issue. But no, here in Miami it becomes part of a worldwide communist conspiracy, complete with Castro agents, dark plots and wild accusations. Anyone who dares agree with the dismissals is not just wrong: he's a degenerate, communist puppet of the evil and malevolent prince of darkness.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/columnists/ana_menendez/15536684.htm

Comments

[h a s s a n]

Oscar,

Stay strong and don't let wanna-be's and "haters" who couldn't write a decent byline tell you who you are as a journalist or as an American of Cuban descent.

Thank you for continuing to post Ana's columns. Her voice is vital to the emergence of a geniunely pluralistic Cuban tomorrow.

Keep the faith, Brother!

[Walter Lippmann]

If it's wrong for journalists at the MIAMI HERALD and EL NUEVO to take payment from the U.S. government to produce anti-Castro propaganda here in this country, isn't it just as wrong for journalists in Cuba to take payments from the U.S. government to produce anti-Castro propaganda over there in Cuba?

It's a question worth pondering...

Walter Lippmann
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CubaNews/
http://www.walterlippmann.com

[roberto escarpenter]

excellent article
great work by Corral
Next please expose corruption in GG
ask George Valdosky at CG Gazette

[roberto escarpenter]

excellent article
great work by Corral
Next please expose corruption in GG
ask George Valdosky at CG Gazette

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

"Three journalists were fired from El Nuevo Herald. It was sad. They were fired too quickly and their bosses were left unscathed. Fine." — Ana Menéndez

A real moral paragon, aren't you, Ana?

[usambcuba]

Ana - stop it please, you are making too much sense, my head is going to explode...

Thank you for being a voice of reality, moderation, and common sense in a space that urgently needs all three -

[John Longfellow aka Lou Dobbs]

Ana wrote:  Left clapping and cheering on the sidelines are all the people for whom Herald- and exile-bashing -- no matter the issue -- has become a vocation.

Exile-bashers!!  I raise my hand as someone who dislikes the tactics of the exiles, and them personally.  Back several months ago, i would have enjoyed this little Cuban dust up.  But after listening to the lil anti-American militant exiles, i see now that they are truly un-American.  As a result, like the rest of Southflorida, i cannot support their un-American value system.  Note:  i think the reason that the Cuban exiles use all their overheated rhetoric, is a little known complex called the Napoleon complex.  Basically, as applied to the Cuban-exile, it is theorized that the Cuban exile is unwilling/unable to prove himself on the battlefield against Castro.  So they prove themselves, in Val Prieto's and Henry Gomez's case, behind the computer screen, by fighting a righteous and brave battle against anybody they perceive as being unCuban, or unconservative.  In particular, i have noticed a special amount of venom from Val's Prieto's "mancamp" directs towards "female" writers.  Hmmmmmm  (Tempted to say something here, but Oscar would deep-six my post, so i will move along)   :)

Ana wrote:  The loudest and angriest voices are also the smallest.

True, but the application of the label communist tends to silence the Miami Cuban majority.  Note:  this tactic will be unavailable once Cuba transitions into a free nation. I wonder if the exile community will go to a free Cuba.  And bring this type of hate rhetoric to Cubans on the island who disagree with them.  I wonder if the militant exiles such as Val Preito and Henry Gomez have the mental capacity to listen, and discuss with the Cuban islanders.  Or will they  hurl the communist label towards any islander who disagrees with them.   Or how about this, will Val Prieto the super-Cuban blogging from the comforts of Miami call the Cuban islanders, unCuban?  Hell, i wonder if they will even go back in the first place. 

Real quick Val, i know that you consider many people in your community, unCuban, because as you stated, they dont speak Spanish, dance Cuban, different politics, or even write negatively about said community.   I was just curious, is Clarence Thomas unblack?  I mean, he and Bill Cosby has written negtively about some elements of the black community.  Justice Thomas is married to a white woman, he listens to country music, and god forbid is a die hard republican.  I guess i am just curious where you standards of what is un-this and un-that begins and ends.  Or do you just use the uncuban label as a weapon to silence what you deem unacceptable.  Manual, you said that Oscar was a house-Cuban, you mean like a house-slave?  Manual, is Clarence Thomas a uncle Tom for having opposite opinions than the majority of his community.  Just curious, as this "unCuban" thingie seems to be infused with some ugly and well-known Cuban exile bigotry. 

Ana wrote:  I've heard from many nuts.

LOL, i bet you have.

Ana wrote:  But I've also heard from many Cuban Americans who disagree with the extremist minority that for too long has dominated the conversation.

Yes, and where the hell are they?  When will they step up Ana?  Where is the Cuban-American Calvary, the large moderating voices in your community?  When will your bosses begin to act like they publish from an American City?  And not some middle eastern nation, with no free press?  Why do these Cubans who disagree with the exiles run scampering at the slightest hint of Val Prieto's silly ass, childish tantrum?  What will it take for you people to start standing up against the tiny, silly ass militant faction in your community?  For crying out loud, you people are freggin amazing.  You flee to a ready made democracy, a democracy which by the way, you never had to sacrifice for in the first place.  And yet, you remain scared and terrified to exercise it, when the time comes.  Good thing, that you people didn't have to fight for it, or else it would never even have existed in the first place.  Cite:  Cuba  Perhaps, that is what makes it so easy to silence the Cuban-American majority, the moderate voices as you wrote.  Fact of the matter is that Cubans have never had to spill blood for the creation of democracy, freedom of speech, press, or for that matter even thought.  Note:  Damn, my logic impresses me sometimes, it really does.  :)

Ana wrote:  Unfortunately, too many in my generation fear that to dissent from the prevailing noise is somehow to dishonor our parents.

Dishonor?  So if you said that lil Elian should be with father in Cuba.  And not with some half-crazed twice convicted relative, that repulsed the nation every time she was in CNN, smacking herself in the face, while crying. (Good God, smacking herself in the face, and crying at the same time, Good god)   You have dishonored your parents?  Huh? If you as a Cuban, decide that you no longer wanted to vote for a republican party, that is anti-Spanish, that basically hates your Spanish tongue, your culture, your Spanish last name.  You are dishonoring your parents?  I see, you must not veer from the Cuban exile belief system, even in the face of  national change.  That is what makes Cubans "good" conservatives.  Right?  Your children Ana, must be raised with the exact same beliefs, as must your grandchildren, 47 years from now.  Or your child/grand child risk being called a commie liberal, top secret, super-duper spy, by Val Prieto and Henry Gomez's children/grandchildren.  Wow, I think i got it now.   After 47 years in America, what an intelligent and fine group of people you Cubans have grown up to be in America. Im impressed.

Ana wrote:  If our parents were drawn to this country for its ideals,

Ana, you smartly wrote "if" if our parents were drawn to America for its idea."  Well, you know, i know, and America knows, that (nearly) all of the "earlier" exiles were not "drawn" to America for her ideas and belief systems. I do think the younger generation, our age does have an appreciation for America's ideas, and bless God for being Americans. Nevertheless, as you know, many wealthy Cubans, fled with Batista corrupted type beliefs that they will always cherish, which many have handed down to their militant, exile, unAmerican children.  Cite:  Val Prieto/Henry Gomez.  After all, the earliest elites were the "haves," living on a beautiful island nation.  So why not just keep a 2nd home in Miami, and keep making the millions in Havana.  A nations multimillionaires, ordinarily doesn't flee to another nation for its ideas.  It is just my guess, but if those middle eastern nations were overthrown, America would see an immediate influx of rich oil barons and sheiks.  Men who did not suddenly decide to partake in America's ideals.  Rather, the gig was up, rich, corrupt lifestyle is now over, time to flee to Southflorida, along with the rest of the elites, and others, who by force, decided to move to Southflorida for its ideas, democracy.  Just my guess.

No, Ana, most of these hard-line exiles did not move here, because of what this nation represented.  If i had to make another guess, i would guess that these early exiles, would want to reinstall a Batista lite type ruling government back into a free Cuba.  After all, werent there some Cubans who were content with the Batista years? Nevertheless, my guess is based on the "recent" history of the Miami militant exile version of democracy.  How many militant Cuban-exiles have disrespected the "American" blood soaked "right to vote" in Miami, by intimidation, threats, coercion, violence, retaliation, or election fraud?  Yes, im guessing that "some" of the militant exile types have no desire to foist a true democracy upon Cuba. 

Democracy in Cuba?  You do realize how many of  the exiles in Hialeah, Coral Gables, and Washington D.C. are quietly whispering that there are too many mad ass black folk down there now,  just to hand them the keys to "our"  once beloved Cuba.  Hell, i used to hear that very exact discussion in here from some Cuban exiles, right Val?  Back, when Oscar's blog "was" the only living room, where we could freely exchange thoughts.  No ma'am, democracy in Cuba cant happen/wont happen.  No, no, no, the Miami Cubans have earned themselves a  very ugly reputation for being some of the most horrific bigots in this nation.  Note: I have yet  to find one Cuban-American who admitted that the Cuban community would have taken to the streets if Elian Gonzales had be a little black Cuban.  Any takers there, A.T., A.D.T., Manual, Ana, Oscar?  Silence?  Yup, all of you know your community, as does the rest of SouthFlorida.  Oh, and Im not even going to ask you Val, because we all know about your racial beliefs, as you have made them clear in here in the past.  After all you proudly vote with, and for racist, southern, conservative bigots, that absolutely despise Spanish-speaking people.   Cite:  Foxnews a news channel that during Castro illness "never" once called Cubans celebrating in the streets Cuban-Americans, only Cuban exiles.  You vote for them southern conservative, Spanish hating bigots Val, not me.

Nevertheless, no democracy in Cuba, at least not until the elite exiles recover their land that the blacks have worked, harvested and lived on for the last 47 years.  Yes, i will eagerly grab some popcorn and six-pack, and watch this sure to be interesting "debate," between the poverty ridden mixed raced/black Cubans, and often times very racist white, elite Miami Cubans, that fled.  The white Cubans want their land back, and reparations for the losses that they incurred during the last 47 years when they were forced  to live in America.  The elite exiles left everything behind, they had to start all over in America.  Hand it over, the white elites, and often times racist Miami Cubans will SCREAM and DEMAND.   Note:  screaming seems to work when the exiles scream loud enough here in Miami.  Im just wondering if it will work on the harden, brave, and tough Cubans who stayed behind, and endured the most oppressive regime this hemisphere has ever seen.  You gonna try that on them Val?

Yes, the Cuban exiles are already fretting over how they will recover often times 100 plus acres of land back for their American born children..   This same land that the elites historically and rightfully earned on the broken backs of the African-Cubans.  Yup.  The very same blacks who have been slaving said abandoned land for the last 47 years trying to merely put food on the table for their families.  Yes, the privileged Miami elite, children of the exiles like Val, should have the right to bravely strut directly back into a free Cuba, demand the return of said land,  build up a nice Cuban-American mansion, which of course may/may not be their 2nd home, with American dollars, and make said black/mixed race farm and work said land, just like under Castro.  Nope, i see no potential problems there, and neither does Val Prieto.  Actually, the elite exiles, should be able to get away with it, as long as the exiles stay away from that pesky thing called a democracy.   Oh well, if the blacks/mixed race Cubans dont want to hand the land over, Val can always take to the Cuban airways and call em commie super-duper liberal spies.   Aint that right Val?

These people Ana, excuse me, but these radical, un-American, militant "exiles" call themselves "exiles" for a reason.  They do not, and never will appreciate what makes this nation thrive, what binds us together, what makes America, the most desirous nation in the world to live in.  No, Ana, these Cuban men and women exiles/refugee's/militants who fled Cuba,  dont respect, or care about American democracy, never have.  As that is not why they fled here in the first place.  As described above, the exiles seems to be more interested about reacquiring the riches and fortunes, which they fled from.  No, these are not Cuban-Americans, as they dont want to be Americans. They "only" want to be Cuban exiles.  They force feed their mothers and fathers morals and values down your throat.  And if you do not subscribe to them, then you are somehow morally and ethically flawed, or as so stupidly put by Val Prieto and Henry Gomez, unCuban.  Of course, this is by the militant Cuban exile standard.   

Please see for proper definition and photos:  Val Prieto and Henry Gomez   "Cuban exiles"  not "Cuban-Americans" 

Ana, i would submit to you.  That if the radical, Cuban militant exiles, such as Val Prieto and Henry Gomez, were the majority, rather than the minority in this nation.  America would never develop into a democracy, would not enjoy free speech or freedom of the press, would not have civil rights for its minorities, would be governed by an Indian caste system, with no middle class.  In fact, if Val Prieto were President, i highly suspect both you and Oscar would be shackled hand and foot, bread and water only, in some Soviet era gulag, and a chain lock around the doors of the Herald, with not one more keystroke allowed.  Yes, Ana, this nation, would reflect what Cuban run Miami is, and always will be, with the Cuban exile philosophy and mentality, which dictates an ever increasing unaffordable, but yet 3rd poorest city in the nation. 

Finally, as you, and Val Prieto probably are all too aware of some of the ugly and raw feelings, which "some" Americans share about Miami, Cubans exiles, and the Cuban-American community, which unfortunately gets slimed by the stereotypical, chest-thumping, radical Val Prieto types.  After all, Val Prieto's behavior, is the exact Cuban that American bigots can confirm and spread around their worst, and ugliest and sometimes dangerous racist stereotypes.  

Val, the "American" bigots of Southflorida, and this nation would like to thank you, as you are what is represented in the deep recesses of a bigots mind.  You are what they talk about when its a few American buddies on a boat fishing and drinking beer.  You are what they talk about during the half-time of a Dolphins game.  You are what is handed down to younger brothers and sisters of bigots.  I know you dont give a damn.  Freedom for Cuba, be damned everything else.  You never have to step out of Miami.  You can afford the insurance hikes after the next big hurricane, Miami will always be home your home.  So screw them conservative rednecks that you vote for and with up in the panhandle, as you will never have to see, talk or live next to them. 

But keep this in mind, when you do all of your browbeating, and Cuban militant exile struting.  The young Cuban children, and the unborn Cuban children, have to live, work, and compete with the ugly legacy which you leave behind.  What happens when they have to leave the comforts of Miami to pursue their dreams in a nation, which looks down towards Miami, and shakes their head in disgust over your anti-American antics. Do you even bother thinking about that subtle, but real racist backlash. The backlash which your actions promotes throughout the nation?  Do you even care or do you even know that Americans will despise and mistaken the Cuban-American, for the Cuban militant anywhere you go, even a diverse city such as New York?  Well, of course you know.  Aint that right

Val.  Cite:  http://www.babalublog.com/archives/001123.html

P.S.

I really tried to watch my grammar, as you observed that bigotry and poor grammar always seem to go hand and hand. :)

[Cuban]

I'm posting from Spain and I don't know Val Prieto, but hell, he must doing a great work. All the Cuban-bashers and bigots jump at him like rabid maniacs.

Val, whoever you are, keep the good work. Don't worry about them, they lost and they are just licking their wounds someplace north.