Poetry, Passion, and Personal Growth: Translating Cuba in 2017

 Poetry, Passion, and Personal Growth: Translating Cuba in 2017

By: Chelsea C.

Although I must admit my previous knowledge on Cuban history and culture was somewhat limited, my background in radical politics had left me with romanticized visions of what life on this “socialist” island must’ve been like. An egalitarian society with accessible healthcare and free education. A haven for revolutionary exiles during the 1960’s and 70’s. Free of racism and corporate globalization. While Cuba’s historic defiance of United States imperialism is an undoubtedly heroic example of revolutionary struggle, its outcome has been far less than romantic and much more complicated than I could have ever imagined.

Creative expression is deeply valued in Cuba and woven into nearly every aspect of its culture. Whether in the form of song, dance, theater, paintings, sculptures, poetry, drawings, or hand-made books, it seems as though everyone on the island possesses some type of profound artistic ability. The talent I witnessed during a student dance presentation, salsa performance, or drag show, for example was of such a professional quality that it reminded me of something I’d seen in Las Vegas or on Broadway. The opportunity to experience such intense expressions of Cuban existence proved to be some of the most moving and inspirational moments of the entire trip (at least for me). 

 

Strong imaginative expression seems to manifest itself in every aspect of daily Cuban life. It is present in their ability to be resourceful in an environment where everything is severely limited. It is present in what they wear, how they prepare meals, the way they dance with each other, talk to each other, worship, or play sports – nothing in Cuba is done half-heartedly or without passion. Nothing is taken for granted.

Life in Cuba requires imaginative thinking because it can be extremely difficult and monotonous. The average salary for doctors, teachers, and pretty much every other profession is about $20/month. To supplement these meager, government-controlled incomes, most Cubans have become a master in the art of the hustle. Whether a doctor uses his car to provide taxi services or a construction worker moves about the city on his day off singing and playing guitar for donations, it seems like everyone conjures up a way to make a few pesos on the side.

Car ownership is not common in Cuba, so most people walk, use public transportation, or take taxis (pretty much every car doubles as a taxi) to wherever they need to go. Air conditioning is also not common. During sweltering summer heat, when the average temperature is above 90 degrees, the simple task of going to the store can feel like a trek through the Sahara. Grocery shopping alone can be an hours-long process since there is no centralized market. Finding all the necessary items for a meal or household can take some serious scouting out. Once you’re at the store, you may not even be able to complete your purchase due common power outages which prevent the cash register from functioning (this happened to me and a couple of girls from our group one day while buying water bottles).

 

Other hardships for Cuban existence include: not being permitted to speak openly about critiques of the government (doing so could lead to jail time), classic machismo attitudes, and the subtle presence of racism. Although racism in Cuba doesn’t exist as an overt institution like it does in the U.S., it was not eradicated by the revolution as pro-Castro rhetoric insists. Examples of modern racism in Cuba include: popular standards of beauty characterized by whiteness, neighborhoods “segregated” by color, and the tendency of police to question those with the darkest skin tones first.

While this post has largely been an attempt to make sense of my time in Cuba, nothing about it can really be categorized in a clear-cut way. Everyone seems to have mixed views, both positive and negative, angry and proud, about the revolution, their political leaders, and way of life. But no matter how perplexing the political/cultural climate of this society can be, one thing seems consistent: most Cubans share a deep and sincere love for each other and their homeland.

One person I met who truly exemplified this was a 31-year-old Afro-Cubano named Meikel. He told me stories of his five separate attempts to go to the U.S. on a raft he had made with some friends. One time, Meikel and his companions were only 8 miles from the shores of Miami before a coast guard picked them up and took them back to Cuba. After hearing this I was sure he didn’t like living there, but then he told me he only wanted to live in the U.S. for enough time to work and save money for a car. After that, he said he would return to the island because he loves his life there and would never leave it permanently.

Overall, this trip meant the world to me. Having the privilege and opportunity to exchange perspectives with such beautiful and dynamic people – both Cubanos and everyone in our group – caused me to leave the island with immense feelings of gratitude, inspiration, and personal transformation. From translating meaningful poetry to watching sunsets on the beach: each day that I spent in Cuba was a complete romance, but everyday life in Cuba is not something to be romanticized. These last two weeks have taught me so much and will remain an essential part of me as I continue to grow and transform.

Special thanks to Mabel Cuesta and Neysi Romero for making this action-packed & adventure-filled trip the learning experience of a lifetime!