Jauretsi: Word On The Street

Finnnnally, the US decides to turn off their electronic news “zipper” on the fifth floor of the sea-front American Interest Section in the Cuban capital. If you don’t know about the beefing billboards between United States and Cuba over the last several years, it’s a childish battle of “one-upping” the other country by dissing the other nation on the public street of Malecon in front of the US Interest Section in Cuba. It’s sort of a childlike squabble between grown up men in government (Bush and Fidel — peas in a pod) trying to “one-up” eachother through the use of political propaganda.

( “Mr. Imperialists, We Absolutely Have No Fear of You ” reads Cuban Billboard. Looks like Schoolhouse Rock, eh?)

The American electronic ticker boasts alot of pro-democracy and human rights messages. Don’t get me wrong, I wholeheartedly side with anything freedom related, it’s just that these messages can sometimes come off as “holier than thou” and tends to rile up the Cuban government thus making them create retaliation billboards to defend their system. It’s a never ending dueling game, and its just silly.

(The news “zipper” on the American Interest Section Building in Havana)

Anyway, the Obama administration just recently turned off an electronic sign at the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana. He just shut it down. A US spokesperson, Ian Kelly, said, “We’re trying to do all we can to promote the free flow of information between the U.S. and Cuba,” he said. Kelly also added that President Barack Obama’s decision in April to allow U.S. telecommunications companies to do business with Cuba would do more to boost the flow of information to the island.

(Cuban erected 2005 Billboard Criticising the US Government)

This type of olive-branch-extension only works when its both ways. Recently, Kelly pointed out that Cubans had dismantled “a few very negative billboards and graffiti” around that area. The US viewed the removal as “a positive gesture.”

Kelly says the American government is continuing it’s strategy of peace-building with the island nation. “We are looking for ways that we can do that in the best way possible. And we just felt that these dueling, disparaging — well, disparaging is the wrong word — but these dueling billboards, if you will, were not serving the interests of promoting a more productive relationship,” Kelly said.

A first step is a first step.
J

The outspoken Cuban blogger Yoani just wrote a funny post (actually its so sad, you gotta laugh) about some government homeboys that hang out in front of her house everyday watching her every move. Mind you, Yoani is a harmless girl blogger. She’s not a radical. She’s just an eloquent journalist who says it like it is.

To read her post, go to: Yoani Sends Thank You Note To Cuban Spies.
J

I won’t over explain this short film. It was created in 2005 and runs 19 minutes. It is about 2 sisters who reside in Cuba. Part of their routine is their weekly stroll to church — 25 KM (approx 15 1/2 miles). If you notice, it takes tremendous patience to stay “present” in the film. It’s an exercise in staying focused. A day in the life for these women is slowwwwww, simple, and raw. There is no dialogue. Just environmental noises, and probably alot of thinking time.

It reminds me of both the serenity and the madness of being so quiet during my stays in Cuba. Doing this for a vacation week is relaxing. Doing this for a whole lifetime can sometimes be numbing. Others would disagree. Nonetheless, 25 KM does not pound you with any messages. Instead, it allows you to take the ride and come to your own conclusions. This film is beautifully shot. It is subtle, powerful, and encapsulates the complicated state of existence on an island so removed from the rest of the world.

CLICK LINK BELOW TO SEE FILM…

25 km (2005) from CanalDocumental TV on Vimeo.

J

Aroldis Chapman is M.I.A. —- He is the pride and joy of Cuba now… considered to be the No. 1 left-handed prospect in the world (according to baseball scouts).

Anyway, he just landed in Netherlands last week. Roughly 1 hour after check-in, Aroldis ducked into a mystery car and, well….. no more Aroldis. He flaked and didn’t show up to the four-nation tournament in Rotterdam. Can you guess what happened?

The clueless Cuban delegation (government officials) who traveled with him offered only one quote — “We are waiting for information. We do not know anything.”

God bless the guy. He is 21 years old and he has his whole life ahead of him. This is what happens when you tell your people they can’t travel outside their country, and they can’t realize their dreams to the fullest. It really sucks that Cubans are forced to abandon their country this sad way.

We look forward to when Aroldis re-emerges and announces the major league baseball team he’ll play for.

We just want to say, “hang in there” to him and his family (whom he left behind in Cuba). He is a true champion and will probably create a glorious legacy for himself.
J