If you are not Cuban, you are probably wondering why a huge portion of our people are in the streets, demonstrating peacefully on behalf to their elders, their children and themselves. People who in the majority would not wish death or bad things upon another human being.
In a first person tone, I will tell you why...
I remember as a very young girl, the sirens and bombs, the ricochet of gunfire over our heads. Of my father trying to save us at home with the matreses over us... Then I clearly remember being afraid to speak the truth, the hide what you or your parents thought or believed in from the neighbors, your friends, even some so-called family members.... I remember when due to one simple comment of my father having a gun, having the house stormed without a warrant nor even permission... They broke and took almost all... Thank heaven it was well hidden, or it could have meant his death.... Of having our mail opened, my parents kicked out if their well earned professional jobs due their opposing the government, of having our bags checked, the house inspected without warning, the having to buy on the black market to survive... And I will never forget when we were given permission to leave the country, after my fathers imprisonment in a harsh camp, when with tears in my eyes and a great pain in my childhood heart as through the back window of the car I gave one final look to my dearest, not to ever be seeing again, home as it disappeared in the horizon, along with all the memories, friends, and all.
DO I WANT THAT FOR MY NOW GROWN UP SONS, THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN, NO!
Our dissidents and oppositors on both side of the Florida Strait, play a pivotal role in our freedom, I honor to them, their families for the bravery that goes beyond words. War on Communist or Social regime where oppression is a normal part of daily living, my dear friends is ugly, life threatening to say the least. The leaders at Castro's government are master manipulators at all levels, both at a local national and international levels. I know, I was in a consular post in the Middle East during the Irak first war during the 1990s. Throughout history dictators and their generals make war, but it is our fathers, uncles, sons and even children that get slaughtered. Not to mention, the extraordinary and valiant women, who thread in hot water in their daily living, those who have stood up and endure horrific beatings, jail and who have also perished.
That is why I HONOR OUR PEOPLE, THE HONORABLE, THE BRAVE WHO ALL THESE DECADES HAVE USED ALL THEY HAD TO COMBAT THIS TYRANNY!
For all my ancestors who are now in the spirit, God bless and Godspeed!
Namaste!
Rev. Barby Soliman
