A Power Point presentation circulating around details the closure of a famous restaurant in Havana. The sequence of photos, apparently taken by the financial police, shows the "evidence" used to charge Juan Carlos Fernandez Garcia, owner of the paladar [private restaurant] Huron Azul. I stopped looking at the rudimentary multimedia with a gesture of disgust, and not particularly for the material goods shown in it.
The revulsion it gave me confirmed that the possession of certain objects is something that can be enjoyed only by those who impose "egalitarianism" from the podium. The list of the "crimes" also contributed to my nausea: Selling "prohibited food" such as lobster and beef; having more than twelve seats in the restaurant; giving credit to the painters to eat there; becoming a patron of the arts; paying a huge electricity bill; having a lot of cash; and--what nerve--wanting to open a restaurant in Milan. As if it wouldn't be much easier to authorize the sale of those creatures with antennae who live in our sea, to congratulate Juan Carlos for his work in promoting culture, and to allow each paladar to have whatever number of chairs and employees they decide. But no, to authorize all that would set off too strong a competition with the inefficient restaurants and cultural centers of the State. To admit that the Huron Azul would continue to progress would be to run the risk that one day its proprietor would want to found an art magazine or open a museum with his private collection.
I feel sorry for those who took these photos. I note, in all the careful focus on the food, the deep poverty of sustenance of those who prepared the dossier. I'm deeply shamed that the police in my country are dedicated to imprisoning enterprising citizens, while the streets are full of criminals who snatch purses, steal and defraud. I'm sad for the neighbors, green with envy, as they begrudged so much prosperity. Above all, I think about the old gentleman who looked after the cars at the entrance to the paladar, and the lady who washed the dishes, now left without work, and especially the children of Juan Carlos. Possibly they have understood, given the example of the Huron Azul, that in order to prosper one must get off this Island.
The kitchen of a 'too successful' private restaurant in Havana, the Huron Azul
Police evidence: The Huron Azul's refrigerators full of 'prohibited foods'
Police evidence: The Huron Azul's 'illegal' decor, too many paintings
Yoani's blog, Generation Y, can be read here in English translation.
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Yes, under capitalism, these policies seem unfair. Under socialism, where the State has the obligation to meet the basic needs of ALL people, some restrictive policies are required to assure adequate revenue (particularly given the US embargo). When US capitalism is able to provide health care for everyone, end child poverty, end homelessness, lower crime to Cuban levels, provide free education through graduate school, etc. (as Cuba does) - then I will be convinced Cuba is somehow evil or
Of course the Barbara Lee's and Bobby Rush's don't care about that.
The Cuban government may get away with doing this to its citizens, but when the foreign dollars begin flowing I don't see them doing the same to US citizens.
They may try taxation instead.
I admire your fearlessness as you speak truth to power! It takes a strong moral compass to be a social activist in the US, so you posses something greater as you blog from one of the most repressive countries in the western hemisphere. People outside of Cuba need to hear the absurdity Cubans have to put up with so that Castro can hold onto power. We are all for providing social services to communities, but at the cost of going to jail if you peaceably disagree? We are rooting for your struggle to express your frustration at the cost of insulting the elite few in your country. Fidel talks about his admiration of Martin Luther King Jr., he should stop talking and start acting.
Let the people talk together. Cuba is hated for many reasons in the US and I neither know about, nor pretend to understand it all. But as Obama is doing, can't we just put the hatred away and get on with living together?
I send my best wishes to the Cuban people in their pursuit of the change they need and desire, and more importantly, to see it done without outside intervention would be a truly great thing indeed!
Seems to me that there are good and bad people in both Cuba's communist system as well as in America's capitalist system.