Miami - indolence or immunity?

Miami: indolence or immunity?
FRANCISCO ALMAGRO | Miami | 7 Dic 2015 - 2:46 pm.

Something substantially different is happening in the heart of Miami
with regards to the mass emigration of Cubans across Central American
borders. While some community leaders, journalists and charitable
organizations in exile have begun to appeal for solidarity with these
overland balseros, there has yet to be a wave of donations and offers of
refuge for the thousands of Cubans stuck in Costa Rica, Panama,
Colombia, Ecuador ...

Many are asking the question, but few are really talking about it: when
the Cubans reach the United States, just what is going to happen? Will
they all come to Miami, or will they spread out in other States? Is the
Government going to provide special special assistance funds?

The interest shown by some Central American authorities and institutions
in resolving this humanitarian dilemma is counterproductive, as is the
apathy of hundreds of thousands of Cubans in the city that, presumably,
most of those now stranded want to reach. There is no massive
mobilization to set up the shelters, soup kitchens, clinics and services
that these new migrants will need if they head for the sunny city,
whether temporarily to stay.

We can only assume that its elected officials, in addition to struggling
with complaints about the traffic, crime, wages and pensions for police
and firefighters, have a contingency plan in place.

This phenomenon is curious, perhaps almost unique; in the last half
century, each time there has been a massive flight (forced migration?)
Cubans on the other side have been supportive and cooperative. It was so
back during the days of Mariel, despite the resentment from Castro's
ploy, as he flooded the city's streets with lunatics, murderers and
rapists. And it was so during the exodus in '94 or "the balseros
crisis." At that time businessmen, artists and politicians visited
Guantanamo. There were massive shipments of food, clothing and even toys
for children. Despite the rugged terrain and harsh camp life, the
thousands of Cubans concentrated there felt they were not alone, and
that one day they would reach the United States. Miami, once again,
demonstrated its solidarity with this modern flight of the subjugated.

But Miami today is not what it was back during Camarioca, Mariel or
Guantánamo. And Cuban emigrants are not the same either. In the Miami of
the 21st century's second decade wages remain low, barely enough to pay
rent and soaring insurance rates. Work is still scarce and is
increasingly demanding, and the Latino population has diversified to the
point that the city no longer belongs to Cubans alone, but also to
Venezuelans, Argentines and Colombians. Miami no longer seems to be the
Promised Land, or that of opportunities, the place portrayed by
travelers to Cuba wearing gold chains and worm 120-pound gusanos.

As if that were not enough, the Castro propaganda - and that of
like-minded media here - has managed to convey the idea that the Cubans
emigrating today are not like those who did so 45, 35 or 25 years ago.
It is true that many emigrants have accepted these assumptions. Just go
to the airport on any given day and check the passenger list; a high
percentage of them are people returning to Cuba as soon as they are
permanent residents. They do not even blush when they explain that they
are not afraid, that in Cuba nobody ever did anything to them, that they
came for a better life, and aren't interested in politics.

In Cuba the regime has also sold the idea of the "economic emigrant."
That may be debatable, in theory, but not in practice, when from the
more than twenty daily flights to the airports in Havana, Camaguey and
Santiago de Cuba, Cubans get off the planes, with smiles from ear to
ear, bearing gifts for their families, and without even hesitating to
buy a couple of beers for those who made their lives impossible just a
year and a day before.

To make matters even worse, most of those interviewed in Costa Rica lack
the cultural background or perspicacity to articulate the idea that they
are political émigrés. Almost all of them say that they want to reach
the United States (Miami) to give their children a better future, to
have more opportunities, and to help those relatives who remain in Cuba.
It is as if everyone - the Cuban government, US politicians and even the
Cubans stuck en route to the United States - had all collaborated to
refuse them the political and humanitarian relief that the situation
requires.

The reaction of those living in Miami should be understood. And, in the
same way, discussed. Because the situation is complex. Cubans settled in
this city, and who saw Camarioca, Mariel and Guantanamo, have become
hardened, to an extent, to the misfortunes of their countrymen. Hardened
in the sense that one wonders why he should show any solidarity to those
who don´t even claim to be seeking freedom, or raise a single flag
against the Cuban "revolution," but shout "freedom" at Nicaraguan police
who are probably hungrier than they are, and who in Cuba never joined
the marches in front of the Church of Santa Rita.

In a previous article, at the beginning of this crisis, we cited the
words of St. Augustine, who encouraged man to be ruthless against sin,
but merciful towards the sinner. In this case, it would be advisable to
separate the human from the social and political, and to do away with
all that leads to sin, that is, the crime of harming people.

Source: Miami: indolence or immunity? | Diario de Cuba -
http://www.diariodecuba.com/cuba/1449496019_18645.html