Turning the Page

Turning the Page / Fernando Dámaso
Posted on April 9, 2016

Fernando Damaso, 4 April 2016 — Given President Barack Obama's
intelligent proposal to leave the past behind, turn the page, and
together build a better present, some Cuban fossils have cried to the
heavens, or to hell, go figure.

After the Revolutionary War, Cubans and Spaniards, who had fought a
bloody war, with real fighting and not mere skirmishes, shook hands,
agreed on mutual forgiveness and dedicated themselves to building a
Republic "with all and for the good of all." This was possible because
José Martí's ideas prevailed, a man who always proclaimed love over
hatred and rancor.

Today, unfortunately, the situation is otherwise, because for too many
years hatred and bitterness have prevailed over love. The problem is
that Martí is unrepeatable. Changing this retrograde and suicidal
mentality is very difficult, and will only disappear with the physical
disappearance of its defenders.

However, if they acted intelligently and with some sense, they should be
concerned because, more than anyone, Cubans also need to turn the page
on all the arbitrary acts; division of families; absurd prohibitions;
political, economic, social, cultural, religious and sexual repression;
the thousands of deaths in the Florida Straits of people seeking freedom
and the realization of their life projects; repudiation rallies;
beatings; executions; violations of citizens rights; interventions in
foreign countries and trying to change governments; and the many other
barbarities committed. The blame for Cubans' misfortunes and miseries
was not only on the other side, but also on this side. The real and
supposed lights are not enough to hide their many shades.

These extemporaneous "tantrums" do not help anyone and, much less, those
who participate in them. Now is the time to start thinking and acting
with the responsibility of adults, setting aside voluntarism and so much
accumulated hatred and bitterness, which should not be passed on to the
new generations as a supposed "historic commitment." Let us forget the
false and broken prophets and once again put José Martí in the
forefront, the real Martí and not the manipulated one.

Source: Turning the Page / Fernando Dámaso | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/turning-the-page-fernando-dmaso/