CUBA’S NEED

On July 11, many of us saw the unusual images of protests in Cuba. For six decades, Cuba has been a model of stability in Latin America in the face of American economic sanctions, the end of the Cold War and the special period from 1990-1995 when Cubans went hungry as Soviet subsidies dried up. I hate to see my parents’ homeland under such duress.

As an American whose parents left Cuba as children, I am not a typical Cuban American. Having traveled to Cuba more than 90 times, I am aware of what Cuba’s people want.

What is needed now is more engagement with Cuba. Young Cuban Americans should be leading the charge. Waving Cuban flags, blocking highways and holding “S.O.S. Cuba” signs are all empty rhetoric. America has hidden behind the simplistic symbolism of the embargo since 1962 and it has accomplished nothing except support anti-American rhetoric and prolong suffering.

Now we must demand the embargo be rescinded to stop the suffering. We need to flood the island with our compassion.

– Jason Donofrio, Washington, D.C.