Living Magazine Editorial
Written by Nico Lopez
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Something is moving in Cuba. Have begun to blow air of structural changes. Although, as we see, we're just at the beginning of a new era in our history. May be better if you try to do my best from the beginning. Save errors and relieves bucking change inseparable. It seems that the Cuban people, with patience and wisdom undeniable history, offers another opportunity to time the government has asked, once again, over five decades. Hopefully the new leadership of the State accelerate and deepen, without improvisation, and substantial changes are the only way to justify the time responsible bought and invested.
Many of us are very concerned about the content of the changes: if they are really cosmetic or structural. Others are very concerned about the direction of change, where we lead the reforms if it is step forward or back in time, as if that were possible. Others insist on the strategies and speed of change: how to "prepare" the people psychologically or politically, holding a gradual tension and urgency.
Some do not believe in changes to the same faces, and not missing the few who cling to immobility, the hollow wail accommodation or combative, fast echo in real life and no resonance the vast majority of Cubans that Harteros rub your aggressive language and decaying behind a table, even shared by calmer voices, and only shows a profound and undeniable weakness of reasons. So different from other languages \u200b\u200bmore serene, open and, above all, short. The tension does not help anyone. And such language and attitudes are not what Cuba needs.
now believe that Cuba needs a lot of serenity, much thought and study and patience clinging to the wisdom that "knows" that in times of change any slip can suddenly become a catalyst for violence anything useful for the move. The secrecy, mystery and the decisions behind the people do not help. It takes a lot of transparency, greater consistency between word and action and, above all, to respond directly and quickly to the growing expectations of Cubans.
why we want to focus our attention on one of the most overlooked aspects of any change. It is true that content, direction and strategies, language, speed and serenity are essential, but all of them, and any real transformation are determined by an element too often overlooked or postponed the: the protagonists of change.
One answer too quickly, and suspiciously obvious comes to mind for some: the government. We hear often: Changes, well, everyone knows what is necessary and urgent, but ... who puts the bell the cat?
popular view of this expression there are at least two attitudes: one, stun, which is expected to appear other than take risks and "can." Is the trap of saying. The other way to react positively to the question of "who?", Or rather, who? is offered to all Cubans Father Felix Varela, "first taught us to think" with their own heads:
"It is necessary that good men ... the true patriots are persuaded that now more than ever are obliged to be useful to the country, with the lack of an honest man, but with all the strength and energy of a patriot ... time to avoid the indifference of the best sons of the country ... the poor take up their positions and evil "..." How easy is fear resource! If a friend's house on fire, would it be prudent and friendship not to wake your sleep? ... and who are always saying, 'Who will put the bell the cat? Should we put it? ... Get in the opinion and just ... and perceive the world that the spirits are in agreement and then ... Scalded cat, flees from cold water "(El Habanero)
Create a" state of mind. " Here's one way to participate in the changes is available to everyone. It is very effective. With these and shared our views, in a free, friendly and calm, we can participate in to bell the cat, ie, we can participate as merely ordinary in the transformations they have begun. Is sovereignty from below. It is the first answer to who will star in the change: people, everybody. Indifference is the worst enemy of the hour.
still need to say more: We the people, all we are the largest and most effective opposition to peaceful mismanaged. In fact, what is happening and what will happen in Cuba, as elsewhere in the world has happened and will happen by the pressure of daily and urgent needs of the people. That is the most effective and persistent violent opposition. It is the greatest force for change and what can not be suppressed without attracting wide attention to the world that today more than ever have their eyes on us. The Cuban government itself knows. If not, why are the polls "opinion of the people?". If not, what are the panels and the battle of ideas? Why the peremptory desire that the image of Cuba is of complete normality, order and unity, uniformity?
can say is to educate, we can say it is for not to confuse, to prepare psychologically and politically. Well. Maybe. But that is not enough, everything becomes salt and water when every Cuban we face the morning after the agony of the daily struggle. This is the best barometer of social pressure: the voice of the people buried or flower street, as has become increasingly more tone and frequency. Something that can not endure indefinitely: the needs, hardship. Something that grows and grows until it is unstoppable start making real changes, deep, structural, not cosmetic. Something that does not depend on any ideology or party. This is what has brought us to this crucial moment and it will continue pushing. Let us look
around: college students who debate with a leader, applaud a young pear, vigils for autonomy or require deans and leaders, workers without wages due in the same state corporations, artists escaping or staying escaped, peasants that do not produce food because they do not receive their just reward, housewives whose battle of ideas is waged every day in the kitchen to figure out how to support their children, the elderly homeless and destitute patients who filled the halls of eternal repair dilapidated hospitals ... It is the force and the pressure of survival: age and main opposition of any government. And that's not a faction. Or mercenaries. Or annexation. Or traitors. It is the homeland.
But even if the principal actor, not just opinion and public pressure. Also part of this country that is all part of this nation that we all are the other three legs of the national table: the government, political opposition and other civil society organizations in informal groups, social or cultural associations , religious institutions, etc. These three actors complete the cast of the change managers. They are also the country.
would then have to stop and make sure we change some assumptions clear, accepted and made accordingly. We suggest six:
1. No peaceful change is made without the previous government. There you have it and this must yield to its entitlement to receive respect and do not cause social outbursts. Time is not unlimited and it is factor of credibility.
2. No government gives up, even giving his due, without pressure from the opposition and civil society, coupled with the public and in the same sense that this is marking out of necessity. Faced with new signs of the times, what new responses and initiatives provide the opposition and civil society?
3. No opposition party can put effective pressure if the primary needs of the people before their party programs. Play the vox populi, serve their awareness and their catalysis. And, also, to adapt their programs to the demands of such sovereign voice.
4. Any government gave to the same extent that the growing civic pressure. Are directly proportional. Nobody should expect a new step if no effort to require, but peacefully. Because violence paralyzes and abort any reform. We do not understand pressure and blackmail, but as a demanding and responsible participation of citizens as a sign of maturity and civic and political normality. A country without pressure is a country with no blood pressure. Do not give in to pressures corresponding to those legitimate pulse pressure and the social body can be a sign of rigor mortis in fatal rigidity. Yielding to the sound pressures based on the Natural Law is a sign of vitality of a system, not weakness.
5. Any change and transition is a process in stages. If we want peaceful must be gradual. If we believe in gradual small steps and do not discredit them before they confirm their effectiveness and accuracy. Validate touches all acting accordingly, as if they were true, until proven otherwise. It is the only way that gives us moral authority. The bucking - a few steps forward, some behind and some sideways-is inherent in every peaceful transition. No change was made in a straight line. It's a myth that we expose to heal the disappointment.
6. No people can live in isolation in today's world, globalization of solidarity, interdependence and neighborhood. Sovereignty is not abandoned because it is essential to the citizens and peoples, but also strengthens the suffocating closure on outdated nationalism. All exiles, in our history, have shown that live in other nationalities and cultures does not diminish but strengthens the identity and sovereignty. All exchanges are open to respectful requests of the international community are good. Collate lucid and responsible ways of living our political, economic and social standards to which you have positive progress The world today is best to be really sovereign and strengthen the identity as a people. Who closes and the rest of the world considers wrong can not recognize its identity because it has no comparison parameters, or mirrors of recognition, and encouragement to grow as people. Is closed and blinded, the light does not give anything new or better. We must distinguish between hegemonic blackmail and pressure based on international law. The whole world can not always wrong and always one nation in absolute justice. That does not exist anywhere. In the world of international relations today are based on two pillars: first and foremost, respect for human rights contained in UN Covenants that Cuba has signed, the second, interdependence and regional and global integration. Ethical demand these budgets can not be taken as blackmail or pressure spurious, but a duty and right of peoples united in their mutual responsibility.
A new stage opens in Cuba. For the whole country is time of opportunity. The protagonists of change are so important and crucial as its content, direction and methods. Indeed, some will be defective and maimed in the country's future if, in the transition process, lack any of the operators. Even the quality and feasibility, depth and democracy in a process of change must be measured by the diversity and role of the four players from the true and genuine lasting reforms: the state, opposition and civil society and empowered citizenry. Open all the international community. No change
full and deep without the participation of all. Not saying that nobody heard in Cuba. That does not say that no one was home ready to open its door to the future.
Here are some tools to wake up, open, engage and assess, as citizens, what everyone knows already brewing in Cuba.
Pinar del Río, February 25, 2008
155 anniversary of the death of Father Felix Varela
Written by Nico Lopez
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Something is moving in Cuba. Have begun to blow air of structural changes. Although, as we see, we're just at the beginning of a new era in our history. May be better if you try to do my best from the beginning. Save errors and relieves bucking change inseparable. It seems that the Cuban people, with patience and wisdom undeniable history, offers another opportunity to time the government has asked, once again, over five decades. Hopefully the new leadership of the State accelerate and deepen, without improvisation, and substantial changes are the only way to justify the time responsible bought and invested.
Many of us are very concerned about the content of the changes: if they are really cosmetic or structural. Others are very concerned about the direction of change, where we lead the reforms if it is step forward or back in time, as if that were possible. Others insist on the strategies and speed of change: how to "prepare" the people psychologically or politically, holding a gradual tension and urgency.
Some do not believe in changes to the same faces, and not missing the few who cling to immobility, the hollow wail accommodation or combative, fast echo in real life and no resonance the vast majority of Cubans that Harteros rub your aggressive language and decaying behind a table, even shared by calmer voices, and only shows a profound and undeniable weakness of reasons. So different from other languages \u200b\u200bmore serene, open and, above all, short. The tension does not help anyone. And such language and attitudes are not what Cuba needs.
now believe that Cuba needs a lot of serenity, much thought and study and patience clinging to the wisdom that "knows" that in times of change any slip can suddenly become a catalyst for violence anything useful for the move. The secrecy, mystery and the decisions behind the people do not help. It takes a lot of transparency, greater consistency between word and action and, above all, to respond directly and quickly to the growing expectations of Cubans.
why we want to focus our attention on one of the most overlooked aspects of any change. It is true that content, direction and strategies, language, speed and serenity are essential, but all of them, and any real transformation are determined by an element too often overlooked or postponed the: the protagonists of change.
One answer too quickly, and suspiciously obvious comes to mind for some: the government. We hear often: Changes, well, everyone knows what is necessary and urgent, but ... who puts the bell the cat?
popular view of this expression there are at least two attitudes: one, stun, which is expected to appear other than take risks and "can." Is the trap of saying. The other way to react positively to the question of "who?", Or rather, who? is offered to all Cubans Father Felix Varela, "first taught us to think" with their own heads:
"It is necessary that good men ... the true patriots are persuaded that now more than ever are obliged to be useful to the country, with the lack of an honest man, but with all the strength and energy of a patriot ... time to avoid the indifference of the best sons of the country ... the poor take up their positions and evil "..." How easy is fear resource! If a friend's house on fire, would it be prudent and friendship not to wake your sleep? ... and who are always saying, 'Who will put the bell the cat? Should we put it? ... Get in the opinion and just ... and perceive the world that the spirits are in agreement and then ... Scalded cat, flees from cold water "(El Habanero)
Create a" state of mind. " Here's one way to participate in the changes is available to everyone. It is very effective. With these and shared our views, in a free, friendly and calm, we can participate in to bell the cat, ie, we can participate as merely ordinary in the transformations they have begun. Is sovereignty from below. It is the first answer to who will star in the change: people, everybody. Indifference is the worst enemy of the hour.
still need to say more: We the people, all we are the largest and most effective opposition to peaceful mismanaged. In fact, what is happening and what will happen in Cuba, as elsewhere in the world has happened and will happen by the pressure of daily and urgent needs of the people. That is the most effective and persistent violent opposition. It is the greatest force for change and what can not be suppressed without attracting wide attention to the world that today more than ever have their eyes on us. The Cuban government itself knows. If not, why are the polls "opinion of the people?". If not, what are the panels and the battle of ideas? Why the peremptory desire that the image of Cuba is of complete normality, order and unity, uniformity?
can say is to educate, we can say it is for not to confuse, to prepare psychologically and politically. Well. Maybe. But that is not enough, everything becomes salt and water when every Cuban we face the morning after the agony of the daily struggle. This is the best barometer of social pressure: the voice of the people buried or flower street, as has become increasingly more tone and frequency. Something that can not endure indefinitely: the needs, hardship. Something that grows and grows until it is unstoppable start making real changes, deep, structural, not cosmetic. Something that does not depend on any ideology or party. This is what has brought us to this crucial moment and it will continue pushing. Let us look
around: college students who debate with a leader, applaud a young pear, vigils for autonomy or require deans and leaders, workers without wages due in the same state corporations, artists escaping or staying escaped, peasants that do not produce food because they do not receive their just reward, housewives whose battle of ideas is waged every day in the kitchen to figure out how to support their children, the elderly homeless and destitute patients who filled the halls of eternal repair dilapidated hospitals ... It is the force and the pressure of survival: age and main opposition of any government. And that's not a faction. Or mercenaries. Or annexation. Or traitors. It is the homeland.
But even if the principal actor, not just opinion and public pressure. Also part of this country that is all part of this nation that we all are the other three legs of the national table: the government, political opposition and other civil society organizations in informal groups, social or cultural associations , religious institutions, etc. These three actors complete the cast of the change managers. They are also the country.
would then have to stop and make sure we change some assumptions clear, accepted and made accordingly. We suggest six:
1. No peaceful change is made without the previous government. There you have it and this must yield to its entitlement to receive respect and do not cause social outbursts. Time is not unlimited and it is factor of credibility.
2. No government gives up, even giving his due, without pressure from the opposition and civil society, coupled with the public and in the same sense that this is marking out of necessity. Faced with new signs of the times, what new responses and initiatives provide the opposition and civil society?
3. No opposition party can put effective pressure if the primary needs of the people before their party programs. Play the vox populi, serve their awareness and their catalysis. And, also, to adapt their programs to the demands of such sovereign voice.
4. Any government gave to the same extent that the growing civic pressure. Are directly proportional. Nobody should expect a new step if no effort to require, but peacefully. Because violence paralyzes and abort any reform. We do not understand pressure and blackmail, but as a demanding and responsible participation of citizens as a sign of maturity and civic and political normality. A country without pressure is a country with no blood pressure. Do not give in to pressures corresponding to those legitimate pulse pressure and the social body can be a sign of rigor mortis in fatal rigidity. Yielding to the sound pressures based on the Natural Law is a sign of vitality of a system, not weakness.
5. Any change and transition is a process in stages. If we want peaceful must be gradual. If we believe in gradual small steps and do not discredit them before they confirm their effectiveness and accuracy. Validate touches all acting accordingly, as if they were true, until proven otherwise. It is the only way that gives us moral authority. The bucking - a few steps forward, some behind and some sideways-is inherent in every peaceful transition. No change was made in a straight line. It's a myth that we expose to heal the disappointment.
6. No people can live in isolation in today's world, globalization of solidarity, interdependence and neighborhood. Sovereignty is not abandoned because it is essential to the citizens and peoples, but also strengthens the suffocating closure on outdated nationalism. All exiles, in our history, have shown that live in other nationalities and cultures does not diminish but strengthens the identity and sovereignty. All exchanges are open to respectful requests of the international community are good. Collate lucid and responsible ways of living our political, economic and social standards to which you have positive progress The world today is best to be really sovereign and strengthen the identity as a people. Who closes and the rest of the world considers wrong can not recognize its identity because it has no comparison parameters, or mirrors of recognition, and encouragement to grow as people. Is closed and blinded, the light does not give anything new or better. We must distinguish between hegemonic blackmail and pressure based on international law. The whole world can not always wrong and always one nation in absolute justice. That does not exist anywhere. In the world of international relations today are based on two pillars: first and foremost, respect for human rights contained in UN Covenants that Cuba has signed, the second, interdependence and regional and global integration. Ethical demand these budgets can not be taken as blackmail or pressure spurious, but a duty and right of peoples united in their mutual responsibility.
A new stage opens in Cuba. For the whole country is time of opportunity. The protagonists of change are so important and crucial as its content, direction and methods. Indeed, some will be defective and maimed in the country's future if, in the transition process, lack any of the operators. Even the quality and feasibility, depth and democracy in a process of change must be measured by the diversity and role of the four players from the true and genuine lasting reforms: the state, opposition and civil society and empowered citizenry. Open all the international community. No change
full and deep without the participation of all. Not saying that nobody heard in Cuba. That does not say that no one was home ready to open its door to the future.
Here are some tools to wake up, open, engage and assess, as citizens, what everyone knows already brewing in Cuba.
Pinar del Río, February 25, 2008
155 anniversary of the death of Father Felix Varela
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