Cuban blogger and independent journalist Yoani Sánchez said despite restrictions on cyberspace in Cuba the Internet is changing the communist country, during a lecture at Florida International University in Miami, the heart of the Cuban exile community.
“The virtual Cuba is influencing, directly and definitively, the real Cuba,” she said, after recounting a story about how Cubans, using text messages on the government-controlled cell phone network, were able to mobilize hurricane relief for the Oriente area of Cuba. “The Internet is helping us explain to the world what is happening inside our country.”
Sánchez addressed an audience of 500 on the restrictions the Cuban government places on free expression, including Internet access, and the impact of technology on the possible democratization of Cuba. The lecture took place at the FIU Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Performing Arts Center. Recordings of the lecture are available in English and Spanish.
Sánchez also said that technology and being able to reach the outside world has protected her and other government opponents.
“We feel protected precisely because of the shield that technology has provided to us,” she said.
FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg presented Sánchez with the Medallion of Courage, which recognizes individuals who pursue or defend a noble cause at a personal cost.
“We honor and salute you for the eloquent act of resistance that has given hope to the people of your homeland as it garners the praise of a watching world,” Rosenberg said during the medallion presentation.
Sánchez, 37, has become known around the world as a vocal critic of the Cuban government. For the last six years she has documented her life on the island through her blog, GeneraciónY, and her Twitter updates via @yoanisanchez.
“This was a unique opportunity for the South Florida community to hear Sánchez’s thoughts on how expanding access to the Internet and enabling the use of blogs, Twitter, and other social media can help to break Cuba’s isolation from the rest of the world,” said Jorge Duany, director of FIU’s Cuban Research Institute. “Her visit will foster the open exchange of information, ideas, and proposals about Cuba’s possible futures.”
Welcome Yoani! Thank you for your stand, sacrifice and courage.
I disagree with mthe embargo opinion but that is good dialogue. Go back and remeain erect!
Huh…?!
Especially the, “…remain erect,” part!
The short version on what Cuba needs is: step out of the third-world, make a move toward the 21st century, and quit living in the past. Cuba has never demonstrated, to the world, anything but that banana republic, third-world mentality.
In fact the only good thing I can see coming off that island is that they have a lot of ’55-’57 Chevys over there. But they have no idea of how to make big horsepower, so those are languishing in abandon, too
Cubans living in Cuba, who are unable due to the oppression exercised on free speech by the regime, have in fact not been able to demonstrate to the world a progressive mentality. This concept is difficult to grasp by those who have enjoyed the First Amendment guaranteed by the United States Constitution. However, Cubans like Ms. Sanchez clearly demonstrate that “a third world mentality” is not shared by everyone in the island. This new wave of thought and action will in the future surprise many who will discover how many things can be changed and created, including “big horsepower”.
Very cute, Gonzalez, and yes, there are exceptions to every rule.
But I think you’re living in da’ Nile, or at least swimming in it; so I’m not holding my breath on any imminent changes for the better in that vicinity of the world. It’s gonna’ take a lot more than a ‘blog to make any positive impact.
In the U.S. the history supports that to maintain our/my American way of life, Americans have made hefty deposits in blood, sweat, and tears (the band too). A lot of diplomacy and finance, as well, goes into that equation.
Personally, even I was over at my local draft-induction center in 1969. I got lucky, the powers-that-be decided not to send me to Southeast Asia/Vietnam; they sent a lot of my friends, though.
My dad had a nice time in Korea in the ’50s as well.
No, Cuba, as well as the rest of the third-world (Mexico, South & Central America), won’t be making any changes in mentality; the people live in the past…and they don’t have the horsepower.
Trivia factoid: What amount of horsepower is the average American, NHRA fuel dragster and/or funny car producing now-a-days?
Answer: 11,000!
I gotta’ get back to – WORK.
Wow, I feel embarrassed for Chuck Ross’ ignorance on the issues. One of the (many) problems with the Cuban issue is that many people are quick to pass judgment based on superficial assumptions, when most of the times they haven’t even lived there. It’s really sad how even Cubans who are second generation immigrants who live in Miami, don’t have the slightest clue of what is going on there. They live in a state of blissful oblivion, unaware of what is happening just a few miles away from their home city. Just yesterday I was speaking to a Cuban-American friend and she said that she too supported the Cuban revolution, when I realized that she did not know what she was talking about, I explained to her that what was meant by that phrase was Castro’s revolution, i.e. communism. She then retracted admitting that she was confused about the terminology. I am glad that people like #yoanisanchez are doing #work and educating those of who don’t have a clue what it’s like behind the official propaganda, behind the façade of the tropical “banana republic” with the ’55-57 Chevys. #educateyourself
That was a sweet little personal dig, Sanchez; all very superficial and pretentious. Some people might say, take the Cuban history, or lack of it, and put it where the sun doesn’t shine.
I, of course; would never say that, I have too much social etiquette, unlike a lot of the Latino community who think it’s great to enjoy all the benefits of a U.S. lifestyle while eschewing the history, identity (language), and responsibility of being an American. Personally I’m not very keen on that part.
And don’t think the rest of the U.S. is Miami/Dade County, and that most of the vast fabric of American colleges and universities are anything like FIU. Enjoy what you’ve got and where you are.
Cuban history is not rocket science; in fact I’ve seen the documentaries, one produced as recently as in the past year.
My favorite is the one that shows everyone in Havana in their best, fanatical, third-world behavior as they usher in the new regime, the Castro regime, with all the concomitant flag-waving and hysteria.
Certain affiliates made sure Castro had a place in Mexico to re-gather his thoughts. And then, board a little boat named, Granma (I wonder where they got the name for the – official – Cuban periodico?), along with accomplices like Huber Matos, Ernesto “Che'” Guevara, etc., and collectively make their way back onto the island and a fresh coups’…with everyone’s support.
This coups; was just to replace the one formerly foisted on the island, to put Fulgencio Batista into the driver’s seat! Go figure…
Like I said, not real rocket science. I’m not an expert on Cuban history, but I’m certainly in deep-enough.
I spent 10 years in South America; I’m very familiar with the mentality, and it’s all about the same.
Just to recap: You’re the captain of your own ship. People and countries design their-own destinies and they have to live with the consequences of their decisions, I’m just holding-up the mirror; maybe like – how was it characterized for Miss Sanchez (?)- “..an independent jounalist?”
I would never consider myself a real journalist; I don’t even hold a journalism license! I’m just a hillbilly/surfer.
I’m okay with my American history and identity though, and obviously you’re good with your Cuban stuff.
I know i don’t speak for everyone, but I’m glad we, the U.S. could help you out…but I’m not – real – glad.
Thanks for talkin’ to me.
Yoani, I agree that the Cuban community abroad should unite in more meaningful ways, but I honestly don’t want for the Cubans abroad to decide who is going to be in power. It is to the Cubans in the island to decide their own fate. We can not IMPOSE on them, we made the decision to leave, and live under a different system. We need to work for mutual benefit because there are things that are a contribution brought by the Cuban government, and we in the US should take note of their example. Not everything has been to the detriment of the Cuban society. On my first trip to Cuba, I realized that there are things that operate in that system that benefit the population at large, and it is practically impossible to see that happening in the US, things like free medical care. On that trip with FIU, one of the students in the group got ill, she went to a clinic and was not charged for the service. We had heard of it, but to experience it was another thing. The system needs change, no doubt, there are plenty of things that are obsolete and dysfunctional, but I rather see change through cooperation instead of confrontation.
Living in the US is not easy– job insecurity, expensive medical care and a constant battle for most people trying to make ends meet. The middle class in this country has been steadily shrinking, not surprising after all, we live in a society where change is constant, it does not stop. This is far from being a perfect place. You have to be careful in what you wish for because this is not an easy alternative either.
I just want for the abusive travel practices that makes us tokens in the constant push and pull of different political manipulations to stop. I don’t want to feel like a token anymore. I AM NOT A TOKEN TO BE USED BY THE US/CUBA demonizing diatribe of each other. Commercial travel to Cuba should start soon and EVERYONE should be allowed to go there and see for themselves what needs to be done here, and the same goes for Cubans in the island. Let everyone travel just like we do to other countries and see for themselves other alternatives, other possibilities in our lifetime.
And yes, let’s end this embargo once and for all.
¡Gracias Yoani! ¡el futuro existe!