{"id":324676,"date":"2025-06-20T18:37:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T22:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/?p=324676"},"modified":"2025-06-20T18:37:01","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T22:37:01","slug":"family-portrait-notes-on-politics-and-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/opinion\/columns\/in-plain-words\/family-portrait-notes-on-politics-and-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Family portrait: notes on politics and change"},"content":{"rendered":"

The shared perceptions among media outlets of almost all stripes about Cuban society is that it is divided into two poles. On one side, those who wield power at some level and the \u201cofficialists\u201d who support them (with a declining trend); and on the other, those who oppose them (increasingly), from belligerent or \u201cindependent\u201d positions. In the middle, there is an innocuous, amorphous, exhausted, drained, etc. mass, incapable of reacting except in bursts of despair, and who, in the meantime, suffer with resignation; that is, silent or looking for a way out.<\/p>\n

This representation, now mainstream, also affirms that young people are apolitical. That they prefer to leave the country to struggle for what they believe is just. That they respond with the reflexes typical of their generation, absorbed in social media and immersed in the alienation of the hypermedia world, in evasion and banality; that they ignore or disdain the usefulness of technology for learning, science, development, etc. That they don\u2019t dare to use the space of their organizations and institutions to demand what they believe is right and necessary for themselves and for society. That they don\u2019t share the crystallized and ceremonial modes of social communication and discourse because they are \u201capathetic.\u201d That they live in an anachronistic country and in an outdated culture, removed from the contemporary world.<\/p>\n

In the midst of the wasteland described thus, where everything is ideology, the only lights of hope emanate from a certain \u201ccivil society,\u201d where the voices of change reside. That is, a private sector, although alive, in decline; Evangelical, Protestant and Catholic churches, which bring clarity, a democratic sense and a progressive orientation to the people who follow them; a resident opposition inside and outside, whose media outlets are sources of truthful and balanced information, and whose intellectuals possess the most reliable perspectives to explain what is happening.<\/p>\n

The abrupt and disproportionate increase<\/strong><\/a> (compared to expectations regarding a public service) in internet rates has been a one-time event whose most significant effect has not been economic or ideological, but sociopolitical: highlighting, in high definition and contrast, a segment of the public sphere that is almost always ignored and forgotten. I am referring to the \u201csocialist family\u201d in all its true plurality.<\/p>\n

I attempt to put together these notes about a part of that \u201cfamily,\u201d its diversity, vibrancy, institutional or non-institutional means of expression, points of convergence and divergence.<\/p>\n

This reaction encompasses voices from diverse social groups affected by the measure; not only students, but also older adults, artists, academicians, etc. The media channeling these reactions are also varied, including established organs and institutions.<\/p>\n

The Hermanos Saiz Association (AHS), an organization of young writers and artists, was one of the first to respond<\/a> to the rise in internet rates. Its arguments<\/a> defended those who \u201cincreasingly depend on digital platforms,\u201d \u201cespecially those living outside of provincial capitals,\u201d whose access will become \u201cunsustainable for many creators.\u201d They also defended \u201clive broadcasts of their events,\u201d essential \u201cto reach diverse audiences\u201d inside and outside Cuba. It will become more difficult to \u201cdownload books, audiobooks, and videobooks\u201d amid a \u201cshortage of paper for printing literary works.\u201d<\/p>\n

This argument concludes with a broader political and cultural reflection: the increase in rates \u201cwould curb the potential of a generation of artists who have found in the internet a tool for empowerment and resistance to the wave of international colonization\u201d; it would also prevent \u201cthe visibility of our country\u2019s culture in a context like the current one.\u201d<\/p>\n

The official newspaper of Matanzas, Gir\u00f3n, immediately published an unusual editorial against the rate hike:<\/p>\n

Was such a huge leap necessary? Isn\u2019t there a middle ground between ETECSA\u2019s financial strangulation and the economic strangulation of users? Online users are asking: Have all avenues been explored to encourage foreign currency refills without penalizing essential domestic consumption? Differentiated packages based on usage profiles? Targeted temporary subsidies? Partnerships with other productive sectors? Connectivity is not a luxury; it\u2019s a tool for work, study, communication and development. Managing it with fairness, vision and dialogue is not solely ETECSA\u2019s responsibility… Detailed and public explanations of the investment and improvement plan are needed, along with information on whether alternatives will be explored to alleviate the impact on productive and lower-income sectors.<\/p>\n

Professors from the University of Havana\u2019s Department of Sociology described<\/a> the measures as \u201ccontrary to the principles of our State, to the fundamental right of access to communication\u201d and, above all, as threatening \u201cthe already deteriorating quality of life of the Cuban population.\u201d They also described them as lacking \u201ccitizen consultation,\u201d ignoring \u201cthe precarious economic conditions in which the people live\u201d and having a greater impact \u201con structural inequalities\u201d and \u201climiting the scientific, academic and social development of the nation.\u201d They also aggravate \u201cthe crisis situation\u201d for \u201clarge sectors of the population\u201d and ignore \u201cthe principle of equity and the social nature of an essential public service in Cuba.\u201d<\/p>\n

They affirmed that the measures contradict established policies, such as \u201cdigitalization, bancarization, teleworking, the migration of services to digital platforms,\u201d the existence of \u201cgreater digital education\u201d and \u201ctransnational families supported through technology.\u201d They denounced their effect in generating \u201cdiscontent and concern among the population.\u201d<\/p>\n

They described the \u201cspecific impact on the academic community and society in general\u201d as \u201cvery serious,\u201d with an impact on \u201cthe already weakened higher education system\u201d and \u201cgreater intellectual isolation and technological backwardness.\u201d<\/p>\n

They judged the measures not only as unpopular, but also as a reflection of \u201can economic logic out of touch with social reality\u201d and \u201ccontradictory to the policy of computerization of society,\u201d and expressed concern about the political treatment given to the discontent of the general population and students in particular.<\/p>\n

Their demands are summarized as \u201cmore dialogue, participation, consensus and coherence.\u201d They asked that the measures be suspended and a transparent consultation process with the public be established, through \u201cthe activation of institutional participation mechanisms,\u201d so that \u201cthe agreements reflect the consensus of the majority.\u201d They demanded \u201ca public statement from the country\u2019s high leadership, taking into account the political complexity of the situation.\u201d They concluded by emphasizing that they will not allow their declaration to be used \u201cfor interests alien to our revolutionary position.\u201d<\/p>\n

It closes with a definition of their role as professors and sociologists, which could well answer the question of what the role of a socialist intellectual is in today\u2019s Cuba: \u201cto criticize our reality and advocate for social policies that contribute to the country\u2019s social equity.\u201d<\/p>\n

This reaction, ultimately, does not encompass only one segment of the intellectual and ideological spectrum of \u201cthat socialist family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Passersby on a Havana street. Photo: EFE\/Ernesto Mastrascusa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a text criticizing the policy implemented (Cubainformaci\u00f3n \u2013 Article: Los contextos de ETECSA o c\u00f3mo no podr\u00e1n convertir a la FEU en el sindicato Solidaridad [The Contexts of ETECSA or How They Can\u2019t Turn the FEU into the Solidarity Union]<\/a>), its author acknowledges that \u201cmistakes were made in the application of the measures adopted\u201d and that \u201cpublic dialogue should have preceded their implementation.\u201d He notes that this \u201chas a huge psychological impact, because during the pandemic and power outages, we take refuge in connection, and through it we talk to our relatives abroad or with friends in the country, we gather information for work or school, etc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking of the Party, and of \u201cmany of its dedicated leaders and officials at all levels,\u201d he notes that \u201cover the years it has lost its initial dynamism, and sometimes fails to deal with the spontaneity of a youth who want to wage their own war.\u201d And he adds a characterization of that youth: \u201cThe instant mobilization of young university students in the face of a measure they considered unjust is a breath of fresh air, a demonstration of life, a warning that the Revolution is not dead. They may not be right because they are young; being right is not a matter of age. They may or may not be right; that is what needs to be discussed. But they do have the right to be heard, to participate in decisions that affect them.\u201d<\/p>\n

I would like to conclude these notes with some thoughts gleaned from my conversation yesterday with two Federation of University Students (FEU) presidents from the Faculties of Philosophy and History, and Biology and Biochemistry, respectively, Amalia D\u00edaz P\u00e9rez and Daniela Alberto \u00c1lvarez. Although I intend to publish them in full in Temas magazine\u2019s \u201cCatalejo\u201d in a few days, I\u2019m sharing them here telegraphically, as a live reflection on a process in full swing. Below are some answers from both sides to my questions.<\/p>\n

Why such a sharp reaction to the rise in internet rates, amid rising prices for basic goods? Why are students at the forefront?<\/strong><\/p>\n

DA<\/strong>: It\u2019s the straw that broke the camel\u2019s back.<\/p>\n

AD: Because of the buildup of discontent. But also because the internet has been used as a channel to get away from everyday problems like the lack of electricity, water and cooking fuel.<\/p>\n

DA<\/strong>: Communication [via the internet] is a way for Cubans today to connect, to feel heard, to have a space for participation, to create and maintain ties.<\/p>\n

AD<\/strong>: The impact is greatest among students, because they are at the forefront of this technologization of society. And because of their potential, thanks to an organization that has more opportunities, namely the FEU, where they have a short time and a renewing spirit. Students are those who historically have the least to lose and, therefore, are the most revolutionary.<\/p>\n

DA<\/strong>: It\u2019s a measure that widens the gap between those who will be able to access it and those who won\u2019t, on top of all the existing difficulties and inequalities.<\/p>\n

Some say that students are defending their interests as a sector.<\/strong><\/p>\n

DA<\/strong>: Yes, we are defending the interests of students, because students are interested in what is happening in Cuba, they are interested in what is happening to the Cuban people. And that\u2019s why we were the first to raise our voices, so that we would be heard, but also so that the rest of the people would be heard. But we don\u2019t want a second package for the students. What we want is for the people of Cuba, of which we are a part.<\/p>\n

AD<\/strong>: The reason for our reaction is that students may be one of the most affected groups, and the capacity of the FEU organization to process and organize this discontent.<\/p>\n

There is a bigger problem here, which is political participation. Because we have organizations that, despite having legislation and a structure designed for this, fail to channel discontent, and are tainted by a lack of representation that prevents this from being functional when it comes to decision-making.<\/p>\n

To what extent can we speak of a common position among students? Is there a homogeneous reaction?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD<\/strong>: The view among students has not been homogeneous, although there is a general consensus regarding rejection of the measures. There are those who complain about how it affects them individually, and there are those who have understood that the nature of the organization and the University is to be part of the people, and we must think about society as a whole.<\/p>\n

DA<\/strong>: It is very difficult for the reaction to be homogeneous. There may be different currents: some who are waiting to see what happens, some who don\u2019t want to wait, some who, while waiting, have sat down to think about what we are doing, what we can do.<\/p>\n

At the university level, the consensus is that no one agrees with the measure, nor with it or the communication it has received.<\/p>\n

There are faculties that have decided to act differently, which is completely legitimate. Above all, I believe that we have greatly respected each other in terms of our autonomy as an organization, our desire to do things, and doing. There has been consistent respect for the different ways in which the faculties have reacted. To legitimize the fact that the faculties have acted differently. They have done so because they felt it, not because anyone paid them or influenced them from abroad.<\/p>\n

It is very important to let us students build our struggle, because we don\u2019t need any official or unofficial means to construct or deconstruct what we want, what we want to fight for.<\/p>\n

Is there a dialogue underway? Is it moving forward? What does it depend on? What are its implications for the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n

AD<\/strong>: Regarding additional measures for students, after all these alternatives were mentioned, many students remained dissatisfied until the Multidisciplinary Group was formed, with the participation of the FEU and ETECSA, and other organizations, to see how an alternative could be found for the entire population.<\/p>\n

DA<\/strong>: Yes, there was dialogue, we were listened to. That\u2019s important to emphasize. There was even an automatic response, which was for the ETECSA leaders to come to the university. The university authorities, the rector, the vice-rectors, the deans, have sat down with us to dialogue, they have listened to us.<\/p>\n

AD<\/strong>: There have been results and progress; at the same time, there have been problems that have limited the fruitfulness of the dialogue. The line between whether this dialogue process yields results or not can be decisive; as well as the implications it may have for the country, and above all for the political participation that students will have from now on.<\/p>\n

A process of motivating students can begin when choosing representatives and getting involved in ongoing decision-making and, therefore, in participating, in addressing social issues in general.<\/p>\n

***<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although this is an ongoing process, and reflections on its dynamics and nuances would provide much more scope, I conclude this already lengthy text with that quote from Galileo that we all know by heart, in the original Italian, and which is relevant to combat disbelief and its dogmas. Do you remember what it says?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

________________________________________<\/p>\n

1. Reviewing the 62 comments accumulated on this editorial in the following 48 hours would provide the basis for a concrete reflection on the nature and content of the public sphere, the role of the official press and its degree of legitimacy (Editorial Note from the Gir\u00f3n Newspaper \u2013 Gir\u00f3n Newspaper<\/a>).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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