Cuba: An Example of Resistance

by Liana Kallman

For the past 36 years, the Cuban Government has posed and continues to pose a national security threat to the United States.
   ―One Hundred Fourth Congress of the United States of America, 1996

Today, Cuba stands as one of the only non-capitalist countries in the world. This small island nation 90 miles away from the tip of Florida is one of only six United Nations member states not in the World Bank, IMF, or World Trade Organization (due to the U.S. trade veto). Cuba faces a litany of challenges, including a crippling trade embargo imposed upon it by the most powerful economy in the world, few natural resources and a disproportionately high borrowing interest rate of 9%.  This trade embargo, implemented in 1960, is widely recognized as a Cold War Era economic strategy to topple socialism in the name of democracy and freedom. 

The 1996 U.S. Congressional act for “Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity” justified renewing the embargo, because “the Cuban people deserve to be assisted in a decisive manner to end the tyranny that has oppressed them for 36 years, and the continued failure to do so constitutes ethically improper conduct by the international community.” This is a common trope in U.S. justification for imperial aggression and it should be noted that President Obama chose to renew the embargo under similar pretenses last month. 

Understanding Cuba’s long colonial history is crucial to understanding its development. Cuba was under Spanish control from 1592 through 1901. Subsequently, Cuba spent another 40 years under formal U.S. control through the Platt Amendment. A government that served U.S. business interests remained in power until the Revolution of 1959, which signifies the first moment of Cuban independence. This long history of exploitation and the powerful opposition of the U.S. government to the Revolution has created a lot of economic hardship and has forced Cuba to make many sacrifices for the sake of its survival. 

However, these sacrifices are never at the cost of universal health care, public and debt-free education, or arts and culture. And this is not simply Socialist rhetoric. Cuba has first-world indicators across the board, including a 99% literacy rate and a life expectancy of 79 years, which is higher than that of the United States, according to International Monetary Fund data. Cuba also has the lowest maternal and infant mortality rates in Latin America.

But these achievements did not come without a struggle. Resolver, or making do,  is one of the central features of daily life in Cuba. In any given neighborhood in La Habana, you will see more shoe repair businesses than new shoe stores. Creative solutions are applied to everything, from substituting pork for beef in recipes in light of the shortage of cows on la isla to the iconic cars from the 1950s, which are held together by an assortment of recycled parts. This is a direct contradiction of consumer culture of the United States, where we are convinced we need to purchase new things and perfectly usable items are frequently wasted and thrown away. 

We as North Americans can learn a lot from the Cuban system, rather than writing it off as a failed experiment. Cuba has clearly stated its priorities and its commitment is evident in the facts, which supersede any rhetoric. This small island has found a way to meet the basic needs of its people in terms, of health, education, safety and access to the arts. What is remarkable is that this was achieved in the face of so much economic hardship and scarcity caused by the U.S. trade blockade, then the U.S. can do the same for its people and more. 

We have all of the resources available to solve our social problems, and no excuses can be made for our unusually high maternal mortality rate or our failure to educate all of our youth and provide a college education to everyone who wants one. The crisis in American education and the limited reform of our private health care system are unacceptable. We have been convinced that budget cuts to art and music programs and public education at every level are unavoidable, but in light of Cuba’s ability to prioritize these important social services, I am skeptical that we cannot find alternatives. 

To myself and other leftists, Cuba provides real inspiration that progressive change is possible in the United States if we can create the political will to fight for it and if we refuse to accept politicians’ defenses of cuts in social spending. To join forces working towards progressive change, find us at Facebook or locate us on MaizePages.