What I Saw in Cuba (And You Should See Too!)
This week, I had a front row seat to history in the making. I joined President Obama and the First Family as they visited Cuba, the first trip by a sitting President in 88 years.
This was not my first trip to Cuba. My first visit to the island was in 1977, as a staffer for my friend, mentor and predecessor, Congressman Ron Dellums.
Since then, I’ve been privileged to visit the island more than twenty times leading Congressional, people-to-people and business delegations. On every visit, I have been struck by the island’s beauty and the optimism of the Cuban people.
Everyone should have the right to visit and experience Cuba.
As I joined our President for this historic visit, I kept asking myself: “Why can’t all Americans see this beautiful place and visit our wonderful Cuban neighbors?”
Unfortunately, a small, vocal group of hardliners are dedicated to preserving outdated Cold War policies. They refuse to see how these policies isolate the U.S. and restrict the freedoms of Americans.
After more than five decades of failure, it’s time to abandon these anachronistic policies and chart a new path forward.
Americans are already lining up to visit Cuba. They are drawn to the Cuban people whose optimism, compassion and zest for life are infectious.
Cuba is also home to world-class art. One of my favorite works of public art is Salvador’s Callejón de Hamel. Beginning in 1990, Salvador began creating murals and sculptures along a street near the University of Havana.
Through his art, which incorporates many found objects, he has helped transform the neighborhood into a thriving, energetic center of Afro-Cuban culture.
It’s past time for every American to be able to discover his beautiful work, as well as the weekly rumba and street music performances in the neighborhood.
Sadly, art isn’t the only Cuban experience that Americans are forced to miss. There are few nations that love baseball as much as the U.S. and Cuba.
During our delegation, we were joined by the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays beat the Cuban National Team in the historic exhibition match thanks to a three-run home run from James Loney in the third.
It was a good game but my favorite part was when President Obama and President Castro stood up to join the wave, a proud baseball tradition that started in the East Bay.
This was the first “goodwill game” between our two nations since 1999. Let’s not wait another sixteen years to play catch with our neighbors.
After once again visiting Cuba and seeing the positive impact of person-to-person diplomacy, I’m more committed than ever to lifting the travel ban.
That’s why I’m working with Republicans and Democrats to pass the bipartisan Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act. Through our Bipartisan Cuba Working Group, we’re building support for this legislation with more than 100 co-sponsors in the House and 46 co-sponsors in the Senate.
But to pass this bill, we need the voices of the American people demanding change. More than 80 percent of American voters support opening travel to Cuba. If everyone took the time to call their Representative’s office, the travel ban would be lifted by the close of business.
Cuba is just 90 miles from our shores — haven’t we already wasted enough time isolating our neighbors?
Congresswoman Barbara Lee is a co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Cuba Working Group. She represents California’s East Bay, including Oakland and Berkeley, in Congress.
