Voices from Miami: Cuban Americans Share Their Thoughts on President Obama’s Efforts on Cuba
For more than fifty years, Americans and Cubans have been isolated from one another even though Cuba is only 90 miles away from Florida.
In 2014, President Obama decided to turn the page on a Cold War-era policy that was failing to help the Cuban people, and began a process of normalization focused on making life better for Cubans and building bridges between our peoples.
On March 20, he’ll head down to Cuba himself — becoming the first American president to visit this once-closed country in 88 years.
The President’s decision to change our policy has made a significant impact, not only in Cuba, but in communities across America. Faith leaders, young people, American companies, human rights advocates, and many others have demonstrated a unique interest in our Cuba policy. But no community cares more deeply about these issues than Cuban Americans — young and old — who have maintained a profound interest in Cuba and an abiding faith in the Cuban people.
That’s why I’m in Miami today. Often referred to as the capital of Latin America, Miami has long been the heart of the Cuban American community. So many thousands of Cubans have come to Miami to seek freedom, opportunity, and a new start in this unique American city. They ended up making an extraordinary mark on our country’s culture, economy, and diverse society.
Today, I’m speaking with students and community leaders at Miami Dade College, as well as human rights and civil society advocates, young entrepreneurs, and private sector leaders to talk about the President’s efforts and his upcoming trip. No one has a greater stake in our policy. So throughout the day, I’ll be posting their stories they shared with me here.
First up: Meet Maria. She will be speaking at Miami Dade College during my discussion with young leaders in Miami. You can watch it live here: http://www.mdc.edu/livestream/
Maria Carla Chicuen
In 2014, on December 17, half of my family stood in front of the television, as President Barack Obama announced that the United States would re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba. At the same time, in Havana, the city where I was born and raised, the other half of my family watched President Raúl Castro make the same announcement. Back then I was living in Panama, where only four months later the two presidents would shake hands at the Summit of the Americas.
This is not merely symbolic. As a young Cuban American, I have witnessed the real possibilities that have opened, through good will, to improve relations between our countries, and to improve the lives of Cuban citizens.
As travel restrictions were lifted, I was able to return to Cuba frequently, to visit my relatives and friends from childhood. To visit my husband during the beginning of our relationship, when he was still living in Havana. To conduct academic research for my thesis, which explored Cuba’s relations with Western Europe.
Sending remittances has also become easier, allowing us to support our families more meaningfully. With our help, some of my relatives in Cuba have launched successful small enterprises.
Now it is possible for U.S. businesses, academics, and lawmakers to visit Cuba, and to bring about exchanges between U.S. and Cuban citizens at large. I personally have guided American friends as they coordinated their people-to-people trips to Cuba, and searched for accommodation in private homes in the Island. Recently, I hosted my own wedding in Havana, where half of the guests traveled directly from the United States.
These opportunities for meaningful engagement are a promising beginning.
A new chapter can now be written in the common history of two nations with deep cultural bonds.
I just met with Felice Gorordo, a passionate public servant who used to work with us at the White House before turning his considerable talents toward creating opportunities for young people in Cuba who dream of a better life on the island.
That’s why he and his friends founded Roots of Hope, a network of students and young leaders who are using innovative ways to support young Cubans.
Felice Gorordo
As a freshman in college, I traveled to Cuba for the first time. It was a personal “pilgrimage,” a journey to rediscover my roots and reconcile my family. When I told my parents I wanted to go to the island, it was a difficult conversation to say the least. My mom was adamantly against it. Our family left thinking they wouldn’t go back until things changed. They left loved ones and memories behind that entangled them with pain and nostalgia for what once was … and what could have been. For these reasons, I felt I needed to better understand what this all meant to me and could only do so by going there.
That first trip was a transformational and bittersweet experience. I found Cuba to be just as beautiful as my grandparents had told me. I met incredibly resourceful, caring and welcoming people that received me with open arms. At the same time, I encountered countless young people in such a deep state of desperation that they would rather risk it all throwing themselves into the sea with the hope of coming to the U.S. — instead of staying on the island. For me, this despair and disillusionment struck close to home when I met my family that stayed behind.
When I returned to college, I felt I could not let this be a stand-alone experience and had to do something about it. Along with some daring, courageous and loving young leaders I’ve grown to call my dearest friends, we founded Roots of Hope to help empower youth in Cuba to become the authors of their own futures. Our fundamental belief is that no one should feel like they need to flee their homeland due to the lack of freedom and opportunities. As the sons and daughters of the Cuban diaspora, we believe our responsibility is to bridge the divides and we are deeply committed to garnering support for our counterparts to make a better life for themselves and their families in Cuba.
After a dozen trips and witnessing the impact we’ve made with thousands of young people on both sides of the Florida straits, my mom came around and became one of our most ardent supporters. With her example, she proved this is not just a generational issue. Several years ago, I made her a promise: to one day take her back to Cuba after almost 50 years. In 2014, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and we decided to accelerate our plans. After the recent changes in U.S.-Cuba relations and Pope Francis’ announcement to visit the island, we felt it was the perfect opportunity to make this dream a reality.
Upon arriving in her homeland, my mother was interviewed by CNN on what this all meant to her. She shared a life lesson she taught me long ago: how to forgive — forgetting is hard, but forgiveness, it is liberating — it sets us free and empowers us to overcome adversity.
“I’ve come to a point in my life that we need to forgive,” she said. “My family… we had people in prison … hurt by the regime. I think it’s just time. It’s time to forgive, to forgive and to let these young people live.”
On September 29th, my mom and I returned from an unforgettable trip to Cuba. We arrived in Miami with a longing to go back again very soon. Two months later — on November 29th, my mom lost her long-fought battle with cancer. But her memory, her fighting-spirit, and her forgiving-soul continue to live in the seeds of hope she planted here — and there.
Listening to the Pope’s message of reconciliation, my mom and I felt there has been no better time for the Cuban people to come together and find a more inclusive way for moving forward. It is my personal belief that President Obama’s historic trip to the island is the next step in this journey. And for our family, this has been an opportunity to ensure a promise kept, a dream fulfilled.
Quick update from today’s trip:
