The Magnetism of Miami and its Rich Cuban Influence
Migration to the United States has been recurrent since before the country’s conception. In the last 63 years, a particular group has migrated on a massive scale to the United States –Cubans. Back in Cuba, many residents are faced with the difficult decision to either stay in their home country where they face extreme poverty and an oppressive regime, or flee to Florida where there are better opportunities but it means leaving everything behind. To better understand why Cubans make the complex and difficult decision to leave their homes and the culture behind it, you must first learn about the history of the Cuban Revolution and how it caused the spike in the Cuban population in Miami, Florida.
American society had started to calm down and settle into the idealistic life of the 1950s after decades of war and economic depression. The 50s were a decade of economic upswing and the rise of family values and a better future was ahead. However, by the end of the decade and the beginning of the 1960s, the tension between the capitalist United States and the communist Soviet Union and its allies was growing. After the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the end of World War II, more countries became interested in the development of atomic weapons. This interest would begin the “arms race” between the Soviet Union and the United States. The Soviet Union built and tested its very own atomic bomb named the Joe-1, while the U.S set out to form an atomic bomb that was bigger and more destructive to keep its place as a world power. Suddenly, the threat of global annihilation that came to be known as the Cold War was amongst the public.
In the mid-50s, uprisings started in Cuba against the corrupt President Batista, which caused upper-class Cuban citizens to gain interest in fleeing to the United States, as the Cuban Revolution happened and Fidel Castro rose to power. Cuba also became the next testing ground for nuclear weapons as it allied itself with the Soviet Union. The second wave of Cubans fleeing the country came from various class levels in the early 1980s. Cuban citizens were worn out from the economic hardships from spike drops in oil prices they continued to face. There was also heavy governmental pushback for owning private property from former President Fidel Castro. Before the 80s, Cuba’s borders were closed until former President Fidel Castro, opened up emigration from the port of Mariel. The people who left Cuba during this period were known as the Marielitos because of this port, and at this point, Miami’s culture was influenced by the large Cuban community. Many people’s lives changed as they were given a chance for freedom. Many of them decided to stay in Miami where they could have a taste of home and community.
Migrating to a new country is difficult for anyone, especially if the immigrants are not familiar with the language and culture of the place they are immigrating to. This was the case for many Cubans, so to combat this, the Freedom Tower was built to act as a Cuban assistance center by providing various help to Cuban immigrants. The Freedom Tower is located in the heart of Miami and became a historical landmark for its role in assisting Cubans during a time when the large influx of refugees in a short period of time overwhelmed the U.S government and couldn’t be solely handled. Historical landmarks like the Freedom Tower are all around the city and represent freedom and a new life to many Cuban immigrants who were born in a country that limited their opportunities. As many more Cuban immigrants continue to settle into the country, they bring their culture to Miami. Nowhere can this be seen more than with the creation of Little Havana, a Miami neighborhood that is known for its rich Cuban culture and as a haven for new immigrants. Seconding Little Havana is Hialeah which is also a very populated Cuban neighborhood. Hialeah also has one of the largest Spanish-speaking communities in the country and is known for its Cuban culture from the food to the Spanish-speaking businesses. Hialeah’s familiar feel and central location make it a convenient place to stay in sprawling Miami-Dade County. Because of the path of early Cuban immigrants, residing in Miami became “easier” than other cities and states because of the resources that were set up to help the younger generation gather the required identification papers, resources, and medical examinations. Miami and its culture bring a sense of home and familiarity that other states in the U.S cannot replicate as well.
