On the cuba disucssion, it seems to me that harping over whether this or
that proves that Cuba has strayed from the socialist path, become
capitalist, etc., is largely a waste of time. The data Brian Green presents
on anti-labor measures are very interesting and deserves our scrutiny; I
thank him for it. The conlusion that this proves a march towards capitalism
is, I feel, nonsense (in this I agree with Louis's notes).
What is absent from this discussion is politics: participation, push and
pull of actors inside Cuba, voice in making decisions. Setting production
goals in coops (etc.) does not prove a march towards capitalism; it does
suggest authoritarianism that, being a Cuban, one might well struggle
against WITHIN and FOR a socialist project, though how, when, and how much,
would have to be a constant, onging discussion.
One of the things that most impressed me in Cuba were young people, conviced
socialists (no desire to turn Havana into a Lima or Caracas), yet extrememly
frustrated in being treated as simple receptors of state dictates, spied on,
not trusted. This is a problem of power, authority, etc., not (necessarily)
economic models.
But, neither you nor I are Cuban, and here the issue of our respective roles
arises. A firm anti-imperialism is always in order; but how to acknowledge
and constructively engage the problems noted? One inspirational example of
ethical, responsible criticism from without is Margareet Randall's Gathering
Rage, on the difficult relations between feminism and revolution in Central
America in the 1980s.
I do not want to play into the hands of the right on this, and I fully
acknowledge the problem is hellish, especially when the US's and Mas
Canosa's (may he burn in hell) armies are ever poised to invade militarily,
comercially, culturally. That said, I do think we should talk about this --
both the politics and economics -- ever vigilant to how what we say might be
used.
And a quote:
I
When my dreams started showing signs
of becoming
politically corrct
no unruly images
escaping beyond the borders
when walking the street I found my
themes cut out for me
knew what I would not report
for fear of my enemies' usage
then I began to wonder
II
Everything we write
will be used aginst us
or against those we love.
These are the terms
take them or leave them
Poetry never stood a chance
of standing outside history,
One line typed twenty years ago
can be blazed on a wall in spraypaint
to glorify art as detachment
or torture of those we
did not love but also
did not want to kill
We move but our words stand
become responsibe
for more than we intended
and this is verbal priviledge
III
Try sitting at a typewriter
once calm summer evening
at a table by a window
in the country, try pretending
your time does not exist
that you are simply you
that the imagination simply strays
like a great moth, unintentional
try telling yourself
you are not accountable
to the life of your tribe
the breath of your planet
IV
It doesn't matter what you think
words are found responsible
all you can do is choose them
or choose
to remain silent. Or, you never had a choice,
which is why the words that do stand
are reposnsible
and this is verbal priviledge
[....]
Adrienne Rich, North American Time, 1983
Tom Kruse / Casilla 5812 / Cochabamba, Bolivia
Tel/Fax: (591-42) 48242
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
