By now you’re probably familiar with Yoani Sanchez who blogs from Havana at Generacion Y. (three new posts)
Yoani gets a nod today from Alvaro Vargas Llosa who calls her “the world’s bravest blogger”. Deservedly so.
Varga Llosa speaks of the irony of the regime’s recent attempt at blocking access to Yoani’s blog from inside the island:
It is ironic that the clampdown should have taken place precisely when Raul Castro is lifting restrictions on the sale of computers, DVD players and cell phones. After all, the brother of Fidel Castro has been encouraging Cubans to debate problems openly
Reading Yoani’s blog is an exercise is humility because its humbling to know that there are people with such courage and conviction. Ms. Sanchez uses her real name, puts up her picture, gives interviews to foreign journalists, talks about her family and even tells the regime how she manages to get access to the web from behind the (c)astro’s palm tree curtain.
In this quote from another article, Yoani addresses the anonymity issue:
“Once you experience the flavor of saying what you think, of publishing it and signing it with your name, well, there’s no turning back,”
And to think that yours cowardly use to hide behind the anonymity of my “gusano” nombrete….
Yoani has little respect for her anonymous censors:
“The anonymous censors of our famished blog have tried to lock me up in the room, turn my lights off and prevent my friends from coming in. …However, the punishment is so useless that it invites pity and so easy to elude that it becomes an incentive.”
And that’s the heart of the matter. One frail Cuban woman with a flash drive and the heart the size of Cuba standing against thousands of anonymous cowardly thugs lurking in the shadows with nothing to fight with but her humble words and the dignity of her name.
No wonder Alvaro Vargas Llosa calls her “the world’s bravest blogger” here.
I’ve often thought that about Yoani. Brave doesn’t even begin to describe her…
First we have Biscet – now we have Yoani!
Very gutsy – she’s terrific and has a great command of the language, to boot. We need to give her more press – spread the word thru cyberspace.
Another great Cuban woman with ****lls.
I admire her guts to put herself and her family on the line. I’ve wondered about her safety. Though they have tried to stop her, is she fairly safe from acts of repudiation? Isnt what she is doing “dangerous to the revolution”? or is she just not a big enough threat?
nevermind, i just answered my own question. Cubans can’t access her site so she’s not posing any imminent danger by spreading ideas.
C:
Marta can tell you I was really reluctant to blog using my name so to see somebody who’s actually in Cuba and does it, it’s humbling. I honestly don’t think I would be that brave. In fact, I know I’m not. And then, she has the nerve to call them on their anonymity. like if you’re gonna censor me, do it to my face.we are not worthy.
I have admired Yoani from very early on when many understandably questioned if she was for real or not. Yes, esa Cubana tiene tremendos ****nes!!!
Gusano:
I just want to make sure that by anonymity you are referring to the regime weasels who monitor Yoani’s (and other Cubans’) blogs behind their secret wall of anonymous protection and not bloggers who may choose to use a pen name.
I know there are many bloggers- and not just those who blog about Cuba- who want to protect their privacy and their family’s from internet weirdos, bosses, etc. (The author of dooce.com got fired from her job when she blogged about her bosses and they found out- she made headlines and now makes loads of money from her blog.)
The fact that Yoaní flaunts her identity is so remarkable in Cuba because she is thumbing her nose right at the regime- good for her!
C:that’s the heart of the matter(obscure Don Henley reference), I was trying to contrast Yoani vs. faceless anymous censors. David vs Goliath. As far as blogger anonymity, i was trying to contrast my fear of someone getting my precious ip address to Yoani’s courage in the face of a totalitarian regime. I’m not sure what thats got to do with doocing. I guess i’m not getting a very good grade on my post, huh,teach?
Nope, you get an A for completely addressing the question. Your answer, by the way, was what I assumed. As for dooc(ing)I was referring to people using anonymous names to blog so that bosses don’t find out (like the Dooce woman) or just to keep their blog life private.
Thanks for the clarification.
Yoani truly is an inspiration and a lesson in courage for all of us. It is like she’s daring the regime to come after her. One lone Cuban on the island itself and within easy reach of the government’s thugs is thumbing her nose at them.
It is Cubans like Yoani that we must emulate. Her undaunted courage to continue speaking the truth while knowing the regime is aware of who she is, where she lives, who her family members are, is humbling to say the least. She is that dose of reality we all need that will help us realize that it will be the fearlessness of people like her, like Biscet, like Antunez, like Darsi, that will bring freedom to Cuba. Anyone can speak in hiding, but only a hero does it in the open so everyone can see their face.