Jose Martì, the founding father of a free Cuba, may have lived a short life, but his legacy continues 171 years after his birth. His intellect and courage inspired Cubans in his time and continues to inspire millions of Cubans today.
John Suarez in Notes from the Cuban Exile Quarter:
Remembering José Martí and his legacy on his 171st birth anniversary
“Freedom can not be fruitful for the peoples who have their forehead stained in blood.” – Jose Marti
He re-launched an independence struggle, but he did so without inciting hatred or dehumanizing his opponents. He was a fervent supporter of civil liberties, particularly the freedom of thought and expression. In addition, he worked as a journalist and poet, having previously been imprisoned by the Spanish monarchy for his political views. Today, January 28 marks 171 years since the day José Julián Martí Pérez was born.
Cubans of all ideological stripes claim him as their own, but objectively who has maintained the spirit of his words and ideas? There is a movement in Cuba that seeks to restore human rights and liberties using nonviolent means. There are courageous Cubans who risk everything standing up to dictatorship and some of them have been assassinated in the process and their families targeted for reprisals, and forced into exile.
José Martí wrote that “There is no forgiveness for acts of hatred. Daggers thrust in the name of liberty are thrust into liberty’s heart.” Following this statement to its logical conclusion leads us over a century later to new generations carrying on his legacy.
“The first victory we can claim is that our hearts are free of hatred. Hence we say to those who persecute us and who try to dominate us: ‘You are my brother. I do not hate you, but you are not going to dominate me by fear. I do not wish to impose my truth, nor do I wish you to impose yours on me. We are going to seek the truth together.’” – Oswaldo Paya, December 17, 2002
“Those who steal the rights of others steal from themselves. Those who remove and crush freedom are the true slaves.” – Harold Cepero Escalante, November 3, 2002
In their writings and in their lives, Oswaldo and Harold exemplified the best qualities of José Martí, rejecting hatred and continuing to defy injustice while pursuing liberation and national reconciliation.
Continue reading HERE.
Alas, Martí was an aberration. He wasn’t anywhere near being a typical Cuban. Too many Cubans turned out to be nothing like him, hence the triumph of the “revolution.” I don’t think Cuba can heal without admitting how badly and shamefully so many Cubans fucked up and committing to avoid that ever happening again.