Day after tomorrow, Fidel Castro will turn 79 and his life has been, at the very least, eventful. This is a man who has managed to keep a firm grip on power, in his country, for 46 years. Even if you don't agree with his politics, it would be impossible to say that this is not an impressive record. In a country filled with the fiery passion, that Latins are so famous for, it is difficult to fathom, that he had not been wrested from power, long ago, by someone younger, flashier and more power hungry, but I suppose this would be a testament to the fact that, above all else, Fidel is the best at what he does - being a dictator.
In the current political climate, I think more than ever before, Fidel Castro has been enjoying a sort of renaissance, as a symbol of the new socialist/communist ideology. Che Guevera can also be included in this movement, but his honor is a posthumous martyrdom. Fidel is a living breathing symbol, for his Utopian ideology. Everywhere you look, on University campuses, in high school yards, on the street, what you'll see is teenagers, young adults, all wearing symbols of the socialist state, embracing the fascists, as heroes. This is a radical new movement, for them. Problem is, how do you have a radical new movement, with the same tired old ideology, leader, and symbols? What they don't realize, is that they are on the precipice of a major reorganization of the political landscape - A purging, if you will, from society, of the dead-end metaphysics of socialism. An indication of this shift, can be seen in the current political climate. The radical Islamist movement has helped to re-energize conservatism , and in doing so, all the normalized euphemisms of socialism and communism are being questioned by society. Also helpful, is the glaring evidence pervading in the information age, that Castro's experiment in socialization has been a colossal failure.
The waves of Cubans, washing up on the shore of Florida, are a testament to the death-defying will of a populace that strives to get out from under the jack-boot, of it's government. Revelations of the imprisonment of Librarians, for the crime of stocking unapproved reading material, the execution and imprisonment of political dissidents, and the violent censorship of speech, are beginning to serve as a rally call, to the free world. How much longer can they be ignored?
To clarify, I do believe Fidel Castro will die as the leader of Cuba, but what then? The possibility of a new military fascist taking over is very real. But for those who believe in freedom, it will be an opportunity to instill a new hope, in Cuba - the hope of freedom. After all, what good is socialized medicine, if you don't have enough food to eat. What good is free education, when you're not free to go where you want, and say what you want? The draw of government takes care of all' is powerful, but it is an illusion that must be propped up with violence. For when people realize what it will cost them, and they refuse to take it willingly, they must be forced to accept it, and that has been the life of the Cubans, for far too long.
Surely no leader can be said to match Fidel Castro in his charisma. He is purported to make speeches over 4 hours long, and has been an active presence in the everyday lives, of his subjects, for his entire tenure, as president. He is also, I think, unparalleled in his ruthlessness. This is perhaps the surest reason for his long success, as leader. To find a new leader, that could match these qualities, and be capable of keeping the U.S. at bay for 46 years would be, thankfully, most unlikely. For this reason, I believe I will see Cuba become a fledgling democracy, in my lifetime, and it is a change that is long overdue.
The fact that the world has tolerated a fascist dictator having control of an entire country, for 46 years, is shameful. Those who cheered, when the Berlin Wall came down, could only do so while averting their eyes from the continuing injustice occuring in the name of the same twisted ideology, on the other side of the world. The same mistake is being made with China, and we only seem to be just waking up to the horrifying conditions in North Korea. These are the last remaining bastions of fascism, in the world. With a concerted effort, free nations can wipe this quiet terrorism from the face of the Earth, and relegate it to the annals of history, but it will take the will of people who have made the decision to eliminate the hypocrisy of crying out for freedom, for one country, while quietly ignoring the prison state of another. It is an attainable goal, and I believe the will is beginning to build.
So to Fidel I say - Happy Birthday! And may it be your last. I will look forward to the shining day when I can visit a free Cuba, where my tourist dollars won't go towards fattening up the murderers, while the good people starve.
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