CHECKING ON OUR NEIGHBORS

Have you heard anything lately about how the people of Cuba are doing in the midst of worldwide inflation and shortages? Neither have I, which is why I want to visit – NOW, while tourism isn't allowed by the US government, and “support of the Cuban people” and “journalistic activities” are permitted. Cuba, an island “David” to America’s “Goliath”, less than 100 miles from the Florida Keys, has been isolated by a US embargo and sanctions for more than 60 YEARS, driven by politics and property disputes that ignore their oppressive impact on those “freed” by “la Revolución” of the late 1950s. If consumers around the world, including Americans, are suffering a “head cold” of inflation and emptying shelves, Cubans, already enduring food and other necessity shortages, are on the verge of a “double pneumonia” of skyrocketing prices and nothing to buy. Unsurprisingly, most of them look like me; with your help, I want to spend five days in Havana in September, to report their story on my return.

As a seasoned American journalist observing the charitable and media attention being given the conflict in Ukraine, more than 5000 miles away, I’m motivated to investigate the status of our neighbors less than 100 miles away, and report back:

• to share the current life of the people, especially AfroCubanos, who comprise a strong majority of the island’s population, and experience neglect and oppression as a result. Every day my Havana contacts impress upon me how difficult circumstances are/will be, not for them (“We eat what there is,” they stoically say), but for me as a visitor. Food is the lion’s share of the trip’s budget, planned for economy “between tourist seasons”, along with inexpensive casa particular housing rather than a hotel. American credit and debit cards are useless in Cuba; my commitment is to leave whatever is left of the cash raised to help the Cubanos who helped me get there to survive a little longer;
• to return with images and stories to prod our consciences, legislators, and the Biden administration, which has cracked a window of potential relief from the crippling effects of the embargo, to expand and intensify that opening while there is time; and
• to gauge the domestic response to Cuba’s Senate considering allowing same gender marriage equality, even as America’s Supreme Court may be preparing to rescind it here.

In the “brave new world” of digital journalism (“contact us when you return”), I’m querying “mainstream”, Black, and non-hetero media for publishing opportunities. Regardless of their response, I’ll publish to those who have helped underwrite the trip directly, as well as on social media, including Facebook. For me, this is the opening salvo of a commitment to our close neighbors, whose freedom, economic well-being, and self-determination have long been closely related, experientially and geographically, to our own. Thanks for your consideration!