Part 1: Background of the Conflict
The story we are going to read, El Escape Cubano, introduces us to an area of tension in the Spanish-speaking world and with the United States. Cuba and and the US have had a tumultuous relationship. Watch the video below for a good overview of the conflict.
Part 2: Changes Under President Obama
Watch the following videos for some information on groundbreaking changes made during the Obama Administration in regards to the official stance towards Cuba and the policy towards those fleeing Cuba, established under President Clinton.
Normalizing Relations
Ending “Wet-Foot, Dry-Foot”
Part 3: A New Direction...A Better Deal
Watch the following video for news on the latest developments in US-Cuba relations after President Trump took office.
Comment on the following 2 questions:
ReplyDelete- What did you learn about Cuban-American relations and history?
- What questions do you still have?
I learned that although we are still not fully healed with Cuba after everything that has happened, things have gotten better. I guess I didn't realize how big of a part Cuba played in our history. Throughout many presidents, and many years, the USA and Cuba had tight tensions. What I still wonder includes why we just allowed Cubans with no Visas to immigrate for so many years, while it was so hard for people from the middle east to enter the USA, and be granted a Visa? I guess overall, I still have questions about why the USA has to meddle with other country's business if it is not affecting us too much. Especially at the beginning before the immigrants, Cuba's government is the way it is, so so what? Why do we have to fix their problems? I understand the Afghanistan war and all because of Terrorism that needs to be stamped out. But if our country isn't affected, why use money and troops on it?
ReplyDeleteYes, that is a big question that still circles around so much of what and how we interact with other countries. In many ways, our interest in South American (and Caribbean countries) stems from the "big brother" policy of the Monroe Doctrine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monroe_Doctrine#The_Doctrine. This policy (set in place to counteract European imperialism) later changed into a policy known as the "Good Neighbor Policy." Once the US felt threatened by communism and became embroiled in the Cold War, Cuba's support (led by Fidel Castro) of Russia and their interest in Cuba (establishing nuclear weapons on Cuba) helped to cause a reinvention of the "Good Neighbor Policy" to address the new Latin American problems: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monroe_Doctrine#Latin_American_reinterpretation.
DeleteThat said, the current state that we are in with Cuba is a fascinating mix of old, unresolved tensions and new, attempted progress in relations. President's Obama's policy on Cuba was a complete 360 degree turn in policy and was believed by many conservatives to be giving up too much without getting any guarantees of better human rights treatments, etc. President Trump promised a "better deal" and revoked some of openings that had been put in place in order to pressure for a better deal, although he did leave in some of the parts of the policy that were beneficial...one of which was keeping the removal of the highly-controversial "dry-foot, wet-foot policy", which didn't hold-up well with our other immigration policies and encouraged Cubans to attempt to flee Cuba. On the flip side, this policy, as crazy as it was, did offer hope for many Cubans under a highly-oppressive regime. They knew that, once they reached our soil, they had a chance at the "American Dream". We will experience more of this struggle between a desire for a better life and the danger that it entails (a similar experience for many migrant workers as well --- legal and illegal alike --- from countries such as Mexico) as we read "El Escape Cubano" this semester.
I learned that even though Cuba is only miles off the coast of out own land, it has not always been a friend to us and we have not always been a friend to them. There were some high tensions when the old leader was in charge but then when the new leader came in the picture, President Obama made a peace treaty as it were with him. I learned that President Obama was the first President to visit Cuba in 88 years and the Cubans welcomed him and his family with open arms showing the change in relational status with the United States. I also learned how poor the Cubans were and realized how much they wanted to come to America. I guess I just wonder if we stop sending money to Cuba, can it survive on its own? Why are we supporting a Communist government in the first place?
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