The death of Fidel Castro will surely be a cause for celebration for many Cuban-Americans. And, for most Americans, the end of an era. Fidel Castro was a constant thorn to the United States. He survived numerous attempts on his life, and truly stared down many Presidents as they saber rattled against his regime.
I am not an expert in Global Politics by any means. However, there were some things that we criticize Castro for, and give our own country a pass. Here are some examples:
Human Rights: No doubt, he deserves all the criticisms he will be given, however, what would happen if we took the energy we give Fidel, and examine our own abuses in our system of justice?
Energy: While Castro's system was antiquated, he did have an energy policy that made the country fully independent from big oil. Not an easy task to accomplish.
Shared Wealth: While Cuba is a poor nation, Castro did redistribute wealth equitably compared to the system that exists in the United States. He also rid the country of corporations that exploited labor for the benefit of the few.
Healthcare: Cubans enjoy universal access to Healthcare. No one goes bankrupt from getting cancer. The system of care in Cuba is well respected, and the citizens are well cared for.
Communism is the legacy that will surely be the narrative of Fidel's life. However, he did things boldly and challenged the world's superpower to look inside itself before casting stones at Cuba. Maybe, just maybe he has a point. As a country that has a system that benefits corporations versus people, maybe can look inside ourselves with the same energy we will give the death of Castro.
1 comment:
Great perspective!
Post a Comment