Marifeli Perez-Stable

Published in The Miami Herald
November 22, 2007

Today we celebrate Thanksgiving. Canada’s was the first in the New World. In 1578, after a doomed passage to the Orient, a group of English explorers settled in what’s now Newfoundland and held a ceremony of thanks for their survival.

Later, the Pilgrims came together with their Native Americans neighbors in Plymouth Colony to feast and praise the Lord for their first harvest. Such was the birth of a tradition in Canada and the United States

Giving thanks — acción de gracias — is, however, universal.

Cuba is facing an uncertain future and so, this Thanksgiving, I’m moved to convey gratitude to all Cubans of goodwill — here and there — who have held high the ideal of a better Cuba.

Some are famous among Cubans. In Havana, on March 13, 1957, José Antonio Echeverría lost his life in an ill-fated attempt to assassinate Cuba’s dictator, Fulgencio Batista. Four months later, on July 30, Frank País fell in Santiago de Cuba. Echeverría headed the Revolutionary Directorate, and País was second in command of the July 26th Movement.

Others are not as well known, particularly in Cuba. Mario Chanes de Armas and Eusebio Peñalver were the longest held political prisoners in the 20th century. Chanes partook in the assault on Moncada Barracks on July 26, 1953; Peñalver fought in the Rebel Army against Batista. Neither agreed with the revolution’s communist turn: Peñalver served 28 years, Chanes a day short of 30. They died in Miami nine months apart: Eusebio on May 5, 2006; Mario on Feb. 24, 2007.

In 1959, the revolution rallied the hopes of most Cubans. By 1960, many saw these hopes dashed and took up arms in defense of liberty and democracy. Thousands were brought before firing squads. Tens of thousands were meted long prison sentences. Hundreds of thousands went into exile. Revolutionary Cuba had no room for them or their ideal of a better patria (homeland).

Still, the majority then supported the revolution for championing national sovereignty and social justice. Most Cubans established a strong emotional bond with la revolución. Many felt empowered for the first time in their lives and gave their all to the promise of a Cuba that was sure to be better.

Today’s Cuba is a far cry from the ideals that moved revolutionaries in the early 1960s. Worse yet, most ordinary Cubans have given up hope that la patria can be made better. Helplessness is so widespread that, according to a Gallup poll taken in September 2006, Cubans laugh considerably less than other Latin Americans. They have yet to realize the power of the powerless.

Neither are freedom and democracy on the short-term horizon. And yet, the hopes of Cubans — there and here — are again on the rise. Dissidents — on the street and in jail — are living examples of civic courage. The ranks of ordinary Cubans who — even if in silence — say No to the regime are growing daily. So are those within official Cuba who are ready to support change. On both sides of the Florida Straits, many are letting go of their anger, rightful as it is.

Thanksgiving is not a day for politics but for the spirit. In 1959, Cubans rejoiced in the revolution. Only once before had Cuba experienced a comparable joy: upon the foundation of the republic on May 20, 1902. On both occasions, the overwhelming majority dared to hope for a new patria that never quite materialized.

A new day may be dawning. On both sides of the Florida Straits, more and more among us are healing from within and finding inner peace.

We are embracing the relatives once lost to politics and are saying Never Again. National reconciliation won’t be easy, but is there another way for us to finally live in peace?

I know that a new spirit alone won’t enable us to make Cuba whole. We must step away from the barricades and be willing to compromise. But that’s the subject of past and future columns. We won’t, however, muster a new politics without forgiveness and generosity in our hearts.

This Thanksgiving I’d say Cubans everywhere can give thanks for the rays of light that are already shining upon us.