Standing high each day to overcome increasingly difficult circumstances is the commitment of Cubans on the island, facing shortages that have become palpable resilience.
And this reality is evident when you travel the country, and especially the streets of your town, where you see strong faces, yet also anguished by the harsh realities we are experiencing.
This social phenomenon, an expression of resilience, does not weaken us. The trials have been severe. Blackouts lasting more than 20 hours, exorbitant and speculative prices when searching for food, almost nonexistent state transportation, enormous lines for guaranteed services, low use of banking services and limited information through public media due to the lack of electricity, and most recently, a devastating hurricane, are all part of the recurring landscape.
However, faced with socioeconomic hardship, the challenge is to rise up not only by defending this social project for its glorious past and the undeniable achievements of the years of the Revolution, but also by empowering humanism, solidarity, and unity as expressions of the values attained.
I emphasize these qualities because current times demand change if we think as a nation. To accompany this momentous endeavor—the guiding thread of this commentary—it is incumbent upon mass and political organizations, the local government, and all actors in Contramaestre to love Cuba from the depths of our souls in a conscious, respectful, and supportive manner.
Caring for the Pearl of the Caribbean, as the poet defined it, should be the disposition of every resident of Contramaestre, fulfilling this duty with a sense of belonging, participating collectively in proposing solutions to problems identified in the workplace or in the neighborhood, and clearing the path full of obstacles with practical alternatives that make life more bearable.
Let’s harness the potential of creative men and women in our community who work in diverse trades and professions, and let’s unite to make our neighborhood a welcoming space of respect, cordiality, and solidarity.
Let’s also take advantage of other settings, such as markets, corner stores, banks, bakeries, clinics, and hospitals, to recognize our own worth. The same applies to workplaces, where communication and sensitivity must prevail.
Without dwelling on our circumstances, let’s transform them into a better country through common sense and collective participation, eliminating daily distortions and becoming better human beings.
