Elian case metaphor for Cuban politics
In November of 1999, Elian Gonzalez had the nation holding its breath when he arrived in the United States after his long journey from Cuba.
The little boy’s struggle to stay in the United States became a political fight that can be compared to the way Cuban politics have played out in the past, said Damian Fernandez, author of Cuba and the Politics of Passion.
Fernandez used his book as the basis for his lecture Monday night about the loss of romanticism in politics between the United States and Cuba.
Fernandez said the case of Gonzalez should be analyzed in a different way.
“Understood as a metaphor, Elian Gonzalez helps us see salient dimensions of how Cubans, both those on the island and those in the diaspora, relate to the politics,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez explained that in looking at the case and the history of Cuban culture, he has found some key themes or “codes.”
“The Elian case found the politics of passion translated a large custody battle of an immigration issue into a struggle between the revolution and the contractors,” Fernandez said, adding that the Cuban people saw this as a struggle between good and evil.
Fernandez said people who still live in Cuba have lost faith in the institutions that have existed since the revolution.
“The arguments is that these types of cultural norms will tend to be replicated into the future,” Fernandez said. “The politics of passion serve to shroud a hidden political position.”
More Stories
USF gives it away in Memphis 34-33
At the half, a 14-point lead meant USF was on track to win its first conference game in over a calendar year. That energy was kept up even with under five minutes to go when the Bulls were up 33-20. Then USF watched as its lead went from comfortable, to slim, to nonexistent in the […]
Club teams missing competition, friendship due to COVID-19
Under normal circumstances, Grant Nolder, president of the USF flag football team would be preparing for the club’s biggest competition of the year, the Swamp Bowl. The annual tournament, hosted at UF, typically takes place during the fall semester and features some of the best club flag football teams in the country. Winners of the […]
Bulls battle with ECU in OT win
Coach Brian Gregory said Tuesday the Bulls didn’t play complete, 40-minute games in their two losses last week. It’s debatable if they did Wednesday night against East Carolina (11-18, 5-11) at the Yuengling Center, but it was more than enough to put up a 73-68 overtime win. “It’s funny. There were stretches where we played […]
First SG scholarship rewards student leaders
Student Government (SG) launched the first-of-its-kind, merit-based scholarship to students Nov. 5 on USF’s Tampa campus. As a part of Student Body President Britney Deas and Student Body Vice President Travis McCloskey’s platform, Bull S.H.I.F.T., — Success, Health, Innovation, Finance and Tradition — the SG’s Student Leadership Scholarship consists of two merit-based scholarships which will […]
On-campus Jabil institute sparks anticipation from students
A plan drafted on a bar napkin two years ago has now become the USF Jabil Innovation Institute, a multi-million dollar institute combining the College of Engineering and the Muma College of Business. Senior Vice President of Advancement and CEO of the USF Foundation Joel Momberg and Jabil CEO Mark Mondello jotted the idea down […]