by: Kymberli Whittaker
Bachelor of Arts, History (Hons)
Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
LEC
“Convict me; It doesn’t matter. History will absolve me.”
A man who dared to oppose the mighty United States of
America; A man who had a vision and executed it with an iron hand; A man who
put the people first. His name is not synonymous with democracy but his
speeches, his participation in wars all across the world helped to preserve so
many nations while breaking them out of bondage and mental slavery- thus
contributing to their democracy. Fidel Castro is an epic leader of our time.
His life which has been marred by propaganda has many lessons. No, he is not
perfect or the best leader, this world has ever seen, but there are some
salient lessons which his approach to change and maintaining change can teach
us:
1) Elevation of the Mind
One can succeed and improve their mental state, only through
increasing knowledge sought after daily. Fidel attempted a Coup, and was
unsuccessful and he was imprisoned for two years in Cuba. Instead of being
discouraged and giving up the fight, he resorted to consuming literature which
elevated his mental state. His thirst for knowledge I believe, exposed him to different
ideas, thus making him uncomfortable with his present realities.
Reading 12-16
hours a day, while imprisoned, made him the man we know of today.
An important part of his Revolution was Education, without education,
the people could not improve. 1961 was named the year of education. Thousands
of young people set out into the isolated parts of the island to teach farmers
and uneducated persons how to read and write. A literate nation is a better
nation, and a nation that can make informed decisions. Elevation of the mind is
key in facilitating change.
2) No man is an island
This may seem contradictory given the stance he took in not
bowing to International pressure which opposed Communism and sought to demolish
him, leaving Cuba isolated for many years. He knew that support is needed for
any cause. Travelling to speak with members of the Diaspora, he formed links
and the bonds were cherished as he sought to promote his ideals. He made
individuals feel Important and through that approach, many supported him and
continue to support him today.
On the way to start the Cuban Revolution in 1959, one of him
men fell overboard as they travelled by ship to land. Fidel refused to leave
this man, and he and his crew searched the dark murky waters until they found
him. This act delayed the synchronized co-ordination of the attack on Batista’s
forces, as some of his followers were already waiting on land, and started the
revolution without the support from the Sea. The death toll was high, and of
the original 82 men who came by ship, only 21 managed to regroup in the Sierra
Mountains to recruit farmers and others to assist them in the fight.
Fidel surrounded himself with strong personalities such as
Che Guevara, men who got the work done. He did not do everything by himself,
nor did he try to.
3) If at first you don’t succeed try and try again
Remember Fidel failed the first time, and please do not
think it was easier the second time. The actual war between Fidel’s followers
and Batista’s troops lasted two years. Perseverance will yield results, perfect
your craft and always know your objective. Do the necessary groundwork to be
able to win. Winning is most times hard, but it is always possible.
4) Be strategic in all decisions
During the Batista dictatorship, a reported number of 20,000
Cubans were killed. The people were fed up, tired, and fearful and the words of
Fidel who campaigned to them was music to their ears. He made them feel as if
they were first class citizens who deserved better and needed to take a stand
against the Government who did not have their best interests at heart. The
people longed for sovereignty and independence and this was the platform he
used to gain mass support
He was aware of the importance of the media, and he made
sure he was accessible to the press, even in English. Any person especially in government
should know that the press should not be your enemy. Consistently refusing to
talk to the press especially on major national issues, will cause mistrust to
fester in any country- Including Jamaica. One must be strategic in ALL
decisions.
5) No weapon formed against me shall prosper
He did something I am almost sure Jamaica would never do, oppose
the United States of America. For years they terrorized and reigned through
their ‘Big Stick Policy” popularized by President Theodore Roosevelt, where
they sought to control and involve themselves in the running of governments,
setting up Presidents and removing them when they no longer served a purpose.
Batista’s forces were trained by the US who armed them with artillery and
aircraft. In his words,
“The overt war against the
country, became a covert war against the man”
The US opposed Fidel essentially because he we for his own
people which naturally conflicted with US interests. The US fueled by
capitalist motives had nothing to gain by his reform. Through the “Agrarian
Reform Act” property was redistributed as foreigners owned almost 70% of the
arable land and most of the sugar industry was in US hands. No money was
staying in Cuba, and what remained did not benefit the masses.
Fidel’s family was by no means impoverished and he
expropriated land from them as well, leading by example. For years, through an
embargo which lasted from 1960-62 until 2014 Cuba was punished severely for not
backing down from the US. The Cold War which has often been used as the reason
for hostilities does not make sense as the “US-Cuba Cold War” outlasted the
"real" Cold War, which ended in 1989. Increasing agitation from the
UN and the changing global climate which sees nations such as China rising in superiority
has shown that even though one may undergo isolation and hard times, no weapon
formed will prosper and hard times will not last forever.
6) No matter how hard times are- Help Others
The Embargo really stifled economic growth and prosperity in that nation, however Cuba is known for helping other nations, whether they are neighbouring Latin American states such as Bolivia or as far away as Vietnam, where Cuba during their war sent rice, sugar and blood donations to them. They sent trained doctors, engineers and agricultural workers to assist in not only the fight , but the building back.
Fidel’s family was by no means impoverished and he
expropriated land from them as well, leading by example. For years, through an
embargo which lasted from 1960-62 until 2014 Cuba was punished severely for not
backing down from the US. The Cold War which has often been used as the reason
for hostilities does not make sense as the “US-Cuba Cold War” outlasted the
"real" Cold War, which ended in 1989. Increasing agitation from the
UN and the changing global climate which sees nations such as China rising in superiority
has shown that even though one may undergo isolation and hard times, no weapon
formed will prosper and hard times will not last forever.
In 1975 as Angola moved towards independence from Portugal,
the CIA along with the apartheid government of South Africa tried to bring down
the new Angolan government. At the request of the Angolan president, Fidel sent
36,000 troops to keep the South African forces from attacking the capital,
Rwanda. In 14 years of war over 300,000 Cubans- doctors, engineers, teachers
and soldiers played an important role in Angola, over 2000 died.
In 1988 Fidel sent in more Cuban troops and with this
increase, a large nail was driven into the coffin of Apartheid, and he helped
to shed light on the struggle of the African people. African History has been
shaped by Cuban presence and assistance and Nelson Mandela was one of Cuba's
greatest friends.- Such was the impact and reach of the Cuban Revolution. Such
was the reach of Fidel.
Live and learn, separate the bad aspects from the good,
and give praise where praise is due, and in all situations- learn lessons.
