Proclamation

 

Travelers Forevermore

There seems to be two different types of visitors in Cuba: tourists and travelers. On Monday, at the Juan Marinello Institute we learned that there is an extreme difference between the two. The institute is committed to the development of Cuba's cultural policy through social research and academic debate. The institute has relationships with a number of universities in the United States, facilitating educational exchange between our nations. At our info session there, a masters student enlightened us on the definition of a tourist and a traveler. A tourist is a person who simply comes to take pictures and look at the landscape; they do not wish to immerse themselves in the culture or understand the historical background of the land. On the other hand a traveler is someone who walks with the people, talks with the people, and empathizes with the people. They are clearly interested in understanding what has occurred and how the people feel about certain controversial issues. I would like to believe that the members of Poly Prep's Concert Choir are travelers. Although we admired and took pictures of the colorful buildings and cars, our main goal was to comprehend why Cuba was in fact a snapshot from the 1950s. What events led to the strict and and clear separation between Cuba and the United States? What are the reasons for the embargo (commonly referred to as the blockade by Cubans) and what is the Cuban perspective of it?  Going into this trip I had many preconceived notions that through traveling I now understand to be untrue. I understand that there is a deep admiration for Fidel Castro and his memory. I understand the struggle for independence and need for revolution, which is shockingly still occurring. I understand how harmful the embargo/ blockade is on the Cuban economy and how it affects the Cuban people's daily lives (according to a large billboard, the blockade is like a noose that is constantly being pulled tighter and tighter around the necks). I understand there is no bad-blood between American visitors and Cuban residents, simply conflict between the government themselves. The Cuban people are actually quite friendly and are always interested in what it is like living in New York and how it must be extremely cold; despite the language barrier it is surprisingly easy to strike up a conversation with someone in the street or the market.  After our time in Cuba the members of the Concert Choir, myself included, can sympathize and relate to the Cuban people. We understand the history of their country and what the culture is like.  We will now and forever strive to be travelers!

-Martha Bennett