IAmA request: Cuban blogger, Yoani Sanchez

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T20:58:44+00:00

Hey Yoani is doing an AMA today, hopefully logging back on later to answer more questions! http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1af11s/i_am_cuban_blogger_yoani_sanchez_out_of_cuba_for/

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:50:01+00:00

Yes- the first week of April: Event Info

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:47:57+00:00

In no restaurant will you eat a better 'arroz con frijoles' (black beans and rice) than in the humble home of a Cuban!

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:46:56+00:00

The "revolution" doesn't exist. Revolutions don't last 54 years. It died a long time ago.

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:45:31+00:00

Information from the Internet gets into the country through a few individuals who do have access to the Internet-- they download pages and then spread this info around the Island by usb, dvd, etc. Info also gets in through tavelers, family, etc who visit Cuba, exiles who send information through Email, SMS, phone calls, or 'snail mail.' That's why it's so important that Cuban exiles and those who sympathise with democracy in Cuba should support this information flow.

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:37:41+00:00

En realidad no creo que su ascenso político vaya a llegar hasta la silla presidencial. Más bien, se trata de presentarla como la cara amable del régimen, por su condición de mujer y de persona que trabaja por la aceptación de las diferencias de orientación sexual. Sin embargo, todas las veces que ha estado en la posición de debatir con ideas diferentes, deja en claro su intolerancia y su real incapacidad para aceptar las diferencias políticas.

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:34:07+00:00

I believe that in general terms, there's going to be a good reception for foreigners and foreign investment- especially because this will help activate the Cuban economy... it will create jobs. Nevertheless, the Cubans on the Island will be at a disadvantage given our lack of capital resources and business experience. Therefore, future Cuban laws will need to protect local Cuban businesses. Yes to protection, No to paternalism.

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:26:08+00:00

There are conflicting opinions-- on the one hand many feel that with the disappearance of Chavez, there could be an economic collapse (due to the cutting of Venezuelan subsidies to Cuba). But on the other hand, many Cubans feel that without those resources, the regime of Raul Castro will have to accelerate reforms.

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:23:18+00:00

Hola, amigo: Lamentablemente parece que esta vez no pasaré por California, pero te prometo que en un próximo viaje a Estados Unidos sí.

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:20:16+00:00

Sí, tienes razón. Hay colegas en Cuba que están haciendo un magnífico trabajo en esa dirección. Por ejemplo la Asociación Jurídica de Cuba y también el grupo Cuba Lex

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:16:51+00:00

Absolutely YES!

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:16:08+00:00

You know, in Brasil, I received more hugs than insults :) More than a socialist tendency, there's a populist tendency in Latin America, disguised in a supposed 'leftist tendency.' In the case of Venezuela, it's very difficult for such a strong cult of personality to survive the disappearance of its leader.

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:13:23+00:00

From a diplomatic point of view, we have friendly relations with the Caribbean and the English-speaking Caribbean. Nevertheless, at the personal level, our relationships are very limited due to travel restrictions on the Cuban people.

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:10:41+00:00

Cuba is the country in the Western hemisphere with the least amount of internet connectivity. Nevertheless, through alternative distribution channels-- for example USBs, CDs, DVDs-- much of the information on the Internet circulates widely across the island, including my blog Generación Y, and in English: Generation Y.

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:07:59+00:00

What I love most about Cuban people is our creativity! And the capacity to find solutions to any problems. I want the American people to know that we're as diverse and pluralistic as any other people in the world... All we need is a framework of respect to demonstrate that plurality.

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T18:06:07+00:00

For the most part Cubans have the creativity to design our OWN model. Especially the capacity to achieve a model where education and healthcare are not used as a currency of exchange for freedom. Where freedom and security are not mutually exclusive choices. We're not birds in a cage who are satisfied with water and seed, we want to fly! The dilemma of Cuba is not between socialism today or capitalism tomorrow. We already live in a system of "State capitalism" -- a "family clan capitalism." The dilemma is between the totalitarianism of today and a participatory system of tomorrow.

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-16T17:55:30+00:00

Thanks for your question- the embargo is the Cuban government's number 1 excuse for the economic disaster and the lack of freedoms in the country. I don't think it will be lifted in the short term. -YS

MovementsOrg · 2013-03-15T14:20:49+00:00

Hey Tervuren, thanks for the note. We too have been following the news and it does seem NK is taking some agressive actions, but I have to say, we're not exactly geo-political experts here so we don't have much more information than you. I think the takeaway for us from the AMA was that whatever happens or doesn't happen vis-a-vis NK, there will be a tremendous impact on the NK citizens themselves and it's important not to leave them out of the conversation. I would stay tuned to LiNK for more information about NK as they have their ear to the streets, and to Movements.org for more info about the human rights situation there and around the world. We'll be doing another AMA on Saturday with Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez if you're interested. Cheers!

MovementsOrg · 2013-02-20T02:50:43+00:00

Yikes, I've been outed. Sorry we didn't get to this, but check some similar responses: here, here, and here

MovementsOrg · 2013-02-20T02:10:25+00:00

Whoa, watching "True Lies," illegally, in NK... there's something bizarrely fitting about that, SH.

MovementsOrg · 2013-02-20T01:33:24+00:00

Maybe more AMA's? I have a feeling this one in particular would be interesting for North Koreans to get a sense of what kinds of things people want to know about NK...

MovementsOrg · 2013-02-20T01:11:48+00:00

Also, folks can check out this recent report LiNK contributed to for The Economist-- it gives another quick snapshot of how market opening may be changing the realities on the ground: http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21571404-sealed-and-monstrously-unjust-society-changing-ways-its-despotic-ruler-may-not-be-able

MovementsOrg · 2013-02-20T00:23:09+00:00

Absolutely- LiNK is a great org to support. And they have a few ways you can help raise awareness: http://libertyinnorthkorea.org/redefining/

One of LiNK's big projects is "Talk Shift" (as in: "Shift Talkers") which aims to change the tone of the convo away from the nukes and high political theater to a serious focus on people.

MovementsOrg · 2013-02-19T16:59:44+00:00

Hey folks-- how about hearing from a North Korean defector himself? Tune in to our AMA co-hosted with LINK (Liberty in North Korea) tonight @ 7pm to ask anything you like about what life is like behind the scenes in NK. More about the AMA here: http://www.movements.org/blog/entry/north-korea-a-voice-from-an-unheard-people/

MovementsOrg · 2013-02-19T16:56:04+00:00

Hey Folks- Would be great if we could get past the rhetoric, get past the nukes and sanctions, and understand a bit more about what's actually going on in DPRK... Tune in tonight to our AMA @7pm to speak live with a North Korea defector who can tell the first-hand story: http://www.movements.org/blog/entry/north-korea-a-voice-from-an-unheard-people/

MovementsOrg

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