The Congressional Black Caucus recently visited Santiago, Cuba, where
Juan Carlos Robinson, the Provincial Communist Party Secretary and mover
and shaker of what happens in the province, greeted caucus chairman James
Clyburn.
Included in the party were U.S. Reps. Benny Thompson (D-Miss.) and Gregory
Meeks (D-N.Y.), their wives, staff and private members of the delegation.
Santiago is central in Cuban history for several reasons. It is the
birthplace of the Cuban revolution Fidel Castro and his comrades launched
from there in 1953. It is rich in Afro-Cuban cultural and religion--a blend
of African, Spanish and, later, Haitian culture along with the dominant
African rhythms that describe the people in this eastern region of Cuba.
It is also significant because of the dominance of Afro-Cubans who live
in the city and province of Santiago. It is from these roots that Juan
Carlos Robinson grew into one of the most dynamic political leaders and
today serves with 10 others on the country's poli-bureau that oversees
the day-to-day county workings.
As the Aerogaviota Airline plane landed, dignitaries positioned themselves
according to protocol and waited to greet the party in a sultry 102 degrees.
Descending the plane was Clyburn followed by Reps. Thompson and Meeks.
The remainder of the delegation followed the entourage to the VIP room
of the airport where they were received and welcomed by dignitaries. Young
girls gave bouquets of red roses to the wives and other female delegates,
while white gladiolas were given to the men.
Welcoming the delegation were local party officials led by Robinson.
He asked, "How is (Calif. Rep.) Maxine (Waters) doing? Her delegation was
down her not so long ago." Inquiring about restaurant owner Bill Collins,
Robinson loosened the delegation up by saying, he sells chickens, but he
doesn't know how to cook them." Laugher seemed to settle the delegation
down for business.
Robinson said he was happy for two reasons. "I am happy that you (delegation)
are here and we are all happy because it is Raul Castro's 60th
birthday.' (Raul is the brother of Fidel Castro.) We are celebrating and
want you to choose where you want to go. Nothing is compulsory," the chairman
added. "There are places, fairs, cultural areas, carnival museums, and
of course the markets."
"Brothers and sisters, our struggle is to promote the ideas of social
justice," Robinson said on a serious note. Rep. Clyburn answered, 'We feel
a kinship and friendship with you. We can't select kinship, but through
love and affection we can be friends.
"We are celebrating the recent court decision ruling that Elian should
with his father and they both should return to Cuba as soon as possible,"
Clyburn told the officials.
"Next week in the U.S. Congress, we will attempt to modify the blockade
against Cuba. We believe it will lay the foundations to remove it in the
near future," he said.
The chairman further explained that he wished to see the travel restrictions
lifted. "I am aware of the similarities between us; we have similar back
ground and histories," he added.
The delegation and the Santiago guest boarded a bus for the marketplace.
It was bustling and crowed with people on the sidewalks and streets selling
flowers, fish and merchandise. Chairman Robinson in his charismatic manner
walked down the street, drawing crowds of people who surrounded him. Taking
a baby from a carriage, he held it up, kissed it and proudly gave it back
to her mother.
As the television cameras rolled, Robinson recognized some Haitian medical
students who were studying to be doctors at the Medical School. He explained
that they were taking a crash course in Spanish to make their studies easier.
By this time, the streets were full of well-wishers wanting to get close
to the African-Americans. Robinson introduced the delegation and explained
why they were there. The mainly Afro-Cuban crowd moved in more and study
the congressmen and their wives.
Picking up a bunch of flowers, Robinson smiling said, "Perhaps, one
day these flowers will be sold in America." And then it was off to the
museum where Robinson met more friends. This time he stopped a jeep and
introduced everyone to its driver.
Short on time, the chairman and his congressional delegation took pictures
on the stops of the museum (an old Batista Garrison) still bearing the
scars of the first battle which kicked off the July 26, 1953 revolution
led by Castro, his brother and others. The museum was dedicated to the
history of that battle that started in Oriental Province and ended in the
streets of Havana in 1959. The truck used for the escape of Castro and
his group was on display.
Explaining the reasons for the revolution, Robinson told the delegation
that they fought for the ideas of social justice, health care, education
and the right to work for everyone.
The delegation visited its National Cemetery where Reps. Clyburn, Thompson
and Meeks honored both American and Cuban heroes by placing flowers on
the bier covered by a Cuban Flag in the center of the rotunda. The statute
of Jose Marti looked over the fallen heroes.
After a shopping spree in the middle of town, Robinson took the delegation
to Callejon Bofill café, where an Afro-Cuban band entertained the
group. Members were singled out to perform the latest Cuban/Latin dances.
The delegation was treated to a formal sit-down luncheon in one of the
most beautiful restaurants in Santiago. The table and seating was arranged
according to protocol. Of course it was directed by Robinson, who seemed
to know where everyone was going to sit.
Robinson proposed a toast of appreciation. He then had presents of coffee
given to the delegation. Rep. Meeks gave a toast for brotherhood, then
followed with a promise to vote for the elimination of the blockade. "Nations
are based on equality. It will be a step-by-step process," continued Congressman
Meeks.
Chairman Clyburn summed up the delegation's position. Of Elian Gonzalez,
he stressed that the solidarity of the Congressional Black Caucus with
the overwhelming Cuban and American people to have Elian and his father
and returned to Cuba.
"We will vote for the elimination of the blockade, especially on medicine
and food," added the chairman. "We must end this charade, lift the blockade
and resume travel between countries."
Reciting a well-known Robert Frost poem telling the tale of a traveler
having to choose between two roads, Clyburn said: "I have chosen the less
traveled and that's made all the difference." The chairman proposed a toast
of friendship with the official drink of Cuba.
The day ended with a return trip to the airport where formal departing
greetings were given by both delegations. Robinson gave hugs and kisses
to the women who seemed to be leaving long lost friends and relatives,
and bear hugs by the men. It was a surreal scene indeed--one that certainly
wasn't described in the State Department handbook on Cuba.