What being an immigrant feels like.."thinking in Cuban."
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Posted By: Marta Fernandez on December 26, 2008 I don't think I have ever seen a paper or story written specifically giving voice about the plurality of roles that an immigrant has to endure, in America. Speaking at this time only of the U.S.mainland. All legal immigranst have to pass a health, and personality test. I still remember mine and that was over 50 years ago. Our parents come here because of tales of gold lining the streets, and " buildings so tall you can't see the sky." Waxing folkloric tales about , Manhattan. Some come for adventure, to escape the lack of resources and search for avenues to reach their respective dreams. Some just want to get away from their past, spouses, families, or cultural restrictions. Though the latter is less likely. Now here is where the pivotal step begins. The imposing Immigration and Naturalization Building at 26 Federal Plaza, New York. Hundreds of people line up from all over the world to submit, correct or pick up forms relative to their status. The INS has over 100 categories of Immigrant Status. I actually lookd up mine,and it was rendered under "professional" which is a category which means that the individual's presence in this country will be a benefit. In my case my father was a professor of Music. Then comes the labeling. In Cuba, I was just a Cubana, my description was dark-as in triguena , but wait--EVERYBODY who has dark/black hair is considered dark. Then there is "jaba", blonde haired green-eyed persons with "kinky" hair, and "india". Further categories were by features, hair texture and nose profile. But once you come to America they decide that you are either black or white. First point of contact with the system and a move to politically subjugate your identity. To say you are a Black Hispanic is an oxymoron. For Cubans, our heritage prior to the welcomed occupation of Russia, was summed up in this saying " El que no tiene del Congo, tiene del Carabali." Translation: He who does't not have (black) blood,then must have indigenous (blood)" I always thought that our way was better.It is way more inclusive, because it included a wide swath of people/immigrants to the island!! With the exception of Jews from Syria, some Germans, Dutch ,French and Chinese, as a whole the country understood that no one was white and no one was black. That our collective history merged into one people called Cubans. The Russian ocupation , for 30 years now has produced a Russian-Cuban mix of people. Prejudice has risen in the island. The ruling Communist Party no longer is so reflective of "us." The racist tentacle of America has grabbed the freedom that we once had to just be Cubans. There were always refences to "los negros" but now the "los negros" number 6 million in an island with a population of 11 million. They say, that Castro tried to "equalize" all the inhabitants. Well it must have been mighty convenient to send " los negros" to fight in Angola, Mozambique, Senegal and Sierra Leone. Supposedly because they could "blend" in with the African population during mercenary training. While reading the escapades of a Japanese girl who lives in Costa Rica, who decided to bike it through the island, she references in (2006) the lighter Cubans, telling her to watchout for pickpockets,and sliding their hands on their skin to indicate color. I just don't know--how we can ever understand we are one humanity all out of Africa..one RNA, (unless some aliens landed),but alas, all I can do is -when one of my peeps gets in my face with that Iam from Spain stuff..(most of us are), I just remind them, you probably have a grandmother " atras cocinando en el fogon" meaning , yes, and you have your grandmother in the kitchen hidden away. Generally they smile and laugh it off, because they know-- I know but nobody else does..Yes we Cubans are like that. And now you know.:-) Should we let Angela Davis know? If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Marta Fernandez
From Queens, NY CUNY -Queens College class of 1985 Member Since July 2008 |
Comments
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Thanks for the post and I appreciate it alot. I recently met a Cuban lady at work and I mentioned to her that I liked Celia Cruz and wished that I had known her music and more about her while she was alive versus discovering her after her death. Perhaps it was a folly on my part to think the lady would know who Celia Cruz was especially since she had long been out of Cuba living in the U.S. At any rate, I just joked lightly with her when she didn't know who Celia was that oh, you must not listen to the black cubian musicians and she was offended. I couldn't understand why she would be offended until this post. Perhaps this lady being fair in complexion identified with the Spaniards.
Friday, December 26th 2008 at 7:44PM |
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Girl ..don't get me started..well I gave you some ammunition, and would you help the cause? when you meet a Cuban who speaks like that-either memorize the "el que no tiene del Congo--proverb and blow them away or remind them that every Cuban has a grandmother or great grandmother who is black unless she is of the Russian generation..but EVERYONE IN puerto rico--loves Celia-but now as I jump on the defense..my momma is not a Celia fan, so I had to go discover my Celia on my own!!! check that out,it's heavy.. Friday, December 26th 2008 at 7:59PM |
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Yeah I'm familiar with the color code in Cuba and most of Latin America whom have this fantasy they are white. Lol. So they discriminate against the darker ones which are usually the ones who are more mixed with blacks or in fact are direct unmixed descendants of Africa. They are jailed more, have poorer healthcare, no opportunities and suffer worse abuses than Blacks here in America. It's a sad reality! Very sad.
Saturday, December 27th 2008 at 12:51AM |
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The last sentence you are stating as an absolute. Be careful.
Sunday, December 28th 2008 at 1:25AM |
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