Clever Cuba

Cuba has a very clever sense of humor when it comes to U.S. Foreign Policy, or at least this was my observation after attending last weeks International forum titled  “Cuba and the U.S in a Sandbox.”

The lecture was presented by Dr. Sara Cooper who is a Hispanic and Chicano Literature Professor here at Chico State University. In the company of about 50 other students I sat intently as Professor Cooper unraveled the facts pertaining to the deteriorated relationship between the U.S. and Cuba, which for decades has been marked by continuous tension and confrontation. As explained by Dr. Cooper since the Cuban Revolution of 1959 both parties have engaged in a sort of “tit for tat” behavior a behavior described by her as being similar to that of children playing in a Sandbox (hence the title of the lecture) characterized by relentless retaliation over seemingly trivial affairs.

Dr. Cooper’s lecture centered on Cuban art, specifically Cuban comics that continue to circulate throughout the country in opposition to U.S foreign policy. In order for the audience to gain a better understanding of the Political Cartoons, Professor Cooper began her lecture with a brief history lesson. During this briefing I learned several things including the significance of the Platt Amendment which allowed for U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs whenever the United States deemed necessary. To my surprise I also learned that in the early 1960’s the U.S cancelled all sugar contracts with Cuba, which at that time accounted for more thab 80% of their total Gross National Product.

Many of the Cartoons were very humorous. Some of the comics were difficult to interpret unless one had a keen understanding of the relationship between Cuba and the United States. Other cartoons, especially those targeted toward President Bush, were much easier to construe. Dr. Cooper explained that many of the cartoons depicted the tendency for the U.S. to often assert power without deserving it. To Cuba this assertion of undeserved power only represents greed, sloth and idiocy.  She also explained the greatest insult Cuba can give is to call someone ignorant or stupid- due to their own pride in education. This was an insult repeatedly portrayed towards President George Bush in many of their comics.  

What encouraged me to attend this lecture is the fact that Professor Cooper is the Advisor the multicultural sorority in which I am a member (Upsilon Kappa Delta). However I left the lecture with more insight and knowledge than I expected to gain. From the lecture I really enjoyed the idea of how Cuba’s frustrations toward the U.S. are creatively expressed and portrayed through comics, instead of through violence or other destructive means- whcih I believe says a great deal about Cuban culture.