With a Double Standard Everything is Easier

With a Double Standard Everything is Easier / Jorge Olivera Castillo
Posted on November 14, 2013

HAVANA, Cuba, November www.cubanet.org – The Cuban government's recent
ruling outlawing the sale of imported clothing and shoes, as well as
private rooms exhibiting 3D films and offering video games, will not
cause mass protests or anything like it.

The 20,000 people who dedicated themselves to this business will comply
with the measure, grumbling or silently, but without confrontations that
complicate their lives. That is the mentality that is imposed by the
fear of beatings, confiscations or prison, depending on how one defies
the order that will come into force on January 1, 2014.

The work of the political police and other agencies responsible for
repression is not the same as 20 years ago, but obviously it still
remains effective.

Organizing themselves to stage a massive public protest in response to
what lies ahead is unthinkable. Most are convinced that it is best to
abide by the resolution and seek alternatives.

"I will continue selling. The issue is to adapt to the circumstances. We
will have to take more care. At first they will be rigorous, but over
time it will decrease. It's always been that way. They do not realize
that absurd prohibitions generate greater lack of control," said a young
woman who just over a year opened a small boutique with the help of her
sister based in France.

"I'm not looking for problems. What am I going to do? Even though you're
against it, they're going to impose it. You can imagine, they have the
power," said Fernando, a resident in the Havana municipality of Plaza,
who set up a video game room just 8 months ago.

Although there are overflowing reasons to protest, in the end fear
prevails. A popular revolt to throw off the yoke of the dictatorship
does not seem likely in Cuba. The regime aborts every attempt in this
direction. And so the average Cuban prefers to take refuge in the black
market, or temporarily or permanently leave the country.

To openly oppose the government remains a minority thing. The fate of
the political prisoners, the recurring beatings of the Ladies in White
in the public street, and the acts of vandalism against the most
belligerent opponents, pass under the radar among a population that
doesn't hide its fear and opts for the double standard.

The sad reality forces them to be skeptical or pessimistic, when
speaking of the end of this government.

Jorge Olivera Castillo, oliverajorge75@yahoo.com

Cubanet, 14 November 2013

Source: "With a Double Standard Everything is Easier / Jorge Olivera
Castillo | Translating Cuba" -
http://translatingcuba.com/with-a-double-standard-everything-is-easier-jorge-olivera-castillo/