And Then You Hear People Say That Racism Doesn’t Exist In Cuba

"And Then You Hear People Say That Racism Doesn't Exist In Cuba" / Cubanet

I literally just saw a police officer ask a couple of kids for their
identification and I'm pretty sure he did it because they were black.
That's just the life they were dealt. I have almost never seen the same
happen to white kids. It's as if whites are invisible to the police.

And then you hear people say that racism doesn't exist in Cuba. And the
funny thing is that it could've been those same whites that just
finished robbing a house around here because whites also steal. I walk a
lot around the neighborhood of Vedado, so I see many things.

Because of the color of my skin and my mean look, I get stopped all the
time by the cops. I don't want any problems. People look at me and think
that I'm a tough guy but really, I don't like fights or drama.

My thing is, I just like walking around town from time to time, finding
small little jobs here and there to make money. Some days I sell fish
and on other days I sell cans of paint.

I'm not really committed to anything right now but I have to find my
way. I live alone but regardless I have to take care of myself. And on
the weekends, I like to drink a little, like anybody would.

Definitely not beer though, because it's more expensive. Besides, I'm
more of a 'rum' type of guy, even though I advise people not to drink
it. Rum is the reason why so many people are messed up in this country.
I have a friend who went blind because he drank whatever he could get
his hands on. I think he ended up drinking wood alcohol.

Translated by Oliver Inca, Patricio Pazmino, Marta Reyes

Source: "And Then You Hear People Say That Racism Doesn't Exist In Cuba"
/ Cubanet – Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/and-then-you-hear-people-say-that-racism-doesnt-exist-in-cuba-cubanet/