Yesterday, Babalu Blog's Alberto de la Cruz decided that the ongoing Ozzie Guillen dust up is not really about Ozzie but, rather, Cuban-Americans and their place as victims in today's America.
This controversy brings back to the surface the contemptuous perception of the Cuban exile community held by many in this country. While other embattled minority groups are treated with deference, Cuban exiles are all too often treated with disdain. They find nothing wrong with poking fun at the tragedy and suffering we have endured. It is alright to insult Cuban Americans because they are, after all, only Cuban Americans. They are not Puerto Ricans, or Mexicans, and to some, they are not even worthy of the "Latino" label (which is fine by me). Their bad fortune and suffering is all their fault, not the fault of the vile and brutal dictator who victimized them. Like the repugnant premise that a rape victim brought sexual assault upon herself for dressing too provocatively, Cubans exiles brought murder and the destruction of millions of lives upon themselves for being too uppity and apparently, too willing to express their opinions.In this paragraph of abject self pity, Alberto definitely gets something right: Cubans are not like Mexicans. Mexicans get deported as soon as they're found in this country without the proper paperwork. Cubans get a ride to Hialeah or Calle Ocho by a relative.
And speaking of being treated with disdain, let's not forget to mention the parade of politicians that pass through Versailles during election time sipping cafecito and stumbling through Spanish in their attempts to get a few votes from those folks that they deride and scorn so, so very much.
Let's also not fail to mention the sneering that The Ladies in White have to endure from the current administration or the talented Cuban-Americans who have been insulted. Oh, and the Senator that the entire State of Florida voted for and placed into office and the congressional representatives that have been selected time after time by a diverse group of voters and have been serving South Florida. Of course, I don't have time to list all the Cuban-American politicians, entertainers and businessmen who have enjoyed success in this country.
These are the Cuban-American "victims" that de la Cruz refers to, I suppose. Such a deplorable bunch. They get no respect.
Yeah, and I call bullshit.
Just like de la Cruz and his pals have the right to criticize Ozzie, Gloria Estefan, Muhammad Ali [yes they went there because he once shook the hand of Castro] and anyone else they perceive as a Castro sympathizer, there are people out there who have the right to criticize their comments and opinions in turn. And given the above, that criticism is clearly not an indicator of some deep-seated resentment of their Cuban heritage, rather, it's all about their opinions...as fellow Americans.
I would suggest that Alberto and those like him abandon the "victim card." It's inaccurate and totally out-of-step with the independent, determined and self-sufficient nature of the Cuban-American exile. Most importantly, it's unneeded. Cuban-Americans have been playing on a level field for quite some time now, especially in South Florida, and have done just fine, thank you.
.
10 comments:
Well stated, enough with the crying about Fidel.
The rest of America just really doesn't care. And to keep things in context, there are a number of cities in the world with larger populations than the whole country of Cuba.
Anon...to be honest, you may have missed something.
Remembering that Castro is a tyrant responsible for atrocities is important. But Cuban-Americans don't need to be painting themselves as victims of Americans in order to remind everyone of that fact. Castro is responsible for their suffering, not their neighbors.
.
Thank you, Anonymous, for making de la Cruz's point.
Now if I were as clever, devious, and motivated as certain community operatives, I would have sent that anonymous email myself to prove my point.
I agree with your post with the exception of the statement that the entire state voted for the Senator. According to the stats in the Florida Elections Website 48.9% voted for Senator Rubio. The other 51.2% voted for 17 other candidates on the ballot. Hardly the entire state.
To be fair, the victim card is only used by a certain type of Cuban American. They are , of course, blind to how ridiculous they sound when one moment they are bragging about how we are the most successful hispanic group in the US, how they "built this city", how they aren't Hispanics or Latinos, how they have an influence disproportional to their numbers, how they decided the 200 elections, etc... and the next they are bemoaning how everybody is out to get them. For this paranoid group, they have never been wrong.
But they are becoming less and less relevant every day, so if you take away their victim card, what do they have left.
Alex: I suspect the two are inextricably related. In fact, Cubans have done very well for themselves in this country -- their record backs up their boasts. Their story is one of hard work, strong community, and reward. Precisely that success triggers off the hatred and racism that gets directed at them. Just like the Irish, the Jews, and the Italians. It's the classic American story, warts and all.
Rick, I am shocked! For the first time ever reading your blog, I fully agree with you. Side Note: I am C-A.
@Squathole: While I agree that part of our story is hard work and community, I don't buy for a second the excuse that it's all envy. They concentrated on gaining power and acted arrogantly once they attained it. That's the American way as well, but don't complain when nobody feels too sorry for you.
Squat...I also don't buy into your theory of criticism of Cuban-Americans because of their success. I tend to think their irresponsible smearing of otherwise respectable members of the community and fellow Cuban-Americans simply because of their politics is the thing that offends this gringo the most.
Who hates Italians?
:)
.
I certainly didn't mean to suggest it's ALL envy. That would give the garden variety bigots 'way too much credit.
But the business of gaining power and then abusing it, villifying those who disagree or have their own agendas, isn't anything new or unique either. The first waves of Italians to this country were despised and treated as sub-humans, too. The Irish in Boston famously went from seeing "No Irish Need Apply" when looking for work to owning the whole city and beyond. In Atlantic City, hotels routinely posted "No Dogs or Jews." Now guess who owns hotels, golf courses, and casinos.
Once these minorities became established, the initial hatred didn't vanish, of course. And many went on to shovel shit on the next minority group trying to get established, usually those with dark complexions (even darker than tke Jews and Eye-Ties!).
The Irish were really nasty to one another. "The shanty Irish." "The Lace Curtaan Irish." Those were derogatory terms one clan sneered at another, left over from the Old Country. The southern Italians didn't even consider the northern Italians to be "true" Italians -- hell, they had blue eyes! Blue eyes!
Cruel and ignorant as it is, from this distance it's sort of funny, and, as with all bigotry of this flavor, it says 'way more about the hater than the hated.
After all, Ve are all Berliners, ja? And Trayvon Martin. :)
Post a Comment
Spam, vulgar language, trolling and off-topic comments are not tolerated at SFDB and your comment will be removed if it meets this criteria.