6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS TRAVEL REPORT JUNE 16, 2023 Left: Ken and Odalys with her daughter Daymara, and Daymara's son, Anthony. Middle: Ken, Daniela and her son Santiago Alberto, and Daniela's parents, Lazaro and Anita. Right: Daniela and Ken. All photos were taken in Guanabacoa, Havana, Cuba. Blessings from Cuba KEN PARKS Groundcover vendor No. 490 I came back to Ann Arbor after a month in Cuba (May 5 to June 2). I hope you read “Cuba or Bust,” which helped me get there. The community financial support was essential, especially due to surprise expenses to confirm a flight and overweight baggage, not to mention it was a one way ticket. Generosity got me a return ticket. The blessings of Cuba are more than the blessings of the Revolution. African culture, particularly Yoruba, runs deep in Cuba, evident in the many parties and street celebrations with the rhythm of African music and dance. The African diasporic religion Santeria is everywhere. When I arrived on May 5, there was the sound of drums and song from Odalys’ (my first wife) house, one of the two houses our family has built in the last 20 years. The truth is when I married Odalys, I married Cuba with layers of extended family. The central family today centers on my three ahijadas (godchildren) and Jorge and Mayalin, who run the neighborhood farm. We are learning that the earth is our original family. My first trip to Cuba was in 1994 with the Pastors for Peace Caravan. We were welcomed like heroes for standing up in solidarity just like the many thousands of Cubans who volunteered to go to Angola to fight the South African invasion, especially after Fidel pointed out that “African blood flows in Cuban veins.” This is one of the historic lessons of the Cuban Revolution. Cubans, Angolans and Namibians united to defeat the South African Defense Force which was backed by the United States and had nuclear weapons. Nelson Mandela went to Cuba to express gratitude for this victory which led to his release from prison. Cuba today may look like a failed revolution as food shortages and high prices weigh heavily on everyday life. If you read my October 1, 2022 article “The Problems We Cause For Ourselves,” you are aware of the reality of obstacles arising at every stage of the path which are resolved by looking at the new context and the goal of freedom. Our ability to do this requires tender love and care. The central, dominating role of the U.S. dollar creates poverty in third world countries by trashing local currencies and promoting global commodity consumption. My month in Cuba was in this context. Cubans still get rations of rice, beans, eggs and more, but it is not enough. Fortunately, May is mango season. My family has a tree in the yard so I ate several mangos a day. I brought enough money and food to help when rations ran out. The shortages hurt enough people that many want to emigrate. My Groundcover article from January 27, “Welcome Refugees," tells that story. If you read “The Wisdom Of The Body,” published February 24, you may recall that my “core fell through the floor;” this was the background for a health crisis that delayed the trip. My serious arthritis cleared up quickly in Cuba. There is no explanation outside of the fact that it is a more natural environment. Reality is alive in earth, sky and human relations. The relaxation response becomes natural in a way that is hard to explain to North Americans. It is part of the popularity of Cuba as a tourist destination. It is unique among many countries that retain some precapitalist heritage. Cuba brings its revolutionary character into the third world and has a global reputation for genuine independence from the capitalist model. It is a nice surprise that Daniela (my lead ahijada) is a natural master of natural breath. She often says “tranquilo'' to me. She is the center of my article “Welcome Refugees” and will be part of the growing Cuban-American community in North America. Puentes de Amor (Bridges of Love) is a Cuban-American group that we want to work with and expand. I believe the indigenous people of Turtle Island and Cuban Americans will work together as we build a culture of peace. The next step for all peace-loving people is to welcome the Golden Rule sailboat, a project of Veterans for Peace. It will be in the Detroit area in mid August. Hasta la victoria siempre! Always towards victory, we look forward to the next step in that direction.
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