|
It would seem our country has the most educational problems
in the world. All of the cables that reach us report on the
many and difficult challenges we face: a deficit of over
8,000 teachers, disrespectful and ill-mannered students,
lack of training, in short: problems of all sorts.
I don't believe, to being with, that we're in such bad
shape. Not one developed country shares our schooling
indices and the educational possibilities open to all
citizens in this field, which we maintain in spite of the
unjust blockade and the shameless plundering of arms,
muscles and brains Cuba endures.
The United States and other wealthy countries cannot even
compare themselves to us. They do have many more
automobiles, use more fuel, consume more drugs, buy more
cosmetics and benefit from pillaging our countries, as they
have done for centuries.
Imperialism seeks to return Cuban women to the condition of
merchandise, pleasure objects and servants for the rich.
They do not forgive countries for their struggle for
liberation. It yearns to return to the time when black
Cubans were barred from using recreational centres. Then,
many citizens lacked employment, social security and medical
services.
To Martí, freedom was very dear and one had to pay the price
for it or resign oneself to a life without it. That is the
question all Cubans must ask themselves each day.
How feasible are the aspirations of our enemies? Only we
have the answer, in each of us. In terms of education,
should we not ask ourselves if our educational system
employs a bureaucratic method which teaches science without
conscience? I don't believe we have regressed so much. In
any event, each one of us must ask these questions to avoid
having our dignity spat on. We should expect no mercy from
our enemies.
There are tens of thousands of people who think, speak, act
and make decisions. The measures that are adopted every day
are in their hands.
Let us keep a watchful eye on our enemies and let us do
exactly the opposite of what they want from us to continue
being who we are.
This is an appeal to our consciences. The Revolution
justifiably demands from us that we work more, that is to
say, that we work! We have held our ground for 50 years. The
new generations are much better prepared to face the
challenges than we are; we have the right to demand from
them much more. Let us not become discouraged by the news
spread by our enemies, which distort the meaning of our
words and paint our self-criticisms as tragedies. The
wellspring of our revolutionary ethics is inexhaustible.
Fidel Castro Ruz
July 19, 2008
12:14 p.m.
MESSAGE TO NELSON MANDELA
ON HIS 90TH ANNIVERSARY
Glory to you, Nelson, who defended human dignity in the 25
years of solitary imprisonment you endured! Neither slander
nor hatred could break your iron will. You held your ground
and, unwittingly and unintentionally, you became a symbol of
what is noblest in human nature. You shall live on in the
memory of future generations, as will the Cubans who fell in
defense of the freedom of their brothers in other lands of
the world.
Fidel Castro Ruz
July 18, 2008 |
