Testing Ideology: A Reflection on Our Trip to Cuba

“No offense, but that is very narrow-minded thinking.” This was the opening I received from a Cuban professor in response to a question I asked comparing American and Cuban internet usage. He immediately became defensive, as if my question was an attack. I was genuinely curious though; he claimed to be an app designer in a country where there was a total lack of Internet. This defensive introduction, though, was just another one of the countless examples of Cubans’ uncanny ability to avoid the ‘elephant in the room.’

One of the most memorable conversations I had on my Hotchkiss trip to Cuba this spring break was with this same professor from one of Cuba’s ‘top’ computer science universities. Going along with our itinerary, complete with the proper educational meetings expected by the Cuban government, we were scheduled to learn about the domain of internet in Cuba with this professor. However, the whole meeting consisted of fed statements and avoided questions. Mr. Perez, one of our leaders who grew up in Cuba, later informed us that the statements ranged from misleading to blatantly false. Some examples of these false statements include: ‘there is no censorship of Internet content’, ‘Cubans can blog whatever they like without consequences’, and that ‘Google is blocked on the US side because of the embargo’. Unfortunately though this was neither the first nor last time we would be mislead in Cuba. Many of the things we were shown, from crazy coffee ‘statistics’ to tobacco production work conditions, were wrapped into a neat little package for us to happily accept and move on. I believe the closest I came to a sincere exchange was a few whispers in Spanish from two locals in the back corner of a chess shop. This was such a singular event though, especially compared to everything thrown at us by the people we met, most of whom were representatives of the government one way or another. Even our guide, who followed us everywhere and made sure we stuck to our schedule, made up facts at random to disguise the things that we were not supposed to question and to distract us.

At first I was mad that we, a group of impressionable students, had been misled, but then Mr. Perez explained a concept I had never experienced in real life: fear of government. The computer science professor was terrified that he would be reported and punished if he told us something considered questionable by the Castro administration. It was not that everyone was under the constant surveillance of the government, but rather, people developed cautiousness, as there was a constant fear that anyone could report anything you said. It becomes a situation where people feel watched all of the time. I had only heard of environments like this in fiction like George Orwell’s novels. I realized that in a place where people are afraid of being watched, life turns into euphemisms and fabrications.

Coming back to the US, I have begun conversations with people who have also gone to Cuba. Right after the trip, I distinctly remember running into a family friend at the dentist office, who had visited Cuba twice with her husband. She simply talked about what a beautiful vacation spot the country was. Surprised, I began to ask others who have gone, about their experiences in the country as well. I was shocked to hear from others the same sort of comments that my family friend had made. What about the government and the people? Did no one else notice the oppressive nature or fear? Although subtle, I knew it was there. I began to wonder why some people were so oblivious to the true circumstances in Cuba. In a conversation with Mr. Perez, I began to unearth answers to some of these questions. One of the problems that most heavily affects travellers is entering a new place with a set ideology, as if with almost a desire to confirm ones preconceived ideas. Along with letting biases shape experiences, some concepts are just so foreign to people that it is almost impossible to believe, or to understand. At least for me, the concept of someone not speaking the truth about his or her government, even in private, is hard to fathom and it worries me to wonder whether I would have picked up on all the subtle details, if not for the insight of Mr. Perez. I am not saying that one should enter into every situation full of suspicion and mistrust, but I do believe that it is important to think. If my travels have taught me anything, it’s to be inquisitive and discerning, to observe and to ask questions, and to always maintain an open mind.