Blogging in a Communist Paradise
Yoani Sanchez, an information technology enthusiast and trained philologist, has created GenerationY, a blog dedicated to give the world a glimpse into the daily lives of the Cuban people under the communist dictatorship of the Castro brothers.
In April 2007, I got entangled in this adventure to have a Blog called “Generation Y” that I have defined as “an exercise in cowardice” because it allows me to say, in this space, what is forbidden to me in my civic action.
Blogging may be a fun exercise for those of us who take freedom of speech for granted, but for Yoani the simple act of editing and publishing a blog entry requires a lot of risk. Risk of being discovered while she impersonates tourists in order to use the computers at internet cafes.
The bureaucrats in charge of protecting “La Revolución,” who do not look favorably on those daring to express their opinions freely, have been harassing the not-so-clandestine author. She and Reinaldo, her husband, were recently “invited” to meet with the police to discuss their seditious act of organizing a blogger meeting.
We want to warn you that you have transgressed all the limits of tolerance with your rapprochement and contacts with counter-revolutionary elements. This totally disqualifies you for dialog with Cuban authorities.
The activities planned for the coming days cannot carried out.
We, for our part, will take all measures, make the relevant denuciations and take the necessary actions. This activity, in this moment in the life of the Nation, recuperating from two hurricanes, will not be allowed.
Add GenerationY to your RSS reader, it’s worth it, and more importantly it will keep you humble. Enjoy.
