WHY EMIGRATE TO CUBA?
As Americans we are inundated with images of people struggling to get to our country. Rarely do we consider that there are other parts of the world where the quality of life - measured in non-economic terms - is superior to ours. Just 90 miles off our shore exists a country which exports doctors rather than arms. A place where there is a much higher doctor to population ratio than in the US, a place that produces world class athletes, dancers, artists and musicians. Health care and higher education are free and homelessness has been eradicated. Recently when a category 5 hurricane hit Cuba 20,000 homes were destroyed and 2 million people were evacuated, yet not one person was killed. All in a country with 1/500 of our resources. Miami Boatlift will carry Americans who would be better served by a Cuba style system, from Miami to Havana.
Many Americans don't realize that it is illegal for them to travel to Cuba or anything about Cuba. Miami Boatlift highlights the contradictions of our policy towards Cuba - a policy that is inconsistent with our belief in the free exchange of ideas and the freedom to travel. Perhaps we have a utopian image of Cuba (as do many immigrants before setting out). In contrast the current administration has cast Cuba as part of the "Evil Empire". How can we reconcile these opposing perspectives without actually going to see for ourselves? We will develop direct communications with Cubans, while challenging infringements on our own civil rights.
*See
facts section for details
