Cuba Analysis: Using the Book Travelers Tales Cuba True Stories, Cross - Essay Example

of the of the Concerned 26 October 2009 Cuba Analysis: Using the Book Travelers' Tales Cuba True Stories, Cross Cultural Psychology The hallmark of the Cuban mindset is that it is far from being anything that is stereotypical and regimented. Talking about Cuba is like referring to a multifaceted and multicolored entity, which though seemingly being isolated and cornered from an American perspective, is very much alive and kicking and has a unique verve and enthusiasm of its own. Thus, being a Cuban means being unexceptionally exposed to a life full of a strange and impish charm, death defying zeal and a diehard sense of positivity and hope, irrespective of one's appalling personal circumstances and the strictly controlled internal and external political environment. It is next to impossible for a single mind and soul to attempt at presenting a realistic portrayal of the Cuban psyche. Hence, 'Travelers' Tales Cuba' edited by Tom Miller is just the right and apt source that offers an insight into the Cuban mind, sifted by a whole range of writers, which though may be naive or shrewd, clumsy or sophisticated, but nonetheless, immensely interested in the Cuban life and experiences. Tom Miller is a name that will definitely sound familiar to the readers who closely followed the underground press of the 60s. Miller has made much contribution to a wide range of reputed and credible American publications like LIFE, Natural History and the New York Times. He is not only the single most important contributor to the Encyclopedia Latina, but has also charmed the American viewers on popular platforms like CNN, NBC, CSPAN and HBO. As already said, the Cuban culture and mindset is too intricate to be grasped and digested by a single person. So, in 'The Travelers' Tales', Miller presents the Cuban psychological and cultural landscape through the eyes of an immense range of curious individuals, their collective consciousness trying to come to terms with a country and culture that is so complex, ironical and confusing that if often tends to defy understanding and logic in a strictly American perspective. Reading the 'Travelers' Tales' is like approaching the life in Cuba as perceiving a multifaceted and myriad colored jewel, that comes against any attempts at homogeneity and regimentation and took a unique shape and shades, benignly reacting to the external economic pressures and the internal political uniformity. 'Bring on the Cubans' by Judy Cantor gives an insight into the sweaty and hot Cuban nightlife, imbued with an innate sense of patience and a distinct cultural identity that evolved indigenously amidst the constraints of time and economics. 'You Beautiful Doll' by Leslie Berestein is an encounter with the unique search for identity of the Cuban Diaspora residing all around the world, which longs for a sense of belonging and identification, which is exclusively furnished by the varied shades and hues that define life in Cuba. Reading the story by Dave Eggers is like virtually coming to terms with the Cuban sense of adventure and exploration, which though seemingly confined, manages to eek out a space for itself at its own terms and conditions. In addition, the works by other writers like Stephanie Elizondo, Henry Shukman and Randy Wayne White, in the given anthology highlight the unique Cuban ability to transcend the cultural and political barriers, so as to adapt and internalize the ideas emanating from literally foreign and sometimes politically unfriendly sources. Though, Cuba is a country that has always managed to find a place in the US media headlines over the years, it is only the Americans that have actually visited Cuba and had a first hand experience of the life in the Cuban streets and alleys, that can to some extent have an idea about what is it like experiencing life from the vantage point of a Cuban Almost most of the narratives in 'The Travelers' Tales' strikingly bring the reader to the realization that the way the Cuban eyes see, the way the Cuban ears hear and the way the Cuban mind interprets things is interestingly unique and amazing. In fact, it is entirely way apart from the way reality is perceived by a European, American or for that matter, a Latin American. Being placed under an embargo, though denied Cubans of the Western style growth and development, still they decided to move ahead on their own, thereby giving way to a land and society that is not only unique and extempore in its approach, but which has managed to preserve the flavors, colors, hues, textures and aromas of a bygone era, with a generous sprinkling of a strictly Cuban modernity and improvisation. In almost all the short stories collected in 'The Travelers' Tales', one thing that leaps out at the reader is the fact that from the vantage point of a Cuban, the act of perceiving reality has a touch of wispiness to it, very unlike the way reality is perceived in terms of facts, blocks and information, by any average American. The Cuban perception of the outside reality, even in the most mundane sense is always closely associated with aromas, textures, colors, hues, shades, smells, flavors and emotions. This sense of perception though undoubtedly being sometimes surreal and pathetic, suffering from the inescapable and ubiquitous time wrap is still devoid of the gross images like glaring neon lights, loud billboards and a dearth of roads, which lead to nowhere. Truly speaking, a Cuban can bear if not cherish existence for the sake of existence, even if it is devoid of any quantifiable goal or targets. The Cuban mentality leaves no chance of celebrating existence and life, be it in the nightlife, cramped streets, crowded public transport, smelling neighborhoods and under stocked markets. In a way, it seems strange. Perhaps the Cuban accepts one's existence as it is because one has no blueprint for an alternate existence or perhaps, yes perhaps, one has managed to seek out some higher wisdom amidst one's misery and dearth. In comparison with the Cuban psyche, as it emerges from the short stories in the work under consideration, the Pakistani psyche has definitely achieved a commensurate peace of mind and a relative acceptance of reality, though not being as exuberant, flamboyant and discernable as in the case of a Cuban. However, if one takes into consideration, the intermittent jolts of history, the periodical changes in the Pakistani political scene, and in turn the social environment, the Pakistani psyche is more prone to apprehensions, insecurities and instability. Certainly, the Cubans had to do with a somewhat autocratic regime, but it was a regime that was relatively stable and consistent in its approach over the decades, which allowed the Cubans to proceed ahead with a somewhat liberal and predictable socio-economic and cultural adjustments and allowed ample scope for the satiation of basic human instincts. The Pakistani psychological landscape differed in the sense that it had to be subservient to professedly theocratic dictates, both during the periods of democracy and military dictatorship, which obviously put constraints on the way people were allowed or expected to express their joys and sorrows. Hence, a Pakistani has to resort to the culturally and socially dictated occasions and forms to give vent to one's emotions. Certainly, the socio-cultural environment in Pakistan does not allow an individual to indulge in steamy dance performances in a nightclub or to ravish on the local spirits like a Cuban. In addition, even if one is allowed, one has to be an elite since the economic disparities in Pakistan are more pronounced and feudalized, unlike Cuba. Therefore, the human psyche in Pakistan has to bear with some constraints of theological origin, going by the states' constitutional allegiance to Islam, which is mostly stringently interpreted by the dominant though not constitutional religious leadership. Thus, the Cuban psychological landscape is more variegated, liberal and open as compared to Pakistan. As 'Bring on the Cubans!' by Judy Cantor amply depicts that if nothing, the Cubans at least always have an inspiring sense of tomorrow, which helps them retain a sense of poise and humor amidst tough times. However, considering the current scenario in Pakistani, torn between an internecine conflict between the radical and moderate Islam and marred by an emaciated economy, the general psychological environment in Pakistan is getting more apprehensive and unstable, with the liberal citizens grouping behind the civic society, while the socio-economically deprived and marginalized segments of the society gravitating towards Jihadist elements. Hence, though on the surface, the Pakistani mentality like that of Cuban is defined by bustling bazaars, crowded public transport, sweating commuters, weathered rooftops, narrow streets and stately facades, it conclusively lacks the Cuban beat, rhythm and celebration. In the words of Miller, "The US embargo, nasty and reprehensible as it is, has helped isolate Cuban culture from the commercial excesses of our own (6)." In contrast, the Pakistan is very much in the thick of this war of civilizations. Total Words- 1,270 Works Cited Miller, Tom. Travelers' Tales Cuba: True Stories. Travelers' Tales Guides: New York, 2001. Read More