Dr. Antonio Morales-Pita was on campus Oct. 11 to speak as part of the Equity in Action Conference about his new autobiographical book, Havana-Merida-Chicago: A Journey to Freedom. He was introduced by Daniel Lopez, director of El Centro, who described the book as “strongly psychological.”
The impact of Fidel Castro in the world was reiterated and the severity of his influence shone through an individual’s story of oppression.
Currently a professor at DePaul University, Morales-Pita was always very passionate about his education because he believed that through it he would become more valuable and able to help his country.
He spent 25 years gathering data and working in the sugar mills. Just when he was making progress toward accomplishing his dream, “That dream was shattered by Fidel Castro.”
Morales-Pita soon realized that a “dictator never accepts any criterion different from his own.” It was because of this that Pita left Cuba Jan. 31, 1996.
Morales-Pita spoke of his personal, political and religious struggles. He also engaged the audience by partaking in reminiscent stories about Cuba and its “repressive atmosphere.” He then presented how Castro was able to acquire and maintain complete power over the Cuban people. According to Morales-Pita, “Castro tweaked the values of Cuba, patriotism, religion and family, to fit his own agenda.”
When Castro defeated Batista, he became a hero in the eyes of every hopeful Cuban. He represented the opportunity for freedom, and they felt an obligation to him. In this way he harnessed patriotism.
The dictator then proceeded to attack the church. He began organizing mandatory activities on Sundays, and if you didn’t attend you were going against your country.
Morales-Pita explained that “If you take God from people’s hearts, there is an empty space. Who will be there? Fidel!”
When the government decided to increase the duration of sugar production, which was vital to Cuba’s economy, it took its toll on the family and their religion.
Sugar production lasted from December to July, causing Christmas and Easter to diminish slowly. Families spent more and more time apart. Cuba provided soldiers to the Soviet Union for the war in Angola, forcing families to falter.
The world now waits to see what will happen to Cuba when Castro dies. Morales-Pita predicted that there will be a struggle for power.
Ideally, he would like for Cuba to be rebuilt using a coalition of forces from fellow Cubans in Miami. However, Dr. Morales-Pita stated that unfortunately Fidel Castro is a charismatic symbol of freedom that no one will ever fight.