As the new year opened, I was in Havana with Cuban friends commemorating the 40th anniversary of their revolution, a beacon of hope and strength for freedom fighters everywhere. The moment was one for rejoicing in the revolution's grand achievements, celebrating its tenacity, and rededicating ourselves to fighting for its survival. An explosion of light. Cuban working people gained national independence and, after a short time, a transformation of the economic system that made them the collective owners of their country's productive resources. Cuban workers as a whole own their factories.
Farmers collectively manage their land and crops.
And women are respected for their social contribution as members of the work force. Overcoming racial inequality was one of the new society's first priorities, and popular prejudice and institutional discrimination are refreshingly absent. Young people are esteemed as the next generation carrying the responsibility to advance humanity. Services of all types focus on providing them with clothing, food, education, sports opportunities, and much more. And Cubans honour their elders.