Cuba : generation special
The demise of USSR resulting in "Special Period" of extreme adversity in Cuba had far reaching effects upon the country's population at the same time it has severely affected the psyche of the generation born and raised during those difficult times. Necessity forced Cuba to open up tourism in order to get the badly needed cash but that had its downside too, as Cuba today has become one of the prime destinations of sex tourism in the world. The state, which treated gays and lesbians as "sick" forcing them to leave the country or end up in "correctional camps" for decades now seems comfortable with private even state owned gay/lesbian clubs as long as they continue to bring in foreign exchange.
As Cuba takes its first steps to open up and develop the private sector, Che's dream of a "nuevo hombre socialista" seems to hang in the balance because Cuba's "Generation Special" seems to lose itself into partying, "money at all costs" consumerism. The pre-revolution nightlife for which Havana was once famous or rather notorious is making a strong comeback only with a slight difference: the pre-revolution US mafias have been replaced by bigwigs in the Cuban politico-military hierarchy since they are the ones actually behind most of the newly opened major businesses. The future of Cuba is closely linked to the evolution of Cuba's Generation Special, which will ultimately decide the fate of Fidel Castro's revolution.
Cuba : generation special
The demise of USSR resulting in "Special Period" of extreme adversity in Cuba had far reaching effects upon the country's population at the same time it has severely affected the psyche of the generation born and raised during those difficult times. Necessity forced Cuba to open up tourism in order to get the badly needed cash but that had its downside too, as Cuba today has become one of the prime destinations of sex tourism in the world. The state, which treated gays and lesbians as "sick" forcing them to leave the country or end up in "correctional camps" for decades now seems comfortable with private even state owned gay/lesbian clubs as long as they continue to bring in foreign exchange.
As Cuba takes its first steps to open up and develop the private sector, Che's dream of a "nuevo hombre socialista" seems to hang in the balance because Cuba's "Generation Special" seems to lose itself into partying, "money at all costs" consumerism. The pre-revolution nightlife for which Havana was once famous or rather notorious is making a strong comeback only with a slight difference: the pre-revolution US mafias have been replaced by bigwigs in the Cuban politico-military hierarchy since they are the ones actually behind most of the newly opened major businesses. The future of Cuba is closely linked to the evolution of Cuba's Generation Special, which will ultimately decide the fate of Fidel Castro's revolution.
