Cuban band battles censorship

Posted: Friday, October 05, 2007 12:59 PM
Filed Under: Havana, Cuba

By Mary Murray, NBC News Producer

A top Cuban rock band – "Moneda Dura" – is in trouble with government censors. Someone decided their newest song is too controversial. Presumably it’s been perceived as too unfavorable to the Cuban government – so it’s been banned on all state-run airwaves.

But, the songwriter feels his work is misunderstood. "We did something important, that mattered to the people who listen," said Nassiry Lugo, the band leader.

VIDEO: Cuba censors hit song

The song is entitled "Mala Leche" – Cuban slang for "evil intentions." It’s the title track on their latest CD, released this summer on the island’s Egrem label.

Despite the official ban – or maybe helped by it – Mala Leche is gaining fame.

Local fans are downloading the contraband from YouTube – and then, sending it straight to the Cuban underground.

Proof that in today’s high-tech world, censorship is no match for a good song.

VIDEO: "Mala Leche" music video

And here is a translation of the "Mala Leche" lyrics:

Evil Intentions

It’s 4 o’clock, the bus is still not here

People around me won’t stop talking

and they drive you nuts

Sweat rolls down my ears

I’m talking about just another typical day

It’s 6.45, I get on the crowded bus

Nauseated by the bad smell of the guy beside me

People pushing all the time

People with evil intentions

Others who hammer my ears

We’re a mixture of grease and iron

We’re like cows hurrying to the slaughter-house

We’re like ants going into a hole

We’re a ball of fire

I find people who live to make things worse for me

People who don’t talk, only bark

People who spit words

If I don’t hurt you, don’t pick on me

If I don’t hurt you, why your evil intentions?

Ah! Tell me what I did to you to make you target me

Relax and cooperate,

Can't operate on the fat in your brain

Don’t take it so hard, your shouting unnerves me

Ah! But tell me, tell me

Why your evil intentions?

7 o’clock in the morning, I slowly eat breakfast

As if I lived in a palace

(Instead of) this tenement and its noise

The lights are still not on

Without a doubt, today will be fun

I spend 15 minutes spying on my neighbour

I get turned on and she doesn’t even look at me

The electricity bill is killing me

But what can I do, if living is also killing me

Now my brain is in a coma

Now my life is a car without tires

Now I was so happy with my vices

All is well when I'm immoveable

I don’t bring solutions, I don’t give surprises

Why am I to be blamed because of your headaches

If we're doing the same, don’t obsess on me

Give your brain a chance to relax

We come from a unique lineage

If we're the heat that burns deeply,

Why don’t we treat each other as brothers

My heart beats when they call me Cuban

MALA LECHE ( POR MONEDA DURA )

Las 4 de la tarde, la guagua que no llega

La gente que no para de hablar y que se desespera

Gotas de sudor que caen por mis ojeras

Te cuento de otro día normal

Las 6:45 me subo apretado

Revuelto por el mal olor que trae el tipo de al lado

La gente que te empuja todo el tiempo

Gente sin pena, otros que taladran fuerte en las orejas.

Somos una masa de grasa y acero

Somos como vacas que se apuran hasta el matadero

Somos las hormigas que van al agujero

Somos una braza de fuego

Y todavía me encuentro con gente que vive

Para ponérmela más mala

Gente que no habla, solo que te ladra

Gente que escupe las palabras

Si yo no te hago daño, no es pa’ que te despeches

Si yo no te hago daño

¿Cuál es tu mala leche?

Ay! Pero dime qué te hice para que me toques las narices

Relájate y coopera la grasa en el cerebro no se opera

Oye no es para tanto, tus gritos ya me vienen estresando

Ay! Pero dime, dime, dime

¿Cuál es tu mala leche?

7 de la mañana desayuno despacio

Como si estuviera en un palacio

El barrio con su bulla

La luz que no ha venido

Hoy va a ser, sin duda, un día entretenido

Paso 15 minutos espiando a mi vecina

Yo que me enveneno y la muy zorra no me mira

La cuenta de la electricidad me está acabando

Pero qué voy a hacer si es que vivir me está matando

Ahora que tengo mi cerebro en coma

Ahora que el carro de mi vida está sin gomas

Ahora que estaba tan tranquilo con mis vicios

Ahora que todo sale cuando me encapricho

No traigo soluciones, no regalo sorpresas

Qué culpa tengo yo de tus dolores de cabeza

Si estamos en lo mismo, no te ofendas no te reprendas

Dale un chance a tu cerebro pa’ que se distienda

Venimos de una estirpe única en el mundo

Si somos el calor que quema desde lo más profundo

Dime por qué no nos tratamos como hermanos

Me late el corazón cuando me dicen cubano.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

It is not the embargo, stupid. It is castro.

John Doe (Sent Saturday, October 06, 2007 10:27 PM)

Mala Leche...'Bad Milk'...no kidding, it's everywhere. Not just Cuba. EVERYWHERE! Wake up world.
Stop drinking the 'Bad Milk'. Do you get the message?
If not, keep listening...over and over. It may come to you.
Turtle

TP O'Tyrrell (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 12:52 AM)

No question, the literal translantion of "mala leche" is "bad milk", however the term is applied in Castilian Spanish, mostly in Spain,but in everyday conversations to an individual he of she that is considered indistintly: irracible, bad intentioned,crafty, badly disposed and thus "evil" may be apt.

Rodvivar, ft lauderdale fl (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 12:54 AM)

I can't believe that there are so many American people out there that have no concept as to what is going on in Cuba...Did you know that the Cuban people cannot even visit certain beaches because they are for the tourists who have the American dollar or monies from other countries? There supposedly are no materials to fix the broken down buildings and housing, yet where does the money come from to build 5 star resorts on the island of Cuba where the Cuban people work through sweat, tears and blood to earn barely enough money to put food on the table...Yes, they have to barter just for a cup of milk (which is a luxury) for those who have small children so that they are not malnourished...A family could live 3 months on 20 American Dollars, (if there is family here in the U.S. that would send it) you would not believe the power it has either...So, those of you who think you have it bad, I give you one day on the beautiful island of Cuba and see how you survive...All that surrounds you is poverty, conditions that not even a dog should live in and the fear that if you should say anything negative against Fidel Castro that the next morning not only you, but the rest of your family are found mysteriously shot dead...Hmmm reminds me of when President Bush visits the U.S. Troops and the Soldiers can't say anything negative on camara while he is there (when you know damn well not all are for this war) for the so called moral of the Soldiers...This song will probably cost the group something dearly, for there on that beautiful Island of Cuba they DO NOT have any Freedom, something that WE take for granted here in the good 'ole U.S.A. everyday...

ARLENE MCCARTHY, ORLANDO, FLORIDA (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 1:03 AM)

The worst thing you can do in a communist country like Cuba is say or write somethig that the goverment think is bad for then. In Cuba you can not think free every thing is regulated by the goverment...as time past, in this type of society all this control became even more secure and most foreigners are unable to see it. You have to be a cuban to fully undestand this and you had to live there for years to "apreciete" it. For all of you to think other why don't know what is live at there and I don't talk only about economic reason, trust me I live there for 30 year and I know...jet, I left6 years ago but this system still in. I am in favor of lift the embargo because this should be the fastes way to bring democracy to the cuban people but again...even is USA lift the embargo guess what...somehow, the cuban goverment will not accept it..Why? well, is very simple..IT WILL NO SURVIVE THE FREEDON AND THE CHANGES IT WILL BRING TO THE PEOPLE.!!!. That..Castro y co will not tolerate...

let don't give more excuse to this tyrany!!...exemplos??..well, Germany, Bulgary, Poland, even China and Vietnam...

every thing in Cuba is politic and represion of any thing to smell freedon..

Eli hernandez, Long Beach, ca (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 1:05 AM)

I am a Cuban who lived in Cuba until 1996 (35 years). I know in my own skin what this song means. In Cuba, except for the privileged elite members of the Commnunist Party (not the members of the Party on foot) every detail of life constitutes a problem, from how to go to work (transportation), what are your children going to be able to eat today, lack of medicines, everyday's blackouts (la luz que no ha venido), etc.
Now, the song says, if I have these problems and you have the same problems, why do you take it with me (and therefore the hidden meaning would be: why don't you try to eliminate the real cause - the system) That is like blasphemy to the Cuban Government. The difference with poverty in the US, is that you can say what you wish against your government, system, even burn the US flag, or make fun of the president on tv and that won't bring you any consequence (maybe it won't either bring you any result, but at least you can always vote for the other party). In Cuba you'll be earmarked (figuratively) and become a pariah, even more than you were before.
Re: Mr Lippmann, you may be in the wood and not see the forest. The only way to know how a Cuban lives in Cuba is to have somebody drop you there without a passport, with a Cuban ID Card (Carnet de identidad), to work in a Cuban job, earning the regular amount of Cuban pesos, and knowing that you'll have to stay there forever in that condition.
With respect to other Cubans living in exile: please don't mention anymore not being able to go to nightclubs or hotels as it makes "the other people" think that you're complaining for nothing important.
The really important thing is FREEDOM. The lack of Freedom in Cuba is the cause of all the other problems including the Mala Leche.
And by the way, Americans are not the only ones that are forbidden by their government to visit Cuba; I haven't been able to go to Cuba for many years to see my children (they are there), without any logical reason, just "your request is denied)

Liborio Cubano, Vancouver, Canada (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 2:13 AM)

I think this song levels a VERY subtle criticism about the depravity Cubans experience on a daily basis at the hands of the misanthropic and anachronistic communist government. Of coarse, any hint of dissent, no matter how faint, will get the authorities on their feet to ban, censure, subvert and pervert anything democratic.

T. Lopez (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 3:32 AM)

It is astounding how a few people could claim the actions of the repressive communist Cuban government are the result of American activities. The Cuban people gave every freedom, from the right to choose politicians or even products, to a handful of communist guerillas. Cuba had the best healthcare, literacy rates and per capita income in Latin America before the revolution. Cuba could trade with every country in Latin America and the rest of the world if it wanted. The controlled economy produces nothing to trade. That is why the people are desperately poor. If the Miami Cubans don't contribute to Cuba after Castro than Chavez or the mafia will. I'll take the chaos and challenges of a libertarian society over the controlled existance of a marxist one any day.

Josh Cole (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 9:07 AM)

you have to be a cuban and live there to undesrtand this song. Can not be more simple. Why is censored by the regimen? because they feels "uncomfortable" with the lyric, criticism of any kind of just the smell of it are the only thing that communist like cuba goverman can tolerate. More over, for all of those that think that lifting the embargo will easy and ultimate, end this system (I agree with the lift) well, I am sure this goverman will never and is not interested in this..It will be the end for then!!. So, please wake up!

Eli hernandez, long beach, ca (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 10:27 AM)

As a Cuban-American and professional translator, your English translation of this song seems pretty weak and doesn't begin the communicate the edge of desperation, sarcasm and fury of the original lyrics, which are coded as contemporary Cuban slang. All of us Cubans, exiles as well as islanders, know exactly what the song means, and why the totalitarian goverment can't tolerate it, even if the actual criticism seems relatively mild. For Americas who buy all the propaganda about Cuba as the "worker's paradise" I'm sure it makes absolutely no sense at all.

Elena Maza (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 11:07 AM)

I am so sick of people in our country, USA, complaining about how our system is becoming similar to repressive countries. We may have an administration now that is out of touch with the common man, but WAKE up!!! We still have everyday freedoms and luxuries that most take for granted. What a whining bunch of WACKOS!!!
Please people, travel the world, OPEN your eyes, then come back here and gripe. Some of you have become so spoiled and misinformed, it's incredible.

Cuba is a JOKE! I have traveled there too many times. The people there are miserable! Anyone who could dispute that is INSANE! Yes, they smile, laugh, and love Americans, but inside they ALL want to leave. 45 years and what do they have. NOTHING!!! Nothing for their children, no hope. They spend so much of their lives figuring out how to eat!
Really people, you that try and blame the U.S. embargo and everyone else, You are really very ignorant!!!
Were we to reward for Castro for confiscating billions of $$ of U.S. industry? Yes, Batista was a CROOK, but what do they have now? A failed and disgusting society! You defending the Cuban gov't, should be ashamed of yourself! HOW dare you!
Cuba has the ability to deal with any other gov't in the world. Why should we take the blame for their shortages and mismanagement. Cuba could buy anything much cheaper then what we sell it for here, even with the proximity. Bottom line is Cuba has NO money, and don't blame that on the U.S. If the world came together and condemned Cuba as they did Poland and South Africa as they did in the 80's, this would have been over years ago. Other countries only care about what they can get out of Cuba. So many misinformed people, but the Cubans continue to Suffer. Honestly People, any one who defends that gov't, you're pitiful! God PLEASE help them and Viva Cuba Libre!!!!!!!

Juan Doe, Freedom, USA (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 12:12 PM)

Castro and his gang had only one intention, to stay in power for ever, at any cost. yes Batista was bad but cuba had a growing economy. Its been nearly 50 years since the gang controlled every aspect of the lives of the people, this song is not about mala leche its about the bad feeling this gang has brought to the country for so long. No one but the cuban people exile or not know the sacrifices both have had to endure. How many more people have to die crossing the ocean, what level of desperation creates such courage, what more to endure? The cuban people will always improvise and overcome. Maybe this last 50 years are a lesson that the people will use to form a goverment by the people and for the people, and not to allow any country or super power to influence in the affair of the people. Cuba has many resources, and a good climate it has an abundance of well educated hard working people, it is a strategically well position country, Cuba has produced great doctors, scietists, sport figures, etc. The majority of the cuban exile have succeeded and blended in, and support the american way of life. we don't want to change the american way of life as many other exiles are trying to do, we defend this country, and take up arms many cubans have served and die for this country. The journalists could come and go as they please, and write what they feel.( in this country).They don't see the little boy or girl waking up in the morning with nothing to eat or drink, they don't see their parents anguish and desperation, and uncertainty. They do't hear the children cry when they are hungry, they don't feel what a mother feels when the mother doesn't have a glass of milk to drink for their babies, the visitor journalist sit in the hotel bar drinking mojitos (or milk). This censorship is just another one of those everyday thing in Cuba, people really don't care any more, they spend their lives trying to survive. So for the journalists I have one question. What if we censor you?

Ray (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 1:23 PM)

How come I can't buy it? Checked Amazon and it's not there.

Does the U.S. Government ban seeling this album while the Cuban government allows it? Hmm.

Pete Grimes (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 2:05 PM)

If we had more ART and LESS POLITICS we would live in a much better world. I am sick of people mixing an artist with the unfortunate-criminal president they live under! Bravo for a band of young Cubans to be breaking molds. First they broke the Salsa mold. Cuba is a country filled with music and art and yes poverty, lack of human rights and freedoms too, but lets not mix art with political heads of state. Here is a band that is fighting to be unique in their environment. In America and Europe and Asia and many other coutnries pop rock is common place in Cuba it is innovative and forward. They are in fact taking a chance, speaking out and being proud even in their dire living conditions. That is all worthy. Human beings must have pride in order to move forwad into better experiences. They are speaking up as many people do who live in difficult conditions example in Watts vs. Beverly Hills. My family left Cuba many years ago and I was born in Spain, so I never lived through any major political discomforts in my life, but I do not want my art to be judged by the actions of the government that I live under at this time even it questionable actions are taken on their part daily and I am sure that this band does not want their music to be judged by the government they live under, but by the merit of the work and the social commentary they are making about their unique living conditions. This song as many of their songs is a talented piece of pop music. If the government in Cuba banned it; it's only going to make it more popular. And as for me living in a "free" environment. I am going to suppor them by buying their music on line. Viva Moneda Dura, artistic expression and individuality any where you live!

Karina Carmen, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 2:08 PM)

I'm not Cuban, so I cannot speak about Cuba, I will just comment on the song, which I have just seen on YouTube, and other people's comments.
I'm a US citizen, not by choice, but by birth, since
I come from Puerto Rico.

I believe the song is great!!!

I happen never to have visited Cuba, but I would love to go, and see for myself...not as a tourist, staying in the best hotels, paid with US dollars, and sponsored by Europe's best... but as a Missionary, and see and hear what the real people have to say. I'll let you know what I think when I come back from the trip (if I ever make it)...but for the most part. I agree and disagree with some of the other comments on this site. The journalist that lives in Cuba most of the year CAN talk about the situation more than someone who left the island 50 years ago. Another comment, that if you talk against the government in school, you are reprimanded. Was that IN CUBA, or THE USA??? Think about it people, if I speak against the government, I will be put in jail. There are no freedoms in the USA either, don't think the USA is perfect. And I agree with the other guy, God Bless America is not in The Bible, though it IS a good thing to say. However, why not say God Bless The World, or God Bless Africa, God Bless Cuba...etc...?? Ohhh, no!!…the ACLU will be mad, and sue our souls!
I also agree with the other comment, we really should eliminate the embargo, they are still communists, and the embargo has done nothing, other than keep them poor and struggling. Why not put an embargo on Vietnam, or China?????? NO WAY!!!
MONEY makes the world go 'round.... If tomorrow, they find diamonds in Cuba, or Oil...I bet you anything, they will lift the embargo...not only that, the US WILL invade Cuba, "to make them free".

I also got the impression that "mala leche" means bad luck, or bad attitude, not evil intentions, though; I'm not an expert on Cuban street jargon.
Thank you.

Roberto O. Millán, Ceiba, Puerto Rico (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 4:14 PM)

People who don't have loved ones in Cuba, or have lived there in the past. Or even if you have visited. DON"T have a clue about Cuba. Families here should have to live on food allotments like the people of Cuba have to. And have to rely on the tranportation like they do. The people of Cuba are VERY poor. But thankful for the little bit that they have, unlike the people in the USA. We take so much for granite, we have plenty of food, transportation, water, variety of foods. We can have visitors over for a Sunday dinner. Which you can't do in Cuba. You can't pan handle in Cuba. if you do you go to jail. You can't talk bad about the goverment there, if you do you go to jail. 98% of the people here in the USA don't have a clue what it is like in Cuba. I am so thankful that I don't live in Cuba. Those poor people.

sjP in Washington

S Jean Podillo, Federal Way, W (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 4:43 PM)

Thank you Dr. Gallaso for you comment. Having been to Cuba on a missions trip, this song only begins to talk about the terrible conditions and the oppressed lifestyle that the men, women, and children of Cuba live everyday with such grace. It was a great honor to stay with the Cubans, who are such beautiful people. There is not a single person in the United States who could say that he lives a far worse life than a Cuban. We need songs like this one that awaken America to realize that it is us who need to fight for the Cubans humanitarian rights and their freedom.

Keri, Valencia, CA (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 4:59 PM)

It is amazing the ignorance of many of the people who post their comments through this mean, but, it's more disappointing the hipocresy of many so called cuban/americans living in Miami. Let me tell you marielitos, if Castro would die tomorrow and even Raul would also die, socialism would stay there forever - so it's no comming ok? - like Chirino says in his song. Besides, even if the regime would fall the next week, how many "cuban/americans" would go back to Cuba? ... ja ja almost no body, they're not stupid, one thing is live in Miami and spend all the time repeating whay their parents told them for so long and other is evaluate the situation from a very objective point of view. Cuba might not be a paradise buy at least the rest of the world have seen a hard effort of their govt. with the so limited resources and capabilities provided by the condition imposed by the US embargo, that they have done wonderfull things in the country. At the end of the day if some one doubts it socialism has been a success after all the dificulties that has gone through, and that's precisely what the US gov't. don't want the rest of the world see and recognize. Many countries populations in Latin America would love to have at least the level of education and health system that Cubans have, and there is where the ignorance most shows its colors, every one compare the situation in Cuba with the US - a country with vast resources of all kind - but when it comes comparing it with the rest of the world the panorama is totally different, cuba is not by any measure the poorest country of the world or the lowest educated, or has the worst health system of the world, neither people is starving to deaht even like in Haiti, Bolivia, Honduras or so many African countries, what political freedom is good any way if a country cannot offer the conditions for ecomomic development - which the reality in many countries of the world specialy in Latin America - , however, you cannot blame those countries governmets themselves, the economic and political world is not only controlled by, but rules by laws and procedures established already by economics superpowers who have also possesion and control of the international markets so, no important how productive a small country could become if it has no access to those intl. markets it's completely impossible to improve the situation of their own population. This is something a small portion of what really determine the factor for any country to be a nice place to live or not. Have you seen countries like Colombia? or Peru, or Mexico?, Ecuador? Uruguay, etc, etc. they don't live in socialism, however, big portions of their population would love to have a little bit of what Cubans have in Cuba. And there is where most of the "cubans/americans" fall in ignorance, they are mentally blind because they hace seen one side of paradise only and that side is Miami. Thanks.

Bill Martin (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 6:01 PM)

Bottom line is that the govt. is censuring a song without any merits. I like to see what would happenif the same was happening here in U.S., and the so called liberals or intellectuals to say, "no big deal" who cares the govt. has the right to do whatever they want, CENSURE EVERYTHING, but if it is about Cuba for some reason, well they are in the learning process of survival, it must be the U.S. otherwise, they would not behave as they do. It is the Cuban Govt. doing this, and the kids of those officials, including the sons and daughters of the Castro's or the Alarcones, can go anywhere in the world and enjoy their life win no censure. It is the Cuban Govt. stupid!

Rumba Rodriguez (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 6:25 PM)

They banned the song because they could. Fidel Castro has absolute power. He calls himself presdident. What a joke! When was the last time they had an actual democratic election? He is just another dictator. They invite people to complain about conditions in the country, but if they do complain they are imprisoned for being counter revolutionaries.

Robert Bruce, Delaware (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 6:28 PM)

Dr. Galloso,

I know a whole lot about the terrible conditions (nightmare of human rights violations in Cuba)etc. I grew up in Havana, born 1959. Unfortunately, I have not a chance to read all of the posts. There is so much ignorance about Cuba it is a shame. I grew up in Cuba. I am 18 generations Cuban. We were made paranoid to speak anything negative about the government and there was fear to do so. Self expression does not exist in Cuba (unless it is to the liking of the government). It is not a song of transportation systems. Cubans will know it is a traditional way of Cuban singing where they just let out complaints. He clearly states that "living is killing him". After he mentions the electric bill. But it is not the electric bill that is killing him.
It is not Republican presidents or democratic presidents that have not opened things up. Neither them, nor the Cuban patriots, has been able to do what is necessary help Cuba. Cuba needs nothing less than a true Democratic form of government no matter how and when. I hope to get back to post again.

Silvia B. Guerra de Miceli

Silvia Guerra, Barnegat, NJ (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 6:56 PM)

What is really interesting it is how either a liberal or a conservative will always try to explain, why a government will censure. It depends it you happen to favor in this case, The Regime. It is the Cuban govt. censuring a bunch of kids singing what they see everyday. Here in U.S. we have a bunch of either cuban american that like the cuban govt. or typical liberal americans that have no idea what they are talking about. The bottom line is that in U.S. and throught most of the world, people can say what they are thinking about. I like some of these people that are defending or explaining the action of the govt. to take a moment and to really feel what it is like to be in a country where you can not say anything and you can not visit any place. As some of us know, you must come to U.S. in order to visit the fun places of Cuba, maybe even bring some of Michael Moore' s friends and hang out.
Be a balcero and come to U.S. and go back thru Canada and have the fun of life, as many of the liberals in u.s.
It is the Cuban Governement, Stupid as Clinton once said, it is the economy, Stupid

Rumba Rodriguez (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 7:30 PM)

The term "mala leche" translates literally to "bad milk". This is a term that originated in Spain to depict an individual in a bad mood or someone who is mean. The song is an expression of the present political and economic climate in Cuba and should not be banned.

C.Rodriguez. Newark, New Jersey (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 7:38 PM)

The main message of the song is in the last stanza, which culminates stating "Me late el corazon cuando me dicen Cubano (My hearts beats when I am told or reminded that I am Cuban)." Everyone has a heart beat, but we ony become aware of its beat during special events such as anxiety, fear, anger, and others. If you read carefully, the previous verse "Dime por qué no nos tratamos como hermanos?" is indicative of a frustration arising from lack of brotherhood." It is obvious that the writer is venting his frustration of being Cuban. "Me late el corazon cuando me dicen Cubano" clearly states that he/she is ashamed to be Cuban."

I have been writing songs since my childhood and I strongly believe those are the sentiments of the writer.

Javier Ortiz, Indian Trail, NC (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 7:54 PM)

Speaking of Cubans, I say we cut a canal like the Panama Canal, just north of Miami and give it to Cuba as a gift. Same thing with southern California. Give that to Mexico. In an instant positive things would outcome from this. Unemployment rates would decrease instantly. Crime rates in both areas would decrease. People could feel safe walking their dogs at night. Lets face it, these two metro areas are nothing but ghettos and slum areas for these wetbacks to stay while they feed off the American government. Then, coincide this move with building a wall around LA like the great wall of China (or the wall like the one in the movie Escape From New York) and keep these sponges to the south of us so that our grandchildren and their children can get a fresh start. These animals ruin our economy and drain our society in a thousand different ways. As for this song by this group, lets put them on a canoe and send them back as well. They’ll be mooching off our taxes before long. Ty Shoe

Tyrone Shoelace, Wilmington, DE (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 8:30 PM)

"Worste dictatorship in the history of the world"? Kind of an over-exageration don't you think? I think Hitler was a little worse. It's comments like this that make me lose faith in the words of the exiles.

smith (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 8:58 PM)

I don't see the problem with the song and I don't see why people are comparing cuban society with venezuelan. Venezuelans have freedom, freedom of the press, speech, assembly, etc. Even Chavez's enemies are allowed to speak against him after attempting to illegally overthrow his government. People should watch "The Revolution Will not be Televised" on google before they criticise Chavez.
Hmmm....I wonder if this comment will be allowed up?

aj, nyc, ny (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 11:08 PM)

Wow, I just saw Pat Malibu's comment. Go Malibu!!

aj, nyc, ny (Sent Sunday, October 07, 2007 11:11 PM)

I'd like to address about the so called "terrible" conditions in Cuba. I have been to Cuba three times. In between visits I chat on the cubamania blog site to all these people who so called have no computers or access to information. I have hired somea tour guides when I am there. The average Cuban is not in the dire straights that the Cuban Americans would like you to believe. There are plenty of countries in the world that can't even compare to the situation in Cuba. ( Sudan, Iran, China, Burma ect ect). To quote one Cuban regarding the politics " Every country has it's problems, none are perfect this includes Cuba" another fellow told me " the one think Cuba needs is just a good strong opposition party. To many "yes men" in parlament. I don't doubt that Cuba has some repressive policies but so do many other countries why is the US not having a trade embargo with ALL of those countries that have repressive regimes?? ie CHINA??

Dawna Cook, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 5:09 AM)

THE SONG IS GREAT, THIS GUYS HAVE THE COURAGE TO PUBLISH THIS MESSAGE IN CUBA. I'M PROUD OF THEM. AND TO THE FEW PEOPLE WANT TO COMPARE THIS CRISIS WITH WARS IN ANOTHER PLACE OF THE WORLD, PLEASE, DO YOUR HOME WORK BEFORE TALK STUPID THINGS IN PUBLIC.
JUAN DOE, HOPE PEOPLE LISTEN TO YOU.

MAR, VENICE, FL (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 7:52 AM)

People sympathetic to socialist regimes are:

a. Brainwashed
b. Clueless
c. Unappreciative of what they do have.

I am a child of exiles and know what my grandparents and parents had to go through while they still lived in Cuba. They instilled in the American born generation of our family a love for freedom and for the country they adopted, as well as a hard line opposition to totalitarianism. Those of you who think it's a rosy life should try to live there for a while, just as the natives do. I can guarantee you'll be building yourself a raft out of your own skin if you have to in order to get out. I have relatives there now that would not make it through the month without the little we can send them from America.

I can see why this song was banned in Cuba. It's hardly a surprise. But it's a relief to see that there are people on the island willling to risk being critical of the society they live in. Hopefully, enough of them do. That place is long overdue for change.

MN (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 9:29 AM)

I can't believe the garbage I just read...

In a country where you make coffee more than three times a day and someone comes knocking at your door to ask you where you are getting your extra coffee? You gotta be kidding me...

Where a 12 y/o boy has to go cut sugar cane in the summer to "pay" for his free education? Are you for real?

Joselin in Tampa (Sent Monday, October 08, 2007 10:52 PM)

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Cuban band battles censorship

Posted: Friday, October 05, 2007 12:59 PM
Filed Under: Havana, Cuba

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Cuban band battles censorship

Posted: Friday, October 05, 2007 12:59 PM Filed Under: Havana, Cuba

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Posted: Friday, October 05, 2007 12:59 PM
Filed Under: Havana, Cuba