In a recent Facebook post, Catholic priest Alberto Reyes delves into the "transgenerational legacy" that burdens Cuban society, highlighting a culture steeped in fear, submission, and political stagnation. Reyes argues that young people have inherited a detrimental way of life where submission is seen as security, indoctrination as culture, dissent as heroism, a precarious life as the virtue of endurance, and emigration as the solution to all problems.
Known for his outspoken criticism of the regime, the Camagüey-based priest laments the persistent pattern of silence and fear passed down from parents to children. In this environment, dissenting, speaking freely, or even abstaining from participating in official events is perceived as a threat.
Despite this bleak diagnosis, Reyes maintains that hope exists. He believes the first step toward healing this legacy begins when society dares to ask the fundamental question: "Why does it have to be this way?" This inquiry marks the onset of genuine change.
"I've been reflecting on the need to heal the transgenerational legacy," says Reyes in his post. A legacy is an inheritance, something passed down from those who lived before us. Each generation imparts its values, mindset, and behavior to the next, creating what we call a 'transgenerational legacy,' a life proposal handed down through generations.
Reyes points out both bad and good news regarding this process. The bad news is that not everything passed down is beneficial. Over the decades, we've inherited numerous fears: the fear of dissenting, of expressing ourselves freely, of voicing thoughts and feelings that contradict the so-called 'revolutionary values.' We've been instilled with the fear of public protest and any peaceful initiative that clashes with the government's desires, even something as simple as abstaining from a public event they organize.
Submission has been conveyed as security, indoctrination as culture, betrayal as a duty, aggression toward dissidents as heroism, and a precarious life as the virtue of endurance. Emigration is touted as the solution to our problems.
But there's good news, too. A powerful, simple question arises within society: 'Why?' Why does it have to be this way? Why can't society change? Why must the same people remain in power as if we've chosen a monarchy over a republic? Why must we live in fear of expressing ourselves, whether through words or actions? Why must we uproot and leave the land where we were born, with our family, friends, and cherished experiences, to start anew in a foreign land that, no matter how welcoming, will never fully be ours? Why?
This questioning begins the healing of the transgenerational legacy, helping us realize that while preserving the good we've inherited is crucial, transforming what hinders our progress is equally vital. We must become a new generation, free from the prejudices and errors of the past, equipped to offer a better, freer, more fulfilling life that addresses the needs and challenges of our time.
Indeed, we need healing because much of what we've inherited over the years has made us ill. We're tired of being convinced that this illness is necessary, heroic, and above all, unchangeable."
Understanding Cuba's Transgenerational Legacy
What is the transgenerational legacy in Cuban society?
The transgenerational legacy in Cuban society refers to the values, mindset, and behaviors passed down from previous generations, characterized by fear, submission, and political stagnation.
How does Father Alberto Reyes propose to heal this legacy?
Father Alberto Reyes suggests that healing begins with questioning the current state of affairs and challenging the norms that perpetuate fear and submission, aiming to transform what hinders societal progress.
Why does Reyes believe hope exists for change in Cuba?
Reyes believes that hope for change exists as soon as society begins to ask "Why?" This fundamental questioning can lead to a genuine transformation of the current oppressive legacy.