"It's not that people forgot about you; it's that life genuinely gets tough," states Cuban native Maylay Carmona in a viral TikTok video. In her post, Carmona dismantles the well-known Cuban saying that those who emigrate "drink the Coca-Cola of forgetfulness." As she records her thoughts while driving on a U.S. highway, she reflects on how many in Cuba believed that family members who emigrated to "Yuma" forgot about them. However, with heartfelt sincerity, she reveals it's not about forgetting but about the challenging adaptation to a new lifestyle.
“The Coca-Cola of forgetfulness doesn’t mean your uncle left and forgot about you… It means your uncle got overwhelmed. Between paying rent, car expenses, health insurance, and never having enough time,” she asserts.
Carmona elaborates that emigrants face not only a new language and culture but also the pressure of surviving in a demanding environment. "Cubans would emigrate even to the Himalayas. We don’t fit just anywhere," she humorously adds, while pointing out that life on the Island is like living "in a literal field."
Throughout the video, Carmona shares that many emigrants endure exhausting days filled with work, debts, payments, and responsibilities, leaving them little time for themselves. In such a context, maintaining close ties with family or friends back in Cuba becomes nearly impossible.
“The Coca-Cola of forgetfulness is about running out of time, and often being overwhelmed by financial and mental pressures that life becomes insufficient,” she confesses.
With honesty, she admits that many emigrants have become the very "uncle" once discussed in Cuba: "We are that cousin supposedly sipping the Coca-Cola of forgetfulness… Tell me how you manage when 24 hours a day aren't enough, when you have to dry your tears and get to work.”
The TikToker concludes her reflection by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to live in the United States, yet she firmly states she would not return to Cuba as long as the current system, which she describes as "a dictatorship with human misery and lack of freedom," remains.
The video has sparked hundreds of comments from fellow Cuban emigrants who resonate with her story. "Thank you for putting into words what many of us feel," wrote one follower.
Understanding the Challenges of Cuban Emigration
Why do some Cubans feel forgotten by emigrant relatives?
Many Cubans believe their emigrant relatives forget them due to the challenges of adapting to life abroad, which includes financial pressures and limited time to maintain connections.
What does the term "Coca-Cola of forgetfulness" signify?
The "Coca-Cola of forgetfulness" is a Cuban phrase suggesting that emigrants forget their roots and family. However, it often reflects the difficulties of adjusting to a new life rather than true forgetfulness.
What are common challenges faced by Cuban emigrants?
Cuban emigrants often struggle with adapting to a new language and culture, managing financial responsibilities like rent and healthcare, and balancing work with personal life.