A video featuring a Cuban woman living in Miami, Florida, has sparked a heated debate online due to her outspoken defense of life in Cuba, despite the well-known challenges faced by those on the island. Her comments have quickly gone viral on social media platforms.
"People tell me, 'You're crazy if you go back to Cuba to struggle and face hardships.' Folks, we need to stop being blind to reality. We face difficulties in Cuba just as much as here, but here it's even worse. If you can't pay your rent, nobody cares if you have kids or not; you're out on the street. If you don't have money for food, nobody cares because here you can't just ask a neighbor to lend you a pound of rice until tomorrow," she explains in the video shared across numerous social media profiles.
"No, that doesn't exist here. If you're short a dime to buy a loaf of bread, you're out of luck because nobody will give you the bread," she continues. "On top of that, children here aren't happy at all. What good is it for them to have a tablet, a TV, or a phone if they can't go out and play with their friends? Here, where can your child go? Nowhere, because there's a risk they might be kidnapped. That's why I still prefer Cuba 100 percent," she asserts confidently.
The online reaction was swift, with many users criticizing her views in the comments of the video shared by La Familia Cubana. Comments included, "You don't like working, so just pack your bags and head back—there's nothing stopping you"; "People want to come here and not struggle. Everything takes time, work, sacrifice, and discipline"; "Why did you leave in the first place? Go back; the blackouts are waiting for you"; "Great, go back. Your problem is that you don't want to work. There's plenty of work here, and with a job and money, you don't need to ask anyone for anything. You're used to not working. Leave and give someone else a chance to come here."
Another user from Cuba responded, "Sweetie, where are you living? Because here, too, they kidnap and kill children, young people, and adults of all ages. You can't ask anyone for anything to cook because nobody has anything. And what people can get is so little it isn't enough. Children here don't have a safe place to play because everything is broken or closed for so-called repairs, and don't even get me started on parks—they don't exist anymore. So don't you dare compare this to a place where, if you work, you can take your kids anywhere."
Controversial Opinions on Life in the U.S. vs. Cuba
Why did the Cuban woman prefer life in Cuba over the U.S.?
The woman believes that despite the hardships in Cuba, life in the U.S. involves harsher struggles, such as a lack of community support and the financial burden of necessities like rent and food.
What were some of the criticisms she faced online?
Many criticized her for not wanting to work and for comparing life in the U.S. unfavorably with Cuba, suggesting she return to the island if she preferred it so much.
How did some social media users defend life in the U.S.?
Some users emphasized the opportunities for progress and the importance of work, discipline, and sacrifice in the U.S., arguing these lead to a better life.