A young Cuban residing in Brazil recently took to social media to recount a distressing encounter with a fellow Cuban who, according to him, tried to intimidate him at his workplace and even threatened to report him to the police.
Ariel Steel, known on Instagram as perezzayas4, described how while working at a supermarket, a Cuban woman began to verbally attack him with derogatory remarks about his status as a newcomer. "She told me that while I was starving in Cuba, she had already become a Brazilian citizen. She accused me of being friends with the manager to record my videos and even went as far as to claim that Cubans entering Brazil were like a plague," he recounted.
Confrontation and Escalation
The situation escalated when Steel decided to confront her and asked her to stop talking about him. "As soon as I did that, she called the manager and even threatened to call immigration police, but ultimately, nothing came of it," he narrated.
Steel observed that the woman needed the job more than he did, and despite her attempts to sabotage him, he ended up advancing and gaining recognition within the Cuban community through his social media content.
Community Reactions
Ariel's experience sparked reactions among his followers, many of whom pointed out that envy and rivalry among Cubans in exile are wounds that still affect the community. "A Cuban is capable of going blind just to see someone else go blind," one user commented. Another encouraged him to keep moving forward: "Forget about the rest, focus on progressing, that will end them. You're doing great and I admire you."
Others reflected that emigrating doesn't always lead to personal transformation: "She might be a citizen and all she wants, but her ignorant and indoctrinated mindset remains unchanged. There's no point in leaving everything to be free if your mind is still captive."
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Despite the adversity, Ariel chooses to focus on the positive side of the ordeal, having turned a moment of harassment into an opportunity for growth and strengthening his ties with a supportive community despite its divisions.
Understanding Cuban Experiences in Brazil
What challenges do Cuban immigrants face in Brazil?
Cuban immigrants in Brazil often face challenges such as cultural adaptation, language barriers, and sometimes, hostility or rivalry from fellow nationals, as seen in Ariel Steel's experience.
How did Ariel Steel handle the harassment situation?
Ariel Steel confronted the individual harassing him and chose to focus on his work, ultimately gaining recognition and support from the Cuban community in Brazil.