"If Cuba were free tomorrow... would you return to stay or just to reconnect with your roots?"
This poignant question posed by a young Cuban woman known as @lissy_finds_shop has captured the hearts of many across TikTok, resonating deeply within the Cuban community both on and off the island.
The video, which has garnered thousands of views and comments, presents a soul-searching dilemma to many who have emigrated: to return or not, should freedom finally dawn in Cuba?
"If you're Cuban, answer me with complete honesty. If Cuba were free, would you go back to start anew, or would you visit just to embrace your family and all that you left behind?" she asks in a calm, yet visibly emotional tone.
Her introspection continues:
"Personally, I don't think there's a right answer, because every Cuban carries a unique story. What is undeniably true is that Cuba isn't just a place; it dwells within us, no matter where we are. Only God and we know that we didn't emigrate by choice; we did it because we had no other option."
The video has sparked a wave of reactions from Cubans worldwide. Many express a shared sense of longing and sorrow, intertwined with hope for a future where they might return to a Cuba free from oppression and poverty.
The comments section overflows with gratitude and tears.
"You made me cry," wrote one user from Madrid. Another Cuban in Miami commented, "I would return, but not to live; I would go back to bid farewell to everything I once dreamed of."
More than just a viral video, this post has become an emotional reflection of the Cuban exile experience: a reminder that, even from afar, Cuba remains alive in the hearts of those who had to leave.
The Emotional Impact of Cuban Exile
What prompts many Cubans to leave their homeland?
Many Cubans emigrate due to the oppressive political regime and economic hardships in the country, often feeling they have no other choice but to seek a better life elsewhere.
How do Cuban exiles feel about potentially returning to a free Cuba?
The prospect of returning to a free Cuba evokes mixed emotions among exiles; while some feel a deep longing to reconnect with their roots, others acknowledge the challenges of starting over and the emotional toll of leaving their new lives behind.