Young Cuban Woman Struggles with National Pride: "Aren't We Ashamed?"

A young Cuban, known on TikTok as Daymé (@its_daydance), recently shared a video where she bravely admits something that's hard for her to say: she finds it increasingly challenging to feel proud of her Cuban identity.

In a brief 55-second clip, Daymé managed to resonate deeply with many without resorting to shouting or blame. Her video struck a chord with viewers by simply sharing her truth.

"There's something I don't want to admit, and that's it's getting harder for me to feel proud of being Cuban," she begins, displaying a level of honesty that captivated her audience.

The video goes beyond mere complaint. Daymé reflects on regaining pride by reconnecting with her roots: "remembering all that makes us great and thinking about so many Cubans who, both inside and outside of Cuba, persevere every day."

What worries her, she mentions, is the prevalent negative behavior within the Cuban community, both on the island and abroad: "violence, division, vulgarity, lack of intelligence, and undermining each other. Honestly, aren't we ashamed?"

Rather than pointing fingers, Daymé acknowledges the burden of history: "I know we are a wounded community, having lost many principles due to a dictatorship." She insists that it's time to break these cycles because "being Cuban should not just be about remembering where we come from, but also considering what we are doing with all that we are."

The video, featuring images from the municipality of Pedro Betancourt in Matanzas province, sparked a wave of nostalgic comments from emigrants who haven’t been back in years.

One user shared, "I was from Pedro Betancourt and haven't returned in 20 years. How much has been destroyed!" Another lamented, "My town is in ruins, how sad." Another viewer appreciated the video, noting it had been "many years" since she saw her hometown.

"It's heartbreaking to see how that town looks and even more painful to see our people destroying each other," commented another. Daymé responded simply: "That's how it is... and without hope."

There was also dissent. One user proclaimed he would never stop being proud of being Cuban, emphasizing "the joy of my people, their solidarity, hospitality, and patriotism." With humor and respect, Daymé replied, "I respect your way of thinking."

This discussion about Cuban identity is a recurring trend on TikTok, having intensified in recent years with viral videos ranging from nostalgia to stark self-criticism.

What sets Daymé's video apart is its tone: devoid of anger or victimhood, it's a sincere call for introspection.

The video concludes with a sentiment many long to express confidently: "And I still want to feel proud to say, I'm Cuban."