By Eduardo N. Cordovi Hernandez
HAVANA TIMES – A few years ago, I ran into Alfonso, a former classmate. Back then, there weren’t as many flirtations with state capitalism as there are now. After graduating as construction technicians, we worked at the same company until I left, although I remained in the construction field.
We talked about various issues regarding the dynamics of life. About some who had left the country and the reasons why many people leave Cuba, to which I had no choice but to philosophize. I could scratch my head or pat him on the back, but I chose to philosophize. I prefer it that way.
I told him they had left the country because they preferred capitalism (he agreed). Then I said it was foolish to leave the country for that reason; that’s when our discussion began.
“But how?!” he said, “here all we have is socialism.”
I told him that this world is an illusion. (He opened his eyes).
“Are you saying that Cuba’s socialism is false?”
“I don’t know. It’s about this world, whether in Cuba or Miami: reality is false. At least what we call reality!”
“I don’t understand.”
“Everything is a lie. Everything you see is false. The truth is something else.”
“I don’t believe it. Prove it!”
“For example, you live in one world. I live in another.”
“Come on!”
“Yes! You live in socialism and I in capitalism. The others had to leave for that. Now they’re there, longing to be here, and I’m here living with an economic structure like theirs. The difference is that they are either in this world or in that one. But I live in both at the same time.”
“How do you live in both?”
“I do. I left my state job. Now I live on my own, I’m a craftsman. I am my own company, my own boss. My means of production are capitalist.”
“Let me see if I understand! The fact that you left
