That Cuban Thing

I have just recently come to realize that there is a “Cuban Thing” that is all around me, and… it’s all around us.   With the recent governmental developments, information regarding most things Cuban have been more prevalent in the news, but this “Cuban Thing” is much more than that.  It is hard to believe that an island nation that has been politically ostracized from the rest of the world for more than fifty years, can still create such an impact.  Why is that?  Well…it’s that “Cuban Thing.”

Looking back at history, Cuba has always been a major player in world events both politically and socially.  It was one of the first islands discovered by Columbus, and it was a strategic stronghold for the Spanish conquest of the New World.  It was the headquarters for the slave trade throughout the 17th. and 18th. centuries.  Its harvests of sugar enriched the world, and the explosion of the U.S. Battleship Maine sparked the Spanish American War.  It was a refuge for European Jews escaping Nazi tyranny, and came to the forefront of the Cold War when Fidel Castro declared his government communist and with the help of Russia began placing nuclear missiles just ninety miles off the U.S. Mainland.  But the “Cuban Thing” is more than history.

I grew up in New York City in the 1950’s during the height of the Cold War.  At this time the Cuban community was somewhat small and concentrated.  There were very few Cuban owned businesses.  The one business I do remember was La Rosa Bakery on 137th. Street and Broadway, but more on that later.  The mass immigration to the U.S. did not start until after Castro’s communist declaration. Then the small pockets of Cuban immigrants living in Spanish speaking neighborhoods increased, and the Cuban culture became the dominant one, not just in New York’s metropolitan areas, but in Los Angeles, New Orleans and of course Miami.  It was then that Cuban restaurants, sandwich shops, coffee shops, bistros grew in abundance.  But the “Cuban Thing” is more than just food.

Cuban people are vibrant and colorful.  Not only in their attitude but in their talk, their mannerisms, their dress and their music.  Their pride and passion for the love of their country can be seen in every aspect of their lives, not just politically but socially as well. So what is that “Cuban Thing?” Its Cuban history, Cuban culture, Cuban cigars, Cuban music, Cuban food,  and Cuban fashion, all wrapped around an aura that has befuddled me since childhood.  I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked where I’m from.  When I say Cuba, people look at me either amazed or astonished.  Why?  The best explanation I can come up with is that the “Cuban Thing” is a mystique that goes beyond explanation.

The “Cuban Thing” is an aura that encompasses many things beyond culture and traditions.  Join me in discovering “My Cuban Thing.”  Along the way I will reminisce about my experiences and give my opinions about certain things.  You can agree or disagree and I welcome your comments.  This site is not meant to be a political statement of any kind.  It is just the rambling thoughts of a Cuban kid who grew up American.

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