Compare and contrast, below.
First, from the Miami Herald, an article about the Ladies in White (Las Damas de Blanco):
Las Damas has won honors from Human Rights Watch and Human Rights First and the prestigious Sakharov Prize given by the European Parliament. More than any other human rights group struggling inside Cuba, Las Damas’ show of civil disobedience has caught the world’s attention, shining a steady spotlight on abuses and pressuring the Castro government without firing a single gunshot.
‘COURAGEOUS’ ACTIONS
”In the face of persistent threats, insults and attempts to silence the Ladies in White by the Cuban government, these courageous activists remain steadfast in their struggle for justice and human rights,” said Andrew Hudson, who deals with Latin American issues for Human Rights First.
Every Sunday without fail since the group was formed in March 2003, the women have attended Mass at Santa Rita de Casia Catholic Church in the Miramar district of Havana. Then, wearing their trademark white clothes, they march in silence — always carrying pink gladioluses — down Havana’s embassy row, La Quinta Avenida, demanding their loved ones’ release.
Today, 59 of the original 75 rounded up in what became known as Cuba’s ”Black Spring” are still serving sentences of up to 28 years.
The Cuban government keeps close tabs on the women — and has from time to time unceremoniously dispatched back to their homelands foreign visitors who march with the group. The government’s ”defense of the revolution” neighborhood groups continue to keep an eye on the women — Huerga was visited three times by state police before leaving Cuba. And most Las Damas marches are met with a counter ”repudiation” march staged by pro-government forces.
And now, an article about a Bulgarian pop tart once called “the bride of all Cubans“:
With her passion for Latin rhythms and dances, (Yordanka) Hristova made a splash at the Varadero Song Festival in 1967 and has performed in Cuba almost every year since, often passing the winter there.
Of all the Soviet bloc singers who toured their country, Hristova won the warmest reception, her open manner earning her the affectionate title of “bride of all Cubans”, her repertoire including Cuban, Italian, French and English songs.
Hristova’s own loyalty to Castro and his socialist vision is unswerving. “I bow down to Fidel, to a person who has devoted his life to a cause — Cuba’s independence,” she said.
“All this is at the expense of the Cubans and severe shortages. But they think it’s meaningful. That helps them to be a spiritual rather than a consumer, material society.”
I’m sure you “bow down” to Fidel, in a Monica Lewinsky way, b**ch. I’ll give you credit for one thing, though: at least you’re honest enough to recognize that Castro’s dictatorship and socialism have indeed come at the Cuban people’s expense. Too bad you can’t spend your winters at Combinado del Este.
