2008 Woodie Awards
Fidel Castro's resignation signals a promising future
Ellie Marks
Contributing Writer
Issue date: 3/3/08 Section: Opinion
After nearly 50 years, Cuba's long-time leader Fidel Castro officially resigned last week.
While viewed by most as an oppressive dictator, it is undeniable that Castro was a powerful, charismatic and very controversial leader. Castro led a socialist revolution in Cuba inspiring millions, which transformed the island. He also denounced communism and called for socialism and free elections. Sadly, Castro never delivered on any of his promises. He adopted communism, never held free elections and killed or imprisoned many who challenged his position as president.
Castro's announcement that he will not return to duty was made in order to acclimate the citizens of Cuba to the fact that he will not remain there forever. One may look at it as a gradual process, a smart move by Castro and his followers.
Fidel Castro's younger brother Raul will likely remain commander in chief, at least for now. It is believed that Fidel will remain a member of the parliament, a sort of "spiritual leader" lurking in the shadows. Many hoped that with his retirement, Cuba would drastically transform into a democracy. It is believed though that all will remain the same at least until Castro dies.
In 1959 Castro was quoted saying "a revolution is not a bed of roses; a revolution is a struggle between the future and the past." After 50 years since those words were spoken, history can now judge. Did Castro deliver on his words? Does he still believe that his revolution brought Cuba into the future? What will his legacy be?
Ernesto Che Guevara, who fought with Castro in the Cuban revolution remains the hottest T-shirt print since the smiley face. Once upon a time posters of Castro holding or smoking a cigar were found everywhere, a symbol of change, a favorite with American hippies in the sixties.
Castro is known to us, the younger generation, as an irrelevant old dictator. It does not matter that Castro led a revolution. What matters is that Castro is now old and seen as the person who froze Cuba in the fifties. If that is not irony, then what is?
History managed to turn Castro into the figure he was supposedly revolting against. He simply lived too long. He bored us with his ever-lasting presence. Sadly it is likely that Castro's legacy will not be more than a sad chapter in the world's history -- a chapter that Cubans as well as Americans want to see end. Castro leaving office does not mean much, as he has announced he "is not saying goodbye but will remain a soldier of ideas."
Time will tell what Castro's true legacy will be. One thing for certain: when Castro dies, it will be the end of an era.
While viewed by most as an oppressive dictator, it is undeniable that Castro was a powerful, charismatic and very controversial leader. Castro led a socialist revolution in Cuba inspiring millions, which transformed the island. He also denounced communism and called for socialism and free elections. Sadly, Castro never delivered on any of his promises. He adopted communism, never held free elections and killed or imprisoned many who challenged his position as president.
Castro's announcement that he will not return to duty was made in order to acclimate the citizens of Cuba to the fact that he will not remain there forever. One may look at it as a gradual process, a smart move by Castro and his followers.
Fidel Castro's younger brother Raul will likely remain commander in chief, at least for now. It is believed that Fidel will remain a member of the parliament, a sort of "spiritual leader" lurking in the shadows. Many hoped that with his retirement, Cuba would drastically transform into a democracy. It is believed though that all will remain the same at least until Castro dies.
In 1959 Castro was quoted saying "a revolution is not a bed of roses; a revolution is a struggle between the future and the past." After 50 years since those words were spoken, history can now judge. Did Castro deliver on his words? Does he still believe that his revolution brought Cuba into the future? What will his legacy be?
Ernesto Che Guevara, who fought with Castro in the Cuban revolution remains the hottest T-shirt print since the smiley face. Once upon a time posters of Castro holding or smoking a cigar were found everywhere, a symbol of change, a favorite with American hippies in the sixties.
Castro is known to us, the younger generation, as an irrelevant old dictator. It does not matter that Castro led a revolution. What matters is that Castro is now old and seen as the person who froze Cuba in the fifties. If that is not irony, then what is?
History managed to turn Castro into the figure he was supposedly revolting against. He simply lived too long. He bored us with his ever-lasting presence. Sadly it is likely that Castro's legacy will not be more than a sad chapter in the world's history -- a chapter that Cubans as well as Americans want to see end. Castro leaving office does not mean much, as he has announced he "is not saying goodbye but will remain a soldier of ideas."
Time will tell what Castro's true legacy will be. One thing for certain: when Castro dies, it will be the end of an era.
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