Why I'm Proud to be Cuban
Essay by Eunice Fernández

Asking people what country they are from will result in many different answers. However, when listening to the various responses, one can easily note if the person is proud of their descent.In my nineteen years of living, I have never heard anyone state their descent more dignified than Cubans.

I am privileged to be Cuban for many reasons. My family values and morals are extremely high and as Cubans, we have strong family ties. My mother came from Cuba with her parents, and her brother and sister. I am proud to have a close relationship with all of them, who live within five minutes from each. We get together once or twice a week for a game of dominos, and eat delicious meals consisting of arroz blanco con frijoles negros y platanos frito. Every Christmas Eve, my family has the opportunity to roast a tasty lechon and my father has the honor of cooking itevery year. That morning, the wives and daughters get together and make the mojito to season the pig and the men set up the pit in the backyard. This is the most exciting part of the year for all of us, and this tradition is brought to us from Cuba and we thankfully continue it here in Houston, as our Cuban roots conquer us.

As a little girl I was always fascinated by the stories my grandmother and parents would tell of Cuba. Describing the houses and neighborhoods, the grocery stores and meat markets, schools, people, and the culture made me even more interested in my family's background. In my mind, I always pictured this beautiful tropical island of beautiful people who were always joyful. Recently, as I watched a video called The Buena Vista Social Club with my grandmother, my views of Cuba changed. This amazing place has turned into an old distorted survival land. The buildings remaining are falling apart and in desperate need of reconstruction. All of the cars are fifty to sixty years old and are barely running. The people were in torn and dirty clothes with sadness and pain in their eyes. My grandmother began to cry and was amazed to see all the damage, which had taken over her country. This did not seem like the same country she had left a few years ago. Unfortunately, Cuba is being destroyed daily and is in desperate need of help.

My ancestors worked hard to get to the United States of America and they only thought of their children's future. I support anything that represents Cuba because it is so important to keep this country alive and the only way to do so is by uniting and staying together. For this reason I try to get involved with anything related to Cuba. For instance, I have attended every Cuban Festival sponsored by Casa Cuba, and even entered one of the pageants. I went to a Cuban performance at the Jones Hall featuring Omyda Portuondo, one of the main ladies from the movie Social Club, which I bought as well as the soundtrack. I eat at Cuban restaurants such as Café Piquet, Café Miami, and Bossa. I am so proud of Cubans who came to the United States and succeeded in their talents,such as the two famous singers, Gloria Estefan and Celia Cruz. Also actors Desi Arnaz (known as RickyRicardo) and Andy Garcia, baseball players Orlando Hernandez and Jose canseco,as well as local Houstonian, Orlando Sanchez which is one of the Council Members. All of these people represent Cuba with pride, and make me even more proud of being Cuban.

Cuba was at its high about 50 years ago and was the number one tourist attraction in the world. Even though I have never been to this country, it will live forever in my heart, and I will always be proud to be Cuban.