Life of a young farmer : difference , race , and challenges

Batista Rudicel Freelance Journalist Manzanillo , Granma , Cuba

E very human being , regardless of race , creed or social status , has always ambitions and dreams . By pursuing them with sacrifice , he or she always seeks the well-being regardless of the challenges that life brings . Everyone prepares to be something , for instance , by studying a major specialty that allows to play an important professional role in the future or simply by engaging in something else one likes . Anyway , everybody can give inputs to society , but I know that in Cuba it is not always the case . Due to economic problems , discrimination or personal bonds , your dreams come to a stop just around the corner and sometimes you can ’ t achieve them , especially if your race is a key difference for the many who do not accept diversity . It ’ s an issue ingrained for years in Cuban society and still without solution despite great efforts nationwide by groups and movements against racism . I will address the specific case of a young farmer in eastern Cuba . Nevertheless , he is still fighting and working tirelessly for the welfare of his family . I met him a few years ago , when he was just a child . Today I see him again on an oxcart near Cayo Redondo , a village located between the municipalities of Manzanillo and Yara . I was motivated by the interest to know what his life had become . It ’ s the story of only one of many young Cubans of African descent who gave up their dreams to engage in farming to provide for his family . His acquaintances call him " The Black "; his real name is Esnel Arias Castro , already 26 years old and graduated as a technical operator of microcomputers . His specialty is very fashionable nowadays . For some time , he served as a teacher at a High School in Veguitas ( Yara ). He told me that this workplace was closed by the poor state of its facilities . There and then , the tribulations of Esnel began . With neither a job nor another source of earnings , he diligently sought another job , but found none . He doesn ’ t know why no one gave him the opportunity to return to work in his specialty . They simply denied it and he is still in doubt why . Overwhelmed and desperate , he clung to a small piece of land that his grandfather gave him . With great sacrifice and tirelessly , he cultivates this land . At first he had to break hard undergrowth with machete and gradually created a small farm . He began to grow some viands and vegetables , which gave him some