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