Perspectives On Aging
How Cuban and American Cultures Influenced my Life
As a prominent Spanish philosopher once said, "Man is a product of himself and his circumstances," which is a way of saying that both genes (nature) and environment contribute to shape our lives.
Waves of immigrants from many Latin American countries continue to arrive in the USA looking for freedom (as this is the cradle of democracy) and in search of riches, as up until recently this was a powerful and rich society. As a reflection on my own experience as a political Cuban exile, I am a first-hand witness of how both cultures have influenced my character and my life.
I am a hybrid. For 31 years my Cuban heritage and its culture shaped my life. For the last four-and-a-half decades it was the USA. Its people and its way of life has molded the old man I have become.
This is a result of the communist revolution that sequestered Cuba in 1959 and caused the exodus of many of its professionals and businessmen. Few of us, the original pioneers of that massive political exile, are still alive, with part of our heart still in the Cuba we knew and loved, and the other part in the generous country that gave us the opportunity to live in freedom and put our skills to use. Now, the second and third generations of that immigration are thriving Americans, many of whom do not speak the language of their grandparents and know little about the Cuba we left behind and remember with nostalgia.
Perhaps our memories of that "old paradise" are somewhat tainted by wishful thinking and idealism, but one thing is for sure: most of us had happy childhoods and pleasant memories of our youth on the island we used to say was made of cork and as such unsinkable. Time has shown us wrong, and now nothing remains of her except our memories that will soon perish along with out mortal lives.
The Cuban people I remember were vibrant with overflowing energy and enthusiasm, hard working and trustworthy. They were men and women of principle who cherished their family and friends. Their extroverted personalities and charisma resulted in a large social network. They enjoyed life, and most of the time carried a smile on their faces. The culture in which I grew up was responsible for my positive outlook on life that served me well during my first years in exile.
My exposure to the American culture and the passing of the years has helped me mature. My thinking grew in depth and realism set in. I learned to tune down the impulsivity of my youth. It is here that I learned to listen and not interrupt others in conversation, a sometimes disturbing Cuban custom. My American experience also taught me to be more patient and less boisterous.
Influenced by these different forces I have become the person I am now, not altogether Cuban and not altogether American, but a mixture of both, living in the preset but often yearning for the past. §
Dr. Carlos Muniz is a retired psychiatrist from Gainesville. He may be contacted through the editor at editor@towerpublications.com.
