With the zeal of the Taliban as they destroyed Buddhist monuments in Afghanistan thousands of years old, Fidel Castro has forsaken his own people in what is the latest attack yet on one of the world's most prized and unique art-forms. Not only has he recently instituted a government ban on the public smoking of cigars, he has snubbed the world famous Habanos Cigar Festival by neglecting to show-up as the featured guest for the $500 a plate final dinner. Jeremy Irons, the British actor and cigar aficionado, took his place in the lime light.
Naturally, it's entirely respectable for the aging dictator to have his own reservations about smoking cigars - indeed, there's probably not a doctor in the world that would recommend it was a good idea for him to continue smoking ten cigars per day. What is remarkable is the determined and zealous attack on one of the few unique pieces of Cuban cultural heritage his people have left to hang-on to.
As a large part of the world, courtesy of a new information age that promotes the exploration of different cultures, begins to embrace the very things that make each civilization unique, Castro tightens the noose on individuality and heritage. It would be akin to Spain banning Paella, Puerto-Rico banning Salsa Dancing, or Scotland banning Scotch.
How much longer will power-hungry fanatics continue to fight enraged against the traditions, art-forms and innovations of the people that make us more than robots - indeed, that make us human? Let us use the fear of such individuals as a reminder in our own lives that the things we celebrate and cherish can be taken from us in a second, and that it is our responsibility as global citizens to ensure the survival of not only our heritage, but also our future.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
interesting news and angle, Matthew, now Castro the anti-cigar crusader. Thanks and welcome!
2 - sydney
"..one of the few unique pieces of Cuban cultural heritage his people have left to hang-on to. "
-- this is your assessment of the depths and riches of Cuban culture?
"As a large part of the world, courtesy of a new information age that promotes the exploration of different cultures, begins to embrace the very things that make each civilization unique.."
-- American (and partly that of other western nations) cultural imperialism, is far and away the leading cause of dieing cultures. This is one of the downsides of the information age, and of globalization. Have you ever traveled? Have you talked to people in other countries and found that they are watching the Simpson’s and dressing like britney spears, trading in their native music and dance for hip-hop and rock n' roll. People of the world who have their own longstanding and rich cultures are instead buying American culture wholesale. How could they not? They’re being sold it in their media and in their advertisements etc. They are infatuated with American culture because we’ve told them we are the center of the world, that we are where its at.
For Christ sakes, Fidel not showing up for a Cigar party shouldn't even register on the radar of squashed cultures.
Mathew:
Why not take aim at the five major entertainment moguls who monopolize the production and distribution of art in America, and by extension, around the world. These corporations dictate what we consume (by in large, though the internet does help counter this effect whilst perpetuating in other instances). As it is, the average American thinks that Hillary duff and Beyonce Knowles are the most talented musicians/artists America has to offer.
3 - Jim Carruthers
Since you are writing from the great States (given your whois record), why don't you fight back by buying a box of Cuban cigars?
Oh, that's right, you can't.
Why don't you light up a cigar in a hotel in New York City or Los Angeles?
Are the Taliban responsible for those smoking bans too?
4 - Mike Kole
I'll take that one, Jim.
Why, in a manner of speaking, it is an oppressive sort that would prevent the owner of an establishment such as a hotel from setting policy in that establishment as regards smoking or not. The US is fast becoming overrun by nanny legislators who are not content with managing public policy, but who also feel the need to stick their noses into private policy. I won't go so far as to call them Taliban, but they share the same kind of thought processes, to be sure.
The US has sadly maintained a stupid embargo on trade with Cuba, regardless of what party the President is from, or which party dominates the Congress.
Fortunately, I can get a good Cuban cigar in Toronto, which is a-boat all Toronto is good for now that the NHL season has been squashed. Did the Taliban do that, Jimbo?
5 - SFC SKI
"How could they not? They’re being sold it in their media and in their advertisements etc. They are infatuated with American culture because we’ve told them we are the center of the world, that we are where its at." Yet those people aren't smart enough to make theri own decison as to what they will enjoy or partake in? Sydney, do you actually read what you write or just hit the "post" buttonn and pray the logic bots will somehow correct it for you?
Have you travelled, Sydney? I see people all over the world wearing jeans and drinking Coke, and still speaking their own language, celebrating their own culture, and making their own choices.
6 - Mike Kole
When you get right down to it, the mixing of different peoples into traditional cultures does erode at the traditional. However, it results in the creation of something new. I tend to like creation of new things as a result of people of differing traditions getting together, especially in the area of culture. I like all of the authentic ethnic foods I can eat at local, family-owned restaurants in my area.
Cultural imperialism is a term so miserably thrown at Americans. As SKC SKI points out, the people in foreign countries who accept American products obviously get value from them, or they wouldn't purchase them. Besides that, what's the alternative? The efforts of the French, who work terribly hard to maintain their French monoculture?
No thanks. Give me the mingling of cultures every time.
7 - Jim Carruthers
Mike, regarding the NHL lockout, it is a known fact that Ghar y al Beaqueman was a charter member of the Taliban. But as long as we have the Mississauga Ice Dogs and Rick Mercer, who needs the NHL?
Since you can't smoke tobacco in public spaces such as bars and restaurants in Toronto (just like Cuba), and you are only aiding terrorism by smuggling contraband over the border into the USA, and commiting a felony, did you stand in a snowy parking lot and smoke your cigars?
8 - SFC SKI
At least in Texas, I had the CHL, a hockeyess winter is something no man should have to face.
While I appreciate a fine Cuban cigar (fringe benefit of being the right hand of imperist occupation station ed outside the US) I have really become attached to smoking Courvoisier cigars, though they cost a pretty penny.
9 - sydney
"Have you traveled, Sydney? I see people all over the world wearing jeans and drinking Coke, and still speaking their own language, celebrating their own culture, and making their own choices."
-- I think your an idiot SFCSki. really i do. Yes I've traveled.
Anyway your understanding of how cultures are formed and maintained is really remedial. Your understanding on this issue is about that of a 15 year old.
People don't make choices to adopt or forget their culture. It's not a choice they’re presented with, cause they are usually unaware of it happening and when it does become apparent its very difficult to protect it.
The people, of brazil say, are introduced to a new culture in a very subversive manner. All of a sudden, American culture is seeping into their media etc and the transition is seamless. The average person, doesn't see anything wrong with it in the intimidate sense. However, gradually they realize they have grown detached from the root culture. They can't just call up their TV networks and tell them to revert back to more traditional programming.
Besides, once the trend starts, there is little desire in the average person to return to the old culture. The new one is more exciting and fresh. Besides it brings up censorship issues when you start to block, say American culture from coming into the country.
My point was that American culture is sold to other countries. This is simply good economics if your an American producer of art, or media, commercial products etc. Globalization has accelerated this process and IT, not fidel’s non-endorsement of cigars, is the major threat to distinct cultures around the world.
Don’t be so fucking defensive, there is no disputing this process amongst cultural theorists, and academics who study globalization. The question is not ‘whether it happens’, but “is it a worthwhile sacrifice if globalization helps the world in other ways’.
"I like all of the authentic ethnic foods I can eat at local, family-owned restaurants in my area."
-- you also have a really ignorant perspective on this issue. I hate to talk like an asshole, but really you brought it upon yourself.
Culture is not about “authentic foods” at your local shop, for fuck-sakes. IT goes much deeper than that... It’s about ways of thinking, ways of using language, ways of interpreting the world, ways of deducing meaning, about beliefs, attitudes.. on and on at infinitum. Once it's gone it never comes back.
Recipes, however, will stick around for ever. So if that’s your idea of culture than your probably right, all cultures will co-exist harmoniously in a global economy.
By the way, I'm not even sure I'm against Globalization as of yet. Undecided. But I am opposed to anyone who has such ridiculous understanding of the effects of globalization.
10 - SFC SKI
In any case, if "cultural imperialism" and dominance, is inevitable, why complain?
Should we leave Amazonian tribes alone, or deny them interaction with the outside world? Granted, if all the unique cultures of the world were gone, National Geographic specials would be a lot less popular.
"Culture is not about “authentic foods” at your local shop, for fuck-sakes. IT goes much deeper than that... It’s about ways of thinking, ways of using language, ways of interpreting the world, ways of deducing meaning, about beliefs, attitudes.. on and on at infinitum. Once it's gone it never comes back"
Wow, thanks for the enlightment, I guess I will have to go to Mexico now that my Taco Bell receipts are no longer valid documentation for my thesis on Meso-American culture in the early 21st century.
You wrote it yourself, culture change is inevitable, and using the criteria you outline above, it changes every day, unless you live in your own little isolated niche, even interaction with the tribe next door would change your culture, a new word, a new item, a new concept, it's a change, and it occurred long before TV or America made appearances.
11 - sydney
Wow that’s excellent SFCSKi. Good for you.
You seemed to have made the connection that cultures are always changing, inevitably. very clever.
But that’s very different from the effects of globalization, which have come about more recently, and which are more pervasive and destructive (in terms of homogenizing cultures).
Secondly, globalization leads to a more homogenous culture than would have happened in generations past when cultures interacted amongst more local regions, and morphed, independent of other culture groupings throughout the world.
Anyway I give up on you. Your obviously blind on any issue you perceive as a criticism of our country. You served for your country , and you'll be damned if she's ever did anybody wrong. God bless America!
12 - Mike Kole
My perspective on this, Sydney, is as a descendent of immigrants, who was raised in an exceptionally immigrant city- Cleveland.
Cleveland is little more than a micrcosm of the USA, where the dominant culture of the USA is really little more than the amalgam of so many other distinct cultures.
I'll say what you want to hang SFC SKI on: I think America has a wonderful and top-rate culture. I'll go further: What makes it so is the almost endless various contributions each cultural subset group brings. I welcome the immigrants, past and present, and the commercial gifts they bring. I wish you could share this perspective, rather than seeing the interplay as little more than a sinister plot by money-grubbing theives.
The truly lamentable cultural attitude is the one that wishes to keep the world cordoned off to suit their own sense of order. This, sadly, seems to be yours.
13 - sydney
Sorry mike,
You misunderstood me. Might have been skimming my posts or somthing.
I was never making any assessment of american culture. I'd be the first to say that american culture is wonderful and interesting. It's my favourite culture.
Just sayng, that others have a right to be educated about what globalization will do to theirs. SFC SKi and some others apparently don't even understand the processes at work.
In fact most people don't. Cultural studies was missing from most of our educations growing up. It is only now being scene as an neccessary addition to curriculums.
Fortunately for SFC SKi he's american and it wont hurt his culture if he remains ignorant. I can't say the same for the ret of the world. It's very important for them that they understand the forces at play so that they can make decisions before it's too late.
14 - SFC SKI
Now don't go putting words in my mouth again, Sydney, nor should you project onto my opinions things that prove your point. First of all, I have never said that America is perfect, or free from criticism, or that my service to my country removes me from criticism, not does it make me infallible.
Secondly, you have still failed to explain this, "But that’s very different from the effects of globalization, which have come about more recently, and which are more pervasive and destructive (in terms of homogenizing cultures)." in a fashion that would validate either your somewhat alarmist tone, or your next paragraph "Secondly, globalization leads to a more homogenous culture than would have happened in generations past when cultures interacted amongst more local regions, and morphed, independent of other culture groupings throughout the world."
Granted, globalization speeds up the process somewhat, but are you trying to say that suddenly an aborigine walks out of the bush, throws down his spear, puts on some Levi's, hops in an SUV and drives into the big city to eat at McDonald's?