For Cuba, change is arriving. The blockade is still in place, at least for now, but thanks to President Obama, US relations with Cuba are finally starting to thaw. Upon hearing news of the announcement, it took Raul Castro about 90 minutes to call Obama to express his gratitude and to suggest that they talk.
It's about time. Cuba stopped being a threat to the US decades ago. A succession of US presidents from both parties insisted on preserving the outdated status quo. Although the embargo lives in, it is clearly living on borrowed time.
What does this mean for America? Not much. We'll soon have legal access to Cuban cigars, something which means very little to me. And chances are that the rosters of major league baseball teams will start to include more Cuban players.
Mostly, this is huge news in Cuba. Once the embargo is lifted, Cuba's economic opportunities will rise. This is good and necessary for the long-suffering Cuban people. Their initial enthusiasm over Castro and the Revolution steadily eroded as they realized that the promises of Communism were mostly empty.
As noted in an earlier blog, Cubans have perhaps the most musical culture on the planet. Their rhythms and energy exude joy and a sense of community not found elsewhere. They move, dance and sing with a unique feeling. As more folks get exposure to Cuban music, and for that matter, other Cuban art forms, the world will appreciate what Cuba has to offer.
And isn't it interesting that Barack Obama is on good speaking terms with Hugo Chavez? Spring is here and I can't help but enjoy that fresh scent in the air, one I always associate with the promise of bright, new beginnings.
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