APUSHFinalProject

Interviewer:
DomenicaA.Diaz(D)
Interviewee:
MercedesA.Diaz(M)
DateandTime:
May22nd,2016
3:00pm4:15pm
Location:
1756WestRoad
LaHabraHeights,CA
90631

Mygrandmother,MercedesAmaliaDiaz,sometimesreferredto
asMimi,isaCubanAmericanimmigrantcurrentlylivingin
LaHabra,California.HerfirstlanguageisSpanish,butshe
learnedEnglishatayoungage.SheescapedCubajustafter
theCommunistRevolutionandcametotheUnitedStates.
Aftercompletinghereducationandworkinginlocal
government,Mercedesopenedherownbusiness,MercedesDiaz
Homes,fordevelopmentallydisabledchildrenandadults.She
washastwochildren,RamonandAstrid,andfour
grandchildren,Gavin,Zien,MiaandDomenica.
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D:Okay,hiMimi.

M:Hihowareyou,Domenica,howareyou?

D:Good,thankyou.MayIrecordthisinterview?

M:Yes,ofcourse.

D:Alright,awesome.Somyfirstquestioniswhenandwhere
wereyoubornandcanyoutellmeaboutthatplace?

M:IwasborninthecityofHavanainCuba,May5th1939.

D:AlrightcanyoutellmeaboutwhatHavanawaslike?

M:Uh,itisaverybeautifulcity.ItslikeaSpanish
stylecity,uh,withlotsoftreesandgreeneryanda
beautifulentranceinasmallport.Butits...itsvery
impressivewhenyougetthere.Andummostofthepeople
were,atthattime,middleclass,mainlySpanishdescended
likeourfamily.Soweweresomeofuswerefirstgeneration
immigrants,mainlyfromSpainandfromChina.

D:Socanyoutellmealittlebitmoreaboutourfamily,
whatitwaslikethere?

M:Myfamily,atthattime,uh,mygrandmotherandmy
grandfather,theycamefromSpain,uh,attheageoffifteen
 3

orsixteenseparatelyandthentheymetinHavanaandthey
marriedandhadfivechildren.And,ah,welivedinavery
niceneighborhood,thenameisVedado,VEDADO.And,uh,
itwasjust,justlikealittle,um,uppermiddleclassand
uh,butitwasverybeautiful,itis,wellIdontknow,
rightnowitsnotbutatthattimeitwasverywellkept
andnicesoifyousaidwhereyoulived,peoplewould
understand,youknow,immediatelythebackgroundprobably
thefirstandsecondgenerationofSpanishwereliving
there.Andum,theyhadverygoodschoolsandtheUniversity
ofHavanawasverycloseanditsaveryfamousuniversity.
They,they,theyarethe,theyalwayshavehadfree
educationfromkindergartentoamastersprogramora
doctorateprogram.So,um,ourfamilyhadabusinessand
theywereintheautomobilebusiness,mydadandmy
grandfatherandmyunclesandum,theyworkedvery,very
hard,very,veryhardtohavethebusinessthat,youknow,
theywereabletoputtogether.Andum,sotheyhad,wehad,
acomfortablelife.Weallwenttoprivateschoolsthere,
AmericanschoolsandwetravelledeveryyeartoMiami,
Florida,twoorthreetimesfordifferentreasonslike
shoppingforChristmasorshoppingforsummerorthingslike
that,sowereallywereveryclosetothis[American]
culture.My,uh,grandparents,uh,alwayskeptverymuch
theiridentityasSpaniardsandtheydidaverygoodjobin
bringingthisandraisingthekidsinthisenvironment.Um,
myselfandmycousinsImtheonlygirlinthisfamily.
Thereareaboutfourorfiveboyswhicharemycousinsand
mybrother,butImtheonlygirlandmydadhad,no,my
grandfatherhadsomekindofspecialinterestinmylife
 4

becauseIlikedthesamethingsthatheliked.Youknow,he
likedtheSpanishmuchos[music]withthegaita[wind
instrumentrelatedtobagpipes]whichisthewindhowdoyou
callthat?SimilartotheIrish.SoIlikedthatandthey
belongedtoanorganizationtherethatwasforSpaniardsand
everyyearhewouldtakemetothishugebanquetwhereall
theSpaniardswouldmeetandcryandyouknow,talkabout
thefamilyleftbehind,whichIunderstanditwasasad
situationbutatthesametime,afteracoupleofbottlesof
wineorsomething,redwine,everybodywashappy.Andthey
hadaband,thebestband,Spanishbandwithallthe
pasodobles[traditionalSpanishtune]andallthosethings
thatarefromSpain.SoIwasvery,very,youknow,Iloved
allthatsomygrandfatherwasalwaysfavoringmeandwhen
therewassomeSpanishcompanycomingtoCubaforfolklore
dancingorwhateveritwas,hewouldalwaystakemeandhe
wouldtakemeonSundayafternoonsbecauseitwasthe
cheapesthewasagood,goodmanbuthewassostingy,
incrediblystingyandwewouldgototheworstspotinthe
theatre,uptherethatwewouldhavetogoupsevenoreight
stairways,butIdidntcare,Ididntknowanybetter
becausehealwaystookmethere,soIwasveryhappy.So,
youknow,itwasmeandhimandum,Ienjoyedthat
tremendouslyandagaintherewasalotofSpanishmusic,
SpanishdancingfromdifferentprovincesinSpainsoIgrew
upwiththatenvironmentevenalittlebitmorethanmy
brotherandmyothercousinsbutstilltheywereverymuch
involvedinthat.AttheageofsevenIwentwithmy
grandfatherandmygrandmothertoSpaintovisit,uh,
becausetheyhadntbeentheresincetheycameandthiswas
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thebestexperienceofmylife,Iwouldsay.Thatisthe
spiritthatsetmeastheperson,probablythatIamtoday,
inmanyways.Um,we,IwasthereuntilIwastenyearsof
age,whichisalmostthreeyears,becausethecivilwarin
Spainwasoverandtherewerealotofthingsthatwerenot
inplace,likethetripsbyairplanewerenotastheyare
todayandyouwouldhavetobeonawaitinglistor
somethingandtogobyship,which,becausewewentbyship,
andmygrandfatherwantedtoreturnbyairplanebecauseits
alongtrip,itwasaboutelevendaysintheocean.Andum,
heum,soanywaywehadtostayallthattime,notbecause
wewantedbutbecausetherewasnowayofgettingbackto
Cuba,sowehadtobeinalistthere,inawaitinglist.
So,thebestthing,Ilivedinmygrandfatherstown,very,
verysmall,maybetherewastwohundredpeople.Ithada
river,whichIlovedtheriverbecauseIlovedtofisheh
ah,howdoyousay?eels?Yes,babyeelsintheriverand
thatwasmyjoy,withtheotherkidsbecauseIimmediately
assimilatedthatcultureandthatwayoflivingwhichwas
verydifferentfromwhereIcamefrom.Therewedidnthave
runningwaterandwedidnthaveelectricityandthestreet
wasnotpavedandtherewasjustonemainstreetthatwas
justrocksandyouknow,whateveritis,butIenjoyedthat
tremendously.Iwenttoschooltherefortwoyearsandthe
schoolhadateacherthatwouldcomeonlytwotimesaweek
orsomethinglikethatandhe,hewouldgotherebecauseit
waspartofthegovernment,whattheyhadtodototeach
kids,youknowsoonandsoforthandIwasthere.Ididnt
learnmuchbecauseitwaskindofdifficult,theywantedme
towritewithin,thoseoldfashionedyouknowthingsofink
 6

andformethatwasmessy.StilltodayIcannottoanything
likethat.ButIdidntcare,everybodyacceptedwithmy
shortcomingsaboutstufflikethat.Thosekidshad
responsibilities,theresponsibilitiesofthosekidsisto
takecareofthecowsinthehillsanduh,soIwasgoing
withmyfriendseverydaybecausetheywoulddothatinthe
morningandgotoschoolintheafternoon.So,weum,we
wouldgotakecareofthecowsandIremembersometimeswe
wouldstartmilkingthecowsandmakehotchocolatethereso
itwas,itwasanexperienceandum,sothat,thatdida
tremendousthingonme.Uh,fishing,Ilovedtofishthe
eels!AndIusedtofishthemwithtwoforks,oneforthe
headandonefortheendastheywerecomingrealfaston
theriver.Peopletheredidtheirlaundry,theywashedtheir
clothesintheriver,sothatwasthekindofenvironment.
Thatmarkedmylife,thosethreeyears.Therewasalotof
musicthere,peoplejustwouldgrabaguitarandstart
singingthisorthatandstartsingingfolkloreandthen
whenIcamebacktoCuba,thisiswhatIwasseeing,this
samething.

D:So,whatdidyoudowhenyougotbacktoCuba?

M:Ok,IwastenyearsoldwhenIreturned,sowhenI
returnedIwentbacktoschool,Ithinkitwasfifthor
sixthgradeandIwasgoingtoumCathedralSchool,whichis
interesting,aPresbyterianschooland,youknow,ourfamily
isCatholic,butthatwasthebestschoolanditwasan
Americanschoolso,formetomakesureIhadthelanguage,
whichIhadstartedbeforeIwenttoSpain,inkindergarten
 7

andfirstgradeandsoon.So,whenIcameback,Iwentto
school,Ifinishedelementaryschool,thenIwenttohigh
schoolandIfinishedhighschool.Mylastyearofhigh
schoolIwasabletodoalotofvolunteerworkwithmy
aunt,mymotherssister,thatshehadjustbecomeasocial
workerattheUniversityofHavana,shewasinthefirst
groupofpeoplethatgraduatedwiththatdegree.Verybright
woman,shelovedto,toreadandsoshewouldtakemeandI
wouldseethepeoplewhoweregoing.Shewasthedirectorof
asmallclinic,agovernmentfreeclinicforchildrenonly,
sothatwasawonderfulexperience.Iwasluckythatmy
familyexposedmetoalotofstuffandIreallylikedall
that.SoIwastherewithherthatlastyearofschool.Then
IwenttotheUniversityofHavanaandIenrolledinthe
schoolofsocialworkandIfinishedmyfirstyearbefore
therevolutiontookoveranddismantledeverything,butin
themeantimeIwasdoingmypracticumatChildrensHospital
ofHavana,thatwasatremendousexperienceforme.That
markedmeformylife.Itwasaverylargehospitalwitha
lotofverysickchildren,familiesverypoorthatwere
comingfrommilesandmilestotaketheirchildren.Some
woulddiewhentheywerecomingonthebusbecausetherewas
nosuchthingasthosepeoplewithcarsandstufflikethat.
So,IwasdoingmypracticumthereandIlearnedalotof
whatrealpovertyisandhowpeoplereallytrytomakeit
betterbutattimestheydonthavethatopportunitybecause
ofeducation,becauseofpoliticalsituation,therearea
numberofthings.SothatswhatIdid.
 8

D:Soyoumentionthepoliticalsituation.Whatwasitlike,
politically,inCubawhenyouwereayoungadultthere?

M:WhenIwasveryyoung,wewereunderuh,adictatorship,
whichwasBatistaandthingswerebad,theywerenotgood,
therewasalotofoppressionand,becauseyouknowthey
camefromacoup,andtookcareofthepeoplewhowere
againstthem,theydidnthaveachancetodefend
themselves.Oneofmycousins,wasapprehendedduringthat
time,hewasattheUniversityofHavana.Hewas
apprehended,infact,allthistime,thisfamilywasliving
together,Iforgottosaythat.Somygrandfatherandmy
grandmotherandtheirfiveadultchildrenandmyauntwith
myunclewiththiscousinthatIamtalkingaboutplusmy
momandmydadandmybrotherandmyself.Huge,verybig
housebuteverybodylivedthere.So,goingbacktoum,Iwas
talkingaboutmycousin.Whenhesawmydad,whichwashis
uncle,decideditwasthebestthingforhimtoleaveCuba
then,duringBautista,becausetheyapprehendedhimalready
oncewithoutnorhymeorreason,justbecausehewasa
student,hewastwentyoneyearsoldorsomethingatthe
UniversityofHavanaandtheywerejustafteryoungpeople
sotheywouldnotbeleadersandthingslikethatfora
revolution.Andum,somyfamilydecidedtosendhimto
Lige,uh,inEuropeandhewasthereforabouttwoyears.
Whenhecameback,interesting,becausethenhedvisited
RussiaandotherplacesinEuropeandwhenhesawwhatwas
happeninginCuba,thatthenitwasFidelCastrothathad
justcomein,whenBautistawasdefeated,Castrocamein,so
thenmycousincouldcomeback,thinkingwiththerevolution
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thingsweregoingtobealright,everyonewasgoingtohave
rightsandsoonandsoforth,whichitdidnothappen.When
hefirstgotthere,hecameinaship,becausehehadso
muchtobring,hecouldntcomeinanairplanebecausehe
wouldhavepaidIdontknowhowmuchtodothat.Sohecame
andhesaid,whenhestartedseeingthesignstheylooked
communistlike,hesawandhestartslisteningtothemusic,
thehymnsandthingslikethatthatthegovernmenthadbeen
constantlyputtingup.Allthosewerebrainwashingbutwe
didntknowanybetterandhesaidthisiscommunismandwe
aregoingtohaveveryseriousproblemshere,youguysdont
bepartofanythingbecausenowewerenotpartofanything.
Nevertheless,unfortunately,becausehewasyoungagain,
thatwastheproblem,hewasapprehendedandhespent
eighteenyearsinprisonwithoutevergoingtoacourtof
anykind.

D:Wow.

M:Yes,butthisbytheCastropeople.And,um,sothatwas
averybadsetback,mentallyforme.Iwasveryscared,my
family,everybodywasafterthishappenedanduh,wefelt
thatum,wehadtoprotectourselvesandprobablythefirst
thingwouldbethattheyoungeronesofuswouldbesentto
theUnitedStatestobeprotectedfromthatsituation.And
so,myoldest,cousin,hespentallthattimethere,hecame
totheUnitedStateslater,physicallyandemotionallyvery
beatenup,uh,becausehewasverymistreatedwhenhewas
there.Ihadtheopportunitytovisithim,injail,beforeI
camehere.Manytimes,Iwouldtakemyaunt,hismother,
 10

alwaystotheprison,whichitwassomethingthatonlyif
youseeityoubelieveit.Itwaslikecaves,um,andum,
andyouknowitwasyoucannot,youknow,therewasno
humanityaboutanything.Soafterthat,theysenthimtoan
islandoffoneoftheprovinces,whichittookusaboutfour
orfivehourstogotherebyboat,togovisithim.Itook
her,myaunt,severaltimes.ThencametheBayofPigs,
whichwasaverylargegroupofCubanshereintheUnited
States,thattheyweretrainedbytheCIAinordertodefeat
Castroandthereweresomethingstherethatdidntworkout
andthatrevolutionorcounterrevolutiondidntwork.
Consequently,alotofourfamilieswenttojail,andwehad
nothingtodowithit,butifyouweremiddleclass,right
thenandthere,youwereanenemyofthegovernment,justby
that,becausetheyfeltthesewerethepeoplewhocoulddo
somethingaboutit,which,bythewaytheyenforced
everythingthere,therewasnowaythatanybodycoulddo
anythingaboutit.

D:Howdidyourlifechange,personally,whenthecommunist
partycameintopower,likeyoureverydaylife?

M:Well,itchanged,forone,Iwasgoingtoschoolandthe
universitywasclosedsoIhadnoplacetogoasfaras
educationgoes,butIcontinuedvolunteeringmyservicesat
theChildrensHospitalinHavanabecausethenIbecamevery
attachedtothosekidsandwhatwasgoingonthere.Until
thiscounterrevolutioncame,whichwasheBayofPigs,andI
hadmyselftoflee,becausetheywereafterme.
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D:Andisthatwhenyourealizedthatyouhadtoleave,was
itonthatday?

M:Onthatday.IleftthatmorningfrommyhouseandI
neverwentback.Ihadtorunfromhousetohouseorfriends
andrelativesandsoon,that,um,helpedme.Youknowthey
wouldkeepmeaweekortwoweeksbuttheycouldnotgiveme
thateither,justaslittleastheycould,becauseeverybody
wasbeingwatched.Everyneighborhoodhadacommittee,to
defendtherevolutionthatswhattheysaid,andeverybody
wasrecordedandcheckedsoifyouhadsomeonehiding,most
likelysomeonewasgoingtofindoutforonereasonor
another.Somebody,andIdontknowhowtruethisis,
somebodysaidthatthereasonwhytheyknewthattheyhada
couplethattheywererelatedtothem,whytheygotcaught
isbecauseofthetrash,becausetheymoretrash.Lookhow
fartheywouldgotocheckonpeople.So,whentheBayof
Pigscamein,Ihadtojustgo.AndIhadapersonwhowas
justthehighlightofmylife,ormysanityanditwasthe
manwhodrovethecarthatwasthedepartmentscarandthey
wouldtransportusandsoonorchildrenwashavetotaketo
places.Thatmanwasasixtyishormaybeseventyishblack
person,verynice,notgreateducation,notgreatanything
buthealwayshadasayforeverything,apositivething
abouteverythinginlife.ThatdayoftheBayofPigs,that
Iwasthereatthehospital,somebodycameandoneofthe
militiapeoplesaysyoureunderarrest.AndIsay,What?!
Meunderaarrest?Forwhat?Hesays,Wellbecauseweknow
thatyouhavefamilyinjail.Whichwastrue.Andyou
belongtoheelite.Justbecauseweweremiddleclass.And
 12

youhavetocomewithme.Butyoustayhereandwerecoming
backforyou.Theywerewaitingforabus,totransporta
lotofdoctorsandnursesandpeopletojail,someplace.
Thenwhathappenedtherewas,Iknewwhattheprisonis,
becauseIveseenmyuncles,plusIjustknewsoIsaid,to
myself,Imleaving.Sojustwalking,justwithnothing,I
startedwalkingbecauseallofthesuddentheplacebecame
verycrazy,withtheumtheRussiannonottheRussianwith
theuhsongoftheCommunistParty,loudloudloud.And
peopleweregoingcrazy,wedidntevenknowwehadthis
manypeoplethatwereundercover.Ineverthoughtaboutit,
thatwasnotmything,Iwasworkingwithmykids.So,I
saidtomyself,no,thesepeoplearenotgoingtogetmeand
Istartwalking,walking,walking,aroundIknewmost
everybodytheresoIwenttotheemergencydepartmentwhere
Ihadafriend,hewasaniceolderdoctor,thathewasin
chargeoftheemergencyroomforthechildrenshospitaland
hesaid,OhandbecausetheycallmethereMerceditas,the
diminutiveforMercedes,Merceditas,whatareyoudoing
here,youdontbelongwiththeseanimals?Whatseemstobe
theproblem?Isaid,Im,ImunderarrestandImjust
supposedtowaitherebecausetheyarebringingthebusfrom
theG2andIhavetogo.Andhesays,No.No.Sohe
walkedmethroughtheemergencyroomandhetookmewhere
thisblackmanthatalwayswasthechaufferforthe
departmentandsaidtohim,Takecareofher.Andthatman
said,Whatshappening?Whatshappeningtoyou?Iwas
stifflikenothing,likenothingwashappeningtome.I
explainedtohim.Hesaid,Laydownthereinthebackseat.
BecauseIalwayssatwithhimthefrontseatbecauseIliked
 13

totalkwithhim,sointheback.Isaid,AllIneedisfor
youtotakemeoutofheretwoorthreeblocks,sothatI
candisappear.AndthenIllcallmyfamily.Sothatswhat
hedid.HewentmaybehalfamileorsomethingandIsaid,
Stop,stopleavemehere,Imgoingtocatchabus.AndI
hadnothingwithme,noIDnomoneynothing,justlikethat.
SoIstoppedabus,aregularbus,andIwentinandthe
driver,mostlikelyknewwhatwasgoingonbecausethere
wereotherpeopletherethatsoundedliketheywereinmy
case.Hesaid,Nina,entra![Comeon,girl!]Neverasked
forthemoney,orforatransferenceornothing.SoIwent
tooneofmyfathersrelativesandIstayedthereandfrom
thereIjumpedtomanyplacesandfromthereIwenttothe
Americanembassy.

D:WhatwasyourplanforgettingoutofCuba?

M:MyplanistobeabletocometotheU.S,tobeadmitted
tooneoftheembassiesasarefugeebuttheembassieswere
packedwithpeople,refugeestoo,peoplethatwantedto
leave.Sothen,mydad,throughhisbusiness,wasfriends
withtheambassadorofPanama,inCentralAmericaandhe
toldherthatyouknowthisiswhatishappeningtomy
daughteranddutdutdutdadaandIknewherandsheknew
metoo.Shesaiddontworryabouther,youknowwhattell
yourdaughtertogotothiscorneratthisexacttimebutI
wasontherunalreadyforayearsotellhertogotothis
cornerandImgoingtobegoingthereinacarwiththe
chauffer.Itwassuchadifficultstepforme,ofpanic.
Goingoutofbeinginhiding,goouttoastreettowaitfor
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somebodyandIrememberIsawthecarcomingwiththe
PanamanianflaganditwassoooIrememberthinkingthisis
theendforme,Imgoingtobeleaving,andleaving
everythingbehind.Itsjustsohardbecauseallthistime
itwassurvival,justsurviveuntilyouallofthesudden
getconfrontedwithreality.AnduhsoIsawthecarcoming,
withtheflags,fourlittleflagsorsomething,itwaslike
alimo,itwasabigcarandumsheopenedtheback,shewas
sittingintheback,sheopenedthedoorandumIgotinand
shesaiddontworryaboutityouaresafehere.Isaid,I
knowImsafewithyouandImsafeherebutitsjustI
realizethat,Imit.Imleavingeverythingbehind,mylife
andmyfamily.So,shetoldme,WellwhatIhavetotell
youisthatthePanamanianembassyispackedwithpeople,we
cannotabsorbanybodyinbutyouknowIcommittedwithyour
dadthatIwasgoingtopickyouup,butIhavetalkedto
theSwissembassyandtheyaregoingtoadmityouthere.So
shetookmetotheSwissembassyandsheintroducedmeto
theambassador,veryniceSwissman,becauseSwitzerlandwas
inchargeoftheAmericanaffairsbutitwasstillthe
Americanembassy.Verynice,oldermanandthatgroupof
Swisspeoplewereincredible,forgood.SoIstayedthere
forabouteightmonths,indifficultconditions.

D:Whatwasitlikelivingthere?

M:Well,allthosewereofficesandthattheyaccommodated
forpeopletostay.IrememberinabedroomIthinkwewere
abouteightwomen,youknow,itwascrampedbutithadtobe
done.
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D:Sonext,whatdidyoudo?

M:Istayedthereforallthattimeandtheycameandthey
toldmeonedaynowthereisspaceatthePanamanianembassy
sonowwecanstarttheprocessofwhatiscalledsafe
conductsoyoucanleave?

D:Howdidyouthengettheembassyandeventuallyoutof
thecountry?

M:OksothePanamanianpeopletransferredmetotheSwiss
andtheSwissthenbacktransferredmetothePanamanian,
andIstayedthereaboutsixmonths,soitwasalltogether
abouttwentymonthsthatIwas,youknow,fromplaceto
place.Then,inJanuaryof1962,theygavemeandafew
othersthesafeconduct,whichmeantwecouldleavebutwe
hadtoleaveundertheflagofPanama.Whathappenedwas
thatPanamaandCubahadbrokenrelations,soMexicotook
careoftherefugeesfromPanamaandsoweleftunderthe
Mexicanflag.SothatwasanothertimethatIcantreally
talk,Icannotdealwithittoowell,afterbeingalmost
sixtyyearshere.Icannot.Thedeparturesthings,allthose
thingsthatweresolimited,inthattherewasnowayof
lookingback,therewasnoway.Sotheycameinthemorning
inabus,inabigbus,andtheytookustotheairportto
transportustoMexico.Irememberthat,thattripwas
horrendous,mostpeopleweresortofhappy,yeshappyfor
notlivingontherunallthetimebutnothappybecausefor
meitwasalways,youknow,thefamilysituation.Mylife
 16

wasbeing,youknow,justcut.Andum,Irememberthatmy
dadandmymother,theyknewthepathtotheairportand
wherethebushadtoturntogointotheterminalandin
thatvery,veryplacethatthebushadtoturnmymomandmy
dadwerethere.Sopainfulforme,sopainful,um,becauseI
said,maybeIwontseethemagain.Whatsgoingtohappen
withme,outhereinthisworld,youknow,itsnoteasy.I
wassoprotectedallmelife.Soum,thatwassad.Bothwere
cryingandatthesametime,tellingmedontcry,
everythingisgoingtobegoodforyou,youknow,everything
isgoingtobegood.Anduh,sowegottoMexicoandMexico
saysno,nowweregoingtosendyoutoPanamaandyoure
goingtohavetostayhereuntilwehaveanotherplane.So
wewenttoPanamaandwewerethereaboutthree/fourmonths
beforeIobtainedmyumimmigrationfortheUnitedStates.

D:Sowereyoutravellingaloneorwereyouwithsomeone?

M:Well,interesting,atthattimemyboyfriendofalong
time,Imarriedokay,earlier,he,partofthelifebecause
thingswerebackthenverycomplicatedandhewasalsogoing
toleavebecausehewantedtocometotheUnitedStates
aftertheBayofPigs.Hewastryingtogetawaybuthe
couldntbecausetheycaughttheboatandtheykilledpeople
withhimsohewasabletobeoneortwooftheoneswho
weresaved.Thenagain,mydadtalkedtothisperson,the
ambassadorofPanama,that,atthattime,itwasnolonger
anembassyanymoreitwasjustsomethingelsebutanyway,
shearrangedthingswiththeSwiss.Hedidpartofthis
journeywithme,sowhenwegottoPanamawegotmarriedin
 17

PanamaCityabouttwodaysafterwegotthereanditwas
nicebecausethisladythatwastheambassador,shegaveus
suchabeautifulparty,shewassuchanangelinourlives.
ThenweappliedandwecametotheUnitedStates.Firstthey
gavemetheresidencecardandthenIcameheretothe
UnitedStates.IlivedwithanunclethereinMiamibut
everybodywassopoorwhentheygotherethatitwasnot
easy,youknow,togetmorepeople,itwaskindofdifficult
inFlorida.IwantedtocometoCaliforniabecauseIhadan
unclehere.WecametoCaliforniaanditwasthebestthing
wecouldhaveeverdone.

D:IfIcanbacktrackalittlehere,howdidyoufeelwhen
youfinallygottotheU.S.?

M:Ifeltverygood,veryhappytobefree,becauseIwas
notfreeallthattimeinsideofme.Iwas,youknow,onthe
runallthetime.IfeltlikethiswasthetruePromised
LandandtherewasaCubanRefugeeProgramtherethatwas
helpingtherefugeesbutweneverhadtogothroughthat
becausemyunclethatwaslivingtherewashelpingus
throughthat.HehelpeduscometoCaliforniaandletme
tellyou,threedaysafterIcametoCalifornia,inhere,we
livedinHollywood,withmyuncle,Igotajob.So,because
thenextday,Iwasouttherelooking,lookingforjobsand
myhusbandatthetime,whichisyourgrandfather,Ramon,he
didthesamething.SowegothereprobablyaThursdayora
FridayandbyMondayorTuesdaywewereworking.
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D:Andhowdidyoufeelabout,becauseyouhadbeentoMiami
beforeandyouknewwhatthatculturewasaboutandits
veryheavilyCubaninfluencedthere,sohowdidyoufeel
aboutthedifferent,moreAmerican1960sculturein
California?

M:Well,Californiawasablessingforme,becausethe
sixties,livinginHollywood,youwerein.Youknewallthe
newthingsthatwerehappeninganduhitwasjustgoodthe
ideathatyoucouldgowhereveryouwantedtogoandsay
whateveryouwantedsayandyouknewthat,rightthenand
there,financiallyandotherwisewewereyouknowina
difficultsituationbutweknewwecouldgetoutofit
becausewewereintheUnitedStatesandthatswhat
happened.Yourgrandfatherwasworkingasa,uh,abusboy
butheenrolledimmediatelyinUCLAandyouknownowhehas
twodoctoratesfromUCLAandhesveryproudandImvery
proudofhisaccomplishmentbecausehewasverydedicated
andworkingveryhard.AndImyselfwenttoMountSt.Marys
CollegeandIwasabletodosocialwork.So,afterIwas
hereabouttwoorthreemonthsIsawsomethinginthe
newspaperanditwasafriendofminethathadcometo
Californiaandshewasworkingasasocialworker.Shehad
workedwithmeattheuhhospital,atthechildrens
hospitalandshe,Isaw,herintheLATimes,herpicture
withyouknowhelpingchildrenthisandthatanditwasher
soIcalledherandIsaid,Whatareyoudoinghere?and
shesaid,Ohmygosh,youknowweneedsomebodyhere(you
know,thiswastheInternationalInstituteofLosAngeles)
weneedsomeonelikeyouthathasbothlanguages,tohelp
 19

withtheCubanRefugeeProgramhere.So,thenIwasworking
ataJapaneserestaurant,beingthecashierandIworked
thereforabouteightmonthsorwhateverandIwenttosee
her.Twoweekslater,IwasworkingfortheInternational
InstituteofLosAngelesandIworkedthereforeightyears.
Wonderfulyears,inEastLA,wonderful.

D:Whendidyoudecidethatthiswastheplacethatyou
wantedtohaveafamilyandalife?

M:Well,youknow,thewaythatwehadplannedthings,to
getajobtogetaneducation,tohaveahouse,weresteps
thatwerehappeningbecausetheUnitedStatesallowsyouto
makethosechangesinyourlifeifyouwantto.So,things
werehappening,sothiswastheplacewherewewantedto
stay.Florida,duringallofthoseyears,itwasverynice,
probablytostaythere,buttherewerenojobs.Itwas
nothinglikeitistoday,itwaslikeabigtown,justthe
onlythingthatwasgoodthereitwastheOrangeBowl,other
thanthattherewasnothingelse.Butitisabeautiful
placeanditisaniceplacebutwedecideditwasbestto
startalifehere,whichwethoughtwasmuchmoresolidthan
doingitinFlorida.Anduhsothisiswhathappened.So
thenyourgrandfatherstartedworking,forawhileatthe
universityandthenattheschooldistrict,theWhittier
HighSchoolDistrictandwasthedirectoroftheExpanded
Horizonsprogramforawhileuntilheretired.Iwas
working,asIsaidforeightyearsattheInternational
Institute,andthereIenjoyedithowmuchIwasableto
helpalotofCubanrefugeesinfindingjobsandfinding
 20

friendsandrelativesthattheywerelookingfor.Itwasa
veryactivetimeofmylifeandum,thenafterthatwecame
toWhittierandtherewasafriendofminewhotoldme,in
SantaFeSprings,theyarelookingforasupervisorof
socialservicesforthecity.Thisisabrandnewprogram,
brandnewbuildingandeverythingisnewbuttheyneeded
experience.SoIapplied,andwithmuchdifficultyIwas
abletogetthejob.Anddoyouknowwhatthedifficulty
was?Youwouldntbelieveit.

D:Hm?

M:ThatIwasawoman.

D:Notthatyouwerearefugeeoryouwerefromacommunist
country?No?

M:No,nothingofthat,theysaidverylittleofthat
becausethatwasnottheissue.Myissuewastogetthejob
andIknewthatIcoulddoitandbringnewprogramsbecause
thisiswhatIliketodoandwhatIhaddonebefore.Soit
wasverydifficultformetogetthatjobandthey
interviewedmeprobablysixoreighttimesjusttomakesure
thattheywouldntgivemethejob.ButIcontinueduntil
onedayIreallygotupsetandItoldthepeopleonthe
panelwhatyouaredoinghereisnotfairbecauseIama
woman.AndtheysaidOhnowejustwantedtomakesure
becauseyoureCubanandourcommunityisMexican.Isaid,
Whyareyougoingtomakethatdivision?Thatdivision
shouldnothappenatall,theyarejustlikeanybodyelse.I
 21

dontcarethecolororthenationalityofanybody.My
backgroundismixedandIknowwhatIamtalkingabout.So
umtheytriednottobutbecauseIhadthisconfrontation
withthentheysaidthenyouhavetobeinterviewedbythe
citymanagerandIsaid,Fine.SoIwaitedandtheyopened
thedoortothecitymanagersofficeand,thiswasawesome,
therewasaboutfourpeople,allmen,thatweregoingto
interviewmeandwhenthecitymanagersawmehesaid,What
doyoumeantotellmethatyoustillhavequestionsinyour
mind,withthisexceptionalcandidate?Beautifulyoung
woman,speaksEnglish,shesbicultural.Honey,youre
hired.JustlikethathappenedinSantaFeSprings.Hesaid
yourehiredandtomorrowwearegoingtotheOccidental
Buildingtohavelunch.Icouldntbelieveitaftersomuch
youknow,crazinesswashappening.Sowemovedtothisarea
andyourgrandfatherstartedyouknowworkingfortheschool
districtuntilI,youknow,gotthisinterestinworking
withpersonswithdevelopmentaldisabilities.

D:Andso,justtorecap,youredoingallofthis,whileI
assumeatsomepointearlyonyouweretryingtogain
citizenshipandlateryouhadtwokids.

M:Mhm,yes.

D:Andthatwasthiswholetime?

M:Yes,duringthiswholetime.Ibecameacitizenaboutsix
orsevenyearsafterIwasherebecauseatfirstIhadmy
immigrantcardthatwasgiventomeinPanama,tocomehere
 22

legallyandaftersixorsevenyearsIwentthroughthe
processofbecomingacitizen.Duringallthattime,then
whathappenedin1964,Ihadmyson,in1966Ihadmy
daughter,butinthemeantimelifewashappeningandthings
werehappening.

D:LetsgobacktoyourtimeinSantaFeSprings,because
thereweresomeinterestingthingshappeninginhistoryat
thattime.YouwereattheOpeningCeremoniesoftheLA
Olympics?

M:Ah,yesthatwasafascinatingtime.Iwantedsobadlyto
gototheOpeningCeremoniesandwasveryinvolvedinwhat
washappeningandIbecameavolunteer.Idontevenknow
how!Okay,theyweregoing,theyweretalking,theyneeded
peopleandIwentthereandIreceivedaletterthatIwasa
volunteerfortheOlympics.ButmymainthingswasthatI
wantedtogototheOpeningCeremoniesbecauseIknewthat
thatwassomethingveryspecial.SoIwent,withmybrother
andmysisterinlaw,weallwent,weboughtticketsandwe
wereabletogetthere.Thatwasanincredibleexperienceof
seeingsomanynationalitiesandpeopleworkingtogether.
Andthenmydaughter,atthattimeIsaid,Wouldyoulike
tobepartofthisveryspecialevent?shesaid,ohyeah.
Sosheputhernameinthehattooandshewasoneofthe
repsforSierraLeoneandshemarchedinthe,theum,
OpeningCermemonieswiththeSierraLeonepeople.Thatwas
veryinteresting.
 23

D:Andalso,youwereinSantaFeSpringswhenRodneyKing
wasarrestedthere?

M:Well,RodneyKing,Idontknowifhewasarrestedthere
atthattime.Ithappenedbeforesomewhere.Thenithappened
thathewenttoSantaFeSprings,hewenttobuyliquoror
todosomethinglikethatandatthetime,itwasthe
sheriffs,theyranhimoutofthecity.Getthehelloutof
hereyouknowwhatbecausewedontwantproblems.Butyou
knowwhatIdonthavethatmuchinformationaboutthatkind
ofcircumstances.

D:SoyouwereonthecitycouncilforSantaFeSprings.How
thendidyougofromthattodoingwhatyoudocurrently?

M:Well,IwastheDirectorofSocialServicesfortheCity
ofSantaFeSprings,thatwasmyjobwiththeNeighborhood
Center,fortwentyfouryears,twentyfouryearsthatI
wouldnotchangeforanything.Igrewemotionally,
physically,itsawonderfulcitytoworkwithandatthat
timethedirectionofthecitywasagoodoneandatthat
timeIworkedfortwentyfouryears.Duringthattime,it
happenedthatitwastheReaganAdministration,whenhewas
ourgovernor,I,Idontknowhowitwasdonebutallofthe
personswithmentaldisabilitiesthatwereinlarge
institutionsinthestateofCalifornia,youknow,runby
thestate,hadtogobacktothecities.So,youknow,you
havesomanyhereinmyhospital,tenthatare
developmentallydisabledinSantaFeSprings,youvegotto
comepickthemupnowandthatsyourresponsibility.They
 24

madelike,likeliaisonsforeachcity,inthiscounty,and
IwastherepresentativeforSantaFeSpringsandthereI
learnedaboutpersonswithdisabilities,theirrightsand
theresponsibilitiesoftheirfamiliesandnottheir
responsibilitiesandsoon.Itwasaverychallengingand
interestingjobbecausetherewasnotasupportsystemfor
thesepeopletheywerejusttryingtogetoutofthe
hospitalanditwashardworkanditstillwasnotdone
correctly.ButanywaythisishowIthengota,aheartfor
helpingpeoplewithdevelopmentaldisabilities.Therewasa
supervisorthere,thathewaswiththehealthdepartment,
mentalhealth,Iwaswithumdevelopmentaldisabilitiesand
hesays,Whydontyouopenahouse?Ordosomethingto
protect,youknow,thepeople?andsoon.SoIjustwent
aheadanddidit.Ijustaskedforalicenseandumso,I
justdidanditbecame,tobehonestwithyouveryeasy.
FortunatelybecauseofthatthatIdid,Irightaway,I
openedahouseinaboutsixoreightmonths,theRegional
Center,whichisthemotheragencyforallthisdecidedthat
Ishouldopenanotherhouse.Imverythankfultothe
EasternLosAngelesRegionalCenterbecausetheygavemean
opportunitytoservicethatcommunitywhichIreallylove.I
wasabletolivewellbecauseitwasanothersourceof
incomebutIwasstillworkingfortheCityofSantaFe
Springs,whichwasdifficultastherewasatremendous
amountoftimeIhadtodedicatetothisbusiness.

D:So,whatisyourcurrentpositioninyourcompanyandhow
longhaveyouheldthattitle?
 25

M:Ohh,IIcamefulltime,wellIalwayswasfulltimefor
mybusinessbecauseyouknowIdidnthaveasecondperson
thatcoulddoorwoulddothat.Um,soIretiredfromthe
CityofSantaFeSpringsin1991andafterIretiredthenI
dedicatedmyselftotryingtogetothertypesofprograms
intomybusinesswhichIwasveryfortunatethatIwasable
todoit.Um,so,thatiswhathappened.Iam,youknow
what,Idontevenknowthenameofmytitle,butIm
probablytheexecutivedirectorbecauseyouknowIcarryall
thelicensesandum,mysecondincommand,almostthesame
ismyson,whichisyourdadanditisablessingthathe
wasabletocomeatatimewhentherewasanopportunityto
growinthebusinessandhehasdoneaverygoodjobof
that.So,um,thisishowitisnowandwehaveanice
agencyandweareproudoftheservicesweprovide.

D:Howdoyouthinkyourbackgroundaffectsyourcurrently
heldpoliticalbeliefsaboutimmigrationoverallandmore
speciallytherecentlyliftedembargowithCubathatsbeen
inplace,really,sinceyoucamehere?

M:Well,letssaytheCubanswillbefirst.Iamnot
interestedingoingthereunderthepresentcircumstances
withthesamepeoplethatranmeoutofthereanddestroyed
myfamily,literally,destroyedourfamily.Ihaveno
businesstodobusinesswiththem.Itallisafaadeand
um,alltheyarelookingisforonlythetourismpartof
that,butyouknowwhat,Icannotevenexpress,howmy
dismayaboutpeoplewantingtogothere,whentherehasbeen
somuchabusebythatregime.SoIhavenobusinessthere
 26

andno,nothing.Iamnotinterested.Andtheother,what
wastheotherquestionyouaskedme?

D:Whatsyourpoliticalbeliefonimmigration,considering
yourbackground?

M:Wellmybeliefsonimmigration,especiallybecauseIhave
workedwithsomanyimmigrantsforsolong,andpartofme
beingpartofthatsocietyandthatgroupofpeople,which
isimmigrants,Iamanimmigrant,eventhoughIaman
Americancitizen,thatismybackground.What,inCuba,I
wasfedconstantly,notbywordsbutwhatwesawaroundus
isthatimmigrationgroup,myelders,thatconstantly
praisedwhattheyhadandthattheywereabletocome.I
feelverystronglythatthisisacountryofopportunities,
thatweshouldlookatthatverycloselyandthatwealmost
haveamoralresponsibilitytohelpthosethatcomehere,
eitherbecauseofpoliticalbeliefsorbecausetheywantto
haveabetterlifefortheirfamilies,wehavetopay
attentionstothat.And,ofcourse,Iamcompletelyopposed
tothesepeoplethatareyouknowdiscreditingthe
immigrantsandtheyhavethemalmostassecondclass
citizens.Unfortunatelythereisabadsituationhere,with
somepeoplesayingthingssoinappropriatebutyouknow,we
havetokeepsupportingthosepeoplewhodogoodthings.Not
onlythem,ourfamilyhasalwaysbeensupportingsomebody,
anindividualorcausesowehavetodowhatwehavetodo
tosupport.
 27

D:DoyouhaveanyfamilymembersleftinCuba,whostayed
throughtherevolution?

M:No,no,youknow,duringthattimeourfamilywas
destroyedcompletely.Someofusleftorsomewereleft
thereandtheydiedofoldageormalnutritionorsomething
else.

D:Sowereyouthefirstinyourfamilytocomeover,or
weretherepeoplealreadyoverherewaitingforyou?

M:Ah,ok,mybrothercameaboutamonthortwobeforeI
cameah,becausemymothersenthim,Idontknowtheexact
circumstancesohbecausehewasaminor.Shewasableto
sendhim.Then,um,therestofmyfamilycamelittleby
little.IwasalreadyhereinCalifornia.Well,Ihavean
uncleinFloridawhohadhelpedusgethere,andherewe
havealreadyanunclewhohascomebeforeandwestayedwith
himforalittlebitbeforewewereabletohaveourown
houseorapartmentorwhateveritwas.Um,andthen,whenmy
cousin,thatgotoutofprison,himandhiswifeandhis
mother,myauntAmparo,thatIvedonealotofthingslike
her,likegoingintosocialwork,theystartedcominglittle
bylittlebecausetheywouldbeopenforawhile,allowing
relativesofprisonersthatwereouttocometotheUnited
States,thatshowtheycameover.

D:Sowehavenow,obviously,alotoffamilyherethatare
secondgenerationCuban.Doyouhaveacommunitylikeyou
 28

hadinCubahere,andwhatisitlikelivinginthatsortof
group?

M:Well,IlovetogotoFloridabecauseyouknow,youare
notgoingtofindanythingthatismoreCuban,evenCuba,
thanFlorida.IliketogoandvisitbecauseIhavefriends
andfamilyandIenjoythatenvironment.Thereisalotof
theculture,themusic,thatplaceisspecial.But,Iwould
ratherliveinCalifornia.HereIbelongtoagroupof
ladies,whomajorityareCuban,thatwehavebeenmeeting
forthirtythreeyears.Wehavegonefromsomepeople
gettingmarried,havingchildrenandthengrandchildren,all
thesethingshappeninginourlives.Itisatremendous
supportgroup,butitisthemostunorganizedgroup,Iwould
say.Therearenolaws,bylaws,wemeetonceamonthandwe
talkaboutcertainthingsweliketodoandwedonateto
causes,likeinLatinAmericanrightnowwearesending
moneyandotherthingstoEcuadorbecauseoftheearthquake.
Wearealwaysinvolvedinsomekindofthingslikethat.We
aremorephilanthropythananythingelsebuttheotherthing
wedoiswerehashwiththeculture.WearenotonlyCuban,
yesamajority,butwehavepeoplefromPuertoRico,ladies
fromMexico,fromEcuador,fromBrazil.Sowehavealotof
nationalitiesbutthebottomlineiswearethesame.You
knowwedance,wesing,weareloud,wedowhatweliketo
do.Wehavethesamerelationshipwithourfamilies,we
remainveryclosetoourchildren,toourgrandchildren.So
wefindthathomogeneousyouknowthatreallygivesusa
kindofhappiness.AlsowithloveforAmerica,andIthink
 29

thatrightnowbeforeweevenidentifyourownidentitywe
areAmerican.

D:YousaythatyoureproudtobeanAmericanandthatyou
seeitasthelandofopportunity.Afteryoucamehere,was
thereeveratimewhenyouweredisillusionedwithAmerica?

M:Ihavetobehonestwithyou,becauseIwascomingfrom
suchadifficultplaceIneversawanythinghappeningtome
ortoanyonethatIlovethatIwouldthinkyouknowthisis
adisaster,wecouldhavebeensomeplaceelseorideasor
anything.No.Becausehereyouhavethelibertythatyou
guysdontunderstand,youcansaywhateveryouwanttoand
youcansayittoanybodyandyouhaveallthoserightsthat
theywerejustkilledfromus.So,Ineverhadthatfeeling.
ThisiswhyImtellingyou,wearesograteful,becausewe
cankeepouridentitybutwecanalwayssupportthis
country.

D:Duringthetimewhenyouwerefirstacclimatingtothe
US,therewasalotofpoliticalunresthappeningintheUS,
becauseofKoreaandVietnam,especially.Whatwasyour
communitysreactiontothosewars?Obviouslytheissuewas
morepertinenttoyouversusjustAmericanswhoweresaying
communismisbad.

M:Yes,IwouldsaythateverysingleCubanwasvery
opposed,veryopposedtoVietnamandanythingofthat
nature.WehadalotofCubansthatwenttowar,thatwent
toVietnam,becausetheyvolunteered,becausetheybelieved
 30

inthesystemthatwehavehereandwhatwashappeningover
there,tothatpopulation,thatthatcouldnotcontinue.
Unfortunately,thatdidnothappen.Itwasyouknow,inwar
somebodylosesandsomebodywins,eventhoughthiswasnot
exactlysomeonelosingthewarbutdidnotaccomplishwhat
wethoughtitwasgoingtoaccomplish.So,uh,ifyoutalk
toanyCubanatanytime,itdoesntmatterwhethertheyare
RepublicansorDemocratsorwhatever,theyaregoingtobe
completelyopposedtothatwar,butatthesametimethey
wantedwhatwashappeningtherecut.Whichwasdifficult
becauseyouknowitwasthecommunistsandtheycould
identifyandthey[thefederalgovernment]supportedthe
war.

D:IknowyouvenevergonebacktoCubasinceyouleft
there,buthaveyougonebacktoSpainandrevisitedthe
placesyoulivedwhenyouwereyounger?

M:Ohyes,IvegoneseveraltimestovisitSpain.Maybe
fourorfivetimes.Interesting,whenIgettoSpain,whenI
getofftheairplane,Ifeelathome.Ifeelcompletelyat
home,becauseIknowwhatishappeningaroundme.The
language,theslangs,theculture.Whatishappeningaround
meandIfeelcompletelyathome.Then,alwaysgotovisit,
um,the,thetownwhereIlivedwithmygrandparentsand
itssuchajoytoseethosepeople!Youknowtheyhave
improvedalittlebit,youknow,thereispavementononeor
twostreet,unfortunatelytheriverhasverylittlewater,
buttheChurchistherewheretheymakethecider.Its
stillthere,likeeverythingstoppedatacertaintimebut
 31

ithasimproved.Itsnicetogetthereandtherearethe
kidsand,Iwaspartofthat,takingcareofthecows,the
goatsandtheystartcallingsomeofmyfriendsthatareold
now,buttheyhavetheirgrandkidsandtheygowiththeir
grandkidstotakecareofthoseanimals.Theystartcalling,
Mami!Mimaishere!andeverybodystartsgettingdown.
Itssuchashockingthingofreality,theyeverythingcomes
back.ThenIaskthemwhatshappeningandwhathappenedto
thisoneortheotherone.Youknowtheyareallintheir
seventieslikemyself,buttheyarestrongpeople,bothmen
andwomen.SoIwenttoseetheguywhousedtomakemy
madrenas,whicharethosewoodenshoes,Idontknowhowyou
callthis.Theyaresoyoucanwalkinthedirtbecauseat
thattimetherewasnothingyouknowoutofanyother
material.SoIgothroughallthatandIreallyenjoyed
seeingallthat,becauseIthinkitwasthosethreeyears
whenIwasreallyformedemotionally.Mhm.

D:IntheUS,duringthetimeyoucameover,theyweregoing
throughwhatwecallinhistoryclassTheSecondRedScare
anditsbasicallywhenAmericanpeoplewerehavingavery
adversereactiontocommunismandwerepushingbackagainst
itveryhard,inanalmostmanicway.Didthatsortof
attitudetowardscommunismaffectyouinanywaywhenyou
werehere?

M:Um,itdidntaffectmebecauseletmetellyoubecauseI
hadtheexperienceinmyownskin,inmyownbrainwhat
communismis.Allthatissaid,Iseeitlikepropaganda,
fromthecommunistparty,IdonotIcannotabsorbit.In
 32

fact,Igetveryupset.Whysoradical?Allthosearelies.
Whyareyoudoingthattopeople?Youwanttodestroythis
world?Stopit,stopit.Youknow,becausetheyhaveno
morals,theyhavenothing.Theyaresoobsessed.Personally
Ithinkthattheyarementallyill,allofthem,butthats
myowndiagnosiswithouthavingadegreeinmentalhealth.
Uhhuh,Iopposethiswithapassion.Iveseenallthebad,
Idontseeanythinggood.Inmyopiniontheresnothing
goodthatwillcomeoutofit,ofthatsystem.

D:YoureallyenjoygoingtoSpainanditsbeenestablished
thatEuropeisabitmoresocialistthantheUS.Whatdoyou
feelthedistinctionisbetweensocialismandcommunism?

M:Thereisoneverybigdistinction.InEurope,becauseyou
knowIhavebeeninotherpartsofEurope,Ihavebeenin
France,Italy,youknow.InEurope,peoplehavesomerespect
forrelationshipsinfamiliesandtheperpetuityofcertain
thingsinfamilies.Communism,theydontsaythat,they
destroyfamiliesbecausetheypullthem,youknow,froma
familyoftwenty,iftherearetwoareabletobe
brainwashed,youhaveaproblemtherebecausetheyaregoing
todestroythatfamily,dividethefamily.Thereislikea
totalitarianthing,youcannotgobeyondwhatsomebodyelse,
whoisnotpartofyourlife,wants,tocontrolyou.There
isnosense.Thereisnoreality,almost,inthewaythey
think.Itsthat,youknow,control,overmindsofpeople,
no.InEurope,theyreyes,socialismisnotcommunism,
socialismisdoingtherecheckingtheneedsofpeopleand
 33

thebettermentofpeople.Insomeways,Americaissocialist
also.

D:Doyouhaveanyfinalthoughtsaboutwhatyouvesaidin
theinterview,oranythingyoudliketosayfortheend?

M:Fortheend,IdliketosaythatIamaveryfortunate
person,thatIhavetravelledinlife,somethatIveliked
andsomeIvedisliked,butGodhashelpedmetomoveon.
ComingtotheUShasbeenatremendousbenefittoallofus,
notonlymaterialbutinourthoughts,weareverysimilar
tothiscountry.Iamhappyaboutmyfamily,thatthereis
unityinourfamilyandthat,eventhoughwearediversein
ourfamilies,becauseyouknow,noteveryoneisCubanand
noteveryoneelseisItalianandnobodyelseisahundred
percentAmerican,weallunderstandeachotherverywelland
weareverysimilar.So,allImsayingisthat,Iamhappy
at77yearsofage,ofhavingmylifethewaythatitis.

D:Thankyou,Mimi.