JANUARY 31. 1980
THE TWIG
PAGES
Group notes positive achievements in Cuba
Twenty years after the
communist takeover, the
revolutionary spirit is alive
and well in Cuba, according to
Dr. Sandra Thomas, Vice
President for Student
Development at Meredith.
“Since the revolution,
Cuba has raised the standard
of living for the majority of
Cubans. Cuba has become
more productive in
agriculture and there are no
visible signs of poverty
anywhere. There are also no
visible signs of great wealths.
They seem to be on target for
their goals,” Dr. Thomas
explained. She visited Cuba
during the Christmas holidays
on a study tour sponsored by
Meredith' College.
According to Thomas, the
reason for the tour was to
study first hand the concept of
revolution and third world
development. “It was an
opportunity to make a first
hand study of a communist
form of government and see
first hand the building of a
new society from 1959, and the
building of what could be
termed the new Cuban man
and woman.”
“Through revolution the
new Cuban regime has tried to
create a new man and woman
that are first supportive of
communism and secondly
believe in the revolution,” Dr.
Thomas explained. In tire new
society priorities are set on
health and education. In the
new Cuban family both
parents work and jointly
share household and family
responsibilities. “They work
for the benefit of all Cubans,”
Thomas added. An example of
this push for equality of the
sexes is that at least half of the
university students today are
women. Also there has been a
recent surge in the number of
day care centers for children.
In building the new Cuban
society, Thomas said, theS"e
has been a strong effort to
build communities in the
spirit of communism. “The
system of ‘committees for the
defense of the revolution’ has
created an extensive network
of volunteer services. They
provide social services and
protection as well as political
education in every com
munity.”
While in Cuba, Thomas
and her group were guests at a
block meeting of the ‘com
mittee for the defense’. “We
engaged in dialogue and
questions from boUi sides,
about both countries,’’
Thomas said, estimating that
there were from 75 to 100
’ ■ ‘ ■ ^ ..
\
(Photo by Steve Wilson)
Cubans present.
The group also visited the
Alamar housing community,
which houses nearly 60,000
people. Alamar was built by
the people themselves in
micro birgades, and Thomas
called the project “typical of
(Photo by Steve Wilson)
News and announcements
how they are building new
communities all over the
country.” The living units,
which are similar to most
modern U.S. apartment
complexes, house some of the
poorest people in Cuba.
Housing is, for the most
part, supplied by the govern
ment and each family pays six
percent of its salary for this
provision. Thomas said fur
ther that “almost all homes
are supplied with a
refrigerator and a television,
even in the most rural areas.
Television is one of the most
effective means of teaching
communism and sustaining
the effects of the revolution.”
Thomas noted that there
were also some things that
were missing in Cuba. She
said that there were clear
evidences of the U.S. blockade
with Cuba since 1959. “One of
the most obvious symbols of
the blockade is that Cubans
are still driving 1950’s U.S.
automobiles. They are kept in
good repair. There are some
more modern Russian cars,
but for the most part it seems
almost as if time stopped in
the 1950’s in terms of cars.”
There is also a lack of
abundance of items such as
coffee, which is rationed.
Ration cards are provided.
“Each Cuban is only allowed
one suit and one pair of shoes
per year. Clothing, shoes,
certain machinery and ap
pliances, and certain fo^
types are in very short order,”
der,” she said.
Also missing are the
obvious signs of capitalism
found in advertising. Thomas
said that the only billboards
visible were Cuban
propaganda messages in
favor of “education, sports,
physical fitness, and the
triumph of the revolution.”
Thomas commented that
Castro holds the highest place
of honor in Cuba, as both the
commander in chief and the
revolutionary leader. “He is
highly revered. In most
houses and on most streets
there are large pictures of
Castro. At the time of the
revolution he was only 27
years old.” Thomas added
that the late Ernesto “Che”
Guevara is also highly
revered and is a great symbol
for Cuban youth.
For Thomas, the trip was
“wonderful.” Aside from the
study aspect of the tour, the
group was also able to do
some sight-seeing. They went
into the countryside in the
province of Pinar del Rio, as
well as to the beaches. The
trip also included a visit to
Ernest Hemingway’s home
overlooking Havana. Thomas
concluded that overall “Cuba
is one of the most beautiful
countries I’ve ever visited.”
On Monday, February 11
from ten a.m. until eleven
a.m. the Cuba group will
present a lecture with slides
and discussion on the New
Cuba at Cate Center
Auditorium for the Meredith
community.
Upcoming Recitals in
the Music Department
Friday, February 8, 8:00
p.m. Michael Zenge, guest
piano recital, Carswell.
Friday, February 22, 8:00
p.m. Neva Morgan and Mary
Wallace Tarkington,
Graduation Voice and Piano
Recital, Carswell.
Mr. Hugh Cameron will be
on campus Tuesday,
February 12 to interview for
positions at Camp Don Lee
and Chestnut Ridge. The
interviews will be held from
10:00-12:00 in the Blue Room,
Johnson Hall.
If Interested, sign up in
the Campus Minister’s Office.
Study Skills Offered
Do you know how to
study? Want better grades
maybe? Joy Jones and Cathy
Pascal will be leading a study
skills group concerning areas
such as time management,
textbook reading and un
derlining, note-taking, test
preparation, and any other
areas of interest. The group
will meet twice a week for
three weeks. It is a great
opportunity and could be a
wonderful time-saver in the
long run! Sign up now! Call
Cathy Pascal in the Office of
Career Services on Wed
nesday, January 30, 8:00
a.m. - 4:00 p.m. or on Friday,
February 1, 8:00 a.m.-12:00
p.m.
Photography Exhibit Held
Meredith College will
present an exhibit of
photographs by Steve Murray
in the art gallery, lower leveU
of Jones Auditorium, January
20 - February 16. The gallery
will be open Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and
Sundays 1:00-5:00 p.m. The
public is invited to visit the
exhibit.
Murray is a free lance
photographer who was for
merly employed by the News
& Observer, the Raleigh daily
newspaper. The exWbit is
titled: “F-8 & be there.”
(Photo by Steve Wilson)