Cuba and the Elections!
An update on our Yoga Va! Trip in January 2025 and a reflection on the impact of this election on this extraordinary island. See this link if you just want info on January trip and get in touch soon!!
I am writing this email from the airport after 3 days of walking the streets of Phoenix, AZ trying to get the vote out with local grass roots organizations. It’s been interesting, and exhausting and sometimes terrifying to see the rage and fear within one part of the population. Tomorrow we begin to find out what will happen in this election. Michael Moore predicts a landslide for Harris. My Uber driver is convinced the other way. Either way, this election will have far flung impacts to places like Cuba and all I know is that our friends there are hoping, praying, beseeching for a Harris victory.
Biden hasn’t done a great job there, only marginally improving on mega restrictions that Trump imposed tightening of the ancient illegal embargo. Just a few days ago the UN almost unanimously voted to end the embargo for the 32nd year in a row. The only countries to vote against it - US and Israel. These restrictions, along with a struggling post pandemic economy, currency issues, and lack of the tourist $, has left the island with incredible problems - food, energy, transport and many many young people have left the country. Recently a 3 day blackout which was accompanied by the impacts of Hurricane Oscar, left many struggling even more to find food water and to just charge a cell phone.
Trying to explain to folks there why anyone would risk another Trump presidency is impossible. Even if many are sympathetic to those who would wish to protest the Gaza situation. They too have seen the pleas from Bernie Sanders not to sit this one out (see this link) and are also aware of the European Greens request for Stein to step back for the sake of the planet. The impacts of climate change can be seen everywhere on the island.
One of the extraordinary impressions visiting Cuba is how communites and individuals cope with extreme challenges with heart and ingenuity. If you come on our trip in January you will meet speakers, like architect extraordinaire, Miguel Coyula, who will explain the history and the evolution of Habana and how it is meeting its current challenges with creativity. You will meet first hand members of FANJ which is an organisation focused on the environment and sees the many community projects they are involved in as part of a social and spiritual mission. You will walk the streets of Old Habana with teachers and students of the yoga community, listen to their stories, take their classes and fall in love with the spirit and heart of these amazing people. You will also see that everything is on the edge and poverty, hunger and homelessness, rarely an issue in the past where health statistics are/were sometimes better than in the US, are on the rise and this could be greatly ameliorated with a more motivated democratic government.
So whether you are going to join us in January or not, please consider:
- voting and getting your friends to vote in a way that at least gives a sense of possibility to people like our Cuban friends across the globe
- consider “swap your vote” if you are in a swing state and you wish to make a protest vote
- support a 3 day retreat that will be for the Cuban teachers and students and Yoga Va! will cover all expenses including transport costs.
- contact our organisation www.yogava.org to help us take medicine and supplies there in January
and possibly if you feel you are an appropriate candidate, join us for a fascinating and totally unique 6 day trip January 2025
All information is here. Due to challenges with election work and hurricane impacts, we have a few more details to confirm. However a description of the itinerary is on this page and I ask anyone interested to email me directly soon.
https://www.maryyoga.com/calendar/cuba-2025
Have a peaceful election and post election time, join us for yoga if you need it online and definitely at the online free Thanksgiving class. Let’s make yoga music together here, there and everywhere!
Take care.
M
