Solidarity With Cuba

By Sheldon Tenorio (Kewa Pueblo), Creative Strategist - Pueblo Action Alliance

Sheldon Tenorio posing at the Plaza De Revolutión. Photo Credit: Julia Bernal

What is the VB?

“In 1969, a coalition of young people formed the Venceremos (“We Shall Overcome”) Brigade, as a means of showing solidarity with the Cuban Revolution by working side by side with Cuban workers and challenging U.S. policies towards Cuba, including the economic blockade and our government’s ban on travel to the island. The first Brigades participated in sugar harvests and subsequent Brigades have done agricultural and construction work in many parts of the island.

Over the last four and half decades, the V.B. has given over 8,000 people from the U.S. the opportunity for a life-changing experience. While the trip has evolved over time, the Venceremos Brigade has always kept its format of work, educational activities, and travel. In addition, we remain committed to organizing the most diverse contingents possible; Brigadistas are young and older, of many races, nationalities, socio-economic classes, and sexual orientations.” - Vb4cuba.com 

My Experience 

Through Pueblo Action Alliance and our partnership with the SouthWest Organizing Project, there were a few of us who were able to travel to the island in July 2019. Before the trip, I didn’t know what to expect. I had only seen or heard of Cuba in movies like the Motorcycle Diaries. It wasn’t until I stepped foot on the island’s soil I was able to learn for myself Cuba is more familiar than I thought. The trip turned out to be life changing, to say the least.

There was so much to be learned and I loved every minute I was there. We had the opportunity to visit museums and other learning spaces as well as engage with many different types of community members. We heard community organizers, student groups, and youth organizations speak about their programs and learned about the many Herstories/Thierstories and triumphs that contributed to creating what the structure of the country is today. Unlike the U.S., Cuba is a Socialist country. Capitalism doesn't run the country, the people do.

Political officials also balance day to day jobs like being a professor at a local college. Something that really amazed me was those who are elected to office don’t run campaigns. Instead, they are nominated by their community. There are several groups, including student groups and youth organizations, that put forth nominations. The amount of organization and passion in these communities blew me away. Because the people actually feel heard, many are excited to participate in the nomination process. All kept humanity in mind when making these nominations. Whether it was a biotech employee or a local farmer, all believed wholeheartedly in the advancement of humanity, Cuba, and other countries and their peoples. 

Historical photos of the Cuban Revolution. Photo Credit: AAPRP

I experienced many deep moments of reflection while visiting the island and comparing the structures both from society at large in the U.S and a community driven structure at home, I began to imagine the cross cultural exchanges could benefit both my home and Cuba. 

I want to live in a world that promotes self- determination, and guarantees the right for all people to live as who they are meant to be. Things don’t always have to be one way. Things can change and we can self govern. Certain aspects of structure, regional territory boundaries, not borders, land and water management, regional autonomy and programs for sustainability are just a few things that I think can benefit from an indigenous perspective. I see Cuba as an example of this type of structure being a tangible possibility. They truly have a bottom up way of organizing. This isn't a town or a city, it’s the entire country. I can see now why the US continues to attack Cuba through economic blockades and travel bans. They won their revolution, and continue to win everyday! 

Continuing Solidarity 

I arrived back to Turtle Island knowing the work to be done in my own community, with support from many new friends. I experienced reverse culture shock returning to an environment with such a prominent white supremacist ideology. I went straight home to Kewa to partake in our annual celebration for August 4th, and I was grateful to return to my community after such an intense experience. I couldn't wait to tell my family everything I learned and saw. I spoke of gardening projects, voting and governmental structure, and autonomy in community defense of the revolution structures. I was excited to keep working on Cuban solidarity with Pueblo Action Alliance, the All African People’s Revolutionary Party, the New Mexico Venceremos Brigade and, later, the National Coordinating Committee of the Venceremos Brigade.  

Importance of Solidarity 

While speaking with family about my experience, I couldn't help but want to continue work in solidarity with Cuba. I’ve since continued to organize with the New Mexico Venceremos Brigade Committee, and also accepted an invitation to be on the National Coordinating Committee for the Venceremos Brigade. This allows me to build further relationships with partner organizations, help shape future campaigns for solidarity efforts with Cuba and also have an opportunity to continue my own growth in Political Education and analysis. 

The NMVB coordinates monthly programming every last wednesday of each month. Tune into our program and join the NMVB to help organize Solidarity efforts with Cuba and of course, learn about the VB, and about Cuba, and the importance of why we must continue to build relationships with Cuba. COVID is ongoing and cases continue to rise on the island, so travel may not be feasible, but there are many ways we can show our support and help lift the blockade on Cuba. 

As indigenous people and, specifically, as Pueblo people, we have a lot to learn from Cuba and we also have so much to offer the island. I felt as if I was visiting relatives in another pueblo or my cousins at home from village to village. Ideologies and community care were very similar. Everyone took care of one another. Everyone helped with community projects and only wanted their people to thrive and have everything they need to live, to breathe, to be. 

I believe we can align with Cuba in the ways we implement community practices as well as find creative ways to continue navigating living in two different worlds: our cultural way of life and the everchanging western world that we call mainstream society. Cuba showed me that a new word is possible, for Kewa and for many autonomos Pueblos well.