Schools filled with men… and prisons?

Schools filled with men… and prisons? / Reyner Aguero
Posted on August 28, 2013
By Reyner Aguero

Due to recent experiences I have chosen to address an core issue
critical to the future of our country. I mean the few opportunities for
young people, often under 20, to succeed as workers in our society; and
in addition the way, not at all educational, that they are judged when
they go before a court of law.

Have you ever wondered how many people in Cuba led a life of crime, such
as prostitution, pimping, diversion of funds, theft, racketeering, etc.
… who on leaving the country continue to commit the same offenses? Or
why Cuba has a such a high rate of its population behind bars and in
prisons? If they did, no doubt you can find the answer yourself. Justice
and the social system in other parts of the world operate in ways that
encourage their citizens to opt for a sustainable and prosperous life
without committing violations of law that may lead to a prison.

In Cuba, youth live a paradox partly responsible for the increase in
crime. Of 13 million Cubans, 2 million live outside the country, which
means their families in Cuban can survive and lead a relatively normal
life, without complications. But for the rest, going to a nightclub or a
cabaret could cost them the fruit of their labor for a whole month, that
is they can't enjoy these things without balancing the scales by the
illegal means mentioned. Because an element that characterizes Cubans,
given the economic differences, is to appeal to whatever resource to
keep our pride intact.

Thefts from the State are the most frequent crimes. "What belongs to
everyone, belongs to no one." It is an axiom within most of the Cuban
population. Therefore such actions aren't that embarrassing to people.
Event National TV has shown shorts confirming the veracity of such
arguments: "In many minds stealing from the State is not stealing, it's
fighting."

In other cases leaving the country by different routes, whether
temporarily or definitively, is the greatest hope of every young Cuban.
Prostitution and pimping are the choices made by a considerable number,
to which you can add those who have not played those roles, who would be
willing in certain circumstances to do so as a way to escape the dismal
status quo and thus gain opportunities elsewhere in the world.

For the most part the youngest can't rely on an education policy that
will motivate them to contribute to society, with either detention in a
work camp or another alternative outside the bars; rather than educate
them, we corrupt them in every way.

The solution in many cases is not to repress us or deprive us of our
most precious rights. There are plenty of alternatives that can educate
our youth preventatively. If there's anything I've learned in my young
life is that you win more with intelligence, than with bureaucracy.

24 August 2013

Source: "Schools filled with men… and prisons? / Reyner Aguero |
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