An Exercise in Courage

In a place where freedom of speech and freedom of press are considered luxuries and not rights, Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez has found a way to project her voice. In her alternative blog, Generation Y, Sánchez recounts her daily life in Havana, but is sure to include a colorful and critical analysis of the government and its policies. She herself refers to the blog as “an exercise in cowardice” because it allows her to say virtually what she is unable to say in public. Because of her uncompromising content, the Cuban government has made every effort to step in and limit her audience within Cuba. This constant struggle against the government, however, has not diluted her efforts. Since starting the blog in 2008, Sánchez has received many international commendations for her efforts, and recently was awarded the Maria Moors Cabot Prize from Columbia University in New York.  Not surprisingly, and also not for the first time, Yoani Sánchez was denied the right to travel outside of the country to accept this award. Undeterred, she recorded her conversation with government officials about this unjust travel prohibition and publicized that experience online as well.

Regardless of the content of her blog, one has to admire the elaborate process that has been developed to ensure that her writings are available around the world. Because individuals are not allowed Internet access in their homes, Yoani heads out into Havana, in search of the few and far between locations where she can pay for hourly Internet access in order to email her work to a number of dedicated supporters, all the while avoiding the authorities who wish to prevent her from doing so. At this point, these followers outside of Cuba take her writings and both translate and publish them to make them accessible to any number of readers around the world. According to a recent CNN article, however, her successes go much further than just receiving international recognition like this prize from Columbia.  Although at first she was alone in her field, she has inspired dozens throughout Cuba to start blogging and to develop their own channels to give their blogs the attention they deserve.

Although she was unable to accept the award in person, Columbia is right to recognize a brave woman like Yoani.  Her efforts and her leadership in inspiring others to project their voices are necessary steps in expanding valid citizen participation in Cuban society.