The incident was horrific, its timing instructive.
The terrorist attacks in Brussels came hours before President Barack Obama’s live address to the Cuban people. He prefaced his televised speech at the Alicia Alonso Grand Theater with references to Brussels. “The world must unite against terrorism,” he said emphatically.
It was a reminder of the world we now inhabit, and what the existential threat is. Cuba, for all of its fractious history, dysfunctional economy and undemocratic ways, is a neighbor, not an enemy.
It has 11 million people not named Fidel or Raúl Castro who deserve a better life. Its back story is fraught with hostility, tragedy, unfired nukes and posturing politics. For more than half a century the U.S. played Uncle Scapegoat with the embargo and the perpetual Guantánamo naval base lease.
I watched President Obama’s rousing, “It’s time to leave the past behind” speech. He opened with the ultimate extension of friendship–“Cultivo una rosa blanca“–that is taken from the “Versos Sencillos” by the iconic “ Apóstol ” Jose Marti.
His live audience was clearly moved. He was there, he underscored, to “bury the last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas.”
It was pitch perfect. His Spanish pronunciations, which he weaved in throughout, were excellent. I was glad this was not Obama’s predecessor–or successor. The first African-American president literally embodies change–and challenge.
The president noted the two countries’ shared history of conflict and collaboration. He didn’t lecture, but well-documented, fundamental differences–in “governments, economies and societies” were hardly ignored. The legitimacy of dissent was highlighted.
On balance, the president’s presentation was a paean to pragmatic and mutually-beneficial change for “two estranged brothers,” as he talked past Castro–sitting nearby–to the Cuban people. The ones on the island and the ones in exile.
“I believe in the Cuban people,” he said in summary.
A few takeaways from coverage of the presidential visit/Tampa Bay Rays-exhibition double header.
* Whether you like or loathe his politics and presidential performance, Barack Obama is who central casting would send–whether you needed a Correspondents Dinner stand-up, a Charleston-funeral orator or a history-making statesman. He’s good at this stuff.
* How ironic. Obama is more popular in Havana than in Washington.
* Raúl, not so much. He’s a Castro, but he still doesn’t look the part. He could use some serious PR help. Too bad the U.S., which sends government bureaucrats, elected officials, business execs, artists, educators, a Major League Baseball team and POTUS to Cuba, couldn’t also include, say, some Hill & Knowlton reps to offer non-ideological help to Castro.
For example, if you want to accelerate normalization, help a willing American president make his anti-embargo case to Congress and improve chances of renegotiating Guantánamo, you probably don’t invite Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro for a pre-Obama visit. Or let security make an unseemly scene with “Ladies in White” demonstrators while the president is in town. Or not prepare your leader for a press conference, where he’s agreed to take, if not answer, questions.
* Castro and Obama, polar opposites in so many literal and figurative ways and needing a translator for small talk, did seem to get along. But no exchange of fist bumps.
* In its Rays-Cuban National Team coverage, ESPN clearly couldn’t get enough air time for All-Star pitcher Chris Archer, who didn’t actually pitch. But make no mistake, he is the face–and articulate voice–of the Rays. Next up: outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, the hustling, entertaining, Golden Glove outfielder. As for Evan Longoria: good, solid and highest paid.
* MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred could not have been more complimentary about the Rays and how the players and organization embraced the experience. They were one of seven teams to apply for the Cuban exhibition and were selected by lottery. “We won the lottery with the Rays,” said Manfred. “They were great ambassadors for the game.”
* Too bad Joe Maddon wasn’t part of this. His love of vintage cars and maybe some geopolitical sound bites would have made for an added vibe–and great copy.
* The Rays were good for the Tampa Bay region. They made us proud, but they also reminded everyone who matters that an important part of Tampa’s soul is Havana. And Tampa has the airport, seaport, Cuban-American population, proximity and motivation to take advantage of it.
* In addition to the Rays, Tampa Bay was represented by Congresswoman Kathy Castor, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman and the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership. Unfortunately, the mayor who matters most was cutting a ribbon for Warehouse Lofts in Seminole Heights while the Rays were defeating the Cuban National Team, 4-1. We know the reason, but your city–with its special history and a fortuitous opportunity–comes first.