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Wednesday, 16 August 2006 04:23 |
 | | Roland Martin |
CHICAGO ÇƒÓ A former prominent Republican lobbyist told me a story regarding the funeral of Clarence Pendleton, the Reagan appointee who was Public Enemy No. 1 for African-Americans.
A devout foe of affirmative action, Pendleton raised the hackles of liberals because of his term on the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. He was a truly hated man by many who disagreed with his policies, and his fiery denunciation of his critics didnët help matters.
So upon seeing a longtime Pendleton foe at the funeral, the lobbyist asked, "What are you doing here?"
"To make sure the SOB is dead," the man said.
A hearty laugh
followed the telling of that story, but frankly, it was unsettling to
listen to someone relish the death of another person.
In many ways,
that feeling returned as I watched the unbelievable display by Cuban
exiles and other Americans when word spread that Cuban leader Fidel
Castro had relinquished power to his brother to undergo intestinal
surgery.
It was even more
shocking to see the glee of Democrats and Republicans in Congress ÇƒÓ men
and women who are quick to discuss their faith and pro-life positions,
yet would wish death on this man.
The enmity
people have for him can be explained away by Americaës characterization
of him as a dictator who has been at the helm of the small country off
the shores of Florida since he rose to power as a guerilla in the late
ǃÚ50s. An avowed supporter of communism, Castroës stance almost led to a
nuclear war between the United States and Cuba, only ending when the
Russians ÇƒÓ Cubaës primary benefactor ÇƒÓ backed down.
As the United
States led an embargo of the nation that further eroded Cubaës economy,
Castro has remained a foe of the last nine American presidents,
refusing to bow to their demands of democracy in his nation.
Cubans have fled the country in hopes of tasting democracy in America, many of them dying in rickety boats along the way.
But even with all of that, is it proper to look forward to his death?
Letës be honest:
America has been in bed with dictators in the past, using them when it
suited our interests and discarding them when we no longer needed them.
Remember Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega? He was a wretched human
being, yet he was on the payroll of the CIA. Even Mr. Conservative,
Oliver North, chose to deal with Noriega, who was known to traffic in
drugs and engage in torture and murder.
President George
W. Bush can talk all day about the United States aiding those who want
democracy in Cuba when Castro dies, but we turn a blind eye to the Arab
dictators who are just as oppressive as Castro is described. But hey,
having lots of oil will change our view of a nation.
Russian
President Vladimir Putin is often referred to as Bushës buddy. But the
phrase "hard-liner" is always used in conjunction with Putin, who
refuses to embrace democracy.
Castro has
become Americaës favorite whipping boy, and the more we try to isolate
him and break him, the stronger and more resilient he gets.
But the reality
is that he has more days behind him than in front. Even he has admitted
that he wonët reach the age of 100, a common milestone in his nation,
which has an impressive health-care system and a lower infant mortality
rate than even the United States.
A change in the
leadership in Cuba could certainly usher in a new political philosophy
and provide a safe haven for Cuban exiles to return to their country.
Yet I donët have
to hold a parade, shout and honk horns over Castroës illness, or
eventually, his death. Right now, there is a Castro death-watch going
on in South Florida, with many individuals praying for him to die ǃÓ
soon.
For the life of me, I canët understand how someone can resolve within his or her faith the desire to see someone die.
Will Castro die?
Yes. Will you die? Yes. Will I die? Absolutely. But ask yourself this,
would you like for people to champion your demise and wish to tap dance
on your grave?
Even the most hardened of individuals will say no, and thatës what I say to the Castro death parties.
ï
Roland S. Martin, editor of The Chicago Defender newspaper, is author of "Speak, Brother! A Black Manës View of America."
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