In short
Podcast Notes: State of the World - The Special Phrase Helping Cubans to Get By
Episode Overview
- Podcast Title: State of the World from NPR
- Episode Title: The special phrase helping Cubans to get by
- Host: Greg Dixon
- Correspondent: Pierre's Eder Peralta
- Air Date: [Not specified in transcript]
Episode Description Cuba is currently facing an economic crisis exacerbated by the cessation of oil supplies from its ally, Venezuela, and increased pressure from the Trump administration. In such circumstances, public expression of opinion can lead to serious repercussions. Cubans have developed a unique method of communication, utilizing a specific phrase that encapsulates their feelings about life in Cuba.
Key Themes and Discussions
Economic Crisis in Cuba
- Background:
- The economy is struggling due to Venezuela no longer providing oil.
- Political pressure from the Trump administration adds to the difficulties faced by the Cuban people.
The Use of Language as a Coping Mechanism
- Key Phrase: "How's the thing?"
- This phrase serves as a coded way for Cubans to express their thoughts and feelings about their difficult circumstances.
- It allows for a discussion about various topics, including food scarcity, economic challenges, and political issues, without directly confronting authorities.
Cultural Context
- Cultural Significance:
- The phrase reflects a deep-rooted cultural adaptability among Cubans, who have learned to communicate with subtlety due to the oppressive political environment.
- It shows how language evolves in response to social and political pressures.
Personal Stories
- Interviews:
- Maris Lacy describes life as "very bad," but her friend cautions her to be careful about what she says in public.
- Gabriela and Nino explain that "la cosa" (the thing) can mean anything from daily struggles to broader societal issues, and its meaning shifts based on context and trust among interlocutors.
Artistic Reflection
- Music:
- Notable mention of Silvio Rodriguez's song, "Here Comes the Thing," which alludes to impending change and the challenges Cuba faces.
- The song captures the uncertainty of the future and serves as a form of artistic dissent.
Personal Testimonies
- Mario's Story:
- A government receptionist, Mario earns about $4 a month, which is insufficient for basic needs.
- He expresses patriotism but acknowledges the harsh realities, emphasizing the phrase's embodiment of his struggle.
Conclusion This episode of *State of the World* delves into the challenges faced by the Cuban people amidst an economic crisis and highlights their resilience through coded language. By using phrases like "the thing," Cubans navigate a complicated socio-political landscape, allowing them to express dissatisfaction while mitigating risk. The episode effectively captures the spirit of innovation and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Key Takeaways
- Language can be a powerful tool for coping in oppressive environments.
- Cultural symbols like "the thing" reflect broader societal sentiments.
- Artistic expressions serve as a form of resistance and commentary on the political climate.
- Personal stories illuminate the real-life impact of economic and political challenges in Cuba.
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Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOThe Special Phrase: 'The Thing'
0:45 to 1:54
Exploring the phrase 'the thing' as a metaphor for discussing Cuba's difficulties.
“If you want to get a Cuban talking, just ask, How's the thing?”
Art Reflecting Reality: Silvio Rodriguez
1:54 to 3:26
Discussion of Silvio Rodriguez's song 'Here Comes the Thing' and its implications.
“Everyone in the story asked us only to use their first names because, well, things are complicated in Cuba and they didn't want to get into trouble.”
Personal Stories and Struggles
3:26 to 4:59
Insights from everyday Cubans about their realities and hopes amidst hardship.
“The thing is coming with eyes wide open, he sings, and lies won't ever stop it.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Today on State of the World, the special phrase, helping Cubans to get by.
0:09You're listening to State of the World from NPR. We bring you the day's most vital international stories up close where they're happening. I'm Greg Dixon. Cuba is in economic crisis. Its ally Venezuela is no longer sending oil, and the Trump administration is applying pressure. Life for Cubans is hard. But in Cuba, expressing opinions in public can get you into a lot of trouble. So the people have found a way to tell you what they think. And there's a single phrase that does a lot of work. And Pierre's Eder Peralta takes us to Havana. If you want to get a Cuban talking, just ask, How's the thing?
0:54Maris Lacy sizes me up and she takes a leap. My love, the thing is very bad, she says. Her friend stops her. She's saying too much in front of a microphone. But Maris Lacy dismisses her because that's the thing about the thing. The thing can be anything. The thing is our food, our sustenance, our clothes.
1:26How's the thing? It's super high, it's super expensive, it's super bad. Fidel Castro argued that there was freedom of expression in Cuba, but he was cryptic about the limit. He famously uttered, Within the revolution, everything. Against the revolution, nothing. Cubans who crossed that line have ended up in jail. So like bishops deciphering an encyclical, Cubans have learned to navigate. I catch Nino and Gabriela running errands in downtown Havana. Everyone in the story asked us only to use their first names because, well, things are complicated in Cuba and they didn't want to get into trouble.
2:06La cosa is the situation in general, says Gabriela. La cosa, says Nino, is abstract. It can mean something as simple as the struggle to find gas, or it can mean the corruption scandals plaguing the Cuban government. The meaning also changes depending on the trust you have with the other person, she says. Sometimes only both of you know what you're talking about, so la cosa in Cuba is like a wink and a nod. It's a phrase you hear on the streets, but also beaming from the high altar of Cuba's music royalty.
2:46In his latest album, the singer-songwriter Silvio Rodriguez has a song titled Here Comes the Thing.
3:00The Thing is Coming, Rodriguez sings. It's going to be bad.
3:11It's a song about an unstoppable change, and it comes at a time when Cuba is facing a crushing economic crisis, discontent on the streets, and a belligerent President Trump who's predicting the demise of the communist government. The thing is coming with eyes wide open, he sings, and lies won't ever stop it.
3:39The thing Rodríguez writes about could be anything, a popular rebellion, a communist renewal, or a vicious foreign intervention. And that mystery gives him plausible deniability. Back on the street, I find Mario leaning against the government building where he works as a receptionist. He says defining the thing is not complicated. It's our reality, and you can see it, he says. I work from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., he says, and he earns about$4 a month.
4:18His whole paycheck buys him less than a carton of eggs.
4:25I don't lie, he says, because I'll defend my country with my life. And then, like every Cuban, he turns cryptic. His 41-year-old son tells him, Dad, you have to stop believing because this will never get any better. And how do you respond, I ask?
4:49Things will get better, he says. But it's hard. The thing is tough, he whispers. Ada Peralta, NPR News. Havana.
5:08That's the State of the World from NPR. Thanks for listening.
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