Young person responds on TikTok to those who say "Cubans don't work."

A TikTok video by the Cuban young man Arguelles Positivo has sparked a debate around the stereotype that "Cubans don't work." In his reflection, the TikToker addresses this topic by highlighting the diverse and hard work that many born on the island perform.

After acknowledging that "the majority of Central Americans do hard work" like construction and roofing, he adds that "there are also Cubans who do construction work... who do electrical work... who do plumbing... who work on roofs" and also points out that many of his compatriots work long hours, "10 to 12 hours a day," and that when they arrive home, "they arrive all dirty and worn out."

The young man also emphasizes the dignity of work, regardless of nationality or type of job, and concludes with a message of unity: "no matter who works more or who works less, in the end we can be in the same place, but we don't have to do the same thing," a reflection that invites us to recognize the effort and work diversity of Cubans, thus challenging the stereotype.

The responses to the video have been diverse and mostly supportive: "I am Cuban and I work in air conditioning... 10 hours a day. There are good and bad people of all nationalities"; "My son is Cuban and leaves at 5 in the morning and sometimes it's 9 at night and he hasn't arrived. My brother is Cuban and has been working in air conditioning for 33 years"; "There are Caribbean people of all kinds. Personally, I love Cubans, I used to feel sorry for them because of their struggle for their land, but since I met some Cubans in Las Vegas, I love them"; "Cubans work very hard, but we have always had a lot of envy placed upon us and no one sees the hard work we have been through for the past 65 years," reads among the reactions.

Arguelles Positivo's video has resonated strongly among his followers, who have shared their own experiences and feelings of pride for the Cuban community. His words have served as a powerful defense against stereotypes and have reaffirmed the hardworking spirit and resilience of Cubans.