Cuban actress and influencer Eileen Morales, known as La Cubana de TikTok, issued a straightforward and candid reflection against those who downplay the hardships of life in Cuba, in response to comments she has received regarding her criticisms of the situation on the island.
“How is it possible for me to make a video discussing the reality of my country and have so many Cubans tell me ‘that’s not quite true’? So what are you doing here, then?” Eileen questioned, making her stance clear. With a firm tone, the influencer recounted the hardships she faced in Cuba: “I truly went hungry, lived in misery, had no refrigerator, and had a small child,” emphasizing the harsh reality endured on the island where “in order to eat beef, you had to do something illegal.”
Eileen lamented that some people try to deny the severity of the conditions in Cuba. "There are those who say 'I've never struggled,' but that's either because they had connected family members or were involved in illegal activities."
The message also included criticisms of the lack of basic rights in his home country: "In Cuba, it's illegal to even go fishing, and if you kill a cow, you’re imprisoned worse than a rapist."
Eileen not only defended herself against criticism but also reflected on her own journey of overcoming challenges in the United States: "Here I have become a person, I have been able to start my own businesses and help my family. I am happy to live in a country where you can earn a decent living."
The video sparked a wave of reactions on TikTok. Many supported its viewpoint and shared similar experiences. One user commented, "That's exactly right; in Cuba, you had to steal to survive." Another remarked, "In Cuba, I ate meat, but we never knew what kind it was, hoping that the person who stole it wouldn’t get arrested."
However, there were also criticisms, such as one user who commented, "Every country has its problems; there's no need to compare." Others, on the other hand, highlighted Eileen's bravery: "It needed to be said, and it was said. Thank you for using your platform to speak about the reality of Cuba."
The message from La Cubana on TikTok not only addressed those who try to downplay the hardships on the island, but also offered a reflection on the importance of acknowledging the opportunities and the daily struggles involved in emigration.
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