A Cuban resident in Las Vegas, identified as @camsoria19 on TikTok, has stirred up a buzz on social media after posting a video where she poses a question that many think but few dare to voice: “If you were happier in Cuba, why don’t you go back?” Her message has resonated with hundreds of émigrés who are also tired of hearing the same phrase wistfully echoed from the comfort of life abroad.
In the video, the young woman touches on a sensitive topic. “They say it with a serious face while coffee is coming out of an electric coffee maker and breakfast is good ham on bread. They say it from the couch, watching Netflix with air conditioning throughout the house,” she points out. According to her, what many miss is not Cuba, but a life without choices, without responsibilities, without pressure. “There, you just had to survive. Here, you have to think and take responsibility,” she claims.
Far from denying the significance of family or memories, @camsoria19 clarifies in the video's description that he also misses certain things: lunches with grandparents, soap operas at 9, the warmth of cousins. But he emphasizes that this is not the same as wanting to live in Cuba again. “I don’t want to go back. I want to have them here with me,” he wrote.
The video generated an avalanche of reactions. Some immediately agreed: “I have my parents and grandparents there, but the day I have them here, I won't go back”. Another was more direct: “I don’t miss anything about Cuba; on the contrary, I miss the United States more and more.” Many commented that the hardest part is not having their loved ones close, not necessarily having left the country.
Others defended the opposite viewpoint. One user wrote that he returned to Cuba, where he has his own house, car, air conditioning, and his own business. “I have breakfast with good ham. They cut off my electricity, but I use my generator and that’s it.” Although they are in the minority, there are also those who claim to have found a more peaceful life in Cuba, despite everything.
The creator ends her video with a phrase that summarizes her message: “Sometimes it's easier to romanticize the past than to face the present you chose for yourself.” It's an uncomfortable yet honest reflection that resonates with many Cubans living abroad: the distinction between missing something and wanting to return.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nostalgia and the Emigration of Cubans
Why do some Cubans say they were happier in Cuba?
Some Cubans claim they were happier in Cuba due to nostalgia for family memories and cultural customs. However, this perception is often romanticized, overlooking the economic and social hardships they faced on the island. It may also reflect the desire for a life with fewer responsibilities and pressures experienced when emigrating.
What emotional challenges do Cubans face when emigrating?
Cubans who emigrate face emotional challenges such as nostalgia for their family and roots. This experience can be compounded by loneliness and a sense of disconnection in the new country. Adapting to a new culture and economic environment, as well as the pressure to support family from abroad, are also sources of emotional stress.
Why do some Cubans choose to return to Cuba after emigrating?
Some Cubans choose to return to Cuba because they value the tranquility and familiarity of their surroundings. Despite the challenges, some find that life in Cuba offers them a stronger connection to their roots and a simpler life. However, they are a minority compared to those who choose not to return due to the political and economic conditions on the island.
How do experiences abroad impact the perception of Cubans about Cuba?
Experiences abroad allow Cubans to compare the quality of life and the opportunities available outside of Cuba with those on the island. This contrast often intensifies their frustration with the Cuban regime and the limitations in their homeland. Furthermore, the distance can increase nostalgia for their culture and family, but it also strengthens their desire not to live under the same circumstances again.
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