A Cuban woman identified on TikTok as @my.hope2023 has touched thousands of users with a message in which she expresses pride in being born in Cuba and disappointment with the system that forced her to leave.
In the video, the woman asserts that “I am not ashamed of being Cuban, I am ashamed of the government that forced us to leave,” and expresses regret for having grown up in “a system that makes you feel like a foreigner in your own country.” She explains that even outside the island, she still carries “the weight of the Cuban passport,” to the extent that “my driver’s license is not enough at the bank just because it states that I was born in Cuba.”
With a calm yet firm voice, she emphasizes that she does not need “a repatriation to know who I am” because her story “is in my voice, in my accent, and in every sacrifice that brought me here.” She adds that, although she left almost four years ago, “Cuba is still with me, it remains in my memory and in my food,” and in the way she teaches her daughter “to be strong.”
The creator states that what she left behind was “fear, the habit of silence, and resignation,” and that today she is building “a new life, one where my daughter can dream without asking for permission.” She concludes her message with one of the most shared phrases among users: “The government took away my rights, but it will never be able to take away my pride in being Cuban.”
"What I left behind was fear, the habit of remaining silent, and resignation. Today I am building a new life where my daughter can dream without asking for permission."
The video has generated dozens of supportive comments from other Cuban emigrants who identify with their story. "You are a warrior," "Roots are not forgotten; we all carry Cuba in our hearts," and "I also feel connected to you" are some of the most notable reactions on TikTok.
The creator, who shares her experiences under the name HopefulVlogs, has become known for recounting her daily life and the challenges of exile. In one of her previous posts, she shared what her first significant lesson was upon arriving in the United States: to discover the real value of money by working in a taco shop. “Here, every dollar requires work and sacrifice,” she acknowledged at that time, recalling that in Cuba many believed that “money was super easy to come by.”
In another post, she spoke about her immigration process with an I-220A, a document that Cubans receive under immigration supervision in the United States. “Going through immigration court didn’t break me, having appointments every year hasn’t broken me either, and it won’t break me,” she said then, while cooking a Cuban caldosa and dreaming of the day she would receive her legal residency.
His most recent story adds to a series of reflections on uprooting and hope. In another video, he showed how he rebuilds a mobile home from scratch and assured that “you don't always start from the top; sometimes you start from the ground, but with your heart full of dreams.”
Through her posts, @my.hope2023 has become a voice that reflects the emotions and challenges of Cubans who have emigrated, without renouncing their identity or the pride in their roots. Her final message encapsulates the feelings of many: the regime has taken away their rights, but—as she puts it—can never take away "the pride of being born Cuban."
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Pride and Migration
Why does @my.hope2023 feel proud to be Cuban?
@my.hope2023 feels proud to be Cuban because, despite the difficulties faced under the Cuban government, she maintains her identity and cultural roots. In her message, she emphasizes that even though the regime took away her rights, it can never take away her pride in being born in Cuba, highlighting her connection to memory, food, and the way she raises her daughter abroad.
What has been this Cuban's migration process in the U.S. with the I-220A?
The migration process of @my.hope2023 in the United States has been challenging. She has been under immigration supervision without legal status through the I-220A document. Despite the difficulties and the annual appointments with immigration, she has maintained a resilient attitude, dreaming of the day she receives her legal residency. Her story reflects the effort and uncertainty that many Cuban migrants in similar circumstances face.
What does it mean to bear "the weight of the Cuban passport" for migrants?
Carrying "the weight of the Cuban passport" refers to the difficulties and limitations that Cubans face abroad due to the perceptions and restrictions associated with their nationality. In the case of @my.hope2023, it means that their driver's license is not sufficient in certain places, such as a bank, simply because they were born in Cuba.
What challenges do Cubans face when they emigrate to other countries?
Cuban emigrants to other countries face a series of significant challenges. These challenges include adapting to a new environment, legal uncertainty, and emotional and cultural dislocation. Additionally, they must navigate complicated immigration processes, such as the I-220A in the U.S., and deal with the desire to maintain their cultural identity while building a new life away from their homeland.
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