Annotated Bibliography: Research about Cuba

Michelle Curran
2-6-18
Professor Andrews
Annotated Bibliography and Research Project
My am writing about the country Cuba. My family is from Cuba, so I interviewed my grandfather to get a first-hand source of what it is like living in a communist country. I am specifically looking at reasons why the Cuban people want to get out of their home country.
Sources:
  • “Fidel and Cuba”- Jose Florin (the interview with my grandfather)
  • “The Exclusive Island CUBA, La Isla elusive”- Tria Giovan, Marilu Menendez
  • “Evolution in the Revolution Cuba”- National Geographic, John J. Putman
  • “Havana History and Agriculture of a Romantic City” - Hugh Thomas
  • “Havana between Two Centuries” - Carlos Venegas Fornias



  • Fidel and Cuba, By Jose Florin
- Jose Florin is my grandfather. Born and raised in Havana Cuba. He and my grandmother Gloria Florin have three girls (one including my mother) who were also born in Cuba. I have always been curious about my families history in Cuba. So I decided to interview my grandfather and he wrote me an article and let me record him explaining the life of a Cuban citizen under the ruling of dictator Fidel Castro.
Question one: When and why did you leave Cuba?
- My family left Cuba in 1970. My grandfather explained to me “we left Cuba for a new life. For freedom.” He says there were days that people would go missing because they did not support Castro. He woke up every morning not knowing what was going to happen to him and his family that day. My grandfather spoke up against the government and was sent to a camp (sugar cane fields). He only got to see his family on Sundays and that was it. Life was so bad in Cuba that some days my grandparents would have to go without eating so my mother and her sisters could eat. Eventually, my family got sponsored to leave Cuba by a Catholic Charity. I have some family members who came to the US on the Peter Pan flights but my mother and her sisters were too little. Thankfully the Catholic nuns in Miami took them in.

Question two: What do you miss most about your country?
-He says with a big smile: “I miss the food, beaches, friends, family, his band, and the music”
Question three: What are your hopes for a future Cuba?
- His hope is a free Cuba. He does not think anytime soon it will happen, sadly. He states: “The Castro`s ruined Cuba for generations to come”.
Question four: How did the United States treat you when you came here?
-“The U.S. treated us very well”, he goes on to say “The Cuban people were invited with open arms to America”. They encouraged the Cuban people to come because these people came from the political asylum.

Question five: What was your last image of Cuba in your head?
-This was a hard question for my grandfather to answer. He started to cry. Right then and there it hit me how bad my family had it. It broke my heart. Once he got his words together he told me about his last night in his beloved Cuba. They stayed at a family member's house the last night. People would stop by to say goodbye knowing that will be the last time they got to see them. He remembers the airport. He knew there was no turning back. The time had come for a new life. A time to start over. Freedom for his children to live out the American dream. When they were off Cuban land he said “I left my heart in Cuba”
  • “The Exclusive Island CUBA, La Isla elusive”- Tria Giovan, Marilu Menendez
    - This book is my favorite source so far. It is a picture book about the life of Cuban people. It is a visual that shows everyday life in Cuba. The streets, food, houses, and people. Throughout this book, there are quotes and songs written out in English about Cuba. One song that stood out to me was “Son Del Cubano Triste (Sound of the Sad Cuba)”.
  • “Evolution in the Revolution Cuba”- National Geographic, John J. Putman
    - This National Geographic article is about author John J. Putman going to Cuba and interviewing people who live there. Asking the Cuban citizens about their economy, housing, food, and how they see America. One quote that stood out to me was “we love the U.S culture’ says one city resident. ‘We play your sports, study your language, and know all your Hollywood stars.’” (Putman, 17)
  • “Havana History and Agriculture of a Romantic City” - Hugh Thomas
    - As I was interviewing my grandfather I found this book in his house. It gives you the history of Cuban history (before and after communism) and about all the architectures all over the small country. There are some beautiful images of Cuba from generations ago to current times now. It is eye-opening to see and read about the country my family is from.
  • “Havana between Two Centuries” - Carlos Venegas Fornias
    -This article came out of the book “Cuba Theme Issue: the Journal of Decorative and Propaganda Act”. I also found this book in my grandfather's house. This book has an abundance amount of history in it. The article that appealed to me the most was an explanation about Havana during two centuries. This section talks about the early history of Cuba.

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