An imprisoned fathers letter to a daughter living in freedom

Posted on Sat, Apr. 22, 2006

CUBA
An imprisoned father's letter to a daughter living in freedom
BY OSCAR MARIO GONZALEZ

In all the years that I have been by your side, you have never known me
to pose a threat to anyone or anything, yet today I am writing to you
from prison.

Neither one of us, in writing to each other for so many years, ever
imagined we would be doing it from a prison cell.

Such is life around these parts! Anything and everything can happen in
this green little island that so few really know about, weaving instead
fantasies fed by the Cuban government's propaganda.

The reasons for my imprisonment would be incomprehensible to anyone
living in the society you live in, but they are totally understandable
to a Cuban.

I had the temerity to criticize and question the government of my
country and to denounce its totalitarian character before the world. I
did it in the only way I know, peacefully, with words.

For that, the Cuban government classifies us as criminals and calls us
mercenaries and agents of U.S. imperialism. I swear to you that I have
never had so much as a private conversation with any official of the
United States or of any other country, for that matter.

Also, the only monies I have been paid from the only press agency for
which I have ever worked, Cubanet, scarcely cover my few material needs.

The real reason for my confinement is to have denounced my country's
government to a Cuban press agency in Miami, since the news media inside
Cuba are closed to those, who like myself, exhibit independent criteria.
Cuban media are only open to sycophants and apologists for the regime.

My conscience impels me to expose the abuses to which Cubans have been
subject for more than 47 years now.

I never thought my modest contribution to the future of Cuba would go
very far. I'm a simple citizen who tried to make public the brutal
nature of the Cuban government, thinking that would be my small
contribution to the future of Cuba. How was I to know my humble purpose
would land me in prison at age 62 and in poor health?

My love for my country, for liberty and democracy, are the real causes
for my imprisonment.

If some day you hear me say something that contradicts what I have said
so far here, know that it is not your father speaking. It would be
another man, reduced, drugged or in the throes of fear, and obligated to
say whatever they wanted him to say under pressure of threats and blackmail.

I hope some day we can see each other again in our country, with liberty
to walk down the street holding hands and looking to the future, without
fear or hate.

Teach my grandson, next to the love of God and neighbor, the devotion to
human rights and liberty so that he will never put up with injustice and
abuses.

May God bless you, and may He allow me to kiss you soon.

Independent journalist Oscar Mario González has been incarcerated since
July 2005 and has not been put on trial or charged. He writes to his
daughter, who lives in Switzerland, from his prison cell. The letter was
made available by the International Media Center at FIU.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/14402213.htm