“I’m a vulnerable man, but I’m especially an artist that dreams of homeland and life, that are super-connected.” Don’t leave me alone!
By Havana Times
HAVANA TIMES – After ten months in prison, Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara has sent a voice message from the Guanajay maximum-security prison in Artemisa province. In it, he summarizes the repression himself, his family and friends have suffered, by a government that doesn’t allow voices outside of official discourse to talk.
Before his trial, finally set to happen on May thirtieth, Luis Manuel has shown his more human side, showing himself as a victim, “an artist and human being fighting to get out of this unfair prison, but with a greater love free of charge and honest art day-after-day, with greater love for humankind and Cuba.”
He repeats that prison is an unpleasant place and sends his condolences to the victims of the recent terrible accident on the Hotel Saratoga.
Luis Manuel asks for forgiveness from the individuals who have been apprehensive about his hunger strikes, explaining that “they stem from moods when faced with the dictatorship’s atrocities. But, luckily, I’ve found spiritual answers up until now, that help me to realize new strength.”
Otero places special emphasis on his son, whose birthday he isn’t in a position to rejoice since the child was born on December tenth, International Human Rights Day, something the Cuban Government despises and deploys its police forces to stop activists from taking to the road on at the present time.
He also tells us that he desires to teach his son to “fight for his ideals, for love and for a dream; and for his dreams, despite all the pieces,” in a transparent reference to why he’s resisting, and never singing to the Government’s tune. He also tells us about his own dreams: the unity of each Cuban on this planet, irrespective of what their political persuasions, all together to take into consideration a greater Cuba.
During all of this time, the one get-out-of-jail card the Government has offered is exile, and if he doesn’t accept it, he’ll be forced to serve a seven-year prison sentence. Charges of significant contempt, public disorder and incitement have been fabricated against Luis Manuel. There’s also a file open for him for the indecent assault of patriotic symbols, for his performance piece Drapeau, where the theme was: the flag as a second skin.
Despite a lot of his friends pondering that he should follow the footsteps of so many others who’ve been coerced and compelled to go away the country; despite not being visible for months now, despite jail and his hunger strikes possibly harming his health; Luis Manuel doesn’t want to present up on his dreams, his faith.
Regarding his statement, he clarifies that “these aren’t the words of a robust man who desires to be the tough guy, the asshole, or someone who can do as they please. Quite the opposite, I’m a vulnerable man, but I’m especially an artist that dreams of homeland and life, that are super-connected.”
At the tip of the message, he moves hearts with a humane appeal: Don’t leave me alone.
He asks people to not “lose faith in the great, in reality and freedom winning out. I need to ask you to support free art, my art, irrespective of where it’s. Don’t leave me alone. Don’t leave Cuba’s fate within the hands of a dictator or within the hands of destiny. Support the San Isidro Movement and his philosophy, which is removed from being dead. Irrespective of where every certainly one of its members finds themselves, every person that identifies with San Isidro, with the San Isidro Movement, goes to live out this philosophy of art, freedom, and prosperity.”
Luisma gives thanks, hope, speaks about dreams, union and shows us his suffering and his convictions. It’s inspiring to take heed to him: “For so long as music gives me strength, even in the event that they stick me in essentially the most hidden cell in Guantanamo or under a rock, I’ll discover a way for my art to achieve you and to proceed to bet on total freedom.”
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