Domingomonterro He left us a comment criticizing the three proposals presented by Cubalex to the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC). “The argument that the CDRs exert pressure to become Party members or “integrated” members collapses,“ he stated. According to the commentator, ”they are rather lax organizations.”
We agree that the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDRs) are organs, not organizations, although we do not share your opinion that they are weak and in decline. On the contrary, they have an effective influence and control over Cuban society.
Cubalex argues that Cubans avoid expressing their political preferences because they fear negative consequences in their lives. They are forced to join social and mass organizations, through which the party elite controls them.
We illustrate our point by asking a question: Do you need a new job? Do your children aspire to a university degree? If so, and you live in Cuba, you need the endorsement of the President of the Committee for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) or a member of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC). You have to demonstrate that you are a person "integrated" into the revolutionary process.
Readers unfamiliar with how our social system works might ask, "What does it mean to be a revolutionary?" We answer: It means being a member of all social and mass organizations and paying dues. It means participating in all Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) duties, attending May Day parades, and participating in every mobilization.
The activities are not mandatory, but everyone knows what's best for them. That's why an "integrated" person signs a pledge of loyalty to the "Revolution and Socialism" in their neighborhood, at work, or at school. They are willing to integrate the Rapid Response Brigades.
It doesn't matter if it's a Sunday; an "integrated" person doesn't hesitate to participate in a protest rally. They dress in a red sweater and join the crowd. There are those older people that domingomonterojo talks about, the ones who promote "neighborhood unity... without distinguishing sex, race, or religion," except for political opinion.
When a person who is "integrated" participates in an act of "revolutionary reaffirmation," they shout threatening phrases, such as "there are only a few of us." They are not concerned if they are committing a crime of making threats or disturbing the peace.
He shouts sexist, racial, and sexual orientation-related insults. He spits and makes obscene gestures and sexual profanities. While singing praises to the Cuban revolution and its leaders, he attacks with rudimentary weapons, a stick, a metal rod, or whips with cables.
He already said it National Executive Secretariat of the CDR, “Since its founding 56 years ago by the leader of the Revolution, there has not been a single historical event in which the Committees have not participated in an outstanding way, to demonstrate unrestricted support for the Communist Party of Cuba, Fidel and Raúl.”.
If a person who is "integrated" needs to bite, stab, or fracture bones and skulls to get or keep a job, pursue a career, or graduate from university, they will do it. "The tasks of defending the nation and the achievements of socialism" take precedence over life and bodily integrity. Is domingomonterrojo sure that the CDRs are lax organizations?