posted by Dudster: "4. The United States is not by any measure a leader in the protection of Human Rights. While the violation of human rights is abhorrent in Cuba, I find it appalling that the United States takes such a self-righteous stance on human rights violations abroad while developing such a poor record at home."


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I thank you for bringing up this point. I think that many in the United States reflexively assume that the social conditions here are beyond reproach, just by definition of us being "the greatest country in the world." I mean, come on. Baltimore calls itself "the greatest city in the world", but is it true? No. In fact, such a mentality, which may make people feel better about themselves, is dangerous because it leads to arrogance and allows us to turn a blind eye to the human rights abuses that come in more subtle forms. Look at the plight of the inner city poor in a city near you. I would argue that they, in sum, face collectively worse treatment and dim future than prisoners in China, for example.

I'm not diminishing the significance of human rights abuses, don't get me wrong, but I think we would be well advised to look inward before criticizing others so loudly. I think that some latch on much too easily to the the word "human rights" and fail to realize that human rights go beyond just freedom of speech, etc. and also can encompass the general quality of life of a population.

Regarding Cuba, I think that many people don't actually understand the nature of the government there and simply accept the easier-to-understand label of "Communist government". It's quite embarassing in my mind that so many people still readily leap to the 1950s conclusion that "communist" = "bad".

[This message has been edited by TA (edited 04-21-2001).]