Can the Internet Change A Country?

As a first-generation American from a Cuban family, I find it interesting to see how Raul Castro’s lifting on the ban against computers will affect the island. As a public relations professional, it will be interesting to see how Cubans react to this ban and how soon more restrictions are created as Cubans find new ways to communicate to their families abroad, obtain “unadulterated” news from around the globe and maybe even blog about what life is like in a country where toasters and microwaves are unheard off and the average monthly wage is approximately $17.

 

Then again, things might not change at all.

According to blog by The Economist entitled “Raul’s Cuba – the inalienable right to a toaster, but not quite yet,” the publication explains that Cubans have found imaginative ways to connect to the World Wide Web.

“Doctors and academics with Internet access rent their passwords so that others can use them after office hours. Some entrepreneurs have smuggled in satellite receivers to connect to the Internet; they then sell accounts to their neighbors,” it claims. In fact one extremely sly woman has found a way to blog from tourist locations and the few Internet cafes in the Island, which I’m sure, are located in areas frequented by tourists and where locals are not allowed.

Over the years, I’ve seen what desperate people are capable of doing. I’ve seen my family find ways to smuggle items like pharmaceuticals, vitamins and even toilet paper to family living in Cuba who would live without basic items if it weren’t for us. Where there is a will, there is a way, so the fact that some have already used the limited sources to the Internet is not surprising.

 

What will be interesting is to see how the Internet will be used and whether or not it will become a catalyst for social change. And if so, will Raul’s new government react to these social changes or will it find ways to control Internet usage and incarcerate those individuals who are crying out for help as public examples of traitors and criminals. Who knows, maybe Raul has a different vision for the Country than the more restricted one his brother had.

 

Whatever the case, it will be an interesting evolution to watch and one that could make a great case study as to how influential the Internet can really be.

 

How I’d love to be the one to document these changes for the world to see.

How I’d love to honor my family and provide more chapters to a wonderful history book already begun by my ancestors.

Any ideas?

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