I am much more than this site, the words that you'll find here, the images you will see, the thoughts I share and opinions I'll give. A gazillion megabytes could not encompass my totally; my past, present, and constant transforming future. I am all of these things and so much more. Inside this carnal broken shell lays spirit; incarnate, ageless, perfect, venerable, guardian to the secrets of a thousand lives now past.
I was born on the Island of Cuba in the year 1975. Nearly 16 years after the Marxist-Leninist regime of Fidel Castro came into power. A mixture of political ideological differences, scarcity, and the hopes of a better life, resulted in my parent's exile to the United States in 1980.
It was here in the Diaspora, displaced and torn between two worlds of cultural reinforcement where identities developed, the child became man, the refugee an alien, and an escoria turned Yankee.
America is where alliances were forged, roots forgotten, dreams assimilated, realities questioned, fantasies taxed, wars were fought, victories cheered, minimum wage was collected and my social security is being robbed.
New York's crammed towering buildings, manicured parks, loud streets, busy sidewalks and the contrasting spatial vastness of my childhood days spent in humid Miami are the backdrops of my experience and I yearn to one day to include Havana where I hope to sit on my grandparent's porch and watch silently as a world forgotten by embargos passes me by.
My life is an up or down of whatever chance provides and the struggles and negotiations I make to amass the rest.
Cubanizm.com manifested due to a love of writing and photography, because I am extroverted, opinionated, didn't get enough attention as a kid, am my biggest fan, won't self condemn personal glorification, am grown, do not require anyone's approval, permission nor acceptance, and am perfectly alright with every peak and valley of my journey as they have molded me into what I believe to be a perfectly screwed up individual, who I am personally very fond of.
An Anthropologist named Malinowski once stated the importance of recording what he once referred to as "the imponderabilia of actual life and everyday living."
This site is a subjective platform of personal analysis, my outlet for self, worldly, cultural and social criticism. It is a megaphone for an otherwise small voice, a commitment, an outlet of self and non-defined expression, a testament to the peaks, valleys and imponderabilia of my journey.
Disclaimer:
This site, like that of my journey, is imperfect and I am perfectly alright with that. Expect not the proper use or spelling of the English language. This is not because I do not love my assimilated tongue, which I happen to know better than my native, but because I am no English major and because if you wanted Pulitzer or publishing worthy reading you should be directing your attention to the nearest Barnes and Nobles or public library.
Much of what you read here will not have any educational value whatsoever and if you happen to learn anything during your visit fiercely question it with the utmost tenacity, for this is subjective truth and we must all fall out of the practice of blindly accepting that we are given. We must never stop asking questions.
I can edit and or omit what I chose to on my site but I have no white-out or corrective tape for life's trespasses. All I have is judgment. Please use yours. The opinions the experiences here are my own and I am not condoning or inviting anyone to do as Yusef and if you do, do so at your own risk.
Furthermore, my contributions to the World Wide Web will not always fall well with others. If you feel offended by my words I either have done an immensely good job or have terribly failed someone terribly due to a lack of insensitivity.
Whatever side of the fence you are on, feel free to post your two cents. At times, like others I can be rather myopic and error in judgment. So I openly welcome enlightenment, being challenged, corrected and hearing others POV.
Ultimately, only you can decide whether or not you will ever revisit the site but own your masochistic victimization if you do.
Wow, its has been a minute Mr. Yusef. The last time I saw this site it wasn't running so I thought that you gave up on it. Nice new background image n' color.
How have you been? How's school? work?
Hows life in that borough? I have since moved to a borough myself. Actually I live walking distance to my job that I completely love! Not' sure when the last time we talked but I have since finished school and work for an amazing company - actually I just got promoted. See, determination and persistence pays off! damn it! lol.
I gave my 1 bedroom UES $850 a month apartment to my sister - I was tired od living in the big apple - plus Mini Cooper had enough of the city streets as well.
I have dropped you an email to your cubanizm address, I want you to check out this site I created.
Other than that, I hope your well and life is humble and happy on your end. I have not seen anyone from our group of clubgoers and party people since ...wow...long time..I wonder if we have all grown up and moved on? I guess all that we do have is the memories of some amazing times!
All the best...
The Pizza Boy
Real long time ago I guess...my mistake.
Take it easy,
E