When I was a child, I was enchanted with Fidel Castro. Everything about him seemed so romantic, I thought of him as Robin Hood. When I was in first or second grade, I learned that Cuba was 90 miles off the coast of Florida, and how revolutionaries had fought in the hills. It was fascinating to me. When Castro was hiding in the hills and fighting for the revolution, I fought with him, emotionally and mentally, and when he won I cheered for him.

Growing up we were also taught to hate the Communists, because they were mean, vicious people who were going to come and enslave us. As I grew older, I realized that they were people to, they come in all colors, some even worshipped God, they had to work as hard as they possibly could under some very difficult and trying situations.

There are questions about Castro and his regime. The man I loved as a child so much has many critics and his share of problems in Cuba and elsewhere. I still feel for that young handsome revolutionary of my childhood imagination. However, I have many questions now. What once seemed so couragous, now seems cowardly and ruthless.

During the civil rights period, Castro's regime had Radio Free Dixie, where they would broadcast to the United States radio programs to support the civil rights struggle. A lot of people never even heard of Radio Free Dixie. They broadcast in Spanish and in English. Castro supported the civil rights movement from Cuba, pointing out the hypocrisies of the "land of the free."

Cuba�s people come to the US for economic reasons, but I think they would love to go home if things were different. I hope there comes a time when all the sanctions are lifted and the people are once again happy. Recently a Cuban friend of mine said it is time for the "Old Pharaoh to let his people go."

My greatest fear is that the Cubans will fight Cubans once Castro is no longer Dictator. There are so many here in the United States that claim positions in the name of Cuba. Then there are the Cubans still in Cuba who are also posturing for positions to lead the Cuban government. Will these people be able to sit down and reach a compromise that will be good for all Cubans?
by Tallulah Dancier