BY PATTI IIYAMA
HOUSTON - Working people and youth throughout southern Texas will have an opportunity to hear first-hand about socialist Cuba November 11-17. Dagoberto Rodríguez, first secretary of the Cuban Interests Section in Washington, D.C., will be speaking at campuses and in working-class communities in several cities.
Since the U.S. government refuses to establish normal diplomatic relations with Cuba, there is no exchange of embassies between the two countries. Instead Washington and Havana maintain "Interest Sections" in each other's capital city in lieu of a formal diplomatic mission. Rodríguez is the second most senior official of the Interests Section.
"What's so encouraging about this tour is the tremendous interest it has generated across such a wide spectrum, many of whom have not been directly associated with hosting Cuban speakers before," said Tom Kleven, a professor of Law at Texas Southern University. Kleven helps coordinate the Ad Hoc Committee and is also a leader of the Cuba Coalition of Houston, an on-going Cuba defense group.
A major public address is scheduled in Houston on November 12 at the University of Houston, entitled "Cuba: Moving into the 21st Century." It is co-hosted by the Cuba Friendship Committee, Hispanic Student Association, MEChA, Latina Coalition, La Raza Student Alliance, Pan-Afrikan People for Progressive Action (PAPPA), Student Program Board, University of Houston National Organization for Women (NOW), University of Houston-University of Havana Sister Campus Project, and the Young Socialists. The student groups are conducting an ambitious program of leafleting, mailings, posting on campus, and ads in the student paper.
Rodríguez will be speaking on "How Cuba has dealt with racism" at the Shrine of the Black Madonna on November 13. This public event is co-hosted by some of the most prominent African-American figures in Houston.
In Houston, Rodríguez is scheduled to speak at two other campuses; Texas Southern University, a primarily Black college, where he will speak to a political science class open to all students that day, and North Harris Community College, which is co-sponsored by the Hispanic Student Forum and the International Student Association. Rodríguez will give a number of radio interviews, including an appearance on the most popular Spanish-language radio talk show in Houston. There is also an informal meeting with workers from several unions.
A highlight of Rodríguez's tour of Texas is expected to be his visit to the Rio Grande Valley. This nearly 100-mile stretch along the U.S.-Mexico border is unique because of its rich cultural heritage and the immediate impact that developments in Mexico have on the region. Primarily an agricultural area, but with a growing industrial base, the Valley boasts a heavy concentration of Mexican-American, Mexicano and other Latin workers and students.
There he will speak at the University of Texas, Pan American, in Edinburg, Texas, and address a public meeting at the San Benito Community Center at the eastern end of the Valley. On November 15 in San Antonio, the Cuban official will speak at the University of the Incarnate Word and a public meeting at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center.
Rodríguez is also scheduled to lead a workshop titled "Tejano youth dialogue with Cuba" at the eighth annual Tejana/Tejano Student Unity Conference at the University of Houston November 16.
For further information, call Prof. Tom Kleven, (713) 313- 7355.
Patti Iiyama is a member of Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Local 4-227.