In a video that has sparked comments and reactions on TikTok, a Cuban woman living in the United States, known on the platform as @chicadiabla1390, sent a message to her compatriots on the island, addressing the perception that life abroad is easy and without challenges.
"We have our own lives here too; we have to pay for everything: rent, car, insurance, medical expenses, everything is paid for here," she began in the video. She emphasized that many Cubans on the island believe that those living abroad are millionaires, but the reality is different: "We Cubans speculate a lot in Cuba, and it's not like that."
In her argument, the young woman referred to the hurdles faced by emigrants and compared them to those who remain in Cuba: “Over there, anyone can give you a plate of food or a bit of rice,” while “here in this country, it’s not like that; you have to fight for your own, you can’t ask your neighbor,” she exemplified.
The message generated a strong response from the community on TikTok, where it received numerous comments of support and understanding such as "I take my hat off to you, my queen"; "You're absolutely right, pure reality"; "We work like dogs here and have to pay for everything, in Cuba friends think you've changed"; "This is the best truth I've heard"; "How much truth in your words"; "Very true but many don't understand," among others. Some also noted that, despite everything, it is possible to progress and have a decent life abroad, while in Cuba, even working doesn't suffice.
"At least here, working you can get ahead, but in Cuba, it's not the same, it's tough"; "Very true, the only thing is that here you don't go hungry like in Cuba," they told her.
The video concluded with an invitation to learn to say "no" when necessary and to set boundaries to avoid compromising one's own stability in the attempt to help others.
However, this is not the first time such a message has sparked debate online. Recently, Cuban tiktoker Kuki Acea, residing in Spain, recommended, "Don't give a hard time to those who left Cuba as if they were a foreigner, exploiting them and asking for gum. Cuban family, be content with what one gives. The one who left Cuba and arrived in another country has a pretty hard life, the life of an emigrant is quite tough."
Another Cuban woman in the USA lamented, "I work myself to death, I do extra hours to bring gifts, things, and clothes for the children, and they don't appreciate it. They don't appreciate anything at all; I leave money, and they want more. They want the latest phone of the year, they want brand-name clothes that I don't even use, and brand-name shoes that I don't even use."
What do you think about this debate?
Challenges Faced by Cuban Emigrants
In light of the TikTok video and the ensuing debate, here are some questions and answers that shed more light on the challenges faced by Cuban emigrants.
What are the main financial challenges Cuban emigrants face in the United States?
Cuban emigrants in the USA face significant financial challenges, including high costs of rent, car payments, insurance, and medical expenses. Unlike in Cuba, where some expenses can be mitigated through community support, emigrants often have to bear all costs on their own.
How do the perceptions of life abroad differ from the reality for Cuban emigrants?
Many Cubans on the island believe that life abroad is easy and that emigrants become wealthy quickly. However, the reality is that emigrants face numerous challenges and financial burdens that make life far from easy.
What advice did @chicadiabla1390 give to fellow Cubans regarding boundaries and stability?
@chicadiabla1390 advised her fellow Cubans to learn to say "no" when necessary and to set boundaries to avoid compromising their own stability while trying to help others.