The son of the late Cuban actor Enrique Molina has issued a scathing message to artists who have remained silent following the unexpected death of their colleague Carlos Massola.
Without mincing words, Pavel Molina Ruiz called out these artists, labeling them cowards for their silence in the face of Massola's passing. Massola was known for never being afraid to express his feelings and for raising his voice numerous times against the Cuban government in recent years.
"To all the artists who have had the cowardice to remain silent in the wake of this colleague's physical disappearance; and you know who you are. Stand in front of the mirror every morning and feel ashamed of your existence," said Pavel on his Facebook profile.
"Know that Carlos Massola is more of an artist and more Cuban than each one of you," he emphasized.
Pavel argued that one's political stance should have nothing to do with decency, courage, and justice. He pointed out what his father’s reaction would have been—despite being a staunch revolutionary—toward the institutional silence surrounding Massola's death.
"If my father had been alive, even with all his communist beliefs and faith in the revolution's false promises, he would have been the first to stand before the minister demanding all honors for this great man," he stressed.
"It's all about having your own beliefs while also having the guts to stand on the side of sensitivity and justice. That’s how Enrique Molina was, and I'm very proud to be his son, with all his communist leanings. Massola and Molina are far ahead of quite a few potato faces on this island. Learn to wear your pants and carry your beliefs with coherence and common sense," he concluded.
The death of actor Carlos Massola, who had become a thorn in the side of the regime due to his outspoken criticisms, was completely ignored by Cuban cultural authorities. No official cultural institutions or state media outlets acknowledged his passing.
Amid the prevailing official silence, the Assembly of Cuban Filmmakers published a timid text on Thursday, more than 24 hours after his death, lamenting the event while using a couple of euphemisms to allude to the actor's political rebelliousness.
Despite the official silence, Massola received tributes from many of his colleagues and the affection of the public, who appreciated the courage he showed in voicing his political views and denouncing the government for its inefficiency, corruption, human rights violations, and repression of freedoms.
Reactions and Silence Following Carlos Massola's Death
In light of the article, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers regarding the reactions and silence following Carlos Massola's death.
Why did Pavel Molina Ruiz call other artists cowards?
Pavel Molina Ruiz called other artists cowards because they remained silent following the death of Carlos Massola, who was known for his outspoken criticism of the Cuban government.
How did the Cuban cultural authorities respond to Carlos Massola's death?
Cuban cultural authorities completely ignored Carlos Massola's death, with no official cultural institutions or state media outlets acknowledging his passing.
What was the public's reaction to Carlos Massola's death?
Despite the official silence, the public and many of Massola's colleagues paid tribute to him, appreciating his courage in voicing his political views and criticizing the government's inefficiency and corruption.
What did Pavel Molina Ruiz say about his father Enrique Molina's potential reaction?
Pavel Molina Ruiz stated that, despite being a staunch revolutionary, his father Enrique Molina would have been the first to demand honors for Carlos Massola from the minister, highlighting the importance of sensitivity and justice.