The Cuban TikToker @carlitiktok4 has sparked a debate with a video where he reflects on the challenges many Cubans face when emigrating, working in the United States, and sending money to their families back on the island.
In his video, after clarifying that he is not talking about his own situation but rather something that happens to many of his fellow countrymen, the creator touched on a sensitive topic for many migrants: the feeling that their efforts are not always understood or appreciated by their loved ones in Cuba. Often, these relatives do not show concern for their emigrated family members.
"They only talk about their problems, the ones they have over there, when we over here know the problems that exist over there, countless problems in that place," he lamented in his video, making it clear that helping family, when possible, is the right thing to do.
One of the points that resonated most with his followers was when he explained that, although migrants in the U.S. often send money regularly, they frequently feel that their problems abroad do not receive the same attention or concern from family members in Cuba. "You mention your elbow hurts, and a minute later, they stop talking about your pain and only talk about their problems," says @carlitiktok4, illustrating the disconnect sometimes perceived between those who emigrate and their relatives on the island.
"And it's not a lack of empathy, it's not, it's just that there are so many problems over there that all they focus on is their own issues, and there's little concern for the one who's truly struggling here," he elaborated in his reflection that has provoked numerous reactions from users who shared similar experiences: “Living in the USA for Cubans is like taking on an obligation to the family in Cuba. It's a very heavy burden and very poorly rewarded”; “That's exactly how it is, champ, but family is dad, mom, and kids, that's your obligation. I don't think a mother forgets her child's pain”; “That's exactly how it is, they think that once you set foot here, you already have money, and when you get here, it's a tough process to start working and be able to help"; "And when you're helping them, they believe that money falls from the sky. Sorry, but you have to help when your needs are met first. In Cuba, they don't work," "Boy, people in Cuba will never understand. This has to be lived... it doesn't happen to me because you have to prioritize life here," some commented.
These types of reflections are not new on social media, especially among the Cuban community abroad, which often debates the differences in expectations and realities between those who emigrate and those who remain on the island.
Understanding the Emigrant Experience for Cubans in the U.S.
The following questions and answers delve deeper into the experiences and sentiments shared by Cubans who have emigrated to the United States, as well as the challenges they face when trying to support their families back in Cuba.
Why do Cuban emigrants in the U.S. feel their efforts are not appreciated by their families in Cuba?
Many Cuban emigrants feel that their efforts are not appreciated because their families in Cuba often focus solely on their own problems and overlook the struggles and sacrifices made by their loved ones abroad.
What are some common challenges faced by Cuban emigrants in the U.S.?
Common challenges include adapting to a new culture, finding employment, and the emotional burden of supporting their families in Cuba while managing their own financial and personal struggles.
How do Cuban emigrants typically support their families in Cuba?
Cuban emigrants often support their families by sending remittances, which are regular money transfers to help with living expenses and other needs back in Cuba.
What impact does the economic situation in Cuba have on the expectations of emigrants' families?
The economic hardships in Cuba lead to high expectations from emigrants' families, who often rely heavily on remittances, sometimes without fully understanding the difficulties faced by their relatives abroad.