Fidel Castro, the former revolutionary leader of Cuba, died Friday night and the reactions of Americans the past couple of days have been glaringly polarizing. Whether you viewed Castro as a revolutionary hero who transformed his country or a communist dictator, one thing holds true across the board: Fidel was and will always be one of the most influential and significant leaders in history.
Born in 1926 to laborer parents, Fidel Castro had an affinity towards upheaval against oppressive government from a young age. He went from being the president of the University of Havana’s Students’ Federation to joining a rebel group whose goal was to overthrow Rafael Trujillo, the dictator of the Dominican Republic. When that plan eventually failed, Fidel became even more dedicated to toppling tyrannical governments and seeking equality for everyone. Attempting to focus more on micro-level equality, Fidel became a lawyer and used his new role to defend the vulnerable populations of underprivileged citizens in Cuba.
When Fulgencio Batista overthrew the Cuban government and established a violent dictatorship that was at times unconstitutional, Fidel Castro created his own rebel group to go against the new government leadership. This attempt went unsuccessful and resulted in Castro’s capture and arrest for three years. After leaving prison as a result of being granted amnesty, Castro saw that society and government had not changed at all and decided to band together with others who opposed Cuba’s current system to attempt to end the Batista regime. This new group along with the infamous Che Guevara created an entire guerilla group in opposition. However, facing political scandal, Batista fled and left the leadership of the country undefended; leaving the government seat open for Castro and his group to take control of Cuba.
While in control, Castro practiced anti American and anti capitalist policies while also trying to make life better and more equal for his Cuban citizens. He employed free health care and free education, which demolished the illiteracy rate in his country. Fidel also took a stab at racism, not only in Cuba but also around the world. Fidel’s vehement stance against racism and apartheid struck a chord with Nelson Mandela and curated a deep friendship and camaraderie between the two. Fidel also found himself on common ground with the influential African American civil rights leader; Malcolm X. Castro found alliance in these activist because of their common search for equality and solidarity and the search for fairness for all vulnerable populations; even if others were opposed.
Fidel Castro held control of Cuba for five decades, his failing health causing him to hand over his leadership to his younger brother Raul. But while he was in control, Castro led a dividing yet influential regime; bringing communism to the Western Hemisphere was not completely met with neither acceptance nor condemnation, making him and people’s opinions on him varying. Whether or not you agree with communism and how Fidel brought it about-it is certain that Fidel’s death has brought about the end to a distinct era in revolution and signals a historic loss for the world.
