In difficult moments for the homeland, Cuba's official newspaper Granma urges readers to seek guidance from national hero José Martí. The article highlights Martí's wisdom on ethics, love, and resistance to adversity, positioning him as a conversational partner amid current challenges.
The article published in Granma, titled 'Why Martí?', reflects on the enduring relevance of José Martí during Cuba's toughest moments. It portrays Martí as someone who lived through storms, embraced the wind, drew ethical lines, and planted nests of dreams that were as possible as they were necessary, providing essential answers to earthly questions.
It advises keeping him close, whether on a bookshelf, a poem fragment on the wall, a photograph, or in noble thoughts. To understand childhood and speak honestly to children as active participants in the present and future, turn to Martí. For crucial questions like 'How far should I yield?', 'Where should I begin?', 'What is the purpose of my journey?', 'Why awaken?', 'How should I see?', 'Who are my brothers and sisters amid sorrow?', or 'Whom should I wisely consider vile?', seek Martí.
The text stresses conversing with him as equals, not like consulting a dictionary or sacred scriptures. When sectarianism emerges, distrust becomes the norm, hatred the method, or solitude claims undue merit, talk to Martí. If annexationism resurfaces forcefully, or if America seeks to forget its diverse mix and become 'great again' in terms of selfishness and hostility, turn to Martí to discover a pending, future greatness.
Martí provides solace when love robs sleep or fear creeps in, even turning love into a soldier. Include him in the conversation so his voice does not fade amid perilous urgencies. For precise or free poetry, recognizing the foundation of a writing style that proposes a new world, or when root is confused with tip and soulless 'new pines' are mass-produced, go to Martí.
When needing to ask forgiveness without humiliation, acknowledge without flattery, respect without surrender, or oppose without ceasing to be just, seek Martí. Be suspicious of 'slaves of Greece' lecturing on peace, freedom, and democracy, and spend time with him to recognize cowards and traitors when the world seems to collapse. Finally, if they seek to kill your friend, leave your child without peace, sow shame on your mother and grandfather, rob your land, memory, and Martí himself, turn to him.