| INTRODUCTION | REFERENCE | PERIODICAL ARTICLES | NON-PRINT |
| TOPIC ANALYSIS | BOOKS | INTERNET SOURCES | REVIEW |
"The heated political battle over the custody of 6-year-old Elian
Gonzales showed no sign of subsiding today after House Republican leader
subpoenaed the boy to testify before congress in an effect to help him in the
United State. "
--Alverex, Lizette. "In 2 Countries, 6-year-old Cuban is
Political symbol." The New York Times. 8 Jan. 2000:<http://cuban.org/CNews/y00/jan00/10ell.html>.
The focus of my research project is to make awareness of refugees that come out of communist countries. For Elian Gonzales he was brought to the United States by his mother to get away from Fidel Castro and his communist ways. Elian's father and grandmothers want him back in Cuba. The Miami family wants to raise him here in the United States. The Cuban government wants all Cubans back in Cuba. The United States on the other hand would like to keep them here in the States, but there isn't enough room for them all.
Elian Gonzales is only 6-years-old and not able to make his own decision so he should be with his parents. In this case Elian's mother drowned while travailing to the United States on an inner tube. Elian survived and lived with his Uncle and cousins. Elian's father is sill alive and lives in Cuba. Since the father is still alive Elian should go back to him and live a normal life.
The United States wants to keep Elian here, but feels that since his father is still alive and wants him he should go back. They feel that he is still not old enough to make his own choices. The Cuban Government wants him back because he is Cuban and they should associate with Americans. I feel that the boy should live with his remaining parent until he is old enough to make his own choices and come back to the states if he wants to.
Amnesty is an organization that helps people that live in foreign countries receive diplomatic amenity.
WHO: World Health Organization
WHO helps out countries that have disease stricken areas and help people receive diplomatic immunity.
United States. USCR. USCR: Country Reports: United States. Washington: 2000.
<http://www.refugees.org/world/countryrpt/amer_carib/us.htm>.
"Cuba." Funk and Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. 1989. 374 - 385.
American government used Castro as a way to hate Cuba because of his political policies of Cuba. Since the time, Castro was able to deal with foreign trade he cut tires with the U.S. by reforming laws against the sugar interests. With relations with the Soviet Union, Cuba has become more of an American enemy.
"Refugee." Funk and Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. 1989. 165 - 167.
The current refugee problem started around the 1970's when people from Nicaragua, Chile and Argentina came to Cuba. This caused people to flee Cuba and come to the U.S. The U.S. was called the country of mass asylum because of this.
Timerman, Jacobo. Cuba: A Journey. Knopk. New York. 1990.
Timerman views the United States involvement in Cuban relations as wrong. He also views Cuba's violation of human rights as wrong too. He believes that the United States has forced diplomatic, political, and economic situations on Cuba. "I have always supported its rights to defend itself from the United States" (3). He "criticized the violation of human rights and of freedom of expression that has characterized the Castro regime" (3).
Suchlicki, Jaime. Cuba: From Columbus to Castro and Beyond. Brassey's. Wash. 1997.
Suchlicki covers Cuba from the times of Columbus to present. It's more of a history of Cuba with no sides taken. The interesting part is knowing how Castro started his Revolution for Cuba. Castro was fascinated in the Military ways so when he took control of Cuba he used his military knowledge. There is nothing really asaid about which view he wants to take.
Padgett, Tim. "Out With the Old?" Time. 17 Apr. 2000.
< http://www.time.com/time/magazine/articales/0.3266.42879.00.html>.
We Americans talk about Castro and say bad anti-Castro slogans, but has any one talked to the Cuban Americans that are already hear? We don't know the reason why these people left Cuba. They are up set with the way we talk about Castro and his ways.
Mascarenas, Dolly. "Postcard From Cardenas." Time. 17 Apr. 2000.
<http://www.time.com/time/magazine/articales/0.3266.42883.00.html>.
Cuban Children are lead to believe that Elian was kidnapped by the United States. This shows how Cubans are raised to hate Americans. We hate only the Cuban political system.
"Elian's Miami relatives seek political asylum hearing." CNN. New York. 19 Jan. 2000.
< http://cnn.com/2000/US/01/19/cuba.boy.01/index.html >.
The Miami family that Elian Gonzales stayed with while his rescue from the Atlantic Ocean tell he was wanted by his father wants to give Elian political asylum. They don't think that the government should have any say in weather Elian should return to Cuba or not. The father wants the child and I believe that he should get Elian back.
"Castro regime blasts U.S. restraints on Cuban diplomats." Miami Herald. 22 May 2000.
<
NON-PRINT
"Personal Interview." 6 June 2000.
Gonzales, John. "Internet Interview." 6 June 2000.
REVIEW of my Research Process
Elian Gonzales was brought to the States by his mother and her boyfriend. Elian was the only publicized survivor. He was found by the U.S. Coast Guard in November. He told Social workers and health professionals that he had been by himself for a couple of days. He was only dehydrated, but no serious problems.
The Miami family took care of Elian for four months before Juan Gonzales wanted him back in Cuba. The Miami family didn't want him to return because of the violation of human rights that go on in Cuba. They filed a portion for political asylum for Elian, but since his father wanted him back there was a huge battle over custody rights of the boy.
U.S. feels the Elian is to young to make his own discussion about obtaining an asylum for himself. Since the U.S. has strict rules about leaving children their remaining parent unless abuse or both parents are deceased. So the U.S. has to make the decision on weather Juan Gonzales should keep parental rights or should stay with his Miami Family.
Cuba on the other hand is angry at U.S. for putting their nose in where it doesn't belong. They wanted Elian returned back to Cuba when Juan Gonzales wanted his son back. Then the U.S. denied the first request Cuban Government got angry. There were lots of protest in Cuba stating that Elian belongs to them.
Please send comments to
Wendy Farris
View other
PATHFINDERS