Caught In The Middle

Caught In The Middle
by Linda A. Prussen-Razzano

Opinionated as I am, it's not easy to admit indecision. I absolutely hate being caught in the middle of in issue.

For a long time, I tried to ignore the Elian Saga. There were, in my opinionated opinion, more important events demanding our collective attention. Yet, like the paparazzi following Princess Diana, constant exposure permeated every available medium, making me conscious of the drama whether I wanted to be or not.

I can understand what drove Elian's mother to risk their lives in the open sea: a desire to see her son raised in freedom. I despise the dehumanizing sociopolitical structure of Communism: a structure that strangles spiritual development through the persecution of religious people, a structure the crushes individual achievement through an oppressive, dictatorial mindset. Castro's crimes against his own people are well known, his brutality a documented fact.

I can understand what drove Elian's Miami relatives to claim the boy and petition the United States Government for political asylum. Whether refugees or descendents of refugees, the Miami branch of the Gonzalez family is smart enough to recognize the difference between the good life in America and the harsh reality of Castro's world. Those of us who did not live under a fascist, socialist, nazi, or communist state have no hardcore point of reference, save a well-developed recognition that these societies are less desirable and more restrictive than our own. For the refugees and their descendents, however, the point of reference is crystal clear.

I can understand Juan Miguel Gonzalez's desire to be reunited with his son. Whether he knew beforehand that Elian and his mother were fleeing the country is now moot; the fact remains that he is, in all likelihood, not free to leave his son behind in America. The longer this drama draws on, the harder it will be for them to return to any sense of normalcy in their lives (if that is possible in Cuba). Further, the more popular Elian's cause becomes, the less likely any Cuban born member of the Gonzalez family will be to escape the country at a later date.

I am concerned with the future ramifications of our actions in this case. If we assert that a parent does not have any natural rights to their child, based solely on our disgust of their society or country, this argument leaves us vulnerable should American children be removed from our soil. The receiving country could assert that Americans are decadent and immoral, that a child would be better off raised in their country, thereby forwarding the same argument against us as we fight for that child's return. Since we were the ones to promote the concept of society over parental rights, we would have little ground to stand on at that time.

I am concerned by the argument, itself, that society has a greater right to decide a child's fate over the parents. Yes, I am aware of the life that awaits Elian upon his return to Cuba. I am aware of the re-education (i.e., brainwashing) facility already holding a spot for him. I am also aware of the distressing fact that many institutions here in America are actively working to thwart the authority of the American parent over the American child, even in instances where the parents are not abusive or neglectful. By supporting the assertion that Society knows best, we are undermining the basic tenet that parents know best. Sadly, in Elian's case, Cuban society will dictate his life for him. Still, we should not undercut the position of parental rights here in America; we should reinforce that difference by standing with it, even when we don't necessarily agree with the parent's decisions.

I am concerned by the use of force in removing Elian from his relative's home. After all the trauma this young boy has suffered, it really wasn't necessary for him to suffer that much more. If the Justice Department and the INS could mobilize 180 personnel to remove Elian, they could have mobilized a similar size force to allow Juan Miguel to accept custodianship of his son in Miami. We all know why this wasn't allowed; once outside the influence of Cuban-American officials in Washington, Juan Miguel might have been free to speak his mind.

Heaven forbid.

In a perfect world, Elian and his Cuban family would be free to stay in America, embraced by his Miami relatives. Unfortunately, this is a far from perfect world. Elian and his father's family will undoubtedly return to Castro's Communist Cuba, he will undergo an indoctrination process, his family will be hounded, and his Miami relatives will be heartbroken.

There is only one real winner in this sad drama.Castro.

Everyone else is now damaged.