Monday, February 15, 2010

Liberation via Microwave

Liberation via Microwave

February 24th 2008 Raul Castro, Fidel Castro’s brother, was officially chosen unanimously to succeed as the President of Cuba. Though many thought of him merely as an extension of his brother’s power, he proved to change some major freedoms. These radical changes have proven to increase productivity as well as increase the value of life with in the public of Cuba. Some included cell phones, vacations in tourist hotels and, most importantly, microwaves.
In the last couple decades microwaves have gained a negative reputation in the United States, while in truth the public might as well degrade the scanning machine because it decreases the importance of dictionaries. Microwaves are not only a way to quicken cooking and make healthier meals, but also further freedom, prosperity and women’s rights.
Before the turnover from Fidel to his brother, many of Cuban citizens would scrape together as much money as they could to by microwaves on the black market, even though the punishment might mean death. The microwave was not a just machine to prepare pop corn, but also a way to show status. If you visited a neighbor that had a microwave you would know that they had enough money, and nerve to go against their cherished communist leader to get it. After guest entered their small front room they would offer some food and then walk over to their awe-inspiring criminal machine to show off how little work they needed to produce a new patch of hot pasta.
Though not important to the brave Cuban citizens, microwaves actually are good for you as well. New research from Dr. Cristina GarcĂ­a-Viguera shows that it is actually more nutritious to microwave in the majority of situation. It cooks food more quickly, without losing as many vitamins and nutrients (such as Flavonoids) and also provides a separation between fat and meat. Little do they know that the very item that has been held from them, for fear of revolution, is actually healthy. The small size of the microwaves makes them much easier to hide from police than a true oven while also allowing food for a family to be cooked within it (preferably not at the same time).
This new power of the people may permit Democracy and capitalism to enter into the communist hell hole of Cuba. Microwaves may be the start, and it is certainly not the end. With this addition to the kitchen many families will also want toasters, prepackaged foods, sweet cereals, and more. Though personal freedom is limited the kitchen has become a place to express yourself as well as show the importance of family in your life. A family with a microwave knows that it is worth the expense to be able to prepare food more quickly and safely than with an open flame, or gas oven. This is a commitment of love for the family and a gift from the heart. The new machine also allows for many more choices of food preparation. No longer will mother and sisters be limited by the amount of gas they can use, or how long it takes the food to cook, or even the danger of an open flame. Instead each woman has the opportunity to cook many different meals in much shorter time spans. This also allows more time to be placed in other topics, such as furthering education, reading to children, and most importantly possibly having a job. This new liberation by the microwave could allow women to hold more occupations and be better at the jobs they hold, therefore creating pride in work and a respect for the work that they do. This would help to stop gender imbalance and female harm in the communist country.
You may be thinking, ‘really a microwave could create more women’s liberation in communist countries?’, and I would respond, ‘didn’t you just read the article?’. Yes! Women are fastened to the demands of the family and home but loosening these restrictions can create not only a better functioning economy, more productive family, but also a new way of thinking of women in general. So the next time you pop a cup of tea in the micro, or zap some mac’ & cheese remember that you have been given a freedom and an amazing opportunity. Liberation.

Source
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/04/26/raul.castro/