-
There's this KCNA article which has awful homophobic comments
-
This KCNA article which compares Obama to a "black monkey"
- This article** does analysis which states that the monkey comparison was merely referring to being a "trickster" which ignores:
- This KCNA article which is the worst of them all. The racist comparisons are unmistakable in my opinion.
**The aforementioned analysis article has what I find to be pretty unconvincing excuses for the homophobic comments, the quote, "a disgusting old lecher" is not properly addressed.
I'm willing to hear any possible explanations. I don't know what's going on.
The last time the DPRK was openly engaged in western discourses was when they were allies with the USSR. It's not surprising that they've been relatively insulated from the cultural impact of the 60s, which only really mainstreamed in the 80s.
Social movements become more progressive in coalitional struggle. The zapatistas are far more feminist than the surrounding Mayan communities.
Gay people are generally more pro harm reduction (in the public health sense) than straight people largely as a product of the AIDS crisis when we found ourselves allied with intravenous drug users.
The DPRK hasn't had a chance to struggle in coalition with the rest of the world since the Korean War and their publications reflect that.
Why has Cuba avoided becoming structurally racist or homophobic do you think? I know among everyday Cuban culture there's an emphasis on masculine bravado, probably ambient homophobia too, but otherwise Cuba is incredibly progressive compared to other Caribbean countries, and even other socialist countries.
Is it because of proximity to the US? Maybe it's because Cuba's history is full of racist violence and slavery, giving them a better context for struggling against racism. In any case, death to America.
Cuba had direct efforts from leadership, with Fidel's own granddaughter Mariela Castro as a major leader of the movement and making the push that it needed top-down support.
She has been absolutely instrumental in Cuba, without her I genuinely do not think things would be where they are today. There simply would not have been the support or leadership from the very top, it would have been a grassroots battle and a hard one at that.
I think one important aspect with Cuba is that they've maintained a relationship with the American left (and by extension the legacy of ACT-UP) in a way few other AES have. I mean, just listen to the way socdems like Bernie talk about Cuba. There's also the fact that BLA fugitives fled to Cuba, not Korea. I think you're right that it has to do with proximity.
I think you're also on the mark with their experiences with racial slavery.
It goes both ways though. The American left is better on imperialism when it's a country we've got ties to. Socdems talk highly of Cuba, but not the DPRK. BDS has built concensus on Palestinian nationhood among even anarchists. The western left becomes more progressive in coalition with imperialized peoples.