MarÃa de los Reyes Castillo Bueno (1902–1997); a black woman known as “Reyita;†recounts her life in Cuba over the span of ninety years. Reyita’s voice is at once dignified; warm; defiant; strong; poetic; principled; and intelligent. Her story—as told to and recorded by her daughter Daisy Castillo—begins in Africa with her own grandmother’s abduction by slave-traders and continues through a century of experiences with prejudice; struggle; and change in Cuba for Reyita and her numerous family members. Sensitive to and deeply knowledgeable of the systemic causes and consequences of poverty; Reyita’s testimony considers the impact of slavery on succeeding generations; her mother’s internalized racism; and Cuba’s residual discrimination. The humiliation and poverty inflicted on the black Cuban community as well as her decision to marry a white man to ensure a higher standard of living form the basis of other chapters. Reyita actively participated in the life of the community—often caring for the children of prostitutes along with her own eight children and giving herbal medicine and “spiritualist†guidance to ill or troubled neighbors. She describes her growing resistance; over five decades of marriage; to her husband’s sexism and negativity. Strong-willed and frank about her sexuality as well as her religious and political convictions; Reyita recounts joining the revolutionary movement in the face of her husband’s stern objections; a decision that added significant political purpose to her life. At book’s end; Reyita radiates gratification that her 118 descendants have many different hues of skin; enjoy a variety of professions; and—“most importantlyâ€â€”are free of racial prejudice.
#2121259 in Books 2005-04-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.86 x .51 x 5.91l; .65 #File Name: 0820467979210 pages
Review
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful. comprehensive overview of the medical trialBy James CooderThe book is the first one I could find that gives a comprehensive overview of the medical trial.The book puts the trial into its correct political and cultural background so that the actions of the major players are not mystified but are made understandable.The author shows more clearly than others how implicated that Allies were in the medical research conducted on helpless victims. Americans condemned the experiments and used the data. They contracted Nazi scientists indicted at Nueremberg after the trial to work for the military; sometimes using equipment left over by the Nazis.The author leaves no doubt about the abominable nature of the experiments; the depraved character of the perpetrators; and the unimaginable suffering of the victims. And it obviously not his intention to soil American history. But by merely pointing to the records and abstaining from speculating about them; such soiling seems inevitable. This may be the real reason why this book so far is the only one offering a comprehensive account (meaning leaving out none of the "uncomfortable" facts) of the medical trail; and may remain the only one for a long time to come.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Searching For The TruthBy J. GaffeyFreyhofer has offered the reader a stimulating account of an important historical event. By using the dual viewpoints of law and ethics as a benchmark; he successfully manages to transport the reader to the courtroom in Nuremberg. Once there; the serious student of history will be rewarded with an armchair appreciation of a work well done. For those who seek a lighter read; you may soon find youself enjoying a serious work that highlights the need for a better unerstanding of causes and effects in world history. If you truely wish to have a better understanding of why the world is the way it is today; this book could serve as a stepping stone to a better understanding of human nature.
