Hey Story Lovers,
Two years ago, I got into a conversation about race with my tennis coach. Andy is gorgeous with dark hair and light skin. He even played a tennis pro on The Real Housewives of Miami.
Andy is Cuban and loves to talk politics. He talks too much and I hardly ever agree with him because like the majority of Cubans in Miami, Andy is conservative. If he weren’t so cute and also a decent coach, I would never take lessons from him. I certainly wouldn’t be talking to him on a regular basis. But he taught me to hit high and deep and we developed a special rapport that’s built while sweating.
I was preparing to serve when Andy announced that Cubans weren’t racist.
I stood there bouncing the ball. My mind went all over the place, like it does sometimes when I feel challenged. I thought about a trip I took to Cuba 20 years before. When I walked off the plane, I was shocked to see so many Black Cubans. I had no idea any Cubans were Black. This is because I live in Miami and all the Cubans I’ve met here are white. To me, that was a sure sign of systemic racism in Cuba.
I said something really smart like, “Are you on drugs?”
And then the lesson was over and Andy stopped teaching and I never got to give him a piece of my mind.
Last week, Andy came back. He’s just as cute and just as talkative. I ran up to him and after a big hug, I said, “I’ve been waiting years to tell you, I’ve been to Cuba and from the looks of it, Cubans seem racist.”
Before I tell you how this went down, I want to mention that I know I’m a white woman weighing in on race and maybe I should callarme la boca (shut my mouth). Also, I know accusing a whole culture of racism is actually racist. But I plowed ahead because I had a long-held belief and was sure I was right.
I was like, “Listen here, Andy. Cuba is the embodiment of racism. Just the fact that Black Cubans are still in Cuba while white Cubans are here in Miami tells us everything we need to know about racism. White Cubans have more opportunities.”
Okay, I also recognize I was telling a Cuban all about Cuba, and that’s just obnoxious.
He said, “No. Cuba is egalitarian. Everyone has the same opportunity to leave. There’s a visa lottery. Black Cubans don’t come to Miami because of the perception that America is racist.”
He said there’s an expression, “Anywhere but Cuba” and that he could name 20 Black Cuban friends who went to Russia.
Wait…What? So, there might be another reason why so few Black Cubans have come to Miami? Maybe they’ve gone someplace else? Even Russia?
I don’t know if Andy is right. Maybe we’re both partly right. My point is, my point of view is limited. I already like Andy, but hearing his story helped me judge him less. He also opened my mind to more possibilities.
Perspective and experience make all the difference.
That’s why I’m launching All Sides of the Story, a live storytelling series. At each show, eight storytellers will tell a personal story on a specific theme from all sides of the political spectrum. While we might not agree, it’s difficult to hate someone when you know their story.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: I want YOUR story about the moment or ongoing situation that made you who you are politically.
Did the Cuban government confiscate your family’s business? Did you or anyone you love survive the Holocaust? Did you need an abortion and get denied? Write about how that experience shaped you. Please send your story (1,000 words) from anywhere in the world to andrea@writingclassradio.com. Send as a Word doc or in the body of an email.
Please pass this prompt along to anyone you think has a story.
You know what we say on Writing Class Radio. Everyone has a story. What’s yours?
Deadline: November 15, 2025
A FEW MORE ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Tips Clinic is this Saturday. Why a tips clinic? Because practicing writing makes you a better writer.
TIPS CLINIC
SATURDAY, October 11, 2025
12 to 1 p.m. ET
Zoom
We’re going to talk about how to end a story. We’ll write and (if you want) you can share what you wrote for feedback.
Tips Clinic is $15.
If money is an object, please use this FREE Tips Clinic Zoom link.
All Patreon members, please use the free link.
As always, we have two First Draft weekly writing groups where you write to a prompt and share if you want.
Click here to join Allison Langer Tuesdays 12-1 ET.
Click here to join Margery Berger on Mondays 12-1 ET. The first session is always FREE.
NEW CLASS: SECOND DRAFT
Oct. 22--Dec.3, 2025. $400. Limited to 6 people ONLY. If you want to get your essays in shape and ready to submit for publication, this class is for you. To register, contact allison@writingclassradio.com
I’m teaching at a giant, virtual writing summit called Escape the Plot Forest, Oct. 18 to 22nd. and YOU’RE INVITED. The classes focus mostly on fiction, but I’m teaching Designing the Personal Essay, Oct. 19 at noon ET. All the tips apply to all genres.
Five days of action. Please use this link to register and also support Writing Class Radio.
Thanks for reading. Keep writing!
Love,
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