The Narcissism of Small Differences in Cuba’s History

the AZEL PERSPECTIVE Commentary on Cuba's Future, U.S. Foreign Policy & Individual Freedoms - Issue 144

The Narcissism of Small Differences in Cuba’s History Share Tweet Forward

A man was standing on a cliff about to jump when another man yelled: Stop, don’t do it! Jumper: Why shouldn’t I? Second man: Because there is so much to live for! Jumper: Like what? Second man: Are you religious? Jumper: Yes Second man: Me too.  Are you Christian of Buddhist? Jumper: Christian. Second man: Me too.  Are you Catholic or Protestant? Jumper: Protestant. Second man: Me too.  Are you Episcopalian or Baptist? Jumper: Baptist. Second man: Great. Are you original Baptist Church of God or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God? Jumper: Reformed Baptist Church of God Second man: Me too. Are you reformation of 1879, or reformation of 1915? Jumper: Reformation of 1915. Second man, while angrily pushing jumper off the cliff: Die, you heretic scum! I came across this witticism while researching Sigmund Freud’s theory of the “Narcissism of small differences.” In his thesis, Freud argues that “It is precisely the minor differences in people who are otherwise alike that form the basis of feelings of hostility between them.” He called this phenomenon the narcissism of small differences. In political science, the narcissism of small differences offers on explanation as to why communities with similar ethnic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds, and often in adjoining territories, tend to engage in feuds. In many cases of ethno-nationalist conflict, the deepest hatred is shown by communities that, by most appearances, exhibit very few significant distinctions. For instance, the violence in Kyrgyzstan between the Uzbek and Kyrgyz populations, the toxic confrontations in the Punjab, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Sri Lanka, and in Belgium between French and Flemish-speaking Belgians; the cruelty of the Balkan Wars, the Hutu and Tutsi viciousness in Rwanda and Burundi, the Iranian Shiite-Sunni conflict, and many more. Of course, once a conflict begins, other differences and topics act as multipliers for the hostility. With his narcissism of small differences, Freud gave us an analytical framework, but not much more of a causal explanation. It has been suggested that the distress is narcissistic in nature because it is as if we are looking at ourselves in a mirror. I have come to think of the narcissism of small differences when contemplating schisms in opposition movements, particularly in Cuba’s history from the wars for independence of the 19thCentury to the last six decades of opposition to the Castro regime. Some episodes, such as the shameful abandonment of Cuban patriot Carlos Manuel de Céspedes by his compatriots, had tragic consequences. Céspedes, who in 1868 freed his slaves and launched Cuba’s Ten Years’ War, was later deposed in a leadership coup. The new Cuban government would not let him go into exile and denied him an escort. Left unprotected, Spanish troops killed him in 1874. Cuban opposition to the Castro regime, since its origins in 1959, has been fragmented, made up of myriad groups lacking in operational unity. Often the schisms had political or philosophical underpinnings, but also resulted from tactical differences, revanchism, and personal ambitions for protagonism. This disunity perseveres to this day, often initiated or exploited by Cuba’s ever-present counterintelligence services. But these are all Cuban nationals that tragically fight each other viciously, notwithstanding an overriding common objective of opposition to communist ideology.  Is this a manifestation of the narcissism of small differences? Understandably, opposition groups cannot aspire to agree on the whole of their diverging political-economic programs. But, as was the case with the Founding Fathers, it is necessary to work together with those who may have different political ideas but who are willing to unite over specific issues and rights. Rather than a criticism, Freud’s narcissism of small differences offers opposition groups a template for constructive introspection. Please let us know if you  this article. We welcome your feedback. Abrazos,  Lily & José  (click on the name to email Lily or Jose) This article was originally published in English in the Miami Herald and in Spanish in El Nuevo Herald.   José Azel, Ph.D. José Azel left Cuba in 1961 as a 13 year-old political exile in what has been dubbed Operation Pedro Pan - the largest unaccompanied child refugee movement in the history of the Western Hemisphere. He is currently dedicated to the in-depth analyses of Cuba's economic, social and political state, with a keen interest in post-Castro-Cuba strategies. Formerly, a Senior Scholar at the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies (ICCAS) at the University of Miami, Jose Azel has published extensively on Cuba related topics. In 2012 and 2015, Dr. Azel testified in the U.S. Congress on U.S.-Cuba Policy, and U.S. National Security.  He is a frequent speaker and commentator on these and related topics on local, national and international media.  He holds undergraduate and masters degrees in business administration and a Ph.D. in International Affairs from the University of Miami. José along with his wife Lily are avid skiers and adventure travelers.  In recent years they have climbed Grand Teton in Wyoming, trekked Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Machu Pichu in Peru.  They have also hiked in Tibet and in the Himalayas to Mt. Everest Base Camp. They cycled St. James Way (El Camino de Santiago de Compostela) and cycled alongside the Danube from Germany to Hungary. They have scuba dived in the Bay Islands off the Honduran coast. Their adventurers are normally dedicated to raise funds for causes that are dear to them.  Watch Joe & Lily summit Kilimanjaro. Books by Dr. José Azel In Reflections on Freedom, José Azel brings together a collection of his columns published in prestigious newspapers.  Each article reveals his heartfelt and personal awareness of the importance of freedom in our lives.  They are his reflections after nearly sixty years of living and learning as a Cuban outside Cuba. In what has become his stylistic trademark, Professor Azel brilliantly introduces complex topics in brief journalistic articles. Buy Now En Reflexiones sobre la libertad José Azel reúne una colección de sus columnas publicadas en prestigiosos periódicos. Cada artículo revela su percepción sincera y personal de la importancia de la libertad en nuestras vidas. Son sus reflexiones después de casi sesenta años viviendo y aprendiendo como cubano fuera de Cuba.  En lo que ha resultado ser característica distintiva de sus artículos, el Profesor Azel introduce con brillantez complejos temas en  breves artículos de carácter periodístico. Compre Aqui Mañana in Cuba is a comprehensive analysis of contemporary Cuba with an incisive perspective of the Cuban frame of mind and its relevancy for Cuba's future. Buy now   Pedazos y Vacíos is a collection of poems written in by Dr. Azel in his youth. Poems are in Spanish. Buy now

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