Since Fidel Castro’s death was announced on Cuban television by his brother, and current President, Raúl, Friday night, the news has received many mixed reactions across the board.
Rappers such as Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Talib Kweli, and others have shared somewhat positive thoughts and struck many conversations on the Cuban leader’s destiny. Nas, in particular, sent his condolences to his “Cuban family” while explaining to many why African Americans viewed him favorably.
“RIP KING FIDEL CASTRO #revolutionary only 5% understand,” Nas posted along with picture of Castro and Malcolm X’s famous Harlem metting. “Im not Cuban, I don’t fully know how he affected my Cuban family, so I’m sending strength and power for your pains. But lots Of us, as Black people, n some others in the USA, we saw him as an Ally in the Struggle.”
Fidel Castro has died. Beloved and despised. A symbol of resistance against western imperialist oppression and labeled an oppressor himself
— Lupe Fiasco (@LupeFiasco) November 26, 2016
RT @CNNEE: El mundo le dice adiós a Fidel Castro https://t.co/lEIwmPnCZR pic.twitter.com/NiBiHd4pK4
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) November 26, 2016
I’m not Cuban I can’t speak for Cubans. But when I went to Cuba, virtually everyone that I met there loved Castro. https://t.co/Hy1Tiy9Mju
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) November 26, 2016
….I wonder now what lies in #Cuba‘s future now that #FidelIsDead https://t.co/mZduNgfRaF
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) November 26, 2016
Others memories of the deceased leader weren’t so pleasant. CNN reported that after news reached the shores of Miami, many Cubans cheered his death and paraded through the Miami neighborhood of Little Havana.
It feels more like a tailgate out here on Calle Ocho….#FidelCastro pic.twitter.com/eHpYK4HGSa
— Dianne Gallagher (@DianneG) November 27, 2016
Many others celebrated on social media.
Trump Street Team celebrating in Miami Florida | Fidel Castro is Gone! #laCARRETA Calle ocho 8th Street pic.twitter.com/MlNjkIJQHi
— Trump Street Team FL (@ChatRevolve) November 28, 2016
This Cuban family celebrated Fidel Castro’s death with a Cuba-themed #MannequinChallenge https://t.co/qET8O9VPal pic.twitter.com/9A2mmF0liX
— CNN (@CNN) November 28, 2016
That hatred for Castro even bled onto the football field as San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was boos Sunday when he took the field at Hard Rock Stadium against the Miami Dolphins.
Colin Kaepernick was greeted with boos when he took the field Sunday in Miami after his support for Fidel Castro https://t.co/eXPsC6xUiQ pic.twitter.com/eJ20C1cWE0
— CNN (@CNN) November 27, 2016
Kaepernick showed his support of Castro a few months back when he wore a shirt with the Cuban leader and Malcolm X pictured on the front to a post-game news conference. Then on Wednesday, Kaepernick praised Castro during a conference call with Miami reporters.
“One thing Fidel Castro did do is they have the highest literacy rate because they invest more in their education system than they do in their prison system,” he said, “which we do not do here even though we’re fully capable of doing that.”
For your viewing pleasure here’s a Fidel Castro supporter bent in half with a knee to the balls….. pic.twitter.com/6JtirWLO9Q
— EducatédHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) November 27, 2016
Here’s how Fidel Castro-supporter Colin Kaepernick was greeted by fans in Miami https://t.co/IlXWSFu2q5
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 27, 2016
Fidel Castro is dead and his fanboy got a mouthful of Miami dick….. pic.twitter.com/d2mkTTZSFJ
— EducatédHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) November 27, 2016
Even politicians shared their reactions on social media.
The people of Cuba have struggled too long. Will reverse Obama’s Executive Orders and concessions towards Cuba until freedoms are restored.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2016
The tyrant #Castro is dead. New hope dawns. We will stand with the oppressed Cuban people for a free and democratic Cuba. Viva Cuba Libre!
— Mike Pence (@mike_pence) November 26, 2016
History will remember Fidel Castro as an evil, murderous dictator who inflicted misery & suffering on his own people https://t.co/dXZshjRzu3 pic.twitter.com/AJ9c1MV2gu
— Senator Rubio Press (@SenRubioPress) November 26, 2016
Read @POTUS’s statement on the passing of Fidel Castro: https://t.co/ihVoLdqbRQ pic.twitter.com/sPZfvpeQVB
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 26, 2016
