Should I Stay or Should I Go - the Elian Gonzalez Story

Should I Stay Or Should I Go

The Elian Gonzalez Story

By: Michael

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In November of the year 1999, Elian Gonzalez was just a boy. Along with his mother, he rafted dangerously toward America on just an aluminum raft with a bad engine operated by his mother's boyfriend (Wikipedia: Pg 2). Once he arrived, he was taken into the care of his Uncle (Wikipedia: Pg 2). As many people know, many disputes came around and it was broadcasted through cable television. Eventually, Elian was to be returned to Cuba. His relatives in Florida, however, refused to give him up. Therefore on one auspicious day in April 2000, it was certain that Elian be recovered and returned to his father in Cuba. The house he resided in was raided and Elian was taken out at gunpoint (Keith Morrison: MSNBC Dateline). He was later returned to Cuba. But this was a highly debated controversy that is still being debated over today. But I believe that returning the boy is not what should have happened.

Elian being returned was definitely not necessary. Elian was perfectly fine and possibly better in America. His mom obviously took him there for some sort of freedom. One day in March, Elian with his family in America visited Disney World, one of his highlight stays in America (Wikipedia: Pg 3). He was also bought over with chocolate milk (Time: Pg 2). He enjoyed America so much. Also, America shows more opportunity for children in today's day and age than Cuba does. In Cuba, Elian would not have as much opportunity to be a part of society. Marisleysis became Elian's caretaker. Armando Gutierrez became the spokesman for the family who communicated with the media and with the outside world (Wikipedia: Pg 3). All of these people kept Elian away from the media and more focused on learning and fun things. During his stay, Elian learned a lot. He extended his knowledge in karate, academics, and other areas (Keith Morrison: Video Linked with article).

Elian being returned is also wrong. According to the United State's "Wet Foot Dry Foot Policy", if a Cuban makes it successfully to land, which Elian did, he/she is allowed to stay in the United States to make their case. If they do not make it, they are sent back to Cuba. Elian in this instance did make it and was allowed to stay and was quickly taken in by his Uncle (Wikipedia: Pg 1). Also, along with the policy, there are other wrongs to the returning of Elian. It began to be thought of as a custody battle. Elian was supposedly taken from his hometown without his fathers' knowledge. This also caused the belief that this Elian was "stolen" and should have been returned (Wikipedia: Pg 2). Also on the same source, it is reported that Elian's uncle was phoned by his father and told that Elian and his mother would be coming to Miami and requested that Lazaro, (Elian's Uncle) become the caretaker of both his son and ex-wife. (Wikipedia: Pg 2). This clearly conceives that Elian's father was clearly lying (along with pressure from the Cuban government) to retrieve his son. (Wikipedia: Pg 2). Castro also has a roll in this. He blames this partly on the Embargo Act initiated after the Cold War. (Tom Gibb: BBC Pg 2).

Elian belongs in the United States. Many Americans believe so. The people who support him all will state it. According to Time Magazine, "To the relatives and their vocal, anti-Castro, Cuban-American supporters, Juan Miguel was a dupe or worse who sought his