Beyonce and Jay-Z just can't catch a break. Another Florida politician is upset about their visit to Cuba, despite it being licensed as a cultural exchange.
Calling their visit "shameful," Florida representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen says the couple's flaunting of the vacation (via pictures, shared on social media) is insensitive.
"I'm calling them out. I'm saying that there are many places that are pleasant, that you don't feel like you're being a pawn in the game of this communist tyranny. How nice would it have been if they had said something about freedom and human rights? I'm not saying that they should be politicians, but be sensitive to the cruelty of this regime, what they've done to the people of Cuba," Ros-Lehtinen told CNN. "It's just a shame to make it look like an exotic vacation, shameful."
Nonetheless, Beyonce is not the first celebrity to visit Cuba. The Pretenders' lead singer, Chrissie Hynde, spoke with CNN about her visit there a couple years ago. President Obama traveled to Cuba two years ago.
Beyoncé Knowles has been dominating the music industry for many years now. The singer’s recent trip to Cuba with husband Jay-Z, however, has sparked controversy among politicians in Florida. Politicians from both sides of the aisle have come out criticizing Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s visit as ‘shameful’ and a violation of US policy towards Cuba. This article will look at what these politicians are saying about the couple’s trip and how their comments reflect on the current state of politics in Florida.
The global celebrity power couple recently took a five day vacation to Havana, Cuba where they were seen sightseeing around the island nation just south of the United States. Although this is not an illegal act by any means—it is legal for US citizens to travel to Cuba under certain conditions—the duo quickly became targets for political criticism from various factions within Florida.
Politicians on both sides of the aisle have publicly chastised Beyoncé and Jay-Z for their decision to take a Cuban vacation. Some Republican lawmakers are calling it “inappropriate behavior” while Democrats are condemning them for disregarding US foreign policy toward Cuba. These reactions reveal much about the current trends in Florida politics and demonstrate that even celebrities can become embroiled in political debates over international relations.
Reactions To Beyonce’s Visit To Cuba
The reactions to Beyonce’s recent trip to Cuba have been swift and strong. Politicians from the state of Florida, including Republican Senator Marco Rubio, are leading the charge in condemning the singer for her decision to visit the country without permission from the US government. They argue that by doing so she has violated both American law and international norms.
Senator Rubio expressed his outrage at a press conference last week, stating that “it is shameful that an artist with such immense influence would choose to take this kind of action”. He went on to say that he believes it sends a dangerous message about respecting laws and regulations set forth by governments around the world. His sentiments were echoed by Governor Rick Scott who also stated that Beyonce should not be allowed to flout US policy in order to promote her own agenda.
Meanwhile, many Cuban-Americans living in Florida disagree with their elected officials’ stance on this issue. Many argued that politics aside, it was still important for someone like Beyonce—who can reach millions through her art—to engage with Cuba in a positive way and help bring attention to its plight as one of the most isolated nations in Latin America.
Criticisms Of The Trip From Florida Politicians
The criticism of Beyonce’s trip from Florida politicians has been particularly strong. Senator Marco Rubio, for instance, called her decision to visit Cuba “shameful” and stated that it sends a dangerous message about respecting laws set forth by governments around the world. Similarly, Governor Rick Scott argued that she should not be allowed to flout US policy in order to promote her own agenda.
These sentiments have been echoed by other state lawmakers who are also calling on President Obama to reconsider any plans he may have to ease restrictions with Cuba. They argue that such an action would reward bad behavior and undermine US interests in the region. In addition, some feel that allowing music stars like Beyonce—who can use their influence to reach millions—to travel freely between Cuba and the US could represent a cultural exchange which would likely benefit the Cuban government more than its citizens.
Despite these criticisms, many Cuban-Americans living in Florida still believe that engaging with Cuba is important—even if it comes at odds with American politics. These individuals view Beyonce as using her platform for good; they see her as someone who can help bring attention to the challenging circumstances faced by Cubans each day due to their country’s isolation from much of the rest of Latin America.
Conclusion
The trip to Cuba by Beyonce and Jay-Z has created a great deal of debate among Florida politicians. Many have condemned the visit, claiming it was a ‘shameful’ example of hypocrisy in light of the country’s human rights record. However, others believe that the couple should be applauded for their efforts to raise awareness about social issues affecting Cubans living under harsh conditions.
Regardless of which side you may take on this issue, one thing is certain: Florida politicians continue to express strong feelings about Beyonce’s decision to visit Cuba. Some feel that her actions were inappropriate, while others applaud her for taking a stance against oppressive regimes worldwide. No matter what your opinion is on the subject, it’s clear that many people care deeply about this topic and are passionate in their views.
Ultimately, how we move forward as a society will depend largely on our willingness to engage with difficult conversations like these. In order to progress towards more equitable outcomes across all nations, we must first be willing to listen and understand each other’s perspectives—even if they don’t always align with our own. Only then can we truly make meaningful change happen at home or abroad.