Reaction Paper About Leaving Cuba

Playing in the MLB is a dream that many kids have. Not just in America but around the world. As a Cuban born child Brayan Pena dream about playing in the major leagues. But being from Cuba getting to America was just as hard as getting to the major leagues. In 1999 when Pena was playing for the Cuban National team at 16 years old his friend approached him and told him that he had an opportunity for him to leave Cuba. So at 16 years old with no money and just the clothes on his back Pena left Cuba without telling his friends or family. He did not tell his friends or family about him leaving because if they knew about him leaving they could be in some serious trouble.
Reading Brayan Pena story had me thinking about life in Cuba for him and his family and how scared he must have been leaving his family at 16 years old. Also not getting to say goodbye to his family and wondering if he would ever see them again that scares me as a reader thinking if I having to do that with my family. But when reading this I also see his bravery leaving Cuba and his passion for baseball.
With Cuba and US relations restoring full diplomatic ties on December 17,2014 that led to the opportunity …show more content…
The first being how did you come to the decision to take those green gloves and leave Cuba not knowing when or if you would be seeing your family again? Also, what other facts played in your decision making process to leave Cuba? In addition, you mention that eventually you got your parents to the US. I was wondering did they have to go through a process like yours to flee Cuba? My last question is what did it mean to you to become an American citizen? I just wanted to let you know that you opened my eyes and the eyes of many others not just about Cuban baseball players and their struggles to get to the majors and to the US but the struggle Cuban citizens face on a daily basis. Thank you for sharing your