Paris Hilton was just touring Havana, Cuba.
Before you blow this off as a trivial care of American celebrity culture, hear me out: Celebrities like Paris Hilton and Beyonce Knowles, with their close proximity to powerful individuals and large fan bases, have the opportunity to make a political statement regarding the ineffective embargo against US-Cuba trade.
Since Americans cannot be tourists in Cuba, Paris Hilton probably traveled to Havana through an educational exchange program like People-to-People. This is the same way Beyonce and Jay-Z traveled to Cuba, which created an uproar among Republicans who questioned the legality of the couple’s excursion. The couple did not attend all educational exchange programs on their approved itinerary. A large report by the United States treasury department concluded that the trip was legal.
Beyonce and Jay-Z have a personal relationship with the Obama family. Paris is a member of the Hilton family, whose hotel was reclaimed after the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Today the Old Hilton Hotel, now the Habana Libre, is operated by the Cuban Government. To end the Embargo, either seized land (like the Hilton Hotel-turned Habana Libre) must be returned to its once American ownership, or the American congress must decide to lift the embargo.
The Embargo has not been effective at changing the Cuban government. It does, however, make it more difficult for Cubans to live. The United States could be a powerful trading partner to Cuba. Lifting the embargo would allow the Cuban government to make additional income by selling goods to the United States. The embargo also restricts many forms humanitarian aid, including supporting the preservation of historic buildings.
In reality, the Cuban people suffer the most from the American embargo. Celebrities who visit Cuba are treating the nation like a playground. They play on the beaches, enjoy and benefit from the perks (perhaps supporting some Cuban families along the way), then return home to the United States.
I know Beyonce and Paris can’t personally propose a bill to end the embargo, but they sure could help put some heat on the current congress to make an important change. If you have the potential to make change, you have a moral obligation to do so.