MIAMI—More than six decades have passed since Fidel Castro’s revolutionary regime forced Dionel and Marina Cotanda to abandon everything they knew and loved in Cuba, seeking refuge on American shores with little more than hope and $65 in their pockets—the communists having seized the rest of their life savings.
The unmarried couple found sanctuary in Tampa, Florida, where they would eventually build new lives from the ashes of their former existence. Today, as Florida implements groundbreaking educational reforms requiring students in grades 6 through 12 to study the brutal realities of communist regimes, the Cotandas and thousands of other Cuban exiles are witnessing a moment they never thought they would see.
For the first time in American public education, Florida students will receive mandatory instruction about the horrors perpetrated under communist rule—lessons drawn from the real-world experiences of survivors like the Cotandas who escaped tyranny to find freedom in the Sunshine State.
The new curriculum mandate represents a significant shift in how American schools approach the teaching of 20th-century political systems. While many textbooks have traditionally presented sanitized or theoretical discussions of communism, Florida’s approach emphasizes the human cost of these ideologies through firsthand accounts and documented atrocities.
Cuban-American communities across South Florida have emerged as some of the most vocal supporters of this educational initiative. Having lived through the confiscation of property, the suppression of free speech, and the systematic dismantling of democratic institutions, these survivors bring a unique perspective to discussions about communist governance that textbooks alone cannot provide.
The timing of Florida’s decision comes as younger generations of Americans show varying levels of familiarity with the historical impact of communist regimes. Surveys have indicated that many students lack comprehensive knowledge about events such as the Soviet gulags, China’s Cultural Revolution, or the mass exodus of refugees from Cuba following Castro’s rise to power.
Education officials believe that incorporating these real-world testimonies and historical evidence will provide students with a more complete understanding of political systems and their consequences. The curriculum is designed to present factual information about various governmental structures while highlighting the experiences of those who lived under authoritarian rule.
For families like the Cotandas, who sacrificed everything to escape oppression, Florida’s educational mandate represents validation of their struggles and recognition of the freedoms they found in America. Their story—arriving with virtually nothing but determination—mirrors that of countless other refugees who chose exile over submission to totalitarian control.
The implementation of this curriculum requirement reflects Florida’s broader commitment to ensuring that students understand the historical context behind contemporary political discussions. By learning about the real-world applications of different governmental systems, students will be better equipped to appreciate the democratic institutions that define American society.
As Florida schools prepare to integrate these lessons into their standard curriculum, the voices of survivors continue to serve as powerful reminders of why understanding history remains crucial for each new generation of Americans.
