At the Give Good Works Thrift Store in Wynwood, a wall facing North Miami Avenue turned for two days into a canvas for people to write or paint their thoughts about Fidel Castro.
Large black letters read, “Fidel, may you rot in hell.”
In a sign posted outside, the store encouraged passers-by to stop and write on the wall. "Ask for a marker inside," it said.
Someone wrote, "Viva Cuba Libre," and another "Praying for a free Cuba."
Other writings reflected on the past, like the message that read, "In memory of Reinaldo Arenas, gay Cuban author and political prisoner.”
Arenas was persecuted by the Cuban government for leading an openly gay lifestyle and he was deemed counterrevolutionary.
He was imprisoned in Cuba and later fled to the U.S. on the Mariel Boat lift.
While in the U.S. the poet and novelist was diagnosed with AIDS. In 1990 he committed suicide.
In Arenas' farewell letter to friends, he wrote:
“Due to my delicate state of health and to the terrible depression that causes me not to be able to continue writing and struggling for the freedom of Cuba, I am ending my life..”
He continued: “I want to encourage the Cuban people abroad as well as on the Island to continue fighting for freedom.”
UPDATE: By Wednesday, November 30, the wall had disappeared. It was painted over.
Read the full letter from Reinaldo Arenas here:
If You Go:
Give Good Works Thrift Store
2401 North Miami Ave
