I don't know what it's like to be Cuban-American, but I know what it's like to have family under Communism and to get up early in the morning and send medical supplies and try to send food and try to send money and have it intervened, and them calling and crying on the phone.

In this quote, Molly Qerim is reflecting on her personal experiences with the harsh realities of living under Communism and the struggles she witnessed within her family. While she acknowledges that she doesn’t fully understand the Cuban-American experience, she draws from her own family’s difficulties under a communist regime, where access to resources and basic necessities was severely restricted. Qerim’s statement highlights the emotional toll that political systems, especially oppressive ones, can have on families and individuals trying to survive.

Qerim shares her firsthand experience of the emotional distress that comes with trying to help loved ones under such conditions. She talks about the frustration of sending medical supplies, food, and money, only for these essential resources to be intervened or confiscated. This speaks to the bureaucratic and authoritarian nature of Communism, where the government often controls or blocks the flow of aid, leaving families feeling powerless and hopeless. The tears and emotional calls from her family reflect the deep suffering and helplessness that many people feel when their attempts to provide basic care are thwarted.

The mention of crying on the phone conveys the emotional weight of Qerim’s experience, indicating the helplessness and heartbreak of trying to care for family members who are living under such a regime. It speaks to the human cost of political ideologies that prioritize control over the well-being of individuals. Even though Qerim does not personally identify as Cuban-American, she emphasizes that the emotional pain and difficulty of supporting loved ones in an oppressive system transcends national or cultural boundaries.

Ultimately, Qerim’s quote reflects the broader struggle many families face under Communist rule, emphasizing the sacrifice and resilience of people trying to survive in such an environment. Through her personal experience, she illustrates the emotional and practical challenges of dealing with a system that restricts freedom, access to resources, and basic human rights.