Religion is an incredibly unifying factor that has allowed communities within and surrounding bases to persevere despite the hazards that have impacted them. Guantanamo Bay Naval Base has long attracted negative attention for decades due to its practices, such as the indefinite detention of individuals without trial, torture masquerading as enhanced interrogation, interrogation tactics, and human rights abuses. These are undeniably horrific things to endure, and it’s difficult to imagine how anyone could persevere through such challenges. Yet, through the writings of one former detainee, Mansoor Adayfi, it’s revealed how some individuals could do just that. Adayfi grew up with strong religious values that emphasized compassion and kindness. He was only 18 when he was kidnapped and sent to Guantanamo, but he found strength in his faith. This was found in his fellow detainees, who would, over time, form a close-knit community through their shared cultural and religious backgrounds. Their bond deepened when they transitioned to communal living since, they could now share prayers, meals, and religious holidays together. Something that especially made me smile reading his article is that some guards and personnel developed friendships with the detainees and even converted to Islam. Adayfi and the detainees were able to foster a sense of community despite the harsh conditions on the naval base. This is an excellent example of what is enjoyable about historical research as I initially went looking for cases of pollution and environmental misconduct but discovered this story of resilience and strength as well. 

Further demonstrating that communities can persevere past the conditions of living near/on a military base is Center Bargo, a small Cuban neighborhood on Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. At one point, 350 Cubans lived on the island’s American side, but that number has dwindled to 19 as many have passed away or left for the United States. On the edge of this base, past military housing complexes, machinery, and airfields, is the Cuban Community Center.

These 19 individuals are able to keep their culture alive by coming to this center and making traditional meals together, playing dominoes and bingo, and watching baseball games. Many of them have not seen their family in decades, and one resident, Noel West, has never left the base to return to any other part of Cuba since he decided to remain on the American side in 1964. He ultimately decided to stay as he was able to work as a clerk on the base for five and a half decades. Being Cuban myself, it is a joy to see that this community can keep traditions alive even though they have been separated from their homes due to the military’s residence on the island.