Guest: Ricardo Jose Gonzalez-Rothi, Author

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-gonzalez-rothi/

On YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@MangoforYou2day

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Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli

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This Episode’s Sponsors

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Episode Introduction

And here we go. Welcome to another episode of ITSP magazine's Audio Signal podcast.

I have the honor of meeting various fascinating individuals through this platform, and today, I got to chat with Ricardo, a writer, and someone whose life experiences are as rich and layered as the stories he writes. His book, The Mango Chronicle, isn't just storytelling; it's a journey through time, emotions, and the transformation of a refugee's life.

The Mango Chronicle and Ricardo's Story

Ricardo's recount of his initial years in Cuba and the eventual escape to the United States during a turbulent political period is compelling. He begins his narrative in Cuba, reminiscing about simple yet profound childhood moments with friends, like eating mangoes in a tree - a revelation that mangoes are more than just a fruit but a symbol of nostalgia and childhood joy.

Ricardo shared:

"I came to this country from Cuba as a refugee when I was just about to turn 13 years old. It wasn't an easy transition, but I have been very fortunate to be adopted by this country and to make something meaningful of my life here."

Remembering to Forget, Remembering to Forgive

One of the most poignant parts of our conversation revolved around two critical themes in Ricardo's book: remembering to forget and remembering to forgive. It’s not just his personal philosophy but a universal lesson in dealing with past trauma.

Ricardo explained how, when he first arrived in the U.S., he had to selectively remember to forget the painful memories of his departure and the struggles his family faced. Yet, it was in this forgetting that he found the strength to build a new life. On the flip side, remembering to forgive was equally essential. Forgiveness wasn’t just a decision but a needed process to release bitterness.

"You will find that many people who leave the country as refugees always hear from their parents or whatever. They would say, when we go back, things will be better, but after a couple of years, you realize that you can’t go back."

The Journey Back Home

In 2009 and again in 2016, Ricardo returned to Cuba after decades away. These trips were more than just physical journeys back to his homeland; they were profound emotional experiences.

"The first time I went back, after more than 40 years, stepping off the plane and smelling the salty air, I felt like I was home. I started to cry. By 2016, I took my wife, daughters, and sons-in-law with me. We found my old house, and although it was a bittersweet experience, it was also enriching."

The Power of Stories

Throughout our conversation, it was evident that Ricardo’s life is a testament to the power of storytelling. From his experiences in Cuba, heartbreaks, and triumphs in the U.S., to his philosophical reflections on forgiveness and remembrance - it all weaves together into a narrative that needs to be shared and heard.

"I think of it as my way of paying it forward. I'm not trying to make any personal profit from this book. Instead, I'm donating the royalties to charitable organizations, and I hope that by sharing my journey, others find hope and inspiration."

Concluding Thoughts

Ricardo’s story isn't just his own; it echoes the experiences of many who have had to leave their homes and start anew. It serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the necessity of forgiveness and understanding.

For those interested, I highly recommend reading The Mango Chronicle to dive deeper into Ricardo’s thoughts, feelings, and life experiences. It's a powerful memoir that intertwines personal history with broader historical events, offering profound insights into the human condition.

Call to Action

I encourage everyone to pick up a copy of The Mango Chronicle, not only to support Ricardo’s efforts to give back but to enrich your own understanding of a pivotal time in history through the eyes of someone who lived it. Tune into Audio Signals for more such compelling conversations and stories

About the Book

A preadolescent boy is caught in Castro’s Revolution and struggles with trading a Cuban Huck Finn childhood for the price of liberty after fleeing with his family to New Jersey via Mexico.

The boy reminisces about his roots in the barrio. He chronicles spirited narratives that range from stealing a rowboat and being nearly capsized by a Russian tanker, to befriending an old fisherman who tells him a haunting tale, to being bullied by a neighborhood thug, to cockfights gone bad, and to being nearly mauled by a wild boar. He witnesses the plight of captives taken near his home during the Bay of Pigs invasion, and tries to navigate the complexities of growing up in a machismo, homophobic culture.

The U.S. blockade of Cuba during the Missile Crisis unexpectedly disrupts their egress. He and his family endure the next several months in isolation.

As a new expatriate, the boy lands in Mexico, He eventually arrives at freedom in blue-collar, New Jersey. He endures the many ordeals of being an immigrant in an at-times intolerant culture and struggles with adjusting to American life. But he perseveres.

He scratches his way from a Green Card to American citizen, then to becoming a highly respected professor of medicine at two major medical schools in the United States. He eventually returns to the island in search of his roots, of the mango tree and of the boyhood for which he so dearly longed. He doesn’t succeed altogether. But he doesn’t lose hope.

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Resources

The Mango Chronicle (Book): https://gonzalezrothiauthor.com/

The Mango Chronicle trailer: https://gonzalezrothiauthor.com/mango-chronicle/

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For more podcast stories from Audio Signals: https://www.itspmagazine.com/audio-signals

Watch the video version on-demand on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllQvnJ8eHUlVX8AuyhehtexA

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