Exercise 2.1: Finding the Questions





1) In the space below, write the title
of your tentative topic (e.g.
Internet addiction)

I chose the topic of The Effects of the
Black Market on the peoples of Cuba.





2) Briefly state why you chose this
topic.
I chose this topic because I have
personnel interest in the going ons of the
people of cuba, the government, and its
tourism. The reason why this interests
me so much is because a few years ago I
bought documents off the black market
and smuggled myself and a friend in and
out of the country. When I was there I was
astounded to find that the main currency
is US Dollars! So apparently I was not the
only person in with out permission.





3) Spend about five minutes listing
what you already know (if
anything) about your topic. For
example, are you aware of any
interesting facts, common
misconceptions, your own
assumptions, important people or
institutions involved, key
schools of thought, the extent of the
problem, current trends,
etc.?

When I was in Cuba I went out to a lot of
clubs, Restaurants, and social outings. If
their were any Americans at all, we stuck
out like a sore thumb. I met about 3 in my
one week stay. One man spend all his
time yachting between Havana and Key
Largo FL. About a 90 mile trip. He was
vague about why he went back and forth
so much, I can only imagine. But what he
did reveal was that when he stays there
he employs many families to do his
bidding. Laundry, housekeeping, grocery
shopping, cooking. All jobs that are not
government regulated. Allowing some
cubans to get ahead. Also while I was
there I met a wonderful family whose
father was a Doctor, this Doctor only
made $24 Dollars an month and his
family lived in one small flat with all the
kids. Each person in that house hold had
an illegal job to better there way of life.
Just the fact that airport attendants turned
there heads when we arrived showed that
it is something that is very regular going
on.




4) Now spend at least fifteen
minutes brainstorming a list of
questions about your topic you’d
love to learn the answers to.
Make this list as long as you can,
and don’t worry whether every
question is a good one.

What are the punishments of people who
get caught?
How has the extra income raised the
standards of living?
Does Fidel know that his country
supports a free economy?
Does Fidel benefit from the Black Market?
What are Fidels living conditions?
What is the percentage of cubans still
alive that were around pre-Fidel?
Are the young Cubans supportive of Fidel
as long as they can have small
businesses on the side?
What were the cubans real feelings about
Eli Gonzalez in Florida with his family?
Were they happy someone got out?
How much money is brought in total by
the black market every year?
What is the total money made by the
black market in The United States?
Is it the duty of Cuban Americans to
support family back in Cuba?
Would Cuban citizens like to be a
protectorate of the US?
What language would they speak if they
did?
How much does the average household
make with out illegal money?
How much does it have with the money?
What is Cubas healthcare system like?
Do Doctors care to learn hi tech life
saving strategies even if they do not get
paid more?
Is Fidels brother as hard nosed and
sharp as Fidel?
How many Americans are living in Cuba?
How many Americans have been caught
and punished by our government?
What is the punishment?
Of all the countries in the world, wich one
is the biggest supporter of cuban
exports?
And Why?
In the movie "The Gods Must be Crazy 2"
why was the Cubans government in the
Kalahari Desert?








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