Raúl Castro addressed the Cuban National Assembly this weekend for the first time since officially becoming head of state. There, he gave us this rhetorical jewel:

Socialism means social justice and equality, but equality of rights, of opportunities, not of income. Equality is not egalitarianism.

This is certainly not the brand of socialism I was taught by my college professors in Costa Rica. Otherwise, I might’ve ended up being a “socialist.”

However, I’m sure Raúl’s statement raised some eyebrows among the Communist Party officials gathered in the Assembly. So, in order to diffuse any misunderstanding, Raúl quickly added that he has “learned everything” from his brother Fidel.

Then, he received a standing ovation.