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Morales, an economist, political scientist and essayist, said there’s a racial problem throughout Latin America and Cuba is no exception.
Color remains “a very important barrier,” he said, noting that “Race is a category of social division” and that unlike in the U.S., “going back to Africa was not an important idea in Cuba.” And while Cuba was indeed influenced by “Spanish racists and American racists” in the early 20th century, it did not experience anything equivalent to the civil rights movement in the U.S.
Moreover, after the 1959 revolution led by Fidel Castro, Cuba’s Central Committee adopted language making it illegal to discriminate based on color. Thus for a couple of generations Cubans have had equal access to education, medical care and the housing that’s available.
There is a rub, however.
“Equality for those in unequal positions is not fair,” said Arandia, a historian and journalist.
That line of reasoning sounds much like that of proponents of affirmative action in the U.S. Black Cubans also started off further behind their white counterparts because of the discrimination that existed before 1959. That didn’t get fixed by Castro’s revolution.
Many Cubans “cannot talk about race because,” Morales said, “there is no consensus about the problem of racism. . . In Cuba, there is not a racial consciousness like in the U.S. We have a problem right now explaining to people in Cuba that there is racism and racial discrimination.”
Indeed, many Cubans believe it’s counterrevolutionary to speak about race. “Socialism is very vertical,” said Arandia, author of the book, AfroCuba Today. She is convinced, nevertheless, that things are changing. Cubans “in this moment are beginning to debate the problem of race,” she said.
The Malecon, the iconic breakfront in Havana, is perfect for a scenic stroll anytime of day.