We Are All Equal

We Are All Equal

The 1960’s have been considered the most crucial years of the United States. During this time period the United States was going through the Cold War as well as the Civil Rights. Evidentially, race was the large issue at hand during those times.  With this in mind, Fidel Castro utilized this information and began to help the black community. Some famous individuals that have associated with Castro are W.E.B. DuBois and a New York Congressman Adam Clayton Powell.  

According to many historians it is believed that the 1960’s were the most crucial times for Cubans and Blacks. Castro helped the Black community in the American government because, they both believed they had a common enemy. Which was the United States government. Fidel Castro helped the Black community by addressing the racial issues the United States have emplaced to the United Nation’s committee.

However, this has not been the case with Blacks and Cubans. Before the Cuban Revolution, Blacks were considered as an issue in Cuba as that in the United States.  During those times the United States helped the Cuban government with addressing this issue.

Actually, during the intervention in 1898 the United States believed that the black community in Cuba were going to help rebel against the Jim Crow laws. So what did the U.S. do? Well, they helped suppress the blacks in Cuba by destroying their riots and the first and last black political party.

According to article : Comparative Perspectives on the African American Experience: What We Can Learn from Cuba states: “Speaking of races always leads to racism. In Cuba there never was a Martin Luther King Jr. because there were no segregated coffee shops, or rest rooms either. For want of a program of betterment for the entire population. Castro has maximized the racial problem in order to pretend that at least the blacks have been redeemed and have regained their lost dignity.  He is the most racist ruler that Cuba has endured” After looking at this quote one might address the issue that having the black community behind the revolution was believed to be the main reason they have won.

Unfortunately, racism is alive today in Cuba. According to the New York Times article For Blacks in Cuba, the Revolution Hasn’t Begun, the author identifies the common issues that are happening today. With Fidel Castro dead, it is believed that there will be a change in the political spectrum with his brother Raul in place. The article addresses the issue that although individuals are beginning to enter a free market. Afro-Cubans are still being discriminated through being poor and uneducated.  According to the article, not long ago it was common for hotel managers, for example, to hire only white staff members, so as not to offend the supposed sensibilities of their European clientele.Issues like this have been in placed to not only help the Cuban perspective but to not offend the other races perspective. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/24/opinion/sunday/for-blacks-in-cuba-the-revolution-hasnt-begun.html

 

Cubans however are beginning to adapt to American customs. For example, baseball is the most popular sport in Cuba. Many MLB players were originally from Cuba such as, Rogelio Álvarez, Bárbaro Garbey , Mariel Boatlift,  René Arocha, Rey Ordóñez , Rolando Arrojo , and  Orlando Hernández. Lastly, they have also helped with the creation of rap music and jazz.

             

All things considered, the main backbone to the Cuban Revolution and the reasoning behind Castro winning the Cuban Revolution was the black community within the United States. After the fail of the Bay of Pigs the United States was the main enemy to Cuba. However, during those times the Black community also were in a fight against the United States. Castro had a brilliant plan of having black community help him defeat the common enemy which was the United States government. Nevertheless, Cuba today has grown with the United States and race has begun to be address within the country.