Cuba Has No Racial Discrimination

Elio Delgado Legon

HAVANA TIMES — I carefully read some articles in Havana Times that referred to alleged racial discrimination in Cuba, an opinion I disagree with completely.

It was claimed that the problem of racism is evident in our society and that none of the campaigns carried out — such as the ones at the beginning of the Revolution in 1959 — managed to banish this scourge. Nevertheless, the arguments had little value or they simply aren’t true.

For example, as a symptom of racism it’s noted that jokes are made about blacks. But it’s also true that jokes are made about people from Pinar del Rio, about people from the east of the country and about many of our characteristics and shortcomings – among both blacks and whites. We Cubans make jokes even about our own ugliness.

Another claim that’s totally false is that only white figures are highlighted in the teaching of our nation’s history. However, one of the most outstanding figures after Jose Marti is Antonio Maceo, along with his brothers and their mother, Mariana Grajales, who are highlighted as the greatest example of patriotism in our struggles for liberation.

What’s also taught is the role of Juan Gualberto Gomez in the war of 1895, in addition to Quintin Banderas, a combatant of the three wars and a participant, along with Maceo, in the Baragua protest.

Recently a documentary was shown on television about the murder of Quintin Banderas, which enhances his figure.

Nor is it true that Cuban society is viewed as a white society. Quite the contrary. Emphasis is always made on our African roots being an important element in the formation of our nation. Steps are even taken to ensure that all levels of government have an ethnic composition that corresponds to the composition of our society.

Taking a look at the Cuban educational system, those who study and sacrifice the most are those who go the farthest, regardless of the color of their skin. The only thing that separates us from each other is personal effort and our moral and ethical qualities.

It’s also not true that Cuba strives to rescue its Hispanic roots while ignoring our African heritage.

In my opinion, there’s no need to “rescue” our Hispanic or our African legacy – both are present in our daily lives. The truth is, African elements are felt more than Spanish ones, because African traditions and dances are much more represented in our folklore.

I don’t see the racial situation in Cuba as a problem that has to be treated in the National Assembly or the Communist Party Congress. Nor do I believe that black and mulato Cubans live in a racist society or that the educational system has to be changed – much less the existing social system, as is suggested in some of the articles.

In Cuban society before the Revolution, racism was manifested mainly among the bourgeoisie and the middle class, but at the level of the proletariat and the poorer classes, there were no such displays. Blacks and whites shared as sisters and brothers, at work, in the neighborhood, on the street and at school.

When the Revolution triumphed, the vast majority of the racist classes left the country. Then, with the campaigns and actions taken by the Revolution, racist institutions and discriminatory customs disappeared. In their place, racial equality was instituted.

In a referendum on the Cuban constitution, almost 98 per cent of the voters approved Article 42, which states: “Discrimination based on race, skin color, sex, national origin, religious belief or any other offense against human dignity is forbidden and punishable by law.

“The institutions of the state educate everyone, starting at the youngest of age, on the principle of the equality of human beings”

At the institutional level, the government does what’s within its power to ensure that there’s no racial discrimination of any kind.

Clearly, the social status of black citizens — culturally — continues to reflect inequalities that originated with slavery and were maintained in pre-revolutionary racist society.

The Cuban mentality has changed, but this isn’t something that’s fully achieved in a few generations. It’s a slow process. But the fact that there remain some people with racist mentalities doesn’t mean there’s a generalized problem of racism in the country.

Another claim that’s totally false is that only white figures are highlighted in the teaching of our nation’s history. However, one of the most outstanding figures after Jose Marti is Antonio Maceo, along with his brothers and their mother, Mariana Grajales, who are highlighted as the greatest example of patriotism in our struggles for liberation.

Presenting it in those terms is pandering to those who wage media campaigns against the Cuban Revolution and are always looking for a new theme to attack us with.

The first people who have to change their mentality are black citizens themselves, who often self-discriminate, lose their self-esteem and marginalize themselves.

In my view, Cuban society must be seen as a whole – with black, white, brown and Chinese members. Those who stand out in politics can become top political leaders. Those who excel in the economy can occupy high positions in that field. Those who excel in sports or culture will be great athletes or intellectuals. None require that anyone belongs to a particular race. We have thousands examples, too many to even mention.

Taking a look at the Cuban educational system, those who study and sacrifice the most are those who go the farthest, regardless of the color of their skin. The only thing that separates us from each other is personal effort and our moral and ethical qualities.

So where’s the “problem” of racism in Cuba? Only in the minds of some people.