ENCUENTRO 8 - APRIL 26TH Race Relations in Cuba Samuel Furé Davis The Encuentro with Samuel Fure provided us with much information about race relations in Cuba from both a historical and contemporary perspective. He talked to us about the interrelation between race and nation, the early 20th century, the period between 1908 and 1920, and lastly about the 1940s. The Interrelation Between Race and Nation Professor Furé first explained that Cuba is a country where Spanish settlements were implemented, which created interrelations between nation and race. Then he continued telling us that when the Spanish first came to Cuba, they built and constructed the country. However, he told us that this created a significantly high white population on the island. Between 1860 and 1870, 80% of the population were slaves, and 20% were white settlers. Spanish colonization led to a debate regarding the idea of a 'nation.' The descendants of white colonizers wondered what their place in society was. In fact, the idealists even had the idea to create a priceless Cuba. However, the republic completely rejected this idea. Early 20th Century Afterward, Samuel Furé talked about the 20th century and the discrimination. He explained that during the 20th century, the republic discriminated against black veterans. They decided to fight for their rights, being supported by some of the independent parties against discrimination. During this period, the incoming foreign capitals allowed economic growth for white and black Cubans, which attracted black immigrants. 1908-1920 in addition, he talked about the period between the years 1908 and 1920. During this period, the black population increased by thousands, which increased economic tensions between the black and white populations within Cuba. However, it also created tension between descendants from slaves and the new black population who immigrated to Cuba. 1940’s Lastly, he talked for a while about the period of the 1940s when the constitution was created. The constitution was created in the 1940s. It was first created to eliminate discrimination against the black population. Nonetheless, there was still a problem. Even though the constitution was supposed to stop discrimination, the white families still did not allow marriage between black and white people. The basis of Black Cuban’s problem is the settlement of the Spanish. It is obvious that the problem of laves and black discrimination all started when the Spanish arrived in Cuba. Right after their arrival to the island, 80% of the population were made slaves. If they would have never came to Cuba, no black Cuban would have been made into slaves. It then led to the discussion about the nation. Because of the enslavement of black, descendent do not know what their place in the society was created economic tension between the white population and the descendent from black slaves. Also, if the Spanish had not come to Cuba, their would have been no discrimination against the black community and there would still be some aboriginal communities, which was eliminated by them. In other words, all problems that the Cuban black community has to endure since the 19th century was caused by the Spanish settlement.
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By: Magaly
