IDENTIDADES 1 ENGLISH IDENTIDADES 1 ENGLISH | Page 12

national history, and spaces for cultural expression
have given natural continuity to a supremacist view
that reaffirms the subaltern and distorted view of
Afro-descendants.
Two decades of a deep, socioeconomic crisis have further reaffirmed the historic disadvantages endured by
Afro-Cubans. The level of marginalization and poverty endured by this important segment of the Cuban
population is reaching truly worrisome proportions.

ized the leaders and organizations that work to promote the rights of blacks, and their right to open
spaces for dialogue. These leaders and entities fight
this battle by adhering to universal values and the idea
of civil independence. As a result, Cuba’s authorities
have crafted a sort of fictional organization, the Regional Afro-Descendant Articulation of Latin America and the Caribbean (ARAAC). Its demagogic rhetoric is nothing more than another mechanism with

Marginalization and its surroundings
Economic measure and reforms have sharpened the
which to distort and manipulate reality. It is always
inequality and lack of opportunities of Cuban blacks
dependent upon the government’s interests and deand mestizos. Once again, the Cuban government is
signs, and is always ready to mediate or impede any
not implementing measures and actions designed to
efforts meant to seek justice and integration.
promote the development and integration of the perOrganizations in Cuba committed to combating perennial victims.
sistent racism and discrimination have been connectThe crises, traumas and fractures we endure can no
ing with the institutions and movements that have
longer be hidden from view, despite the official mataken on this long and difficult struggle in countries
nipulation and silence. Questions and demands rethroughout the continent; the fruits of this collaboragarding the pressing need for a more adequate and
tion, of course, are becoming more and more visible.
consistent approach to this problem are increasing not
Brazil and Colombia, with their considerable black
only abroad, but also in official, intellectual circles.
populations, and even other countries like Argentina
The global increase in actions and programs designed
and Uruguay, have successfully moved forward imto bring historic justice to Afro-descendants and proportant legislation and mechanisms to align themmote respect for this population’s rights, a group that
selves with values regarding legal and social equality,
has always suffered discrimination, has shown up Cuand diversity that should be embraced worldwide at
ban authorities, who keep Cuba distant from this
this time.
global and continental movement. They have demon-

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