IDENTIDADES 1 ENGLISH IDENTIDADES 9 ENGLISH | Page 35

In the International Decade of African
Descent, the CIR includes a local
agenda among its objectives, with
various social actors that will help give
resonance to the narrative on Cuban
reality. Herein the CIR is encouraging
contacts and experience exchanges with
other voices of the Cuban civil society,
particularly the artists linked to the
underground urban culture.
The CIR recognizes and is interested in
the role played by the hip-hop culture as
both a communication channel and a
vehicle for denouncing; likewise, it
believes that the popular culture
andreligious leaders can encourage the
exchange with other social actors. For

CIR, it is important to continue working
with the artists grouped into Spoken
Word or engaged in visual arts and rap,
because such artistic manifestations are
part of the cultural and social claiming
movement that provides alternative
discourses on issues from the Cuban
reality. The topics addressed by these
artists in their works promote strategic
alliances and valuable notions such as
self-esteem. Thus, they contribute to
visualize the racial discrimination and
prejudices. It’s something that greatly
influence on the awakening of
consciousness among young blacks and
mestizos.

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