Identidades in English No 4, December 2014 | Page 33

against the scourge of racism and racial discrimination, and for the inclusion of Afro-descendants
in the spaces in which public policies are defined
and decided. We must strengthen the Afro-descendant movement and craft working strategies
which can be incorporated into the global movement.
The race problem and discrimination is one of
Cuba’s far-reaching problems. The island needs a
change not only in its economic policy, but also
in its social policy. Many are the independent
groups that are advocating for this change, but if
the problem of discrimination is not on the
agenda, and it is not dealt with in a serious manner, any changes will be neither profound nor
real.

We must understand that change in Cuba will pinpoint Afro-descendants as the most vulnerable;
they will also be the most affected by change, due
to their complete political and economic abandonment.
In facing racial discrimination, Cuban civil society is ready to demand that the Cuban government
efficiently enforce its laws against discrimination,
facilitate participation in a discussion about it,
and promote actions that combat all kinds of violence and discrimination against Afro-descendants. This means that they must be allowed space
in society that has also been denied them; it means
that the imposed barriers must be shattered, to
bring about an equitable society with freedom and
with rights.

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