Jacobson - Cuba

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Recommended: Essays on Cuban history

Cuba Cultural Awareness

Culture defines the very fabric of society. It depicts where we as an ethnicity came from, our accomplishments, as well as our path to where we currently stand on this rapidly modernizing world. As Americans, it is apparent to all that others revere our diversified culture for its distinctiveness in acceptance of different racial, religious and ethical differences amongst our population. American culture has graciously adapted many traditions, beliefs, and ethnicities guaranteeing a freedom to form opposing interests and viewpoints of our own, while still expressing unity and solidarity. While Cuba seeks conformity, and grants far less freedom to form opposing views, Cuba has adapted as well, despite colonial oppression, creating Afrocubanism, which is defined by culture as,
Cultural forms, particularly music and dance, were crucial to the definition of the new nation during the neocolonial republic. Afrocubanismo, the syncretic result of the African majority's culture and that of the dominant European minority, was the "conceptual framework of modern Cuban culture." African rhythms were inserted into popular music, and the Eurocuban dances "danza" and "contra-danza" and the Afrocuban dances "son" and rhumba became popular. When Cuba was threatened with a diminution of its national identity because of the U.S. economic colonialism beginning in 1898, nationalist sentiment found in the Afrocuban music and dance of Oriente province a unique Cubanness free of foreign cultural and ideological influence. For a time, Afrocubanismo was the centerpiece of nationalist representation. (Culture)

Cuba today demonstrates itself as a mostly thriving nation. It is a nation in which all citizens are receive c...

... middle of paper ...

... overcome adversity, and have assimilated other cultures to create a unique blend. Despite overwhelming size differences, both nations command respect throughout the world community as a whole. Cuba has sought success through the concept of socialism, and the United States as a capitalist nation. Regardless of the method, both nations have achieved their independence from colonization and are self sustaining, culturally rich nations.

Works Cited

"Cuba." Every Culture. N.p., n.d. Bing. Web. 8 June 2014. .
Bourne, Peter G. Fidel A Biography of Fidel Castro. First ed. New York NY: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1986. N. pag. Print
Smith, Wayne S. Portrait of Cuba. First ed. Atlanta Ga: Turner Publishing Inc, 1991. N. pag. Print.
"Cuba." Pearson Education, n.d. Web. 11 June 2014.
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