# data[].attributes.body
Three Scholarly Sources

Kempf, A. (2014) The Cuban Literacy Campaign at 50: Formal and Tacit Learning in Revolutionary Education, Critical Education. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/48349894/The_Cuban_Literacy_Campaign_at_50_Formal_and_Tacit_Learning_in_Revolutionary_Education.

This article discusses the Cuban literacy campaign initiated in 1959, a critical part of the educational reforms after the Revolution. It analyzes how the campaign reached rural areas and significantly reduced illiteracy, contributing to the empowerment of marginalized populations.

Hernandez, A. (2015). Gender Equality in Cuban Education: Challenges and Achievements. https://scholarship.law.ufl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=fjil

This source explores the role of gender equality in the evolution of Cuba's educational system. It highlights how access to education for women improved over the decades, but still discusses the ongoing issues of gender inequality in employment and wage disparities post-graduation.

Uriarte, M. (2003) ‘Issue 3 Article 3 Fall 2003 Crisis of the 1990s’, Journal of Pedagogy, Pluralism, and Practice, 2. Available at: https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1176&context=jppp.

This Volume explores the relationship of the economic state to that of educational rates to include, enrollment, literacy, and GDP. It offers solutions that may remedy the disparity in Cuba

‌

# data[].attributes.body
RESEARCH QUESTION

Education. How has gender equality in education evolved in Cuba? After the Revolution how has education shifted?

Educational Reform After the Cuban Revolution: How did education change after 1959? What were the goals of the new education policies, and how were they implemented in rural areas?

How does education influence opportunities for social mobility in Cuba? Has the quality of education changed over time in different social classes?

Impact of Globalization on Education: With the advent of new technologies and international connections post-1990s, how has education in Cuba adapted?(study abroad?) Has access to global knowledge and education systems changed the Cuban curriculum or student experiences?

# data[].attributes.body
U.s embassy-msg coin, and opinions

Tagging along with other students to see how they view the country and its relation to their question

Old habana-tourist

Plaza de caterdal-tourist

fusterlandia-tourist

# data[].attributes.body
Based on what I've read and the articles listed below, It seems as though the US embargo on Cuba has had a grand impact on infrastructure and housing. Something that I found interesting was that if the embargo were to be lifted, Cuba's lack of modernization of infrastructure could lead to it becoming flooded with tourists that it can't accommodate. This could also put strain onto other social systems and resources, as well as natural ones. On the flip side, it's a fantastic economic opportunity that could majorly uplift the Cuban economy. Tourism can be a major tool in Cuba's economic recovery.  A balance between economic gain of the Cuban people, sustainable practices, and infrastructure readiness can ensure that Cuba gains the full benefits from its tourists.

Rutty, M., & Richardson, R. B. (2019). Tourism research in Cuba: Gaps in knowledge and challenges for sustainable tourism. Sustainability, 11(12), 3340. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11123340

Staff, K. a. W. (2015, March 23). Havana or Bust: How U.S.-Cuba relations will impact tourism. Knowledge at Wharton. https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/what-the-changes-in-us-cuba-relations-mean-for-caribbean-tourism/

Walsh, J. L. (2019). Success Characteristics of market entry in Cuban tourism. In Oxford University Press eBooks (pp. 155–176). https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190687366.003.0007

These sources helped me to think in terms of economic gain to Cubans. How do tourism rates affect the Cuban economy? How can one maximize the benefits and minimize the cost of tourism?

# data[].attributes.body
"Cuba's 1933 Revolution: Tourism, the Depression and the Machado Regime", Dr Fabio Fernández.

Vinales, (one night). Tobacco farm, Q&A with farmer, and tour of village with guide. Impact of tourism.

Las Terrazas, UNESCO biosphere reserve, and self sustaining eco-village. Walking tour and visit with local artisans. Sustainabilty and eco-tourism with a guide.

# data[].attributes.body
How does Cuban society change/adapt to more or less tourism?

# data[].attributes.body
From my research thus far, I have learned that health outcomes and healthcare at large have greatly improved since the revolution. These healthcare reforms have resulted in a higher life expectancy than in the United States.

Sources:

-Keck CW, Reed GA. The curious case of Cuba. Am J Public Health. 2012 Aug;102(8):e13-22. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.300822. Epub 2012 Jun 14. PMID: 22698011; PMCID: PMC3464859.

-Jonas P, Garbey Savigne E, Koster M, Choonara I. Lessons from Building a Sustainable Healthcare Exchange between the Netherlands and Cuba. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 17;19(18):11742. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191811742. PMID: 36142015; PMCID: PMC9517359.

-AMA J Ethics. 2021;23(3):E258-264. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2021.258.

# data[].attributes.body
-Polyclinic

- "The Cuban Revolution: 1959-Today", Dr Fernández.

-Neighborhood Primary Care Doctor

# data[].attributes.body
How has healthcare changed in Cuba post-revolution? How have sanctions changed the way healthcare is conducted?

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Source: People's World, photo taken by Desmond Boylan in 2023: classroom in Cuba being given an English lesson by teacher.

# data[].attributes.body
What is the present status of education in Cuba and how does it compare to its pre-revolutionary form?

# data[].attributes.body
From what I have read thus far, there is a strong contrast between the way education was handled pre-revolution, and how it is handled now. Through many educational reforms (following the revolution), as well as a general focus on improving accessibility to education, Cuba currently has one of the best educational systems in the western hemisphere.

Scholarly Sources:

ACEI-Global Blog. "15 Facts on Cuba and its Education System". 8, January. 2015. https://acei-global.org/15-facts-on-cuba-and-its-education-system/#:~:text=The%20Cuban%20government%20has%20been,a%20high%2Dlevel%20teaching%20faculty.

Carnoy, Martin & Wertheim, Jorge. "Cuba: Economic Change and Education Reform 1955-1974". World Bank. January, 1979. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/ru/527651468749726085/pdf/multi0page.pdf

Whitney, W.T. "The Cuban Revolution: Made by teachers and students". People's World. 4, January. 2023. https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/the-cuban-revolution-made-by-teachers-and-students/

# data[].attributes.body
Lectures/Presentations:

"The Cuban Revolution: 1959-Today", Dr Fernández.

Museums:

Museum of the Revolution

Organizations/Projects:

Neighborhood primary care doctor

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Members of the LGBT community participate in a march against homophobia in Havana in 2016 (AFP/Getty)

# data[].attributes.body
How has Cuba's LGBT movement contributed to social change on the island?

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Source: Magnum Photos, photo taken by Burt Glinn during the Cuban revolution: the march to La Habana. 1959. Photos taken the first days of January 1959 when Cuban Dictator Fulgancio Batista was ousted and escaped to the Dominican Republic and Cuban rebel leader Fidel Castro marched with his Revolutionary Army 

# data[].attributes.body
How has Transnationality reflected social change in Cuban families?

# data[].attributes.body
Lecture/Presentation:

"Portrait of a Cuban Family"

Museum + Cultural Center:

Casa de Africa

Organizations/Projects:

Beyond Roots

# data[].attributes.body
Share:

1. A summary of what you've learned about your topic and research question.

2. Three scholarly sources that discuss your topic (they do not need to be related to sociology).

3. A statement of how they informed your Research Question.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
(Feb 03), (AP/Ariel Fernández and Milexsy Durán)

# data[].attributes.body
How have queer Cubans experienced religion and spirituality between the 1959 revolution, and the 2022 update to the code of families?

# data[].attributes.body
I've learned two main ideas:

1) syncretism is reflected in Cuban folkloric dance. Specifically, it reflects a combination of Catholic beliefs, and spiritual beliefs of the Yoruba people (West Africa, primarily Nigeria)

2) Government initiatives post revolution have promoted Cuban folkloric dance to help create a unified society.

These articles inform my inquiry about how through dance, Afro-Cuban spiritual beliefs have been preserved, altered and expressed, amidst the social changes inherent through colonization, slavery, and revolution.

Sources:

1) This blog (pictured), from an academic institution, discusses the syncretism reflected in Cuba dance

2) This article, "Santería in a Globalized World: A Study in Afro-Cuban Folkloric Santería in a Globalized World: A Study in Afro-Cuban Folkloric Music" primarily discusses music, but dance is mentioned as a key expression of religious practice alongside music.

chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://lux.lawrence.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1131&context=luhp

3) This article discusses the role of the Cuban state in "producing culture", specifically through the promotion of dancers "producing dance". The author posits that this "National Tradition" was promoted for social cohesion and stability... to representat an ideally unified nation. However, often what is produced in Cuban dance is a diverse and divided expression "along lines of religion and race, and across intensities of rhythm and flow"

(will need log in to PCC)

https://www.jstor.org/stable/41349315

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Santeria, Culture, and Syncretism in Cuba

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Junior Year Abroad Network student blogger

# data[].attributes.body
1. What is the focus of your study. Write this in a question.

2. Provide an image to represent your topic.

# data[].attributes.body
Since same-sex marriage was legalized in 2022, how do queer Afro-Cubans experience social change through their intersectional identity? And what challenges do they still face?

# data[].attributes.body
Education. How has gender equality in education evolved in Cuba? After the Revolution how has education shifted?

# data[].attributes.body
1. Mi Cayito (Gay Beach Section)

2. PaZillo Bar

3. Cabaret Las Vegas

4. The Cuban Revolution

5. Local activists

# data[].attributes.body
Afro-Cubans contribute to many areas of Cuban life, primarily through religion but also through food, music, language, dance, etc. Despite their impact, they still deal with institutional discrimination and social exclusion.

# data[].attributes.body
From what I've read so far, LGBT rights have come a long way since the revolution. Cuba is one of the few Caribbean countries that has legalized same-sex marriage and Mariela Castro, daughter of former president Raul Castro, has been a major help in helping queer Cubans gain equal rights.

Scholarly sources:

Henao, Luis Andres. “LGBTQ-Inclusive Church in Cuba Welcomes All in a Country That Once Sent Gay People to Labor Camps.” New York Amsterdam News, vol. 115, no. 18, 2 May 2024, p. 30. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=176969682&site=ehost-live.

Kirk, Emily J. “Minority Report: Cuban Gays in the International Media.” International Journal of Cuban Studies, vol. 9, no. 1, Spring 2017, pp. 117–26. EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.libproxy.pcc.edu/10.13169/intejcubastud.9.1.0117.

Portwood, Jerry. “Santa Mariela.” Advocate, no. 1080, Aug. 2015, pp. 32–35. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=103711220&site=ehost-live.

# data[].attributes.body
How does folkoric dance reflect social change in Cuba?

# data[].attributes.body
The "Portrait of a Cuban Family" lecture will be a good source of how the Cuban family has changed over the last few decades, especially in response to the 2022 referendum. I may also be able to ask about how families have historically and currently practice religion, as well as what its role in family (including queer families) is.

Talking with local queer activists will be another good source to learn about what the fight for marriage equality was like. It will also be interesting to hear what their current and former relationships to protestant and Catholic churches have been.

I am not sure if we will have the ability to ask questions at the National Procession, but if not I still may be able to learn about and gauge current Cuban attitudes towards religion (as well as its role) through observing the ceremony and researching it and Yoruba/Catholic syncretism.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Evangelicals push against gay marriage in Cuba

# data[].attributes.body
12/13 "Portrait of a Cuban Family"

I think this will allow me insight into values taught to Cuban children, and how they are socialized, which can lead to the social exclusion faced by Cuban minorities.

12/15 "Casa de Africa Museum and Cultural Center"

I am hoping this will give a more in-depth explanation of impact by Afro-Cubans on modern Cuban culture.

12/17 "Annual Procession at the National Sanctuary of San Lazaro (Babalú Aye)"

Santeria is a religion that has strong ties to Yoruba (a Nigerian ethnic group) religion. I want to learn about not only the influences of African spirituality but also the core values of the religion and how people practice today.

12/18 "Local activists re: gender-based violence campaign and LGBTQ+ rights"

Talking to activists will help me learn and identify societal issues experienced in Cuba. I want to explore how this affects Cubans with intersecting identities. Though Cuba legalized same-sex marriage, I doubt the stigma has been eradicated.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Which lectures, excursions, visits, and / or kinds of observations outside of our schedule do you plan to focus on?

2. Provide an image or short video that gives a preview

# data[].attributes.body
These sources have given me valuable context to the shared history of the struggles that queer and religious people faced in the aftermath of Cuba's revolution, including being forced into labor camps because they did not conform to the norm (Maher, 2007, pg 4). It also gave me a view into what historical acceptance of queer people looked like in the late 90s, especially within the Santería, Catholic, and Pentecostal religions.

I also learned about language used to talk about queer people amongst Santería practitioners. I learned many slang Spanish terms (most of them unfortunately derogatory) (Vidal-Ortiz, 2011). It was really interesting to compare these slang words (which I would rather not repeat here) to slang terms that are used to refer to gay people in the US. I noticed that slang in both cultures tended to emasculate and other queer people.

However, most of this research was done studying Cuban ex-patriots who practiced Santeria, so I believe it will be better to learn more from the Cuban people directly. I am especially excited to talk about the language LGBTQ activists predominantly use today, and see what has changed over the past thirteen years.

Vidal-Ortiz's article also placed a large emphasis on queer intersectionality (and racial intersectionality) in Santería spaces (pgs 908-909). I also learned about a deity named Changó, which has both male and female characteristics and forms via possession (pgs 910-911).

These readings also taught me more about the UMAP camps. There seem to be varying interpretations of why queer people were targeted -- some attribute it to the remnants of machismo and other colonial attitudes, while others, including historian Lillian Guerra, believe the Cuban government's treatment of homosexuality as a social contagion was part of the regime's strict enforcement of gender roles (Guerra 2010, pg 289).

Guerra, L. (2010, August). Gender policing, homosexuality and the new patriarchy of the Cuban Revolution, 1965–70. PCC Login | Portland Community College. https://www-jstor-org.libproxy.pcc.edu/stable/27866661

Mayer, M. (2007). Experiences of religious gay men in Havana, Cuba. Loyola eCOMMONS. https://ecommons.luc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=education_facpubs

Vidal-Ortiz, S. (2011). “Maricón,” “pájaro,” and “loca”: Cuban and Puerto Rican linguistic practices, and sexual minority participation, in U.S. Santería. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51477877_Maricon_pajaro_and_loca_Cuban_and_Puerto_Rican_linguistic_practices_and_sexual_minority_participation_in_US_Santeria

These sources have helped lay the context for what the history of gay and religious Cubans was like in the latter half of the twentieth century. This context is important and necessary to have when I have conversations with activists, and learn about how Cuban gender roles and views toward spirituality have shifted. I have also learned a bit about the Santería religion, which I knew very little about before. This is important to know and understand as my project is in big part about religion, and the Santería religion is a major religion in Cuba, especially for Afro-Cubans. These sources have helped me understand that religious communities and queer Cubans have not had a fully adversarial relationship, and how gay people have even found solace in more conservative spiritualities during persecution. I look forward to learning about more recent queer and religious Cuban history from the activists and practitioners themselves who have lived these experiences when I am in Cuba.

# data[].attributes.body
"There is a generalized context of human rights violations in Cuba, which, added to the serious economic crisis currently facing the country, places its population in a situation of constant defenselessness. This reality was made evident after the peaceful protests that occurred in July 2021, where the Cuban authorities arrested about 1500 people for demanding their rights. As a result of these demonstrations, repression has exacerbated and operates differently for Afro-descendants, women and LGBTI+ people, who are also victims of racial discrimination and gender violence.

Although the authorities claim that racial discrimination was eliminated by the Cuban Revolution, the Afro-Cuban population continues to face different expressions of structural racial discrimination and social exclusion, such as high unemployment rates, and lack of access to housing and quality education, among others. The poverty and violence suffered by a large percentage of women is even greater if they are part of the opposition to the government, or are independent activists. Meanwhile, the LGBTI+ population finds itself in a context where freedom of expression is controlled and restricted by the State."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Race and Equality - The Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights works with counterparts in the Afro-descendant and indigenous communities and the LGBTI movement in Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru, as well as with regional Afro-descendant and LGBTI networks in the Americas.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights works with counterparts in the Afro-descendant and indigenous communities and the LGBTI movement in Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru, as well as with regional Afro-descendant and LGBTI networks in the Americas.

# data[].attributes.body
The institution of Religion

The institution of Family

# data[].attributes.headline
"¡Homofobia no! ¡Socialismo sí!' Identity, culture, gender and sexuality in today’s Cuba"

# data[].attributes.subject
"¡Homofobia no! ¡Socialismo sí!' Identity, culture, gender and sexuality in today’s Cuba"

# data[].attributes.body
"This report investigates the relationship and intersection between Afro-Cuban culture and ethnicity, Santería religion and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) communities, and hopes to reflect their celebratory, and critical voices, at a time of great change in Cuba."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
‘¡Homofobia no! ¡Socialismo sí!’ Identity, culture, gender and sexuality in today’s Cuba - Minority Rights Group

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This report investigates the relationship and intersection between Afro-Cuban culture and ethnicity, Santería religion and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) communities, and hopes to reflect their celebratory, and critical voices, at a time of great change in Cuba.

# data[].attributes.body
Casa de Africa

Callejon de Hamel

host families

Our visit to the procession: observations at the event and conversations with researchers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Callejón de Hamel: Promoting Cuba’s African Heritage

# data[].attributes.body
intersectionality for sure... more to come

# data[].attributes.body
Which three main concepts from the textbook will you incorporate in your Notes (not a theory/perspective)? Provide:

A short summary of the concept. Include the chapter and section

A short summary of the connections you'll make to your topic / research question.

Attach media or articles that represent your connections.

# data[].attributes.body
Which (one) sociological theory / perspective from the textbook will you apply? Provide:

A short summary of the main theory. Include the chapter/s and section/s.

A short summary of the idea/s from that theory that connect to your topic. Explain how they relate to your topic. Include the chapter/s and section/s.

Attach media or articles that represent your connections.

# data[].attributes.body
Concept: Religious syncretism (a social change process) is expressed in cuban dance.

Chapter 9, "Syncretism and Día de los Muertos"

Supporting document: "Dancing With the Gods; Santeria's Historical Context in Eastern

Cuba"

Summary: Dances of the orishas (deities in the Yoruba religion of West Africa that rule over nature and human endeavors) are a fundamental part of Cuban folkloric dance.

# data[].attributes.body
Main Theory: Symbolic Interactionism

Chapter and Sections: 3, "Symbolic Interactionism" and 9, "Religion as Symbolic Interaction"

Idea/s: through gestures we create and communicate common meaning

For example, this article discusses dance gestures that mimic cane-cutting hand movements, referencing the history of slavery and colonial plantation culture.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A musico-choreographic analysis of a Cuban dance routine: a performance-informed approach

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
McKerrell, in ‘Towards Practice Research in Ethnomusicology’, advocates for performance to be used as ‘a central methodology’, as a ‘translation of artistic performance aesthetics’ and as a ’resear…

# data[].attributes.body
From a historical timeline there are three periods of Cuba Rule that play effect on family change; the Spanish colonization, the Republican grab and the Revolution. There was a lack of considering aboriginal/indigenous culture to contribute further information of social change within families. The main subjects studied were sexism, racism and classism regarding housing, education and health access.

Scholarly Sources:

Allahar, A. L. (1994). Woman and the Family in Cuba:  A Study Across Time. Humboldt Journal of Social Relations, 20:1.

Skaine, R. (2004). The Cuban family: Custom and change in an era of hardship. McFarland.

Waller, B. (2022?). Cuba’s 2022 Family Code: A Different Model for Social Progress. Minnesota Journal of Law & Inequality, 41.

# data[].attributes.body
Conflict theory! I would assume especially with the U.S. embargo that it can feel like a competition for resources, potentially causing a divide between the people whether that is class, race, sex, or another status. I would also love to look into community values, practices, and their importance, especially since the United States has moved away from the importance of community to focus on the concept of the nuclear family.

Symbolic Interactionism! Symbols of race, associations with history, cultural aspects, and values associated with certain groups. There will absolutely be evidence of attitudes towards certain people based on the symbol of an aspect of an identity, potentially more than just because of the identity itself.