I've Been Black in Two Countries : Black Cuban Views on Race in the US

Product Description Hay describes how black Cubans experience racism on two levels. Cuban racism might result in less access for black Cubans to their group's resources, including protection within Cuban enclaves from society-wide discrimination. In society at large, black Cubans are below white Cubans on every socioeconomic indicator. Rejected by their white co-ethnics, black Cubans are welcomed by other groups of African descent. Many hold similar political views as African Americans. Identifying with African Americans neither negatively affects social mobility nor leads to a rejection of mainstream values and norms. Those who identified most with African Americans were college-educated professionals, some of whom credited African American traditions for their achievements, their affirming feeling about blackness, and their ability to negotiate racism. About the Author Michelle Hay holds a doctoral degree in anthropology from the Graduate School and University Center, CUNY. Her research interest is African Diaspora Studies, with a concentration on African-descended populations from the Spanish-speaking Caribbean in their countries of origin and in the US. She is particularly concerned with the construction of ethno-racial identities, and the relations between populations of African descent.