Today was our last day of structured programming, speakers, and tours. We started the day in our regular classroom at CIPS. The media was there to capture the Jose Marti statute, 123 years old which was decorated with white roses for the upcoming celebration of his birthday on January 29.

Our lecture at CIPS was given by Victor Fowler. The lecture was an eye opening view of how racism was prior to the revolution and how it is today. In Cuba in the 19th Century, black people were enslaved. They were kidnapped by Spain from Africa and brought to Cuba on large ships to work as slaves on the sugar plantations. The enslaved people and the free Cuban people eventually came together as a rebellion army against Spain and fought Spain several times, but they were defeated. It wasn’t until 1886 when the Spaniard power began to change and in 1888 was the end to slavery in Cuba. Even after that, Black people still didn’t have equal rights compared to the rights of white people in Cuba. Whites and blacks had separate parks, streets, and beaches until 1959, the revolution, when all places were free to all people.

Racism in Cuba is still a problem. A campaign called the independent party of color was started by the government, including participation by the president of Cuba, to address racism against black people for housing, work, and the development of women.

After our morning session at CIPS, we had a wonderful Italian lunch at 5 Esquinas. The food was AMAZING!

After lunch, we toured Casa de Africa museum, which tied in nicely to our lecture from the morning. We saw art and cultural displays from many countries in Africa, we learned about the connection between Africa and Cuba, and we were able to attend a performance put on by the museum on the Santería religion which developed in Cuba in the 19th Century.

Last, we visited an art studio that used to be a shipyard and there were some very interesting pieces of art. Outside the studio was a peacock putting on a show!

To close the day, some of us returned to Cafe Laurent near our homestays for drinks, appetizers, and watching the sunset on the rooftop!