CUBA: The BLACK EYE of a Communist Paradise Lost | Racism in Cuba 

Dude you have a chip on your shoulder and you suffer from Victimhood Practitioner Syndrome. You are like all the other blec race hiuslers out there. You are a pathetic slithering serpent that go around looking for racism and blame blec failures on white folk!! Cretins like you are racist and have the pathetic penchant to always play victim and blame others! Make up with your boyfriend and get a life Kunta Kente.

I just came back from Cuba April 5, 2024 and at first glance the country look like a post card of 1962 but after you start to peel back the layer and start focusing on the human experience the country turn into a deep gloomy dark, hopeless mess. I was so bothered by Cuba after, I left, I will not be coming back to Cuba. I mean most people in Cuba are polite hard working folk but when you only have 10 dollars a month to eat life become a full time hunger game with few doors open for you to make money it become survival of the fittest. Furthermore, light is portion of in four hour cycles you have food ration given to all folks in Cuba regardless of social status,races and occupation. I was born and raised an Afro/Latino in Panama so their is no language barrier for me. I blend in well. I was able to slice to the meet and potatoes of the country real quick. The pain so palpable in the air in Cuba but the hunger is real and the dispear is felt vibrating throughout the country in none ending waves…The best line a Cuba told me when I asked him about the food, was “ if you want authentic Cuban food you have to go to Miami”

As a black man from California I visited Cuba many times and my fiancee is from Cuba I don't speak Spanish but I always have a amazing time but we should invest more in Cuba because our people are suffering. I remember I was hungry one night and I was on the phone with a friend from Holguin Cuba she told me the price I paid for a pizza is what she made in a month that was heartbreaking and I lost my appetite

I never noticed racism on during my only 1 week stay in Cuba. But at the time we (wife and kids) were just staying in Varadero and not really seeing the island. I have been to another 'latin' nation, though - Brazil. To be frank, I have never seen black people in a subservient position before. In Rio, blacks were nowhere to be seen working in hotels, bars. There were some selling 'bag juices or box drinks' on the beach. but that was about that. I saw on occasions black women accompanying old white women as help, an image that conjured up past slavery in my mind. But in all honesty, I am happy not to live in a latin nation. They all claim to be free of anti-black racism, but it does exist and it is in your face.

Well spoken and so true. We have been going to Cuba since 1998 and you can see this widespread. Mind you similar situations exist in the US also. Cuba is regressing with the shortages etc. Something is going to break! Cuban people don't deserve the hardships they are going through.

A very true and honest breakdown on what's going on there and the racial economic status. Well presented Keenan.

Hi, love your channel because you keep your contents real. i have actually been to Cuba on two occasions in the mid 90's , when i guess the tourism industry was in it's infancy. Although I had a wonderful time, i would say that i did experience one situation where I felt uncomfortable and shocked to be honest. I was walking the streets of Havana with a group of white tourist from Europe, when I was suddenly stopped and asked to show my passport to the Police. When I returned to the coach, I politely asked the tour guide why I was singled out? She replied .. because I look like a black Cuban.

Can you recommend any Afro Cuban owned airbnbs?

My Cuba vacation became a humanitarian mission

We need to help our afro brothers and sisters in Cuba. I was there in January for my birthday and was disgusted with the service I received from the white latino cubans in Varadero the sense of entitlement was real. They would not even look in my direction when I needed service. I noticed the white tourists where being served. I had a better experience in Havana from afro-cubans who really went out there way to make me feel welcome from the UK. My goal is to buy a few meals for people there and take service and buy from afro latinos on my next trip.

Keenan, thank you for your good work, I appreciate you... Tony

Great video. Hopefully, these self hating,America/Matrix hating passport bros will stop glamorising these Countries that really marginalize black people. I love traveling and I encourage all people to travel if possible. It just makes no sense to so-call escape the matrix, only to create a new matrix in your mind. Good luck to you and your channel.

I am a black Cuban born and raised on the Island, Cuba is one of the most racist countries in Latin America

Difficult conversation to have but so necessary! Nice to see Mr Jefferson. He’s a real hero. Thank you brother. You are a great human and ambassador

It’ll be cool if you can meet Assata Shakur, I also plan on visiting Cuba soon

Here in Miami with my newly arrived Cuban Brothers of African descent. We Remind each other to keep our good order that is embedded in us from our grandparents. This will be one of the key ingredients to our success. In this universal grind that we must be in.

I really admire this content bro. I admire your willingness to tackle these topics. One of the challenges that I’ve found in addressing these issues is that other locals of the dissenting view will try to discredit the cogent points with one lazy retort, “oh, you’re not from here, so you don’t understand or know what you’re talking about”. Lol - the implication being that facts are only exclusive to natives of a country as if we outsiders, if you will, lack common sense. Nevertheless, your care & appreciation for the Cuban struggle is quite palpable in these videos & it’s admirable.

I had a black hostess in a Casa Particular in Trinidad. She was a retired Special Education Teacher.

Hello, I'm from Canada, Quebec to be precise, and I'm black. When I went to Cuba, the first thing that struck me was that I was the only black person on the plane. When I was walking around town in Varadero and asked for a cab, no one would take me, so my Cuban friend told me to take out some American money and flash it, apparently people thought I was Cuban because of the color of my skin. In a restaurant, when I gave a tip, I saw that the customers were white Cubans who looked at me strangely.

Hello how are you doing, love your channel. Gonna make it to Cuba soon I hope.

Communism was never going to deliver paradise. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians have come to the US. Its never been impossible for black Cubans to get to the US. Its not easy for any Cuban. But if the lack of remittances is the racism, that doesnt seem to be the fault of other Cubans. Black families can pool their resources to send one person overseas. The remittances then fund the next journey. Its not impossible.

Peace bro i lost your channel I remember when you went to guatemala I don't think you even had 1,000 subscribers yet? Was just saying keep it up bro nice to see you over 20k now

So much to unpack here, but I will start by saying amazing exposé on the nuances of racism in Cuba. Great addition of the Haitian Creole fact which adds to the diverse culture of our island. Being Afro-Cuban myself, this speaks to me in many ways. We are very proud of our Negritud, our blackness, and people who live there will generally show you. I have experienced racism both directly and indirectly both times in Varadero. I had a French woman curse me out in French and get beach security to remove myself and another latina for no reason at all way BEFORE it was time to move because of the private resort. Mind you, there were 20+ open seats. Police detained me at a hotel because I wanted to wait in the lobby for my friends who were visiting. Keep in mind that I waited in the same lobby the day before.

Keenan, your information is spot on. Keep doing what you’re doing!

My question is if Black Cubans started being sent remittances would there be elements interfering with that: stealing or taking it? If Afro-Cubans were suddenly starting to buy properties, start businesses would there be an element that would take their successful gains away from them? Can everyone rise without a problem or would there be forces to hold Afro-Cubans back: would we be helping them or putting them in danger?

Wow and wow. You are hitting the nail brother. Tc brother. Cheers.

Excellent video...The best that Ive seen covering this subject so far. Im not sure why Africans think there can be racial equality without there being both economic and military parity, but...maybe one day we will wake up.

Bro is yesterday I was gonna msg you and ask about the video 😅, bless🙌🏾

It's good to be educated, thanks brother Keenan! Always on point!

Great video it gave me great insight on the hardship of those people

In Miami Florida it's the the same egregious thing. Deep rooted racism by the White Cubans that came from wealth. It's really bad, and as a black American born, and raised and worked in Miami for over 15 years. I experienced the racism myself and I was shook 😳. I had absolutely no idea that it was so pervasive, and living large within the Hispanic culture. They discriminate against other Hispanics as well. In their opinion Dominicans 🇩🇴 were the absolute lowest, and then the Puerto 🇵🇷 Ricans. But I digress.

Spent a lot of time in Cuba Great People but the Government needs to Change🙂❤👍Great Documentary on Cuba Thank You Watching from Canada🙂

Love what u doing Brother I really hope to visit one day Cuba sound like the Hood in Louisiana. !!

Great video. Language, national, and cultural barriers make us forget that those of us on this side of the world that are of African descent experience varying degrees of the same societal inequalities as a not-so-distant result of colonialism. Whether it’s Cuba, Haiti, DR, Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica or the USA you can witness varying levels of the same problems happening in the societal hierarchy. Really looking forward to visiting Cuba one day 🌎

Thanks for doing this big man. I'm trying to help change this dynamic in Cuba. I target poor Afro-Cubans and try to be that relative abroad. I try to send something through other people when im not traveling there also. They are so thankful that im in their lives but i feel it's still not enough.

Great video, I hope you visit Cuba soon

This is an illuminating video. Thank you for sharing.

Your videos are very informative and you explain everything clearly and from a perspective that is rarely shown.

This needed to be said!! A fuller perspective, lest we wander in ignorance. I plan to visit soon. And I am grateful for the added glimpse into reality.

Keenan, You have an amazing youtube voice !

So true everything you said . keep up the good work.

Very valuable information. Thank you.

Great Content 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

When I went to Cuba my Airbnb host wasn’t of majority Afro descent. I remember when I went to a hotel restaurant and the waitress was surprised that I was a tourist- due to my shade of alabaster probably(I could be wrong). I’ve seen all of the examples that you’ve mentioned Very informative and unbiased video.

Amazing video Keenan! until you said something I never realized that I'm never rented an Airbnb from a Afro Cubano! I'm Ali's friend One of these days we have to link up for a trip I'm currently traveling across Asia. Keep up the great videos brother✊🏿

Great observation about the Cuban society. I have been in Cuba seven times over the years and ventured to explores the island to several cities outside Havana. With respect to the human element in Cuba, there is the good and the bad…… just like so many countries around . But what is so unique about the Cuban people these days and under the current economic conditions…… everyone out there is a “player” or a street hustler!! This is the norm of living in Cuba! If you do not hustle for your needs, you do not eat! Everyone is somehow connected to someone that will facilitate the goods or services for a cut. And this element is so true for men and women, young or old. The doctor, engineer or university professor. My last three trips were humanitarian in nature and visiting outline areas of the island that a conventional tourist does not go.

I won't say when I first went to Cuba but it was electric. The streets were alive, the mood was festive. Communism dies not from revolution but from exhaustion. I think we are in the exhaustion phase. If it is going to be fixed, the shackles need to be taken off the farmers first as they feed the nation. I have not returned since before covid as I like to eat, not the crap that I see alot of youtubers eating but decent quality food. I may go back just to have a look but curiosity has not gotten to that point yet.

Ongoing global sanctions are responsible for the poverty. Also, I would argue the racism in America is more of a problem than what you'd experience in the Islands, I should know. The Capital you can earn in America with the opportunities are great if you can get it but it comes with issues not worth dealing with. You can become Somebody in the Islands without certain issues bothering you though. Also, having a darker skin-tone from those parts intimidate and attract envy more so than a person experiencing low self-esteem from it. Sometimes what you may think is racism, stems more from intrigue.

I'm glad your calling out the racism because it's deep in those cultures.

Is it plausible that left alone the Cuban economy would be successful? Is it also feasible that the 1959 social revolution which immediately benefited the Afro-Cubans would’ve continued if the Soviet Union doesn’t fall and their economy not being so impacted by Cuban-American remittance?

Much respect Keenan.

Headed to Havana in August. what travel insurance company do you recommend for Cuba just peeped that in the requirements?

This is a very serious and interesting topic. It makes sense. Years back I met a black lady and she identified herself as Cubano and no black. Which meant to me colour wasn’t an issue in Cuba. The financial aspect is a generational investment from white cubanos moving overseas and not by having special treatment by the government. Thanks for the knowledge

Great video!

This was very informative, bro.

an eye-opening expression of a stark reality. We need to do more to encourage, help, and uplift us. 'preciate you doc, safe travels!

Total perfacto. I love that you are not racist. You speak from an neutral position. The facts are stated by you. I feltedi I was teleported, immersive in the Cuban culture. You are solid for the raza ( race ) ,

The Afro-Cubano have the support of the State, compared to South Africa which is run by the private sector who control the industry. I hear that is the same future in as South Africa - for many poor people countries; unfortunately largely of African descent being joined by other races.

Very 🤔 Informing and educational like your 📷 Video 📰🗞️ 👍".

Oh ya, those restaurants got me pretty good. They are in cahoots with the girls that brought me there. They all know the game. If I ever get to go back to Cuba, I'll be a lot better informed

Brilliant explanation of how it is. I visited this month and my Airbnb near Malecon was run by a white Cuban

Mr.Lambert I know just about anyway you go there will be always some kind of prejudice.

It reminds me of my favorite author, Ernest Hemingway. He wrote The Old Man And The Sea.

That was a great video my brother keep telling them the truth...

A very harsh reality but it’s not “nonsense.” Sadly since the beginning of time economies always have come down to the haves versus the have nots. How tragic that the world is set up like this-though some places offer more upward mobility than others. And this is why many people around the globe flee in barely sea worthy boats or on foot to find a better life somewhere else. But we all know this is going on as we speak.

Did I miss it, or did you fail to say anything about the impact of the U.S. embargo - financial blockade now over 60 years old? And yes, Cuba is not immune to "racism" .

I love this video

insightful

Keenan, your presentation is real not only for Cuba but throughout the caribbean and latin america.....saw the same inequality in colombia and peru. You are not chatting nonescene bro. lt exist even here in jamaica!! It sad to rasss! really sad bro!

Racism and colorism is a big part of Latin American culture. A lot of Americans don’t like to talk about that part

Blackmen are going to have get off their knees and fight for their rights

This was a great video. Very very well explained. I've been to Cuba numerous times. I've experienced racism a couple times. Especially when they think I'm Cuban. But folks understand, that this does not compare to racism in the United States. The racism in the US is very real, complex and very different than the colorism/racism in Cuba. So folks please don't go to Cuba looking for it or expecting it, just know that it does exist. (And its nothing like what happens in US)

Let me tell you, I am Cuban American European descent. My family and I left Cuba before 1970. My family was very poor but free. African Cuban were also allowed to leave, and many did. If the white Cubans have family that left that regime and now they are being supported by those family members, it has nothing to do with racism!!! It has to do with the communist regine. My mother a single white poor woman was sent to prison in the 60s for being anti-communist. I would love to see Black Lives Matters go to Cuba and fight for the African Cuban.

Great video

Keenan, thank you sincerely for shining a light on the imbalance in Cuba that Black folks suffer. I would like to ask, what constructive things can be done to uplift Black Cubans even in the smallest way. Is it possible to identify community minded Black Cubans and help them to renovate or collectively purchase a home that can then become an Air BnB? Let us be a part of the positive change.

I saw a great Biopic about the guy that sings the song at the intro. Can someone please help me with the name again of the singer. Man what a voice, one of the best Biopics I've seen. I need to get the Soundtrack ASAP. Thanks

When I toured Cuba in 2017, I experienced racism firsthand when a vendor ignored me when I desired to buy a drink. I was with a mostly white group of tourists who were preferred over me while the proprietor didn’t even look my way. I gave up a went outside. This was Castro’s egalitarian Cuba, the shining example of how much better it was than racist America! I also saw how our tour guide avoided the “darker skinned”neighborhoods until some of us (blacks) inquired- only then did the guide take individually to see a “black friend” and his family. They are definitely ashamed of blacks in Cuba. We saw no dark skinned employees working in the Grand Hotel or major venue’s. It reminded us of how it is in Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru…..etc!

Good video. I’m confused on what’s stopping Black Cubans abroad from sending money to their family in Cuba? Also, doesn’t the money coming from White Cubans make Cuba less poor for everyone? If that money was stopped there would be serious starvation on the island.

What beach was this? Would love to go

Interesting

Thanks for the heads up. None of my financial tourism perks for these countries.

Awesome and informative content. How do you look for lodging when you go there? Man my brother we don't know how good we have it until we go abroad. RESPECT

I did not know about the racismo en Cuba. Gracias por el video muy informativo!

I am planing a trip to Cuba and want to make the best of it. I would like you to recommend a tour guide that is reasonable please.

I Spent 3 weeks in havana in January/February, as well as a 1 week in Havana in March 2023... As many of these videos that get posted, I will NEVER believe their situation is as bad as people portray it as. I was invited into a few houses in Centro Habana and Habana Vieja, They had food, furniture, flat screen TV, New samsung galaxy phones, the list goes on

Bro K. To delve a bit into modern Cuban history, FCR was convinced to allow PLAYBOY to do a shoot. This came out as the March 1991 issue. As tourism to the sun grew, FCR and his ilk decided how the hotels should be staffed. Blacks were not to be seen in public roles as this is what FCR thought the public wanted. I distinctly remember sitting in the lobby of our hotel (in Varadero) one evening when a Black waiter came over to offer us service. He stuck out like a sore thumb. There is a level of racism within the Black Cubans, or those of mixed blood. The Black(er) you are, the worse it is in many of the ways you described. You have provoked some interesting comments. Saludos de tu amigo en Canada

nice info

As usual brother thanks for the education. We can only pray one day this racist society will change and black people regardless of where they come from can live a good life like our white counterparts. You should consider becoming a college professor. Very intelligent . 😊😊😊

Very informative video, it conforms what other people told me about the life there, a friend told me he visited there with a tour group and he was the only Black person in the group, so special treatment was practiced on him, he was the only one searched and asked what was his reason for being there, at the airport.

When the politics are unstable in your country your best bet is to move to the countryside where food is not a problem and focus on healthy living until things change and opportunities arise. You could always go to the city on a weekly basis to sell your fish vegetables Etc unfortunately in a place like Cuba you may have to smuggle if you can

I think people should compare Cuba peso to countries like Jamaica, Haiti, Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, Cayman Islands

I have visit Cuba about three years ago.

Great channel! I know a couple of Cubans, and they make a big deal out of telling everyone their ethnic origin (one is Spanish, the other Basque). It's been my overall experience that Cuban-Americans view themselves as "Cubans" and apart from other Hispanics. Out of curiosity, do you meet any true believers in Marxism in Cuba?

Great video as always. Do you have PayPal or cashapp? I'd like to send something for Mr Jefferson

As a black man i cant wait to visit Cuba and help out my fellow black folks. My heart feels for my people. Love from Brooklyn NY

Are you staying there? Because the videos just keep coming. 😅

How do I connect with you.. My wife and I are thing of visiting Cuba

Kudos, Mr Lambert, for getting so many facts just right, which is very difficult as a foreigner. The differences in poverty, access to "good" jobs, and living conditions between White and Black Cubans are obvious to anybody who wants to look at it without pink (or red) glasses. Also, racism -- rarely acknowledged as you pointed out -- is very casual and matter-of-factly. However, respectfully, I would like to make a few comments: (1) Living off relatives' remittances is better than living in abject poverty but it is horrible and the fault of a system that has impoverished the population everywhere it has been tried. White Cubans are way worse off than they were before 1959, and Black Cubans, too. (2) Before the communist government had to open the country to tourism and remittances, Blacks were also very underrepresented on the best schools, best universities, best jobs, etc. (3) Nothing ever was really done about (2) other than saying "we are all equal now". Also, no independent association of people of color to defend and advance the interests and concerns of people of color are allowed, and when it has been tried it has been severely repressed. That's why people have very little conscience about any of that -- that's why racism is manifested in casual ways that would make anybody living in the West blush. (4) The housing policy was just about the worse anybody could have come up with. In 1960, they pass a "urban reform" law by which the government allowed anybody to own only one housing unit and the rest became property of the government with no compensation. The people that were renting got a 50% discount in the rent that now they had to pay to the government and not the former landlords. While this looks "progressive" and most Cubans cheered it on back then, it has resulted in almost no new housing built in 60+ years and the horrible to none maintenance of all that housing stock that was now property of the government. The funny thing is that is one of the attraction of the tourists that want to see a country frozen in 1960. Of course it is the ruins of what Cubans had back then, nothing had been frozen. Nothing "progressive" about that. (5) The main inequality in Cuba is between a small mafia that controls everything in the country (government, army, police, press, factories, hotels, everything) and the 99% of the population that is between poor and indigent. (No, living off remittances does not make you not poor) None of that takes anything away from your very insightful analysis of the racial inequalities in Cuba. You are one of the few foreigners who gets it.

315 to 1! Wow, what a change.

That embargo has caused a lot of problems.