The Afro-Cuban Struggle for Equality :: History Historical Racial Essays

The Afro-Cuban Struggle for EqualityThe Afro-Cuban struggle for equality essentially began after the emancipation of the slaves in 1886. This struggle would continue until 1912, when a brutal government kill ended their hopes of real equality. The Afro-Cuban struggle for equality was a key issue in Cubas fight for independence, as well as, Cubas fight to unwrap its identity and character. The first attempt to unite the Afro-Cuban community was the formation of the Directorio Central de las Sociedades de la Raza de Color in 1887. This was the first black political party at heart Latin America. The main focus of the struggle led by these Afro-Cubans and the Directorio was equal rights and equal protection under the law. 35 The Spanish did not see the Directorio in the equal manner. They thought it was a tool, used by blacks and mulattos that used racism against snow-whites in order for the black population to take over Cuba. When the black community utter they wanted to be consid ered equals, the white community was hearing another Haiti. They feared that the black community was going to revolt against them and try to take over the whole country. This white fear was at the core of the equality issue and represents the white persons main rejection of equality. The Afro-Cuban community tried to explain the Directorio by explaining that the Directorio was not a black party uniting Afro-Cubans in a supposed hatred of whites. It was the opposite of a racist movement and struggled to suppress racism. 52 Afro-Cubans k cutting that they would never be judge as equals with the white class, so they helped decided to help aid in the cause for independence of Cuba from Spain. They hoped that if they helped fight to win their countries independence, they would be able to achieve great equality and a better role in society. their goal was probably not only independence from Spain but also the creation of a new society in which they would fully participate. Blacks rebell ed against racism and inequality, landless peasants regardless of race stood up for land, popular cabecillas wanted political power, and orientales in general hoped to gain simplicity of their regions destiny. The potential for the fight to become a social revolution was strong indeed. 57The war was a colorless one. Cubans fought next to Cubans. Cubans looked at the war as a new beginning.