Cuban Interests Section
Washington, DC

The United States and Cuba: What African-American Communicators and Journalists Need to Know

The continuing political and legal battle over Elian Gonzalez has rekindled debate about U.S.-Cuban relations and life in Cuba after the revolution. Now that the majority of Cubans are of African descent, what are the implications of race for the islands' future and its relations with the United States? Join us for a riveting discussion by a panel of journalists and columnists who will discuss what they learned during recent trips to Cuba [including one documented by AfroCubaWeb involving 9 African American columnists]. Cuban diplomats will also respond to questions.

WHO
Moderator:  Maureen Bunyan, WJLA-ABC 7
Panelists:     Wiley Hall, Baltimore City Paper
                   Adrienne Washington, The Washington Times
                   DeWayne Wickham, USA Today

WHEN 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 12, 2000

WHERE Cuban Interests Section of the Embassy of Switzerland 2630 16^th Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

Cosponsored with the Washington Association of Black Journalists.

Cuban refreshments will be served.

Special Guest Speaker: Felix Wilson, First Secretary, Cuban Interests Section, Washington DC
Kazi Toure, American Friends Service Committee
Gary Hicks and Nalda Vigezzi, moderators

"We are a Latin-African people..." - Fidel Castro, May 1976, on why Cuban troops were in Africa

Blacks in Cuba have played a central role in forging the Cuban national identity which is inseparable from its revolutionary heritage.  This began 130 years ago with the fight for independence from Spain which was intertwined with the fight to abolish slavery.   The socialist revolution 40 years ago, in 1959, uprooted racism and opened the door to building a new society.

Reception: 7PM  Program: 7:30PM
Suggestion donation: $5, high school students, $3

For information, call 781 395-0656
Sponsored by the July 26th Coalition & Education for Action (Radcliffe College)