2019 NEH Summer Institute, The Center for José Martí Studies Affiliate at the University of Tampa: “Más que negro: The Anti-Racism of José Martí and the Afro-Cuban Community of Ybor City” with Susan Greenbaum
Date
2019-06-19
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The University of Tampa
Abstract
Slavery and racism were crucial elements of the Cuban independence struggle, but the
revolutionists struggled with internal contradictions. The 19th century Cuban poet/revolutionist,
José Martí, was an ardent anti-racist. He was unusual for this view when most white intellectuals
believed that science supported unequal abilities and unequal treatment of Africans and their
descendants. For Martí it was a matter of both principle and pragmatism. Maintaining solidarity
between black and white independence fighters was essential both for military success and
political succession. The Cuban exile community in Florida, a critical segment of the movement,
labored under a racist regime more extreme and overt than in Cuba. Martí’s frequent visits to
Tampa included both gestures and genuine partnership with Afrocuban revolutionists. His death
in 1895 and emergent power of the US adversely affected the anti-racist comradeship of Cubans
in Tampa.
Description
Please click on YouTube Video link above to stream the presentation.
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Video
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Keywords
Slavery--America--History, Martí, José, 1853-1895, Afro-Cubans