History of Cuba

Abstract

For the overall aesthetics of the piece, I decided that each silhouette would take the form of a mask so each design would help portray the experiences lived by Black Cubans. I explored the racialized experiences of Black Cubans through the three eras of the Pre/Colonial (1500-1898), Neocolonial (1899-1959), and Revolutionary (1959-Today) periods throughout Cuban history. I attempted to balance the impact of racism and inequity between experiences and cultural significance within my designs. My decision to have a minimal background outside of the masks comes from our time watching the “Black in Cuba” documentary, participants, academics, and everyday non-Black Cubans continued to conflate the experiences of Black Cubans with those of People of Color, and despite the masks portraying this specific racialized experience, I wanted the background to further the idea that this a Black experience.

Comments from Mentors

Jacora Johnson is a brilliant scholar and researcher. Their work exploring various dimensions of Ethnic Studies is exemplary. As an undergraduate, they have produced consequential research on Cuba, as well as gender and sexuality in Texas. I am excited to see their research develop.

— Stacey Mccormick