Economy, Africa in Diaspora

Like the Cuban government, the Cuban economy operates under socialist principles. There are two parts to the Cuban economy, the socialist peso economy and the foreign market economy. The socialist peso economy pertains to the citizens of Cuba and provides necessities to all Cuban citizens. The government provides free education, and employment, and also provides housing, food, and other essentials at minimal cost to the people. The means of production of the 11 million people living in Cuba is regulated by the government and roughly 75% of workers in Cuba are employed by the state. The dollar currently functions as the primary currency in Cuba. In 1993 the government permitted the use of the dollar and since then its popularity has grown. Unfortunately this has contributed to the growing gap in socioeconomic classes. The strength of the dollar has benefited workers who are paid in dollars.

Recently, Cuba began increasing its participation in foreign markets. Due to the recent economic crisis Cuba has struggled and decided to branch out further into foreign markets. Tourism surpassed sugar exports as Cuba's largest source of foreign exchange in the 1990's and the worldwide economic downfall has crippled this sector in the Cuban economy. Castro is attempting to restructure Cuba's economy by increasing its private sector as well as its involvement in foreign markets.

This picture of sugar cane fields in Cuba represents a dying industry that was the primary export that fueled the economy of Cuba. Cuba was the largest exporter of sugar in the world but unfortunately, it now only accounts for 5 percent of Cuban exports.

Sources
http://cubapolidata.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/3292127372_dca76327a4.jpg

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/cuba/101115/cuba-economy-reform

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/cuba/economy.htm

Government, Africa Diaspora

Cuba is currently considered a totalitarian communist state, and the government is represented by both the Council of State and the Council of Ministers. The Council of State has the majority of the power and the Council of Ministers controls the economy. This current government forcefully seized control in 1959 and is now headed by Fidel Castro's brother Raul Castro. The only political party is the Cuban Communist Party which was founded in 1965 and embodies the socialist ideology established in Cuba after the Cuban Revolution. It has a monopoly over all government and judicial positions.

The Cuban government is extremely oppressive and does not tolerate any opposition to the communist ideology established by the government. The judicial system is controlled by the state and any action deemed and "opposition to socialism" can result in imprisonment. Recently steps are being taken by Raul Castro to open the Cuban economy to the rest of the world and citizens have now been given the rare opportunity to travel. (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/10/world/americas/10cuba.html) Citizens who simply disagree with and disparage the government or Castro can be thrown in prison for more than three years. The lack of freedoms and human rights in Cuba discourages the free expression of religion and cultural traditions, thereby limiting the expression of West African culture. Although modern day Cuba shows signs of West African culture, Afro-Cubans who were part of the diaspora still struggle to fully express all parts of their culture.   

Cuban Government Headquarters

http://www.cubantravels.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/mdlr.jpeg

Cuba's Government

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/cuba/government.htm

History of the Communist Party of Cuba

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcc.cu%2F

U.S. Department of State 

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2886.htm