Support for Equality for the New Cubans and African-Americans US-Cuba Relationship

WHEREAS, the subjugation of Afro-Cubans has a long historical base including slavery until its ending completely in 1886, through the massacre by the Cuban Army of Afro-Cubans in a Black Political party in 1912 despite the fact that forces of the revolution against Spain were over 50 percent Afro-Cubans, through segregation and discrimination initiated during the years of United States (US) influences to the present situation where despite the official forbidding of segregation related practices by the revolutionary government, Afro-Cubans are under-represented in key sectors of society and are on average at the bottom economically; and 

WHEREAS, the United States is re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba and lessening the restriction on US-Cuban interactions; and 

WHEREAS, the NAACP has historic concerns about Cuba, and in recent times has sent a mission there, and supported opportunities for American Black Farmers to export to Cuba; and 

WHEREAS, as Cuba becomes more open some gaps currently existing between Afro and non Afro Cubans can be expected to increase such as the access to capital available to those with families in the United States of which the percentage of Afro Cubans is far less than their percentage on the island where they may well be a majority. 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the NAACP urges the US government to pay particular attention to the issues of civil, social, economic and political equity for Afro-Cubans as well as African Americans exiled or residing in Cuba; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NAACP bring this issue to the attention of the Congressional Black Caucus urging action; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NAACP develop a mission to Cuba to establish linkages with Afro-Cuban organizations; and 

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the NAACP involve its Branches in these linkages.