Janis Hutchinson
Medical Anthropologist, University of Houston
Program Chair, Association of Black Anthropologists conference in Cuba

As program organizer for the Association of Black Anthropologists (ABA), the conference in Cuba is a project that I really began thinking about some three or four years ago. When I became president two years ago we began talking about having a conference separate from the National Association, because we needed an avenue and space where we could not only network but also share our work that sometimes, at the national meetings with 15 minutes to present a paper, is somewhat confining. We wanted to create a different format in which we could share our work with one another and, at the same time, we could learn about the culture of another country. So we decided to start having our conference outside of the United States every two years.

This is the first ABA conference in Cuba and it's been a great conference. We had two days of formal presentations of papers that were wonderful - things that you don't usually hear in the States. Some of the papers were about writers, a lot about history. The whole conference focused on the African Diaspora in every aspect possible - history, music, food, culture, folklore, etc., and we've heard papers about all of those things. It's also been enjoyable to hear from our Cuban colleagues - they've really given us, I think, a feel and a better understanding of the history of Cuba, as well as what's going on in contemporary Cuba. In addition to the formal presentations we went on various excursions and tours, seeing places, learning about the revolution and also what happened before the revolution, and bringing it into the present. At the same time, we were able to go out and see what people were actually doing, and so we were able to compare what we've heard in the States, what we've heard from tourists, and what we've heard from people in Cuba.

It's been a real learning experience for me, and I'm sure, for everyone else as well. before we came we heard certain things like "you're going to see only old cars" and "you're not going to be able to find food outside of the hotel". We've found that a lot of that is simply not true. People are learning that we've had a certain view in the United States. I was not aware, for example, that there were so many black people in Cuba - a large percentage of black people. Usually in the US, on the news, in the movies and those kinds of things, we've been treated mainly to Ricky Ricardo - those images of what a Cuban is, now we find that Cuban's are much more than that. It's a rich culture, a very diverse culture, and that diversity is something I didn't expect. I think I expected a more homogeneous population. Cuba has its problems, of course, and it looks like they're working on them; how long it'll take to get out of them - who knows?

Cheryl Rodriguez
President, Association of Black Anthropologists
President, Africana Studies, University of Southern Florida

For me, this has been an extraordinary event that has fulfilled many of the dreams and visions that I have had and others have had for our association. It has certainly given us the opportunity to meet some wonderful people, some truly outstanding scholars, and people that we will individually, and organizationally, continue to connect with through the years ahead.

I think Cuba is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited, and this has certainly been a spiritual journey for me. I feel so strongly that my roots are here, because my grandparents came to the United States from Cuba, and being here is a personal dream come true, and I will return. I'm looking forward to it. Geographically, it's outstanding, in particular the natural beauty. Also, I am very impressed by the Cuban people, because despite incredible hardships, people have this spirit, and this willingness to continue, and they're very interested in what we have to say as Americans. They don't blame us as people for what's happened to them. They're very knowledgeable about what is happening in the world, which is very impressive to me because, unfortunately, in general, Americans are very myopic. We don't concern ourselves with what's going on outside our borders, or even outside our towns sometimes. Yet Cubans know about the United States and other countries - they know what's happening in our country - they're very knowledgeable about our political process, they want to know us as individuals, they realize that we are neighbors. And I think that we have been told such blatant lies about Cuba by our media and political figures. that has to stop. We need to open our minds and learn more about all our neighbors around us, particularly Cuba. Cuba has a lot to offer us and we have a lot to offer Cuba. They are people of great dignity and great strength to have survived what they have for all these years.

William Watkins
Professor of Education, University of Illinois, Chicago

I am not an anthropologist, but I certainly have an interest in people and their lives, their culture and their religion, which has been one of the focuses of the conference. It's indeed been a real learning experience. It was my first time at an anthropology conference, and I'm very pleased and yes, I've learned quite a bit. As for Cuba - well, of course, it is important to all the people of the world. I'm impressed with their resiliency and their ability to survive against almost insurmountable odds - the blockade and hostility coming their way from the Unite States and other places. It seems that the whole world is against them and yet they persist and they are attempting to build a society that serves the needs of the people, and provides medical care and education and the necessities of life that none of should have to pay for. So, Cuba is very important to me and I know I'm definitely going back.

Sidney Lemelle
History Department, Pomona College, USA

I do Diaspora and history, so this conference fitted right in with the types of things that I teach and I am interested in. My impressions of Cuba - it's sort of overwhelming - are actually more than I had anticipated in many ways. You can read about a place, but never really understand it until you go there. Not just the place itself, but the people - how they interact, etc. In that respect I wasn't surprised - I expected [Cubans] to be very friendly - I had hoped it would be a very warm place , and it has been. The people are very friendly, and the communication that I have been able to make with individuals as been very positive overall, it has been a fantastic experience. I have traveled a lot, so for me to say it's one of the better places I've ever been is actually saying something. What this trip has done is deepened my knowledge - of the people, of the culture, of the society, and particularly, of the place and contribution of black people in this society.