Documentary Review: Black and Cuba

We are introduced to a group of Yale students who go to Cuba with an idealized notion of what socialist Cuba looks like, and it telegraphs what might be an incredibly dull film that is led with a sort of blindness to reality as they are led by tour guides and given history lessons. Idealism quickly gives way to a balanced view of Cuba - a country that has been able to withstand decades of painful U.S. embargoes, numerous attempts at government overthrow, all the while building up tremendous literacy and other social benefits, such as subsidized housing, health care, and high rates of employment. Cuba offered political asylum to several high profile black dissenters, such as Assata Shakur. Additionally, class differences are apparent by the type of employment people can do and where they live. While one of the Yale students discusses the two rappers she met who idealize living in the U.S., she lays the blame on the media, though obvious link back to the Yale students' similar idealization of Cuba prior to their visit is ignored. Much comparison is given in terms of statistics for the well being of black people in both countries, leaving the impression that Cuba is winning in terms of health, education, and overall wellbeing. This film is particularly worth viewing because it gives insight into a non-white U.S. perspective on Cuba.

It's available at http://www.kanopystreaming.com/ The caption offers the line, "Black and Cuba follows street-smart Ivy League student who are outcasts at their elite University..." The terms "Street-smart" and "outcasts" seem like subtle code and exaggeration.