In the film, Hayes contrasts predominantly Black U.S. neighborhoods with those in Cuba.
“There’s nowhere you can go in the United States and see a predominantly Black community that doesn’t have serious issues with poverty, with drugs, with violence,” Hayes said.
“In Cuba, not only do they not have these things, but look at the differences in people. (Here) it’s hard to convince yourselves that there can be another way. Cuba shows there can be another way.”
The trip is one that likely couldn’t be accomplished by academics today.
In 2004, two years after group made the one-week trek to Cuba, the Bush administration imposed new rules on academic travel to the island nation. Now, such trips are allowed under a specific Treasury Department license for more formal programs of study – at least 10 weeks long.
Recently, a coalition of groups sent a letter to President-elect Barack Obama, urging him to reverse the stricter travel policies for family and academic travel to Cuba. Among the signers: the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the Association of International Educators and the Latin American Studies Association.
“Hopefully, we will be entering a period of new openness now after 50 years,” Hayes said. “And more people will be able to go and see for themselves.”
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