Nicolás Guillén Foundation and the Union of Cuban Writers and Artists’ José Antonio Aponte Commission propose concrete actions to end the persistence of discriminatory attitudes within our society
A conception of a comprehensive affirmative approach to overcoming disparities in equity based on skin color should contribute substantively to the formulation of public policies that will play a role in the National Program against Racism and Racial Discrimination.
This is a proposal sponsored by the Nicolás Guillén Foundation and the Union of Cuban Writers and Artists (uneac) José Antonio Aponte Commission, organizations that are part of the program on which doctors Mayra Espina, María del Carmen Zabala and Geydis Fundora, and MSc Ileana Núñez worked, encouraged Party First Secretary and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez’ call to organize concrete actions and viable responses, scientifically and politically based, to end the persistence of discriminatory attitudes within our society.
The plan was presented to the government commission’s coordinating team, after being debated and enriched in a workshop held at uneac headquarters, conducted by Fernando Rojas, Deputy Minister of Culture, and Nicolás Hernández Guillén, president of the Foundation, with the participation of academics and professors from the University of Havana and intellectuals noted for their anti-racist activism.
“Broad analysis of policy proposals, lines of action to continue advancing in the implementation of the Program against Racism and Racial Discrimination approved by the Council of Ministers; inclusive, transparent dialogue, all united for the Socialist Revolution,” were the words Deputy Prime Minister Inés María Chapman Waugh used to describe the meeting in a message on social networks.
The focus was on overcoming unfavorable conditions affecting Black and mixed race groups and citizens, early on, taking action in a coordinated, parallel manner to address the multiple dimensions of vulnerability, promoting civic participation in the development and implementation of policies, creating opportunities and channels of access to this process, and providing the necessary resources for implementation.
The comprehensive, inter-sector nature of actions is evident in proposals that range from work around employment, income, education, health, housing and living conditions, to the eradication of socioeconomic disadvantages and transformation of subjectivity.
As head of the coordinating team, Minister of Culture Alpidio Alonso addressed the urgency of reinforcing the program’s communications strategy to ensure that the program’s scope, commitments and goals are in the public domain. Luis Morlote, UNEAC president, called attention to the fact that communication cannot be limited to observations of anniversaries and commemorations without carefully considering their relevance, as has been the case to date, since they must serve to raise issues and generate regular, ongoing content.
The meeting also addressed tasks related to the international thematic agenda, the cadre policy and critical plans for the creation of provincial groups.
(Taken from Granma)