Final answer:
Kaifa Roland discusses how race in Cuba is a social construct significantly influenced by the island's colonial past and its current economic reliance on tourism, which exacerbates socioeconomic disparities.
Step-by-step explanation:
In her article on the tourism industry in Cuba, Kaifa Roland emphasizes that race in Cuba is a social construction rather than a scientifically identifiable category. The Cuban Revolution, led by Fidel Castro, resulted in a socialist state that shifted focus to tourism after losing aid from the Soviet Union. This has introduced new economic dynamics, as tourism becomes a crucial part of the Cuban economy. However, there is a stark disparity between the wealth of tourists and the poverty of local workers, which creates centrifugal cultural dynamics. Additionally, although local businesses benefit from tourism, much of the income is funneled to international corporations and the local elite.
Moreover, Roland touches on the idea that colonialism has contributed to a complex socio-cultural landscape, where the implications of race and ethnicity are intertwined with economic activities like tourism and digital activism. The Cuban activist scene, as exemplified by Sandra Abd'Allah-Álvarez Ramírez, highlights issues of race and gender in this context. Similarly, the Caribbean's history demonstrates the role of race in the discovery and treatment of Latino ballplayers who were often seen as ambassadors and activists against segregation.
Tourism in Cuba, thus, does not exist in a vacuum but is deeply connected to broader issues of race, economic inequality, and the legacy of colonialism and socialism. With Cuba gearing up for more tourists, particularly from potential markets like the United States, issues around digital inclusion and socio-economic disparities are becoming more pronounced, highlighting the role race plays in shaping these dynamics.