Latin American Languages and Societies Commons^™

Fernando Ortiz, Cuban Intellectual, Lorenzo B. Sanchez

Latin American Studies ETDs

Although of all the Latin American states, the insular republic of Cuba has maintained the closest contact with the United States, there is nevertheless one aspect of that country's culture of which we have but little understanding. This aspect is the penetrating influence that the Negro has on Cuba's cultural development. Until recently even the white population of Cuba did not fully recognize the role that the Negro had played and is playing in its culture. Cultural traits that revealed definite Negro influence were frequently attributed to aboriginal sources, or their origin was politically ignored or treated with indifference. This …