Afro-Cubans, Incorporation, and Cubanidad in Miami, FL

Authors

Elena M. Cruz, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Major/Program

Global and Sociocultural Studies

First Advisor's Name

Andrea Queeley

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee chair

Second Advisor's Name

Guillermo Grenier

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Third Advisor's Name

Percy Hintzen

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Danielle Clealand

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee member

Keywords

Afro-Cuban, Miami, Double Diaspora, superdiversity

Date of Defense

4-1-2022

Abstract

The purpose of this research study is to investigate how Afro-Cubans as double diasporic subjects have been incorporated into the socio-cultural landscape of South Florida and the relationship between these methods of incorporation and the evolution of ethno-racial identification. The study examines the role of race and racism in shaping the socio-economic adjustment of Afro-Cubans in South Florida. Miami is the appropriate research site as home to half of all Cuban immigrants in the United States where cubanidad is most closely associated with whiteness. Miami also has a substantial population of other Afro-diasporic populations, including Afro-Caribbean immigrants as well as African-Americans.

This ethnographic study employs a mixed-methods approach that used participatory research (semi-structured and in-depth interviews), and participant observation as principal methods. Self-ethnography, archival research, and the most recent census data are used to complement the principal research methods. This project engages in three overarching theoretical frameworks to elucidate the experiences of Afro-Cubans in South Florida: African Diaspora theory, Critical Race Theory, and theories grouped under migration studies. Intersectionality is the focal point which connects the theoretical paradigms.

The study concludes that Afro-Cubans are indeed members of two diasporas, the Cuban diaspora and the African diaspora, which differentiates their experiences of incorporation from their white co-ethnics. Moreover, Afro-Cubans use their double diasporic, intersectional identity to create diasporic alliances with other communities, particularly afro-descendant ones, to ease social isolation and create economic opportunities. While race continues to be a significant factor in determining socio-economic outcomes for South Floridians, superdiversity theory was used to consider other areas of difference that intersect with race - including wave of migration, gender, phenotype - that impact incorporation. This research not only hopes to fill in a void in the study of Afro-Cubans in the United States, but also endeavors to make a significant contribution to the study of Afro-Latinos and other black immigrant populations in the United States.

Identifier

FIDC010694

Recommended Citation

Cruz, Elena M., "Afro-Cubans, Incorporation, and Cubanidad in Miami, FL" (2022). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 4966.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/4966