The persistence of racism in Cuba is disturbing to some of the island's thinkers, who are calling for a debate on the problem in their country, where equal rights have not guaranteed equal opportunities for all social groups. The first documentary on racial discrimination in this Caribbean island nation was filmed there in 2008, incorporating opinions from well-known artists and intellectuals that go to the heart of the controversy. 'Raza' (Race), by young filmmaker Eric Corvalán, could serve as a starting-point to launch the long-delayed debate.

 
'So far, racism has only been talked about in academia, among intellectuals. I think there should be an open, public discussion, even in parliament', the 36-year-old Corvalán told IPS. 'In 50 years (since the revolution), women's issues and homosexuality have been debated: why hasn't racism?'. 'It's a revolutionary topic that concerns everyone, because there are black women, black homosexuals and black men.'

'In primary education, skin colour is not mentioned,' academic Esteban Morales says in the film. 'If we are still living in a society where white people have the power, and we don't mention colour in education, we are in practice educating children to be white.' 'Cuban history as we teach it is a disgrace, because it is predominantly white history, and explaining the role of black people and mulattos in building this society and its culture is not given its due importance,'.

Blacks and people of mixed-race heritage officially make up 34.9 percent of Cuba's total population of 11.2 million, according to the latest census carried out in 2002. Most Cuban academics, however, estimate that between 60 and 70 percent of the population is black or mulatto.

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