Cubanidad: Maintenance of the Cuban Self in America

The migration of Cubans to the southeastern United States was an event beyond the control of most of the emigrants. With the July 26th movement came a change in political atmosphere that was unpalatable for most Cubans, forcing many to a land of opportunity and democracy. With these newcomers came new ideas, cultural values, and social conventions. This influx of the Cuban people and ideas can be characterized with the word cubanidad, which refers to the Cuban identiy or “Cubanness.” Cubanidad resulted from a sudden flood of Cubans into a new political and social environment and led to the acceptance of Cuban Americans as members of the unique niche in the United States. An analysis of Cuban Americans in their new environment illustrates how cubanidad had existed in the United States through several social institutions: “Little Havana,” municipios, and the exile press.

The central business district of Miami came to be known as “Little Havana” because of the large concentration of Cuban emigrants and the integral parts these immigrants played in the city’s makeup. The investment put into the American economy by the Cubans was unique and very strong; many Cubans embraced the exile life, working heavily in the garment and domestic service industry as well as starting up small shops and groceries called bodegas. These little shops showed the Cuban culture in an American economic landscape that allowed a very accessible way of entering everyday American life.