CAUSA raises awareness with 'East of Havana'

The documentary follows the lives of three rappers in the Cuban slums.

By Theresa Berens

Published April 27, 2009

For some, Cuba is more than their place of birth.

"My country is the air I breathe," said Mikki in the film "East of Havana."

"East of Havana," screened by the Cuban American Undergraduate Students Association, follows the life of three young rappers, Soandry, Magyori and Mikki, who lead the revolutionary hip-hop movement in Cuba. Despite the conditions in the Cuban slum in which they live, Mikki maintains a fierce sense of patriotism.

Many of the rappers initially got into the movement because of the rush and the mental freedom it provides in the stifling atmosphere in a country with heavy censorship. For Soandry, Magyori and Mikki, rapping represents the fight to make things better.

CAUSA received the rights to screen the film due to its affiliation with Raíces de Esperanza (Roots of Hope), which organizes a network of campus groups united in the fight for a free and democratic Cuba. Student groups affiliated with this organization helped to promote this film when it was first released.

"It's not every day you get a documentary about other countries' rap," said Nicolás Jiménez, president of CAUSA and director of Roots of Hope's student network.

Movie screenings are just one of the types of events CAUSA sponsors in order to celebrate Cuban culture. The group also hosts parties at clubs downtown, sponsors guest speakers and participates in political demonstrations in order to promote awareness.

"We're sharing the culture in a way that's not just playing salsa music, to raise awareness through something deeper," Jiménez said.

Jiménez said playing the movie would raise awareness of the situation in Cuba and inspire people to do something, if simply living in solidarity with people in Cuba.

"I hope people see their counterparts in Cuba dealing with certain hardships and restrictions, and that there are people trying to break down those barriers," Jiménez said.

Raising awareness worked for senior Yolanda Hutchins.

"It was pretty touching. I had never seen first hand the impact," Hutchins said. "It's cool to see their lives first-hand."

Three members of CAUSA had the opportunity to take action April 2-5 this year at the sixth annual Raíces de Esperanza youth conference hosted by the University of Miami. The conference, this year entitled GenerAccion: Generation in Action, helps set the agenda for the next year for the organization.

The conference united young professionals, high school and university students from around the world in educational, cultural and humanitarian efforts. Speakers aided in the educational aspect throughout the conference. Cuban-American actor Andy Garcia served as the keynote speaker Friday morning. Additionally, Mikki, who now lives in the U.S., attended the conference and spoke to participants.

Conference participants took action to help those in Cuba by preparing nine tons of humanitarian aid to be delivered to the island. They also showed support for those in poor conditions by leaving notes on a 100-foot banner they decorated, included with the aid.

The educational component was an important part of the conference for many participants, as viewers glimpsed into the everyday hardships Cubans face in their daily lives.

"It was really interesting to learn how poor the situations are for many," senior Philip Norton said. "And to know how many people come from Cuba and were very successful in a free society to pursue their dreams."