Hispanic Americans Diversity

Probably no ethnic group has had more influence on the fortunes of a city in a

short period of time than have the Cubans on Miami. Most consider the Cubans' economic

influence positive. The Cuban and other Latin American immigrants have

transformed Miami from a quiet resort to a boomtown. To a large degree, they have

re-created the Cuba they left behind.Probably no ethnic group has had more influence on the fortunes of a city in a

short period of time than have the Cubans on Miami. Most consider the Cubans' economic

influence positive. The Cuban and other Latin American immigrants have

transformed Miami from a quiet resort to a boomtown. To a large degree, they have

re-created the Cuba they left behind.Probably no ethnic group has had more influence on the fortunes of a city in a

short period of time than have the Cubans on Miami. Most consider the Cubans' economic

influence positive. The Cuban and other Latin American immigrants have

transformed Miami from a quiet resort to a boomtown. To a large degree, they have

re-created the Cuba they left behind.The long-range prospects for Cubans in the United States depend on several factors.

Of obvious importance are events in Cuba, for many Cuban refugees publicly

proclaim their desire to return if the communist government is overturned. A powerful

force in politics in Miami is the Cuban-American National Foundation, which

takes a strong anti-Castro position. They have actively opposed any proposals that the

United States develop a more flexible policy toward Cuba. More moderate voices in

the Cuban exile community have not been encouraged to speak out. Indeed, sporadic

violence has even occurred within the community over U.S.-Cuban relations. In

addition, artists or speakers who come from Cuba receive a cold reception in Miami

unless they are outspoken critics of Fidel Castro (L. Martin 1996).

Cuban Americans have selectively accepted Anglo culture. But Cuban culture has

been tenacious; the Cuban immigrants do not feel that they need to forget Spanish

while establishing fluency in English, the way other immigrant