Cuba Cultural AwarenessCulture defines the very fabric of society. It describes where we come from as an ethnicity, our achievements and our path to where we currently find ourselves in this rapidly modernizing world. As Americans, it is clear to all that others revere our diverse culture for its distinctiveness in its acceptance of diverse racial, religious, and ethical differences among our population. American culture has graciously adapted many traditions, beliefs, and ethnicities by granting the freedom to form opposing interests and points of view, while still expressing unity and solidarity. While Cuba seeks conformity and allows much less freedom to form opposing opinions, Cuba has also adapted, despite colonial oppression, creating Afro-Cubanism, which is defined by culture as: cultural forms, especially music and dance , were crucial for the definition of the new nation during the neocolonial republic. Afro-Cubanism, the syncretic result of the culture of the African majority and that of the dominant European minority, was the "conceptual framework of modern Cuban culture". African rhythms were incorporated into popular music, and the Euro-Cuban dances "danza" and "contra-danza" and the Afro-Cuban dances "son" and rumba became popular. When Cuba was threatened by a diminution of its national identity due to U.S. economic colonialism starting in 1898, nationalist sentiment found in the Afro-Cuban music and dance of the Oriente Province a unique Cubanness, free of foreign cultural and ideological influences. For a time, Afro-Cubanism was the centerpiece of nationalist representation. (Culture)Cuba today proves to be a mostly thriving nation. It is a nation where all citizens receive c...... middle of paper...... overcome adversity and have assimilated other cultures to create a unique blend. Despite huge differences in size, both nations enjoy the respect of the world community as a whole. Cuba sought success through the concept of socialism and the United States as a capitalist nation. Regardless of the method, both nations have achieved their independence from colonization and are self-sufficient and culturally rich nations. Works Cited "Cuba". Every culture. NP and Bing. Network. June 8, 2014. .Bourne, Peter G. Fidel A Biography of Fidel Castro. First ed. New York NY: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1986. Page no. PrintSmith, Wayne S. Portrait of Cuba. First ed. Atlanta Ga: Turner Publishing Inc, 1991. Page No. Print."Cuba." Pearson Education and Web. 11 June 2014..