Inside Cuba: My First 24 Hours in Havana — What America Doesn't Show You

Black Stories + African Diaspora — Inside Cuba, I uncover African history, Afro-Cuban identity, Santeria, Orisha traditions, and the untold Cuba Black history that most visitors never get to see. For decades, Cuba has been one of the most talked-about—and most misunderstood—countries in the world. Instead of relying on politicians, media headlines or tourist advertising, I traveled to Havana to experience the country for myself and hear directly from the Cuban people. This was my first trip to Cuba and my 38th country traveled, and within my first 24 hours, many of the things I thought I understood about the island were challenged. I ride through Havana in a 1952 classic American car, stay inside a real Cuban neighborhood, walk through Old Havana, experience the city after dark, and speak openly with Cubans about Fidel Castro, socialism, the Cuban Revolution, the U.S. embargo, shortages, blackouts, freedom of speech and the future of Cuba. But at the center of this journey is another story—the African Diaspora in Cuba. We explore the African history of Cuba, the experiences of Afro-Cubans, racial inequality, the legacy of slavery, and the enormous influence African people have had on Cuban music, religion, culture and national identity. In the heart of Old Havana, I’m shown locations where enslaved Africans were once sold—including pregnant women and enslaved people with disabilities—yet today there is very little visible acknowledgment of what happened there. It raises an important question: Can Black history disappear when nobody tells the story? We also discuss important Black Cuban scholars and historical figures including Esteban Morales, Zuleica Romay and Jesús Menéndez, along with the role Black Cubans played in Cuba's struggle for independence. And as my first day comes to an end, the journey begins moving even deeper into Cuba's African roots through Santeria, Orisha traditions, Yoruba culture and Afro-Cuban spirituality—a story that continues in Episode 2 with Beyond Roots. What surprised me most were Cuba's contradictions. I witnessed economic hardship, fuel shortages and blackouts—but also music, culture, safety and tremendous pride. I heard Cubans criticize the government openly—while others explained why their families still support Fidel Castro and the accomplishments of the Revolution. I saw a Cuba struggling economically—but also a people determined to preserve their culture, identity and dignity. There is no simple Cuba. This is not Cuba through the eyes of politicians. This is Cuba through the eyes of its people. 🌍 Welcome to The Unfiltered World with P.A. Real journeys. Real people. Black Stories. African Diaspora. History you may have never been taught. 👍🏾 LIKE the video if you want more stories like this. 💬 COMMENT: What surprised you most about Cuba? 🔔 SUBSCRIBE and turn on notifications because Episode 2 goes even deeper into Cuba's African roots, Santeria, Orishas, Yoruba traditions and Afro-Cuban culture. #BlackStories #AfricanDiaspora #Cuba #AfricanHistory #AfroCuban 0:00 Arrival in Havana 2:13 Cuban classic cars and life 5:31 Navigating Havana as a tourist 7:11 Historical context of Cuba 10:46 Interviews on the street 12:56 Perspectives on political change 17:43 The Afro-Cuban experience 20:27 Culture, race, and identity 25:45 Socialism and the US embargo 31:00 Media narratives vs. reality 33:57 A message for the world 37:11 Historical erasures in Old Havana 43:34 Slavery and labor history 48:24 Generational divide on communism 52:14 Safety and the night in Havana 54:16 Evening nightlife and history 59:36 Reflections on the first day 1:02:00 Racial demographics and history 1:04:15 Empowering Afro-Cuban culture