1619 Project founder Nikole Hannah-Jones sparks outrage with unearthed 2019 podcast saying communist Cuba is among the 'least racist' countries in the world because socialism means the 'least inequality'
1619 Project founder Nikole Hannah-Jones has sparked outrage online after comments she made in a 2019 podcast reemerged where she claims that Cuba is the most equal country in the world because socialism ensures the 'least inequality.'
Speaking with Ezra Klein of Vox and The New York Times, Hannah-Jones was asked for her thoughts on places around the world that had a 'viable and sufficiently ambitious integration agenda.'
She said that while not claiming to be an expert on international race relations she thought Cuba to be among the most 'equal' and 'multiracial' country in the western hemisphere due to its socialist society.
'The most equal multi-racial country in our hemisphere, it would be Cuba,' she began.
1619 Project writer Nikole Hannah-Jones said she believes Cuba is the most equal country in the western hemisphere
MIAMI - Cuban Americans show support for protestors in Cuba during the Rally For Democracy at the Freedom Tower in Miami, Florida
MIAMI Many Cubans have been crying for freedom from the communist dictatorship and expressing anger over rising prices, goods shortages, and poor health care
MIAMI - People hold Cuban, Venezuelan and Nicaraguan flags during a protest showing support for Cuba
NEW JERSEY - A woman speaks to the crowd during a protest showing support for Cubans demonstrating against their government, in Union City, New Jersey on Sunday
'Cuba has the least inequality between black and white people anyplace really in the hemisphere. I mean, the Caribbean, most of the Caribbean it's hard to count because the white population in a lot of those countries is very, very small.
'A lot of those countries are run by black folks. But in places that are truly at least biracial countries, Cuba actually has the least inequality.
'And that's largely due to socialism - which I'm sure no one wants to hear,' she said during the 2019 podcast.
The unearthed remarks come as Cubans have taken to the streets for an unprecedented show of protest against the communist regime, crying for freedom from the communist dictatorship and expressing anger over rising prices, goods shortages, and poor health care amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The rediscovered remarks sparked disbelief among many commenters online.
'This is the person Progressives want teaching history to your kids,' tweeted conservative talk show host Jason Rantz.
'Founder of 1619 project & outspoken (idiot) communist, says Cuba has the least inequality between Black & White people. She’s correct, because there’s no democrat party to ensure everyone is divided. Also, communism is an equal opportunity oppressor,' wrote Jonathan T. Gilliam, an ex-Navy Seal turned author.
'Crazy!' declared senior writer for the Houston Chronicle Cindy Horswell.
'Then let’s send her there! And she can live her dreams!!!' wrote Ken Hebden.
'Yep, you’re either equally poor or you are the rich oppressor. One day in Cuba and she’d realize she’s one of the poor, oppressed masses begging for her freedom,' tweeted Danielle Kriner.
The rediscovered remarks sparked outrage among some commenters on Twitter
‘Please go to Cuba and stay in Cuba - Nicole Hannah Jones. The anti-American factions in our own country fail to understand the horrors of Communism,’ stated Mercedes Schlapp, a Senior Fellow for ACU Foundation penned.
'‘Note to Nikole: Cuba has ‘equality’ because everyone is equally desperately poor,' explained one Twitter account.
'I think one should be required to live in the country one believes is superior for a year before endorsing it as preferred location over one's own country,' suggested Twitter user Jerry.
'They just allow anyone to be thought leaders these days,' wrote another social media user.
'1619 project creator says Cuba’s dictator government is a model for other countries. The woman Nikole Hannah-Jones is that crazy! She wants America to be like Cuba, a communist country Cuban ppl are protesting for their freedom & are tired of tyranny. This is all u need to know.' tweeted Steve.
'Why don't she move to Cuba then ??? Let her see how the people are treated, for awhile, then see what she thinks !!!' added Alabama Lady.
WASHINGTON D.C. - Hundreds of protesters plead for liberty for Cuba in front of the White House in solidarity with the Cuban people. Protesters demanded US intervention to free Cuba
VATICAN CITY - Cubans stand in St. Peter's Square to pray with the Pope
MIAMI-A women shouts from her car while holding a Nicaraguan flag during a protest showing support for Cubans demonstrating against their government, At Versailles Restaurant
Hundreds of people headed to Washington D.C. this weekend to protest outside the White House after a week of unprecedented protests on the Communist-led island this past week.
The protests in the nation's capital came as Raul Castro joined thousands at a government-organized rally in Havana on Saturday to denounce the U.S. trade embargo and reaffirm their support for Cuba's 'revolution.'
The Havana rally came after thousands of Cubans have protested shortages of basic goods, curbs on civil liberties, and the government's handling of a surge in COVID-19 infections in the past week.
Meanwhile, demonstrators in Washington on Saturday carried signs reading 'Freedom for Cuba' while calling on President Joe Biden to help the suffering Caribbean nation.
Amanda Velazquez, a protester from Miami, told WPLG that Cubans are 'suffering through a system that completely failed them and oppressed them for 60 years.'
'With this many people get together and chant someone has to listen,' Velazquez said. 'We are trying to tell Biden we are here in your front door on our knees to help us to help our people.'
Lillian Fonseca, a protester from Hialeah, told the outlet: 'If military won't be able to intervene because I understand that's not a possibility, at least if we can give them free WIFI.'
In the wake of the protests, the Cuban government had cut off internet access on Sunday. Internet connectivity was restored on Wednesday though access to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter remained blocked on cellular networks.
WASHINGTON D.C. - Marisol protests the lack of freedom and a worsening economy in her homeland of Cuba while in front of the White House on Sunday
NEW JERSEY - People wave Cuban flags on their car during a protest showing support for Cubans
WEST PALM BEACH - Joe Yoko prepares to take part in rally at West Palm Beach city hall to support anti-government protesters in Cuba
The 2019 podcast is not the first time that Hannah-Jones has spoken out in support of the communist regime.
More than ten years prior, Hannah-Jones wrote an op-ed where she noted the many overlooked accomplishments that had been made in Cuba including what she touted as a high literacy rate in the country, low HIV infection rate and 'model' universal health care system.
She claims the Cuban revolution led to the 'end of codified racism' and brought about universal education and access to jobs for black Cubans.
WEST PALM BEACH - People take part in a rally at West Palm Beach city hall to support anti-government protesters in Cuba on Sunday
HAVANA: Cubans participate in a rally to support the government of President Miguel Diaz-Canel in Havana this weekend
HAVANA: People carry images of Cuba's former President and First Secretary of the Communist Party Raul Castro during a rally in Havana, Cuba this weekend
Demonstrators use candles to spell out SOS in solidarity with protests in Cuba outside the White House. The protests come amid demonstrations in Cuba over the lack of food, the pace of Covid-19 vaccinations and the government
The 1619 Project is a project spearheaded by The New York Times that looks into the effects of slavery on U.S. history.
Hannah-Jones, a New York Times reporter won the Pulitzer Prize for the 1619 Project which 'reframed' American history to focus on when the first Africans arrived to Virginia as slaves.
But the 2019 series of essays has come under withering criticism for portraying American history as fundamentally racist and also containing historical inaccuracies and generalizations.
She tweeted at the time: 'You do not produce a project like this and not expect pushback. History, in general, is contested. Historians debate, disagree and interpret differently the same set of facts. Historians also produce history from a vantage point. This project unsettled many. I think that is good.'
WASHINGTON D.C.: A woman holds a sign with the Cuban flag calling for 'FREEDOM FOR CUBA'
WASHINGTON D.C.: A man holds a sign that reads 'THE REGIME IS KILLING HUMANS FOR SPEAKING' at an protest outside the White House this weekend
WASHINGTON D.C.: A man is pictured draped with the Cuban flag outside of the White House
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