Professor highlights progress in race relations; Hope for Democracy in Cuba after Elections

NASSAU, Bahamas – American University Professor David Lublin spoke to Bahamian audiences about the historic election of an African-American president and the possible implications for Caribbean affairs, including democracy and human rights in Cuba. Prof. Lublin visited Nassau on a State Department-sponsored public outreach program December 7-8.

Prof. Lublin noted that audiences throughout the world, especially “in Africa and the African diaspora” had shown intense interest in the U.S. presidential election. He explained the electoral college, the technological innovations, and the state-by-state presidential and congressional results in 2008. Prof. Lublin noted the tremendous progress made in race relations in the U.S. since the civil rights era, saying that whereas race was once a barrier similar to “a wall”, it had become more like “a speed bump”.

Professor David Lublin
Bahamians were particularly interested in the future of U.S. policy toward Cuba. Prof. Lublin noted that any U.S. administration would welcome the development of “real democracy” and respect for human rights in Cuba which would allow the Cuban people to choose their own government freely. He noted that electing their own leaders was a right people in the U.S., The Bahamas, and elsewhere in the English-speaking Caribbean take for granted.

After speaking with print and electronic media representatives, Prof. Lublin gave a presentation to the New Providence Rotary Club weekly meeting. Professor Lublin teaches in the Department of Government, School of Public Affairs, at American University, since 1998. He is an expert on minority politics and electoral systems who has crisscrossed the world speaking to foreign audiences in the Caribbean, Africa, East and West Europe, and Central Asia.