The Cuban Institute of Music (ICM) and the Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC) have both issued public responses following allegations that a young Cuban man and his friends were denied entry to the facility under the guise of "right of admission." This incident sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with anti-racist activists and citizens labeling it as discriminatory.
The ICM's statement indicates that the incident came to light through a Facebook post by user Yuliet Teresa and involved Alejandro Bridón Mesa.
According to the institute, both the FAC and the National Center for Popular Music engaged in discussions with the complainant and the young man, acknowledging their "responsibility" for the "mismanagement" of the admission policy.
Official Stance: Zero Tolerance, Yet Denial of Institutional Racism
The official statement recounts that on the morning of December 31, Alejandro Bridón was visited at home by Víctor Rodríguez, director of the National Center for Popular Music, and Osmani López, vice president of the ICM. They reaffirmed a "zero tolerance" policy towards discrimination and mistreatment.
However, they insisted that the incident was not a result of "racist stance," but rather an "arbitrary act" based on an employee's personal judgment. The statement emphasized, "It was not a racist stance, but an arbitrary act based on an employee's personal judgment."
They also mentioned that disciplinary action was taken against the employee involved and that the young man "was satisfied with the explanation."
The ICM further noted that the Ministry of Culture's leadership also reached out to the young man, who, according to the statement, appreciated the exchange and highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the seriousness of such incidents.
The statement claims that Bridón expressed no interest in pursuing the "formal complaint" as stipulated in protocols, although the institute said it investigated and would relay the information to "competent authorities."
FAC Apologizes, Asserts Non-Discriminatory Stance
In a separate statement, the FAC reported that after "necessary and thorough inquiries," it chose to personally contact Alejandro Bridón through X Alfonso to provide "clarifications." They expressed deep regret over the incident, issued an apology, and asserted, "Fábrica de Arte Cubano is neither racist nor exclusionary... it is and will always be a home for everyone."
The original post by Yuliet Teresa includes a testimony attributed to Alejandro Bridón Mesa, detailing that on December 26, around 10:00 p.m., he arrived at the FAC with two friends to celebrate one of their birthdays. After waiting in line, he noticed that those ahead—described as foreigners or white individuals—were allowed entry without issue.
However, Bridón and his companions were denied entry under "RIGHT OF ADMISSION" without explanation. He also recounts that another black woman was only allowed entry after clarifying she was not Cuban.
In his account, the young man argues that the opaque use of "right of admission" becomes an arbitrary tool legitimizing discrimination, revealing a pattern of privilege for foreigners and whites while marginalizing black Cubans.
Apart from condemning the employee's behavior, the ICM also criticized a "weak and justificative argument" from a member of the FAC staff and accused "counter-revolutionaries and their allies" of exploiting the incident to discredit institutions and "sow division." They reiterated their commitment to ensuring such incidents do not go unpunished.
Frequently Asked Questions on Discrimination at Fábrica de Arte Cubano
What sparked the discrimination allegations at Fábrica de Arte Cubano?
The allegations arose when a young Cuban man and his friends were reportedly denied entry under the "right of admission," which many perceived as discriminatory.
How did the Cuban Institute of Music respond to the incident?
The Institute acknowledged the mishandling of the admission policy and emphasized a "zero tolerance" approach to discrimination, while taking disciplinary action against the involved employee.
Did the Fábrica de Arte Cubano accept responsibility?
Yes, the FAC apologized and reached out directly to the affected individual, asserting their stance against racism and exclusion.