On July 16th author and Senior Lecturer on Social Studies and Faculty Associate at the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, Harvard University, Jonathan Hansen, spoke to us about Cuba and his most recent book Young Castro. Topics included discussions about how the United States viewed Cuba with hungry eyes since the late 18th century; this historical fact flies in the face of the North American perception that Cuba only interested the US after 1959. Professor Hansen also spent time talking about the Platt Amendment and the Teller Amendment and their implications for Cuban self-determination. Also discussed was the current situation in Cuba regarding the potential removal of a historical monument due to the racial injustice and murder it represented. Sound familiar?

Thank you, Professor Hansen for an excellent presentation and discussion.