Interesting historical fact.

[Wolfman]

As I write, Omega Psi Phi is conducting its Leadership Conference in Nassau, Bahamas at the Atlantis Paradise Resort. Over the past few years there has been an growth in chapters established outside the continental US, from Canada and Tijuana, Mexico to the UAE, Shanghai, China and the Dominican Republic.

There was another opportunity that didn't come to fruition that happened in 1951-52. The 37th Grand Conclave (National Convention) was held in Miami, FL from December 27-30, 1951. A highlight of this Conclave was a post-Conclave boat cruise to Havana, Cuba for brothers and wives. A result of this was an invitation extended to the Fraternity by the University of Havana to establish a chapter there. To my knowledge, nothing came of this. I do know that,historically speaking, on March 10, 1952 there was a coup d'etat in Cuba and Fulgencio Batista became the dictator. The Universiity of Havana became a hotbed of radical opposition to the junta. There are many interesting questions I have about this matter, from a racial and social vantage point.

[naraht]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

As I write, Omega Psi Phi is conducting its Leadership Conference in Nassau, Bahamas at the Atlantis Paradise Resort. Over the past few years there has been an growth in chapters established outside the continental US, from Canada and Tijuana, Mexico to the UAE, Shanghai, China and the Dominican Republic.

There was another opportunity that didn't come to fruition that happened in 1951-52. The 37th Grand Conclave (National Convention) was held in Miami, FL from December 27-30, 1951. A highlight of this Conclave was a post-Conclave boat cruise to Havana, Cuba for brothers and wives. A result of this was an invitation extended to the Fraternity by the University of Havana to establish a chapter there. To my knowledge, nothing came of this. I do know that,historically speaking, on March 10, 1952 there was a coup d'etat in Cuba and Fulgencio Batista became the disctator. The Universiity of Havana became a hotbed of radical opposition to the junta. There are many interesting questions I have about this matter, from a racial and social vantage point.

Based on the information on Wikipedia about the University in the 1950s and 1960s, things might have gotten very interesting if Omega Psi Phi had established a chapter.

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by naraht

Based on the information on Wikipedia about the University in the 1950s and 1960s, things might have gotten very interesting if Omega Psi Phi had established a chapter.

Undoubtedly, the upheaval and opposition got so bad that Batista shut the University down in 1955, I think. My questions primarily arise from how this came about. Even though Cuba, from my understanding, didn't have Jim Crow laws, it was still had a racially hierarchical society which was very stratified socioeconomically. Even Batista,the dictator, who was mixed race, was excluded from certain social clubs. My questions revolve around the putative pool of potential initiates given these social realities.