28 Days of Black Liberation 2026 series: Week 1
During the month of February GDC has historically honored the legacy of the Black Liberation Struggle. This year we’re expanding our program — 28 Days of Black Liberation — to the months of January and March. We seek to highlight the history, take inspiration, and draw lessons from the Black freedom struggle.
This week we start by studying the Cuban Revolution. Cuba is an African nation, and defends an African revolution. Afro-Cuban Resistance to slavery, colonization, capitalism + imperialism is a through line that we can follow since the Atlantic slave trade to today’s fight against the blockade.
Hatuey, a Taíno cacique indigenous leader and Cuba’s first national hero. Carlota Lucumí, Yoruba woman, leader of the slave rebellion at the Triunvirato plantation in Matanzas. Jose Antonio Aponte and the 1812 Rebellion of enslaved Africans. The tens of thousands of Afro-Cubans who fought until victory in the Cuban War of Independence (aka the Spanish-American War). Juan Almeida Bosque and Víctor Dreke of the 26th of July Movement. The 32 martyrs who were killed in combat and resistance in Venezuela on January 3, 2026.
We do not just honor and exceptionalize these revolutionary leaders, but also the millions of internationalist and anti-imperialist Cuban people who fought for the national liberation of their people and support the struggles of other African liberation movements — with arms, strategy, training, doctors, educators, + fighters.
Today, on MLK Day, we are also studying the role of religion in the revolutionary process, in reaching and organizing with the masses. Cuba stands as an example of how the struggle between religion and Socialism can be resolved. The Revolution liquidated and expropriated predatory institutions like huge colonial churches and private schools — while intentionally preserving the culture of religion that made people fight for one another and their liberation. Cuba is incredibly religiously diverse, from Afro-indigenous spiritual practices of Yoruba and Santeria to Revolutionary-protestantism. These practices and beliefs were core to rebellion and dedication to organized resistance against slavery, colonialism, + then imperialism.
We recommend the following sources from our NNOC comrades for further study:
READING LIST complied by Otis Cunningham