Angela Cabrera Jones is a
Senior Creative Services Designer in Richmond, Va.
(Click image to enlarge)

Spotlight: Angela Cabrera Jones, Cuba

Cuba, Angela Cabrera Jones’ ancestral homeland, has just about everything a person could want – a tropical climate, natural beauty and an abundance of seafood and tropical fruit. However, Cuba’s oppressive government forced Jones’ freedom-seeking parents to flee Cuba for the United States at a time when immigration was still possible.

“Apart from the terrible political situation, it’s a lovely area,” says Jones, Senior Creative Services Designer, OJRP.

Born in Miami, she is a daughter of Cuban immigrant parents who became naturalized American citizens. Less-fortunate relatives who left much later were forced to come as refugees, often through the sponsorship of a local church.

“A love of life, with family as the basis,” is hallmark of Cuban culture, Jones says. “That culture also celebrates the joy of living in the present, as spoken by poets, composers of wonderful music about tropical nights and sun-bathed beaches with lush fruit growing freely, and surrounded by an incredible variety and abundance of seafood in its waters.”

Jones says that island living has been strongly influenced by the American work ethic, Spanish and African heritage and Caribbean abundance. Education and a desire to improve one’s life pushed the middle class to leave Cuba and to move elsewhere to avoid Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s oppressive regime.

Jones’ family briefly returned to Cuba, where she attended kindergarten. She completed her education in the United States, spending a year in Spain, between high school and college.

Music plays a major role in Cuban culture, Jones says. “In its complex and syncopated beats, Cuban music combines European dance melodies, African rhythms and native folk influences.” she says. “Today, Salsa and Creole jazz, are well-known, suitable for dances such as the Meringue, Rumba and Mambo. Flutes, congas, violins, brass, bongos, timbales and maracas, join with other stringed and keyboard instruments to make a unique sound.”

Cuban culture shares some aspects with other Hispanic cultures, such as celebrating Quinceañera, a “Sweet 15” birthday party, Jones says. “Whether lavish or simple, the party celebrates a young girl’s coming of age into womanhood.

A major holiday that Cuba shares with other Spanish-speaking countries is the 12th Day of Christmas, el Día de Los Reyes, (Three Kings Day, or Epiphany). This occurs on January 6 and it commemorates the Three Kings’ visit to the newly born Christ Child.

“Gifts are exchanged then and children are told to set their shoes by the side of the bed the night before,” she says. If the children have been good, there will be treats of candy or fruit or small gifts in their shoes by morning, but if they have been bad, there could be coal or switches.”

“Even as refugees, Cubans have made good use of the opportunities offered in the United States, in order to better themselves and give back to the society that has received them so generously,” Jones says.

“Cuban-Americans are very appreciative of these freedoms, becoming informed, productive and vocal citizens once naturalized,” she says. “An entrepreneurial enthusiasm has led to economic success in the States, as the Cuban culture has assimilated and yet kept its identity, contributing another ingredient to America’s melting pot.” •

Cultural Holiday Celebrations

When the end of the year rolls around, there are plenty of celebrations, including Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.

Each holiday has its own special meaning and is recognized in different ways all over the world. Such celebrations are usually marked by symbols that represent the beliefs and traditions of the cultures.

As a result, Jews use the menorah as a reminder of that encounter by lighting a new candle each night, in addition to the one lit the previous night.

The menorah is to be placed in a window to show and remind the world of the miracle that occurred thousands of years ago. •