Beyond the Embargo: A Firsthand Look at U.S.–Cuban Relations—23 Years Later

Twenty-three years after traveling across Cuba to produce a documentary on U.S.–Cuban relations, Dr. John Locke looks back on the people he met, the stories they shared, and how two decades of hindsight have reshaped his understanding of the island and America's relationship with it. Drawing on original documentary footage, firsthand experiences, and years of reflection, this presentation explores not only the history of one of the world's longest-running political conflicts, but also how our understanding of Cuba evolves over time.

Americans have long debated two competing approaches to Cuba: increasing pressure through economic sanctions or expanding engagement through diplomacy and trade. This presentation considers a third possibility: What if the United States simply stepped aside and allowed Cubans to determine their own future? Through historical context, personal stories, and documentary footage, participants are invited to reconsider one of the last enduring legacies of the Cold War—not by seeking definitive answers, but by asking better questions.

At its heart, however, this presentation asks not only how Cuba has changed, but how our understanding of Cuba changes when we allow ordinary Cubans to tell their own stories.

Join us September 29, 2026 in the Alumni Conference Room, in the ACC, from 3 - 4 P.M

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Ilona Flores