Reflection Post: Professor Pedraza's lecture

I found Professor Pedraza’s lecture very interesting, as I have never learned much about Cuban migration.  It was very interesting how the demographics of the Cubans changed as the waves progressed.  For example, the race became darker as time went on.  The meaning of exile was also very different among the refugees.  In the beginning, the white upper class was simply waiting to return, while the poor today are escaping from starvation and political prison.  The policies the United States has implemented are also quite interesting.  Most especially is the Wet Foot Dry Foot policy, especially since it is taken so literally.  Refugees are found running down the seven-mile stretch of beach in the United States to dry their feet while being chased by the United States police.  This image is particularly disturbing.  Professor Pedraza did an excellent job of explaining Cuban migration, especially since she has first hand experience herself.  The first slide of her lecture shows a picture of her as a little girl with her family.  She explained the feelings of being separated and joining a new country’s culture.  This was extremely moving and made me even more engrossed in the topic.