Cuban economy topic of WSCC Humankind series talk.

Cuban economy topic of WSCC Humankind series talk.

LUDINGTON — John Calvin College historian Dan Miller will present his perspective on the state of Cuba’s economy as part of West Shore Community College’s Humankind Series on Tuesday, February 25, at 7 p.m. at the Mason County District Library Ludington branch.

Cuba’s economy is a complicated mix of state control, private initiatives, and the Communist Party’s demand for continued control. In “Dreams and Reality: Cuba’s Economy Today,” Miller will examine the flux between state control of the economy and the private initiatives of individuals and groups. These have often been driven by both outside forces, including changes in US policy, and by internal pressures, such as stronger economic growth. Miller will also explore where that leaves ordinary Cubans, and what it is they want.

A frequent traveler to Cuba, Dr. Miller has published on a variety of topics, including the role of the Cuban Revolutionary Council in Cuba’s Revolution, US-Latin American relations, and Protestantism in Latin America.

Now in its third year, the Humankind Series explores how different people throughout the world answer the question, “What does it mean to be human?” This year’s focus is Cuba, while last year’s focus was on the Middle East.

Additional events in the series include the documentary “Community Doctors” at Manistee’s Vogue Theatre on March 10, at 7 p.m. The movie explores the free and world-renowned Cuban medical school attended by disadvantaged students from all over the globe. Free transportation to and from the Vogue will be available from the Ludington Public Library. The shuttle will leave for Manistee at 6:15 p.m.

“Cuba: This Moment, Exactly So,” an exhibit of striking photographs of Cuba by the American photographer Lorne Resnick, will be on view in WSCC’s Manierre Dawson Gallery March 23 – April 17.

On April 9, Columbia College Chicago Professor Carmelo Esterrich will explore differences between photographs of Cubans caught by Western photographers and those captured by Cuban photographers. This program will be held at the Ludington Public Library at 7 p.m.

These events are free and open to the public. For more information about any of these events or the rest of the series, see facebook.com/humankind Westshore or contract Brooke Portmann at 231-843-5866.