The way Cubans pronounce the letter S is the same way Andalucians in Spain pronounce it. It's the same way Argentinians pronounce it, and there are almost no blacks left in Argentina today. Many other Latin Americans pronounce the S the same way- it sounds like an aspired H. That comes from southern Spain, not Africa. Early settlers in Cuba came from that part of Spain. Still, there's no denying that African slaves did influence Caribbean Spanish in general, from Cuba to Venezuela, and because of large numbers brought to Cuba, culture as well. I can only compare it to Brazil, particularly the religious syncretism popular in both countries.
Blacks' role in today's Cuba remains marginal. It's not only the fact that most Cubans who left were white( although not rich, rich peope were only a few thousand at the most) and therefore, receive less US$, but the fact that there is widespread discrimination against them, particularly in the tourist sector, where it matters the most. Neither are they represented in really important positions. As far as having a lower infant mortality or being better off than American blacks, no way is that true. Blacks in Cuba were better off than blacks in the rest of Latin America, in spite of prejudice and some forms fo discrimination. In fact, Cubans in general, were better off in almost all aspects than the rest of Latin Americans. Castro's revolution, before taking power, was never a poor people's revolt. It was a revolution of the middle and upper middle classes, a revolution of basically white Cubans whose stated goal was to get rid of Batista, put an end to political corruption and dictatorships and return Cuba's 1940's Constitution's full force. It was, if anything, what communists called a nationalistic bourgeoise revolution. Then, slowly but surely, after securing power, he took a different and unexpected course. I am aware that there is a lot of ignorance, myths and pro Castro propaganda in certain US sectors. People are hard headed and myths die hard. Blacks are even more oppressed in Cuba today than other Cubans. If white Cubans are treated as second class citizens, blacks are third and forth class citizens.
I am not going to write the whole Cuban history here, I am Cuban and I know what went on and is going on in my country today better than any foreigner.
Castro's represive economic measures contribute to the people's increasing poverty. Forty six years of the of a one man, impoverished police state is Enough! Even nature is telling Castro he should turn power to the people, begin the process of change. He fell down and fractured one of his knees and injured a shoulder. Two years ago he fainted. I guess the third time will be the charm. I hope it happens in front of cameras so that everyone will see it!