Caribbean Studies

Topic: Caribbean Global Interactions

Leaving the Caribbean (Process of Integration with the World)

 The genesis of global integration with the wider world began from the European Inquisition in the
Caribbean. From this time a Caribbean diaspora was created.

 History shows that in the early 1900s the demand for workers on the Panama Canal drew thousands of
migrants from the Caribbean both for skilled and unskilled labour.

 After the Second World War era, the rebuilding and economic boom provided employment for
thousands of migrants overseas from farmers to teachers and doctors.

 The creation of the Caribbean diaspora in Europe (particularly in the United Kingdom) and North
America in the 20th and 21st centuries has deepened and by extension strengthened the “global”
Caribbean.

 The creation of the diaspora has extended the diversification of ethnicity in the receiving countries
while deepening the integration of the Americas.

Reasons for Migration from the Region

 Decline in of the local currency in some Caribbean countries after the post- independence era and at
present the global recession as forced many to find better opportunities abroad.
 Poverty- economic recession , widening of the inequality gap
 Crime and violence
 Political instability
 Natural disasters

Formation of Caribbean Diasporic Communities

 What is a diaspora? This refers to the scattered or group migration of people away from their country of
origin.
 What is a Caribbean diaspora? This is basically Caribbean nationals who leave the region to settle in
other countries forming their own ethnic communities to maintain their Caribbean identity.
 The Caribbean has one of the largest diaspora communities outside of its region.
 The Caribbean and Latin America have become the primary source of migrant labour to the economies of
Canada and the United States.
 Migrants form a strong Caribbean presence in North America and the United Kingdom.
 The presence of Caribbean people is evident in public display of cultural expression, small business
enterprises like the dollar vans in Brooklyn USA, the street festivals like caribana in Canada, the
restaurants and markets in south London and the close-knit communities throughout Europe and North
America.
 In 2000, of the 3.1 million foreign- born residents in the US, 2.9 million were of Caribbean origin,
representing 9.5 percent of the total foreign born and a little over 1 percent of the overall population.
 In South London the Caribbean has a strong presence. They are also the group with the largest inter- racial
marriage and offspring.
 In the United States, Caribbean nationals have etched out significant space in key cities like New York and
Fort Lauderdale for themselves.

1
The Caribbean diaspora- Some large cities with a high concentration of Caribbean people

TORONTO, CANADA LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM NEW YORK, USA

Brompton Brixton Flatbush, Brooklyn

Bathhurst Tottenham Flatlands, Brooklyn

Bloor Lewisham Jamaica Queens

Mississauga Catford Wakefield Bronx

 Population Trends of Caribbean Nationals in the United States

 Contributions of Caribbean people and culture on political issues ( see photocopied handout)
 Positive and negative effects of Migration ( see photocopied handout)

Influence of Extra-regional politics on the Caribbean

the political influence of extra- regional societies on the Caribbean has been historically significant in shaping
political processes and development throughout the region.

 The Westminster system : this is s two party system of government where, for the most part power
switches from one party to the next and back as the case of the People’s National Movement (
PNM) and the United National Congress (UNC) in Trinidad.

 The Rule of Law: is a fundamental principle of governance to protect the rights of all citizens in a
country against oppression, the right to protection and the right to fair judgment.

 The electoral process : like Britain the commonwealth Caribbean uses a First- Past- the – Post
election system, which allows electors to vote for one person only, the candidate with the most
votes is declared the winner and the party with the highest number of seats forms the government.

 US/ Caribbean Relationship: the USA since the inception of the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 has
tried to exclude foreign powers from the Caribbean as the Caribbean represents a vulnerable point
of entry for US borders. This was later manifested in the US Cuban relationship where communist
democracy was challenged by the US. As time evolved the , the interest was not just to keep out
“foreign powers” but became multi-focus with the aim to defeat anti- American revolutionaries
including terrorists, prevent civil unrest and promote stability, defend human rights and to
reinforce democracy.

Some important contributions of Caribbean people and culture to political issues in the diaspora

 Colin Powell- contributed to 34 years to military service in the US, reaching the highest position of
US Secretary of State 2001-2004.
 Diana Abbott: member of the British parliament; first black woman to be elected in the House of
Commons, 1987; entered nomination for the leader of the Labour Party.
 Mervyn Dymally
 Margarett Best
 Marcus Garvey
 Una Clarke
 Baroness Valrie Amos
 Bernie Grant
 Henry Sylvester
 Rosemary Brown

2
  Roger Toussaint
 Zanana Akande

The Impact of Caribbean Communities on the Politics of Extra- Regional Countries ( diaspora)

 Several researchers have found that Caribbean immigrants have made a significant contribution to the
advancement of minority ethnic groups in the UK, Canada and the US, influencing and impacting on
policies and leadership.

 Policy adjustments have been made, especially those that affect immigration movements and the rights of
immigrants.

 Of course with such numbers the immigration population is in a position to form lobby groups to influence
policy making on issues such as education, unionization, discrimination, residency and status.

 Strong Lobby groups are formed to get the US politicians to maintain a hardline attitude to Cuba and to
continue to enforce the trade embargo (the banning of exports to and imports from a particular country).
One of the lobby groups is the Cuban American Foundation.

 Caribbean people form a pool of voters on whom politicians rely on to vote in a conservative manner (they
are mainly interested in protecting their jobs and economic livelihood). This has impacted the on the
politics of the host country because they make demands on the state and get the government to pass laws in
their favour.

 Notwithstanding, there have been negative issues associated with the Caribbean community overseas. The
most outstanding of these has been drug trafficking and illegal immigration. To deal with illegal narcotic
trading the US has come up with what is called a Shiprider Agreement.

 The Caribbean impact in politics is quite evident in the tri- state area, in a number of state and city. For
example, Shirley Chisholm was the first African American to sit in congress and run for the presidency.
Colin Powell was also Joint Chief of Staffs and Secretary of State.

 Caribbean people boldly challenge political issues such as: increase social and political diversity,
globalized domestic policy in both regional and extra- regional countries; increased and diversified the
voting population.

The impact of Caribbean music in North America and Europe

 Reggae music
 Calypso
 Salsa

Impact of Caribbean Festivals in North America, Canada and the UK

International Caribbean Festivals
The Notting Hill Carnival

 This is an annual event which takes place in London over the past 40 years first started by Claudia Jones a
Trinidadian immigrant.
 It is a mixture of all things Caribbean, it is led and dominated by the street “carnival culture” of Trinidad
and Tobago.
 The festival has an economic value of around 93 million pound from an annual ( and growing) attendance
of over 2 million people.

3
Other Carnivals in Europe

 Aalborg Carnival in Denmark held in May of each year.

 Rotterdam Carnival in Holland in July
 Berlin Carnival (carnivals of cultures) in Germany, also held in May.

West Indian Labour Day Carnival

 Annual event held in New York and New York.

 It is celebrated on the US National Labour Day Holiday, which is usually a Monday.
 Like the Notting Hill festival, it is an expression of West Indian dance and culture dominated by the
Trinidadians Calypso and Soca music.
 This parade has made a significant economic contribution of up to 86million US dollars in the city of New
York.
 The production of sales from paraphernalia, food, art, craft and advertising provide temporary jobs and
income for hundreds.
 The festival has been used in the lyrics of many songs by Caribbean greats like the Might Sparrow and
Calypso Rose and most recently in the song “Empire and State of Mind” by internationally acclaimed
rapper Jay- Z.

Caribbean in Canada

 This is now the largest festival in North America which last over a two week period in Toronto.
 Since 1976, the festival has been held in Toronto, Canada as a celebration of Toronto’s cultural diversity
and the Caribbean’s historical and economic significance to the country of Canada.
 The most outstanding features of the carnival is the large floats, African drumming and steel bands playing
live ‘pan’ music in soca and calypso genre.
 This festival contributes to economic development of Toronto, attracting earnings of over 200 million
annually.

Beauty Pageants in Europe

 Caribbean Beauty pageants are usually held in festivity and celebrations.

 It is an outlet for the diaspora to express itself and it is also a medium for young talents to become
ambassadors for the region or individual countries in the region.
 The Miss Belize California Beauty Pageant provides an opportunity for young Belize women to dedicate
time to promoting the cultural heritage of Belize. They utilize the winner to promote issues of concern to
Belizeans throughout the state of California, the US and Belize.

The following are other popular well- known beauty pageants throughout North America and Europe:

 Miss Caribbean Commonwealth, UK

 Miss Trinidad and Tobago, UK
 Miss Caribbean,USA
 Miss Jamaica, Florida, USA
 Miss Canada Caribbean Pageant

The Impact of Caribbean Festivals Abroad on the Region

 Caribbean festivities in North America and Europe, especially in the UK, help to strengthen relationships
and encourage cooperation among the diaspora and the Caribbean community at home.
 The festivals not only serve to express Caribbean cultural heritage but, rather to influence Caribbean people
to give back to the region, reinvesting and even returning home.

4
  Digicel one of the regional businesses advertise these events for the purpose of gaining business in the
diaspora. These events facilitates networking among different interest groups and political leaders.
 Caribbean leaders and personalities travel to these countries to do public relations on behalf of the
Caribbean and their territory.
 The festivals are used as platforms for raising money for charity events such as educational scholarships
and sports sponsorship for the Caribbean.

The Influence of Caribbean Cuisine

 For every street dance, pan festival and merrymaking, there is one or several cooks boiling or roasting
something delicious for the dancers and revelers.
 Caribbean cuisine is a blend foods from all the ethnic groups in the region born out of slavery,
colonialization and indenturship.
 Caribbean restaurants, markets and shops give the diaspora a sense of identity while contributing to the
economies of the host country and those economies back home.
 Saltfish which is a dominant part of the Caribbean diet and recipes can be seen in markets and shops in the
diaspora.
 It is said that you can know the cultural background of a second –generation Caribbean individual based on
the names that they give to the foods that are similar.
 Within the stores the ingredients are sometimes labelled with the country of identity on the product.