Caribbean American Heritage Month was first recognized on the federal level in June 2006 when President George W. Bush issued a presidential proclamation establishing the month of June as a time to “celebrate the great contributions of Caribbean immigrants to our way of life here in the United States.”
Undoubtedly, Caribbean immigrants have made significant contributions to several areas of American history and development. Unfortunately, this contribution is still relatively unknown by most Caribbean Americans, and hardly recognized by the average American.
Caribbean American heritage dates back to the 17th Century when slaves were brought to Boston, US, from Barbados. Since then, Caribbean immigrants have steadily trekked to the US, establishing roots and contributing to various areas of American life, excelling as inventors, educators, medical practitioners, attorneys, journalists, entrepreneurs, cultural and sports icons, politicians, and civil rights activists.
Most Caribbean immigrants didn’t come to America simply to make “quick money,” and then return to their respective Caribbean homelands. Rather, they saw and seized opportunities to place their unique influence on America, their adopted country.
Moreover, few, if any, Caribbean immigrants were content to retreat to the back of the bus heading to an inferior, segregated, humiliating destination, from a ‘superior’ white race. Caribbean people do not regard themselves as inferior to any race or anyone, a fact too often misunderstood by some African Americans who, unfortunately, endured years of racist humiliation. This misunderstanding has resulted in the occasional unfortunate criticism of Caribbean migrants as “uppity blacks.” But at the same time, most Caribbean Americans do not regard themselves as better than other black people. It’s just characteristic of Caribbean Americans not to be content with being considered inferior. People like Jamaican Marcus Garvey tried to show the entire black race it was, in fact, a superior race.
Many Americans, maybe including even President Joe Biden in paying tribute to Caribbean Americans in his recent proclamation of Caribbean American Heritage Month, don’t fully understand the uniqueness of Caribbean immigrants, and the contribution they made and are making to America. In addition to not being fully understood, the contributions of Caribbean Americans may not be fully appreciated.
It’s hoped that as another Caribbean American Heritage Month is commemorated and highlighted the full worth and significance of Caribbean migrants will be recognized and appreciated.
Maybe the Caribbean American community itself is to be blamed for being underappreciated. Unlike most other American immigrant communities, the Caribbean American community is extremely culturally diverse, comprised of people from several different nations. This diversity has robbed Caribbean Americans of the cohesiveness needed to mold them into a formidable community. While, undoubtedly, several first-generation Caribbean American immigrants and their descendants have independently made worthwhile contributions to American history, the community, currently estimated at some 7 million people, is still in the growing stages of becoming a powerful community.
Theoretically, the only way this power can be ascertained is through a deliberate attempt by Caribbean immigrants to recognize themselves as being and act as, members of one Caribbean American community. But sadly, this isn’t the reality. Immigrants from respective Caribbean nations tend to be very chauvinistic, and proud of their home countries. They do not easily blend with immigrants from other Caribbean nations. This is exemplified in cultural characteristics like food, music, and language.
For most of the millions of Caribbean Americans who, along with their ancestors, played major roles in the development of several aspects of American society, there’s still much to be accomplished in America. They deserve and must not cease to seek similar recognition given to immigrants of other ethnic origins, like Hispanics.
Caribbean Americans are not content being considered as Black Americans, though they are. They want to be considered a community with a distinctive culture; an influential political constituency, and a formidable business sector. Caribbean-Americans want to, and should, be recognized, unconditionally, as an autonomous American immigrant community, period.
People of Caribbean heritage should take advantage of Caribbean American Heritage Month to educate America on the impact they have made on America since the 17th century and are continuing to do so.
Caribbean migrants must continue relentlessly to carve out their indelible niche in American society, while never losing their uniqueness.
Outstanding Caribbean Americans like the late Shirley Chisholm, Colin Powell, Sydney Poitier, Malcolm X, Claude Mckay, Madge Sinclair, and currently people like Vice-President Kamala Harris and US Congresswoman Yvette Clark, all icons of Caribbean American heritage sought, and are seeking, to make their and other communities better. They have ensured the Caribbean influence integrates firmly with the American way of life.
The work is far from over because as a community, Caribbean Americans still haven’t secured their rightful place in American society. One month of commemoration and accolades cannot be the main objective. American history is filled with the contribution of Caribbean migrants. Now, Caribbean Americans must continue to strive for permanent recognition; in the US Census, in city, county, state, and federal legislatures, and the general society.
Caribbean Americans helped, and still are helping to, build America. While it’s appropriate for these achievements to be commemorated, it’s also imperative that Caribbean Americans build the infrastructure that ensures their identity as a formidable community.
Read: Caribbean Americans are dreamers and doers says President Biden
