Caribbean Global Interactions

Caribbean influences on extra regional countries

According to Keith Nurse in his articles; diaspora, migration and the development in
the Caribbean, he states that migration is one of the defining features of the
Caribbean since colonization, slavery and indentureship. In the last fifty years the
Caribbean has shifted from being a net importer of labor to become a net exporter
of individuals. The Caribbean has one of the largest diasporic communities in the
world in proportion to population.
In the smaller states like St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada and Belize, the annual labor
migration accounts for as much as 12% of their population.
Reasons why Migration Started
Anglophone (English speaking)
The first wave of individuals who left the region were in 1948, they were from
Jamaica and they left on the M.V.Windrush. From the 1950s to 1960s more persons
from the regions began to leave the region to go to England/United Kingdom. Bad
social and economic conditions existed in the region, especially in the 1930s,
therefore this was an opportunity for them to leave.
Economic
1.
2.
3.
4.

Low Wages
High Unemployment
Inflation
Seasonal Employment

Political
1. Still under colonial rule
By the 1970s the rush of migrants going into the UK had decreased because of
immigration restrictions.

The second wave went to North America and in particular the United States. They
worked in geriatric care, care for the young, domestic workers and with time there
were professionals going into these areas. The migrants left in search of better
opportunities.
There was another lull going into the 1990s because there was a significant
improvement in the Caribbean economy. They were able to provide jobs, free
education, good infrastructure, foreign direct investment (hotels) and globalization
(cross border trading).

Hispanic Caribbean
Cuba
The movement of Cuban people to the United States (Florida because of the
geographic proximity) began in 1961 because there was a change in the political
administration and this was when Fidel Castro came to power. He implemented
Communism, there was no Stratification which meant equality for all in Cuba.
Persons who objected to this kind of arrangement decided to migrate and they were
encouraged by the United States to migrate. The migration peaked in the 1980s.
Haitians
Individuals migrated because of economic and political instability which began in
1804 (Independence). They settled in New Orleans, Louisiana, New York and Florida.

The destinations for Caribbean migrants:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

United States
United Kingdom/England
Canada
Netherlands
France

Impact of Caribbean individuals on Foreign Territories

Political Impact
Persons from the British Caribbean became involved in representational politics, for
ex: Diane Abbott of Jamaican parentage and Bernie Grant of Guyanese heritage
both ran as candidates on the British Labor Party ticket and they were successful
[1987]. Dianne is still a current MP but for the opposition, however Bernie has since
past in 200 and he was succeeded David Lammy. Learie Constantine was nominated
to be in the House of Lords which is the equivalent of the Senate in Barbados.
Cubans represent a major voting bloc in the United States, there are able to
determine an election because of their large numbers. They are also very wealthy,
hence, they contribute to campaigns which they support.
Haiti - Machaelle Jean became the first non-white Governor General in Canada.
Barbados
Ann Cools of Barbados became a senator, nominated as a member of Senate in
Toronto.(Past student of QC)

Anita St. Hill served in the congress in the United States. She was also a presidential
candidate for the Democratic Party.

Judiciary- Silvia Hinds-Radix is a judge in the United States.

Granada- Julius Isaac is currently serving in Canada as a judge.

Economic
Caribbean migrants have provided our labor in these societies. They tend to work in
jobs which are not attractive to the nationals of the countries (fast food restaurants,
geriatric care).

Culture/Festivals
Caribanna/Caribbean Festival
Labor Day

Culinary Practices
Established Caribbean Restaurants
Juicy Patties- Toronto
Golden Crust- New York
Caribbean Food Delight

Ideological
Rastafarian culture
Negative
Transshipment of narcotics has forced the US and UK to put stringent immigration
laws in place.