CARIBBEAN INFLUENCES ON EXTRA REGIONAL COUNTRIES

POLITICAL IMPACT
The influence of the Caribbean on extra-regional countries in relation to politics
revolves around questions of immigration. Persons from the Caribbean tend to move to
North America in particular, in times of economic downturn, natural disaster and
political instability.
For decades the US has had an open-door policy for Cuban migrants. In an effort to
undermine Castros regime US governments offered asylum to any Cuban reaching US
territory. Large numbers of Cubans left for the US after the 1959 revolution. The
Cuban-American lobby is second in importance to the Israeli-American in US politics.
They have largely spoken with one voice, fought for one cause, the overthrow of Castro.
Cubans hold offices in state, local and federal governments. They represent a significant
voting bloc in South Florida (credited with securing office for George Bush Jr. and Jeb
Bush in 2000 elections). The Cubans have influenced US legislation on Cuba, of note:
the 1983 Bill to create Radio Marti with the intention to undermine

Castros

influence through the flow of information and the Helms-Burton Act 1996 which is
aimed at strengthening the US embargo against Cuba by penalizing anyone who traded
with Cuba.
The Haitian population in USA is scattered mainly across Florida, Miami and Boston.
Their political impact is limited largely because they are divided along class lines; the
professionals speak French and the working class speak kreyol. In Miami, Haitians act
as a voting bloc. The issue of the boat people has been used to mobilize the Haitian
community. In 1982 the Haitian Refugee Center brought a class action suit against the
US government that was successful in winning release on parole of 1900 detainees.

The large number of migrants and the extent of narcotics trafficking in the region have
resulted in N. American and European governments enacting more stringent
immigration policies and surveillance measures:
in 1995 the US entered into an agreement with Cuba to repatriate all Cubans picked up
at sea thus reversing its decades old policy. A significant event affecting this agreement
was the Mariel Boatlift in 1980 when Castro allowed 125,000 Cubans to leave for
Florida, many of whom was criminals.
Haitian boat people are automatically repatriated as economic refugees in the face of
political instability (1991 bloody coup that removed Jean Bertrand Aristide from power,
the total breakdown of law and order following Aristides alleged resignation and
removal from the country by the US in ??).
Increased cost to obtain visa, applicants have to travel to obtain interview, pay more for
application.
Deportation to home countries of aliens convicted of crimes.
Bi-lateral agreement with some countries for US coastguard vessels to pursue suspected
drug traffickers in Caribbean waters Shiprider Agreement)
Other activities under international cooperation, such as, intelligence sharing and the
splitting of the proceeds from successful indictment of drug traffickers.
On the positive side Caribbean nationals were in the forefront of the civil rights
movement, for example, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael and Louis
Farrakhan, Dr. Yosef Ben Jochannon. A host of Caribbean people have held political
posts in N. America and the UK. Some notable examples, Shirley Chisholm, first black
woman in US Congress and first to run for office of President, Colin Powell first nonwhite Chief of Staff (US) Members of Parliament, Diane Abbott and Baroness Amos
(UK) Michaelle Jean (Haitian) Governor General of Canada 2005.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Large populations of Caribbean migrants in New York, Toronto and London have
created a tradition of Carnival celebrations which are attended by thousands. These
festivals boost the local economy in hotel bookings, taxes on entertainment services, the
food industry and provide work in producing costumes and organizing aspects of the
festivals.

Festivals:
Notting Hill Carnival
Carnival in Notting Hill, England began in 1966, as a copy of Trinidads carnival. It has
since become a multi-cultural, multiethnic affair. In a report published by the London
Development Agency 2003, the festival was said to contribute 93 million pounds to
Londons economy and generate 3000 full-time jobs.

Caribana Toronto, Canada

Began in 1967 by persons of West Indian descent to coincide with
emancipation from slavery. By 1985 Caribana was to be attracting over 1 million visitors
and accounted for Canadian $200million in tourist expenditure (Caribbean Quarterly
1985).

Labour Day Brooklyn

As part of the festivities West Indian black identity is show-cased. The festival is said to
attract 2 million participants and generate US$70m in revenue (Caribbean Quarterly
1985).

Workforce
Canadian and US governments have allowed temporary migrant workers to pick fruit IN
Canada and Florida. These economies are very dependent on Caribbean workers to
harvest fruits before winter. Increasing from the 1990s teachers, nurses and other health

care professionals are actively recruited to fill growing vacancies in these areas, to
which nationals are not attracted or are in short supply. Caribbean people continue to
impact on the economy of developed countries by providing an educated and willing
workforce.

Off-Shore Banking
The Cayman Islands,. Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos,
Anguilla and Antigua and Barbuda are off-shore economies catering largely
to clients abroad. These clients are mainly interested in tax avoidance in
metropolitan countries.
Green Bananas
Conditions of production of bananas and other fruits and vegetables in the Caribbean are
influencing the distribution and sale of these products abroad. Interests groups in
developed countries are asking questions about whether bananas, for example, have
been produced under ecologically healthy conditions organic fertilizers, proper disposal
of blue plastic sleeves which protect the bananas, whether crop rotation and
management of water supplies are environmentally sound. There is a large market
segment in developed countries now that will buy produce only if they are assured that
such conditions operate. Recently, consumers abroad are concerned about multi national
corporations exploiting Caribbean workers so they will only buy fair trade bananas
where farmers are paid a fair price, where there are long term contracts with farmers and
healthy working conditions. These concerns impact on marketing and distribution of
produce. International companies now have to try to ensure that these conditions
operate in the Caribbean and devise certification procedures as well as develop
internationally recognized basic criteria and guidelines to monitor this development

IMPACT OF CULTURE
Caribbean cultural forms and expressions have penetrated international markets and
have gained acceptance in metropolitan countries. Several factors have been
instrumental in creating this acceptance:
the presence of communities of Caribbean migrants in the big cities
tourists
the mass media and computer technologies

IMPACT OF MUSIC
Caribbean music especially reggae, calypso, soca, and salsa have become international
and have influenced the rhythms of many other genres. Reggae has been incorporated
into the music of other countries e.g. Japan, South Africa, Zambia and Nicaragua.
Reggae is also used to market products in USA Boombastic has been used to sell Levis
(jeans). The popularity of reggae is supported by the fact that University of Vermont
(USA) offered an online course The Rhetoric of Reggae.
Calypso and soca although steadily breaking new ground have not penetrated world
awareness as completely as has reggae. One reason given for this is that in the case of
calypso the local lyrics are of local issues and specific to the context of the Caribbean. It
is presumed that because of its party line, soca may in time come to attract an
international audience.

IMPACT OF CARIBBEAN CUISINE

Curry, peas and rice and jerk chicken are increasingly making their way into
mainstream food culture. Companies like Golden Crust and Caribbean Food
Delight have become big businesses in the USA. Caribbean food has
remained a specialty in metropolitan areas catering mainly to Caribbean
populations. Any penetration to non West Indian populations comes as result
of close association with West Indians or by tourist exposure while on
vacation.
RELIGION
IMPACT OF RASTAFARIANISM
The driving force behind the international popularity of rastafarianism was Bob Marley.
Dreadlocks are now adopted by African Americans who are not rastas but who share a
similar world view. Dreadlocks have also come to be associated with persons in the
music industry and show business. It is now accepted as a hairstyle and adopted by
people of other races. Rastafarianism has also influenced the language and ideology of
the cultures of many countries.
OTHER CULTURAL FORMS
Other Caribbean cultural forms that are influencing metropolitan countries are:
(1) our literary styles which have received widespread acclaim with having two Nobel
prize winners for literature Derek Walcott and V.S. Naipaul.
(2) fashion Caribbean people are slowly invading fashion and entertainment e.g.
Wyclef Jean and Rihanna, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Horsford, Heavy D, Busta Rhymes, Beenie
Man, Naomi Campbell,

References:
Understanding the Contemporary Caribbean By Hillman & DAgostino
Caribbean Studies: Modules I-III By Ruel Reid
Caribbean: Struggle, Survival and Sovereignty BY C. Sunshine