exploring-caribbean-civiliz-blog

[exploring-caribbean-civiliz-blog]

          The Caribbean is a diverse and complex region and as a result, it has been perceived in many ways by researchers. Geographically it is defined as the islands washed by the Caribbean Sea, often described as the Caribbean basin. However, this definition fails to encompass the intricate historical, social and political factors which have significantly shaped the perception of both Caribbean society and culture throughout the years. The modern-day Caribbean is a “melting pot” of culture due to the various waves of people brought into the region, as well as the land’s natives. This along with the proximity of the islands has led to the creolisation and hybridisation of culture in the region and as a result, the Caribbean is a plural society with varying traditions, religions, foods and festivals. While cultural diversity has been a challenge to unity, the people of the Caribbean all share a similar sense of solidarity, loyalty and belongingness due to the common historical legacy of European colonization, social institutions and regional integration movements. Therefore, in the Caribbean “all ah we is one”.

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          To begin, historical factors have hindered the development of a single unified Caribbean identity. History contributed to the development of the race and class divisions found today, stemming from the 17th-century trans-Atlantic slave trade. This was an operation founded entirely on racial discrimination against the African people, leading to the creation of a rigid social stratification system where the population was divided based on the complexion of their skin, where those with lighter skin tones were favoured over those with darker ones. Consequently, the pigmentocracy was formed where the white planter class was perceived as the highest class in society while the enslaved Africans were the lower class (Giovannetti). Racial tension expanded with the introduction of indentureship. Here the East Indians were introduced and due to the stark differences between slavery and indentureship, the East Indians and the Africans failed integrate as one in society, instead identifying with their own race. For example, in Guyana and Trinidad where the majority of the population consists of Africans and East Indians, there were many political clashes between the races which resulted in ethnocentrism and even ethnic cleansing as one race attempted to suppress the other. Also, the East Indians who were familiar with living in poverty, were willing to work for small wages in poor working conditions and this prevented the Africans from making wage demands, increasing the alienation of the races. In addition to racism, colourism persists in the modern day as a remnant of plantation society, resulting in class divisions. Therefore, even in the years following the abolition of slavery, the history of the Caribbean has hampered regional unity and the development of one single Caribbean identity.

         However, while Caribbean society is negatively affected by the history of the region, it has also promoted unification. Firstly, all the Caribbean territories share a similar historical legacy of European colonization including genocide, slavery and indentureship and this past, though unpleasant, acts as a foundational link. The history of the Caribbean has also created links based on the colonizers themselves, such as the unity found in the islands previously ruled by the British, known as the Commonwealth Caribbean. These islands are also known as the anglophone, as they all share the common language of English and this has greatly fostered communication and cooperation amongst them. Another historical similarity amongst the islands were the colonial policies which universally focused on the control and cultural transformation of the different territories through conquest, settlement, the plantation system and colonial laws. This resulted in the islands today all inheriting common norms and values stemming from plantation society, such as the preference for foreign goods, the social stratification system and the pigmentocracy. Also, the people of the Caribbean, with the exception of the Amerindians, share the connection of all being transplanted into the region, arriving initially as a labour supply. While there is a great variety of transplanted Africans, Indians, Chinese, Portuguese, Madeirans and Javanese, almost 75% of the Caribbean population is of African descent, therefore the majority of the Caribbean share a bond based on ethnic ties alone (Mohammed). Thus, while history has created divisions in Caribbean society due to race and colour, the effects of the past have also fostered the creation and growth of a single identity based on the similarities shared amongst the islands and the people themselves.

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          Additionally, social institutions have obstructed the formation of a unified identity in the Caribbean. The diversity of the region has led it to be called a plural society, a term coined by M.G Smith, where there exists a variety cultures which interact but do not combine and all maintain their distinct characteristics (Thompson). In a plural society their exists the social institutions of family, education and religion in each group which have contributed to the isolation of the cultures in the Caribbean. For instance, family structures in the Caribbean are often divided based on culture, as the typical African household is matriarchal, and the Indian household is patriarchal. Not only are they distinct from each other but ethnic prejudices may be perpetuated through socialization, and the differences may seem so profound that myths and misconceptions of other races are interpreted as fact. As a result, a ‘them versus us’ syndrome can develop, as ‘no one can really understand a culture if she or he does not belong to it’ (Mohammed). Furthermore, religion has separated the cultures as communities like Hindus, Muslims and Christians each have a unique place of worship. This is further perpetuated through education due to the history of denominational schools in the Caribbean, where at a young age the population is isolated based on cultural differences. This practice has facilitated instances of religious discrimination up to today, where in many schools the Muslim practise of wearing hijabs and the Rastafarian “dreadlocks” hairstyle are prohibited or discouraged (Antione). Thus, the fragile nature of plural societies teaches us that the possibility of ethnic conflict is an ever-present reality. Therefore, the social institutions which make-up the Caribbean has been a pervading obstacle to the creation of one Caribbean identity.

             However, social institutions in the Caribbean have also facilitated the development of a united identity. Society is not static, and the plural society model does not reflect the level of creolisation and hybridisation which has taken place due to the interactions of people in the Caribbean. This has led to the formation of a new, unique Caribbean identity and encouraged unity between the different groups. Racial hybridisation, known as miscegenation, has contributed to the wide variety of mixed-race people such as mulattoes, mestizos, and douglas which makes up a large portion of the islands’ populations and grow ever larger while cultural hybridisation has influenced Caribbean identity in the form of religion, language, culinary arts and music (Jones). Due to the history of the Caribbean, new family types have emerged such as common-law unions, based on the similarities in circumstance between the various groups. Furthermore, with the advancements in education, racial and cultural discrimination are being reduced as the public is taught the importance of tolerance of different beliefs. By looking at the various religions found in the region, syncretism is prevalent such as in orisha and santeria where both the African and Christian elements are present, manifesting in the form of recognition of the holy spirit and the use of drums as a form of worship. Another example can be seen in from the hybrid forms of languages which have emerged over the years, for instance, patois which was produced from a mixture of African and French dialect. As these cultures combine through acceptance and tolerance of diversity it proves the notion “all ah we is one” as we all experience creolized culture. Therefore, while cultural diversity amongst the islands may have created boundaries and polarization, it has also led to the creation of an entirely new culture, which can be recognized as distinctly and purely, Caribbean.

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          Furthermore, the political structures found in the Caribbean are diverse and have caused disunity throughout the region. These systems emerged due to the islands’ colonial history, where they reflect the legal structure of the varying powers during colonialism at the time. This has influenced the political and legal systems today, with most of the Caribbean following democracy. This system, due to its prevalence and high regard, has fostered insularity and resentment towards islands which differ from this norm such as Cuba which follows a communist regime. There are also several variations of legal systems found throughout the region such as Haiti which follows a civil law approach, St. Lucia which has a hybrid system, Guyana which has a socialist system and common law which is followed by most of the islands (Antoine). The lack of a unanimous court of appeal has also limited legal cohesion between territories, with most islands utilizing the privy council as the final court of appeal and others the Caribbean Court of Justice. To break down these deep-rooted political barriers, there have been several integration movements, however many of these attempts have been unsuccessful and created deeper isolation. One of the first major attempts was the West Indian Federation of 1958, which failed due to insularity, distrust of the larger islands, jealousy and political rivalry. It met its ultimate end when Jamaica, who shouldered 43% of the financial responsibility decided to leave, leading to Eric William’s famous response “One from ten leaves zero” (Mohammed). Thus, these political differences have historically led to disharmony amongst the islands.

          However, there have been several attempts to remove the barriers which prevent the Caribbean from forming a unified identity. In the movements towards independence, the Caribbean began to develop a distinct identity from that of the mother countries. This began through political enfranchisement, which granted Caribbean people the right to vote. This was achieved through the labour riots of the 1930s, stemming from the trade union movements which advocated for the working-class population and encouraged togetherness as there is “power in numbers” (Padmore). Here the people of the Caribbean made a stand for their universal desire for adult suffrage, and the success of this rebellion had a ripple effect throughout the region, displaying the great strength to be found in unity and cooperation. This is what paved the way for the creation of the West Indian Federation and though it failed, soon after Jamaica and Trinidad achieved independence (1962) and by the end of the 1960s very few islands remained dependent, allowing them to further develop a unique Caribbean identity. Moreover, with globalization increasing, organizations such as CARIFTA and CARICOM have been active in removing trade barriers between the territories and establishing a common market in the Caribbean. Further attempts toward integration include the OECS, which unified its members through the creation of the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (Thompson). Thus, through these efforts it is clear that the Caribbean has made significant progress towards the unification of the region, fostering the mentality that “all ah we is one”.

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          In conclusion, the Caribbean has been difficult to define due to its intricate history of diverse colonial influences such as the Spanish, British, French and Dutch. However, over the years the Caribbean has made great strides towards forming a unique identity which fosters harmony and a sense of belongingness throughout the region. This has manifested in the form of historical influences since the end of slavery to modern-day, social institutions which have shaped the minds of the people and political movements which have fostered regional integration. While each of these factors has had challenges and limitations such as insularity, the barriers between the nations have been breaking down as many see the benefits of tolerance and cooperation. This indicates the great role each factor has played towards the common goal of unification and without them, the Caribbean would not possess the distinct identity and culture found today. Therefore, despite all differences found in Caribbean society, comfort and solidarity can be found in the sentiment “all ah we is one”.

Photos

Image 1

https://adventugo.com/how-to-survive-a-caribbean-market-caribbean-shopping/

Image 2

http://deltaskymag.com/Destinations/Jamaica/Destination-Posts/An-Island-Apart.aspx

Image 3

https://www.kimkim.com/c/best-of-cartagena-5-day-itinerary

Image 4

https://www.deviantart.com/shawnbrown/art/Caribbean-Nautical-Chart-5634462