Cultural diversity in the Caribbean
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
■ Define and explain cultural diversity in the Caribbean.
■ Outline the positive and negative effects of cultural diversity.
■ Highlight the ethnic and cultural differences in the Caribbean region.
Welcome again, everyone, to another exciting adventure in the world of Caribbean studies. I sincerely hope that these lessons have been of use to you all.
Cultural diversity refers to the existence of multiple or plural ethnicities within the Caribbean and the manifestations of the way of life of these groups of people.
By now you all should be well acquainted with the phrase ‘Caribbean, a melting pot of cultures’. Simply put, melting pot is a metaphor which alludes to a society that has cultural plurality existing. Some sociologists have gone on to elaborate that due to the coexistence of multiple races, ethnicities and cultures in the region, the Caribbean is a perfect example of a cosmopolitan ethics. Cultural diversity has played a significant role in the creation of a unique blend of traditions and heritage in the Caribbean which, in my estimation, is like a magnetic pull in attracting people from all over the globe. Cultural diversity is evident in our local cuisines, traditional medicines, language, our music – such as Mento, chutney and Hindi – the many kaleidoscopic dances and other festivities.
POSITIVES OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY
■ The perpetuation of various ethnic festivities which will, undoubtedly, help to attract tourists and investors to the region.
■ The appreciation of other cultural customs.
■ The cultural retention, which is the act of retaining/keeping the culture of a group of ethnicities.
■ The fostering of social peace and harmony among other races and ethnicities.
■ The allowance for the appreciation of various opinions and traditions.
NEGATIVES OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY
■ It may lead to language barriers. For example, it may be difficult for an average Jamaican to go to Guadeloupe or Haiti and quickly grasp their French Creole, or even go to St Vincent and easily communicate with the Garifuna group of people.
■ There may be a clash in values.
■ In my view, an ominous relationship may arise as cultural diversity may cause racial segregation, as in the case of Trinidad, Suriname and Guyana, where the ‘dougla’ (miscegenous group of Africans and Indians), the Indians and the blacks are racially divided. This often times lead to political, social and economic upheaval in such societies, as the races seldom see eye to eye and coexist in tranquillity. In this same breath,
Guyana.org articulated that Trinidad’s makeup is 39.6% African and 40.3% East Indian vis-á-vis Guyana’s ethnic make-up of 51% East Indian and 43% Afro-Guyanese.’
While Guyana and Trinidad are not located in the similar geographic location, sharing a similar ethnic make-up has resulted in a similar past and, most likely, a future where racial conflict will continue to affect their society. The aforementioned site further postulated that politics in Trinidad followed a similar pattern with Guyana, where there was a period of brief cooperation followed by an increased separation along racial lines. In Trinidad, before the Second World War, a small, white elite dominated politics. In the absence of class mobilisation, political leaders used race to mobilise the support of large voting blocs. As independence from British colonial rule was approaching in Trinidad, the white population was centred on a single party, the Political Progress Group. After the Second World War, adult voting was introduced to the colony. Blacks formed the West Indian National Party, succeeded by the Caribbean Socialist Party. An African, Uriah Butler, formed the Butler Party, which in the first elections in 1950 carried a huge Indian vote. It was here that racial issues first played a role in the political circle. Butler was unable to retain his familiarity with his East Indian supporters and they broke away and formed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Prior to this event, there was no unified black political organisation. The African intellectuals of Trinidad, fearful of what could result from the formation of the PDP, thus reacted defensively at the impending threat of a unified Indian party (Hintzen, 1989). In 1956, a former history professor, Eric Williams, formed the People’s National Movement (PNM), the Afro-Trinidadian Party. By independence in 1962, Eric Williams headed the country. The Trinidadian PNM regime that came to power in 1956 lasted until 1986, continuing even after Eric William’s death in 1981.
■ Discrimination and prejudices among cultural groups may surface.
■ Social stratification may become evident. Social stratification refers to a society based on rank in the areas of race, ethnicity, wealth or education.
Next lesson, we will be zoning in on social stratification as a subtopic within the discipline. Remember to study hard, and please note that you either sink or swim on your own merit. The work that you put in will be manifested in the results you get. Peace be unto all!