Some among us doubts that a real Caribbean community, a clearly defined unified entity, exists here in Florida.

A well-respected Caribbean woman, from a small Caribbean nation, told us the other day that reference to a Caribbean community is really “Straining at the bits” to create such a community. “The only thing that makes us Caribbean,” she said, “is that we are from countries surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. At the beginning and end of the day we are who we are and from the countries from which we originate. We are Antiguans, Trinidadians, Barbadians, Jamaicans, and so on. We live the cultures of our home nations, not of an entity called the Caribbean. It is a good to attempt to develop a Caribbean Heritage month,” she continued. “But, it will be a mighty effort, to clearly identify this Caribbean community.”

Adding to this woman’s comment, two former high-profile leaders of the community in separate conversations with CNWeekly News questioned the very fabric of this unity. They both expressed wariness with the community, and reluctance to again actively participate in its development because of unfortunate experiences they determine to be unwarranted severe criticism, backbiting and even backstabbing. One of these leaders commented, “We are too fragmented, and harbor too much envy against each other as a community here in South Florida, to ever be a forward progressive movement.”

There is a seemingly inherent type of negativity that exists within the Caribbean community which challenges the building of a unified community, especially when individuals or the business they operate, begin to make progressive strides is commonly known. There is the tendency for others to refrain from offering congratulatory expressions when some people succeed, or rise to new heights, rather there is this tendency to seek out the ‘Achilles heel’ of those who attain or aim for success, and then they become the brunt of malice, and envy, as reflected in cruel gossip.

A part of the cultural shock that migrants to the United States experience on coming here is a loss of ethnic identification. For example, whether an Afro-descendant migrant is from the Caribbean or Latin America, on arriving in America he is commonly regarded as Black or African American. Quite often we have heard of Caribbean-Americans, especially those of mixed ethnicity, saying that they should not be categorized as African-Americans.

In fact, many Caribbean Americans when asked to state their race on certain forms, like that of the U.S. Census, they check “Other” when selecting from the categories Black/African American, White, Hispanic, Other.

This question of ethnic identification came to mind while reading an article in another newspaper in which black people from Latin American countries, say they prefer to be regarded as Latinos, rather than Afro-Latinos or African Americans.

This is not a recent problem. Dating back to the end of the nineteenth century/early twentieth century when Caribbean nationals migrated to places like South Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts and New York, they endeavored to clearly establish their identity as Caribbean people. Though this was not done out of malice towards black Americans, it created a division between both groups, which to a lesser extent still exists today.

This divide was widened by the common perception of black Americans that Blacks from the Caribbean benefited from privileges that were not open to them. In fact, it is believed that Afro-Caribbean Americans were not subjected to the social pressures suffered by black Americans, because they were foreigners. Moreover, the perception is that Afro-Caribbeans are likely to succeed professionally easier than their African American counterparts, as they believed to have less hurdles to clear.

As anticipated, the recent bi-partisan comprehensive immigration reform bill tabled by Bush and top U.S. lawmakers, designed to benefit the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., is all but dead. Legislation that appeared so hopeful just a few weeks ago has stalled in the U.S. Senate and is now hanging in the balance, with President Bush attempting to revive it.

The attempts at immigration reform have more highs and lows than either the Space Mountain ride at Disney World or the famous roller coaster at Busch Gardens in Tampa.

One has to seriously wonder if there will ever be any favor given to undocumented immigrants here. It matters not that President Bush is one of the strongest proponents for providing undocumented immigrants with certain rights. As we approach the 2008 election cycle, Bush’s political capital is fast deteriorating and his support might not be enough to overcome the forceful opposition of the bill by massive constituents.

These constituents are represented by Congressional representatives who seem more concerned about their political tenure, than supporting what they might perceive as a lame duck president’s immigration reforms.

For these reasons, and most unfortunately, we do not foresee any blanket legislation being concluded in the near future to assist undocumented immigrants.

On June 5, 2006, based on the initiative of U.S. House Representative, Democrat Barbara Lee, of Oakland, California, President George W. Bush issued a proclamation declaring June of each ensuing year as Caribbean-American Heritage month. This proclamation acknowledges the growing political and economic influence of the Caribbean Diaspora and its importance and contribution to the development of the cultural diversity of the Untied States.

This proclamation is very significant for the fast-growing Caribbean population in the United States, estimated from between six to eight million people, with heavy concentration in Florida, New York, Georgia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. Later this month, representatives of Caribbean governments will head a delegation to Washington D.C. for talks with the Bush Administration to discuss matters relevant to the Caribbean region and Caribbean people in the United States.

We herald the recognition that has been afforded the Caribbean community by the U.S. government, especially as this recognition gives validity to the diverse people of the Caribbean region as one people.

There is, of course, no contiguous geographical region that is known as the Caribbean. Rather the region is comprised of several islands-countries, and parts of the northern edge of the South American continent. These countries are located miles from each other, with the Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic far north, in proximity to the U.S. mainland, while most of the other islands are clustered close to South America. Yet, Caribbean people are people with a common history. Most are former colonies of Britain; were originally occupied by colonial masters (Spanish, British, French, Dutch) who imported slaves from Africa, and laborers from India, to work on sugar plantations, from whom the Caribbean population descended. Most, except Haiti, secured their political independence without struggle. Most, except possibly for the twin nation of Trinidad and Tobago, have experienced severe economic challenges as independent countries, as sugar, and banana declined as primary exports.

We found the recently concluded Jamaican Business Expo held at the Signature Grand in Davie very impressive, and commend the organizers, The Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce. However, trade expositions like these, showcasing Caribbean products in the United States are long overdue. We would hope that this exposition will herald similar trade expositions from other Caribbean countries. In fact, June, which will be celebrated as Caribbean Month, here in the United States, would have been an ideal time, and opportunity to host a major Caribbean trade exposition in major markets like South Florida, and New York.

Some Caribbean political and business leaders have not grasped the fact that exports are pivotal to the economies of the region, especially exports to hard currency markets like the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. Foreign exchange is the life blood of the Caribbean, because hard currency foreign exchange is vital to purchase raw material, food, and services from hard currency markets. Although increase in trade among Caribbean countries, through regional groupings like CARICOM, is commendable, focus must also be placed on exporting to hard currency markets.

We wonder if Caribbean economies have become to so dependent on the rich inflow of billions of dollars from the remittance of foreign exchange from Caribbean people overseas, that the significance of the export market has been lost. As positive as remittances are to Caribbean economies, serving as a strong safety valve on many Caribbean societies, large percentage of these funds are not being distributed into the manufacturing sectors, especially the exporting sector. Remittances, instead, facilitates purchase from retailers who import the goods they sell, which, in turn, places a drain on the region’s foreign exchange.