OPINION: Caribbean Heritage Month and its importance to African-American history
“Life Needs the Caribbean!” So read the tagline of a full-length commercial that ran in frequent rotation on national network television a couple years ago. The declaration was made against a backdrop of scenic images of the idyllic blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. For further emphasis, the rhythmic sounds of “island music” were heard in the background.
Though there has been a monumental movement toward change, the fact is that in the past, there was a lingering perception that the Caribbean is music, sea, sand and surf. This view was reinforced by the strong cultural distinctiveness that Caribbean people maintained since migrating to the U.S. Hence, when Marcus Garvey was celebrated during Black History Month, it was as a black hero and not as a Caribbean-American contributor. Or when America celebrated the achievement of General Colin Powell as the first black to attain the position of secretary of state, his Jamaican heritage was barely a whisper.
Thankfully, this climate has drastically evolved and with the emergency of Caribbean Heritage Month 12 years ago, a new paradigm by which the contributions of Caribbean Americans are evaluated has emerged. Now, a classroom without walls exists in which we not only just discuss, but celebrate the achievements and contributions of people like Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the U.S. and the first secretary of the treasury; and Bertram L. Baker, the first black elected to the state legislator from Brooklyn — both of whom born in Nevis. We also celebrate the Caribbean roots of Hulan Jack, the Harlem politician who in 1953 became the first black borough president of Manhattan.