impact of caribbean culture on extra regional societies (1)

7/24/2019 Impact of Caribbean Culture on Extra Regional Societies (1)

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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 instabilit.

!or decades the "# has had an open-door polic for Cuban migrants. $n an effort to

undermine Castro%s regime "# governments offered aslum to an Cuban reaching "#

territor. &arge numbers of Cubans left for the "# after the '()( revolution. The

Cuban-American lobb is second in importance to the $sraeli-American in "# politics.

The have largel spo*en with one voice, fought for one cause, the overthrow of Castro.

Cubans hold offices in state, local and federal governments. The represent a significant

voting bloc in #outh !lorida +credited with securing office for eorge ush r. and eb

ush in /000 elections1. The Cubans have influenced "# legislation on Cuba, of note2

the '(34 ill to create 5adio 6arti with the intention to undermine Castro%sinfluence through the flow of information and the 7elms-urton Act '((8 which is

aimed at strengthening the "# embargo against Cuba b penali9ing anone who traded

with Cuba.

The 7aitian population in "#A is scattered mainl across !lorida, 6iami and oston.

Their political impact is limited largel because the are divided along class lines: the

professionals spea* !rench and the wor*ing class spea* *reol. $n 6iami, 7aitians act

as a voting bloc. The issue of the ;boat people% has been used to mobili9e the 7aitian

communit. $n '(3/ the 7aitian 5efugee Center brought a class action suit against the

"# government that was successful in winning release on parole of '(00 detainees.


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The large number of migrants and the extent of narcotics traffic*ing in the region have

resulted in N. American and


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&arge populations of Caribbean migrants in New Bor*, Toronto and &ondon have

created a tradition of Carnival celebrations which are attended b thousands. These

festivals boost the local econom in hotel boo*ings, taxes on entertainment services, the

food industr and provide wor* in producing costumes and organi9ing aspects of the

festivals.

Fes!"a#s$

No!n% &!## Carn!"a#

Carnival in Notting 7ill,


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care professionals are activel recruited to fill growing vacancies in these areas, to

which nationals are not attracted or are in short suppl. Caribbean people continue to

impact on the econom of developed countries b providing an educated and willing

wor*force.

Off/Shore Ban-!n%

The Caman $slands,. ahamas, ritish Hirgin $slands, Tur*s and Caicos,

Anguilla and Antigua and arbuda are off-shore economies catering largel

to clients abroad. These clients are mainl interested in tax avoidance in

metropolitan countries.

0 Green1 Bananas

Conditions of production of bananas and other fruits and vegetables in the Caribbean are

influencing the distribution and sale of these products abroad. $nterests groups in

developed countries are as*ing questions about whether bananas, for example, have

been produced under ecologicall health conditions Iorganic fertili9ers, proper disposal

of blue plastic ;sleeves% which protect the bananas, whether crop rotation and

management of water supplies are environmentall sound. There is a large mar*et

segment in developed countries now that will bu produce onl if the are assured that

such conditions operate. 5ecentl, consumers abroad are concerned about multi national

corporations exploiting Caribbean wor*ers so the will onl bu fa!r ra)ebananas I

where farmers are paid a fair price, where there are long term contracts with farmers and

health wor*ing conditions. These concerns impact on mar*eting and distribution of

produce. $nternational companies now have to tr to ensure that these conditions

operate in the Caribbean and devise certification procedures as well as develop

internationall recogni9ed basic criteria and guidelines to monitor this development


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IMPACT OF CULTURE

Caribbean cultural forms and expressions have penetrated international mar*ets and

have gained acceptance in metropolitan countries. #everal factors have been

instrumental in creating this acceptance2

the presence of communities of Caribbean migrants in the big cities

tourists

the mass media and computer technologies

IMPACT OF MUSIC

Caribbean music especiall reggae, calpso, soca, and salsa have become international

and have influenced the rhthms of man other genres. 5eggae has been incorporated

into the music of other countries e.g. apan, #outh Africa, Jambia and Nicaragua.

5eggae is also used to mar*et products in "#A I oombastic has been used to sell &evis

+eans1. The popularit of reggae is supported b the fact that "niversit of Hermont

+"#A1 offered an online course I The 5hetoric of 5eggae.

Calpso and soca although steadil brea*ing new ground have not penetrated world

awareness as completel as has reggae. ?ne reason given for this is that in the case of

calpso the local lrics are of local issues and specific to the context of the Caribbean. $t

is presumed that because of its ;part% line, soca ma in time come to attract an

international audience.

IMPACT OF CARIBBEAN CUISINE


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Curr, peas and rice and er* chic*en are increasingl ma*ing their wa into

mainstream food culture. Companies li*e olden Crust and Caribbean !ood

>elight have become big businesses in the "#A. Caribbean food has

remained a specialt in metropolitan areas catering mainl to Caribbean

populations. An penetration to non Eest $ndian populations comes as result

of close association with Eest $ndians or b tourist exposure while on

vacation.

RELIGION

IMPACT OF RASTAFARIANISM

The driving force behind the international popularit of rastafarianism was ob 6arle.

>readloc*s are now adopted b African Americans who are not rastas but who share a

similar world view. >readloc*s have also come to be associated with persons in the

music industr and show business. $t is now accepted as a hairstle and adopted b

people of other races. 5astafarianism has also influenced the language and ideolog of

the cultures of man countries.

OT&ER CULTURAL FORMS

?ther Caribbean cultural forms that are influencing metropolitan countries are2

+'1 our literar stles which have received widespread acclaim with having two Nobel

pri9e winners for literature I >ere* Ealcott and H.#. Naipaul.

+/1 fashion I Caribbean people are slowl invading fashion and entertainment e.g.

Eclef ean and 5ihanna, #herl &ee 5alph, 7orsford, 7eav >, usta 5hmes, eenie

6an, Naomi Campbell,


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5eferences2

"nderstanding the Contemporar Caribbean 7illman K >%Agostino

Caribbean #tudies2 6odules $-$$$ 5uel 5eid

Caribbean2 #truggle, #urvival and #overeignt B C. #unshine

impact of caribbean culture on extra regional societies (1)

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