West Indian in New York
By Sherrie-Ann de Leon in New York
It’s a great time to be West Indian-American in New York City!
After all, it’s Caribbean Week, an official commemoration of Caribbean Heritage Month, sanctioned and recognised by the United States Congress and the White House.
Hear what President Barack Obama said about “we” in his presidential proclamation: ”Caribbean Americans have shaped every aspect of our society.
"Enhancing our arts and humanities as titans of music and literature, spurring our economy as intrepid entrepreneurs, making new discoveries as scientists and engineers, serving as staunch advocates for social and political change, and defending our ideals at home and abroad as leaders in our military.
Their achievements exemplify the tenacity and perseverance embedded in our national character, and their stories embody the fundamental American idea that when access to opportunity is equal, anyone can make it if they try.”
West Indian epicentre
But in any other month of the year, it’s hard to escape us.
According to the US Census, “we” make up at least 45% of the black population in America.
In Brooklyn, the US epicentre of West-Indianness, it's not unusual to find a Grenadian married to a Guyanese - or a child whose parents are Trinidadian and Haitian, or Jamaican and Barbadian.
Having come from a tradition of home ownership in the islands, “we” have invested in homes in some of the most run-down neighbourhoods of Brooklyn.
Having come from a tradition of home ownership in the islands, “we” have invested in homes in some of the most run-down neighbourhoods of Brooklyn.
Since the 1950s, we have industriously repaired and renovated entire neighbourhoods. “We” took it over at the height of the white flight in the 60s and 70s. “We” stepped over the crack vials during the crack cocaine era of the 80s.
Yes, “we” rehabilitated the most undesirable parts of this city to the point where we are now dealing with reverse white flight. Kids of the folks who moved to the suburbs are returning to get a foothold in the neighbourhoods their parents once abandoned.
Yes, “we” rehabilitated the most undesirable parts of this city to the point where we are now dealing with reverse white flight. Kids of the folks who moved to the suburbs are returning to get a foothold in the neighbourhoods their parents once abandoned.
Real estate in areas such as Crown Heights, Flatbush, Clinton Hill and Bedford-Stuyvesant are now so competitively priced that we are being forced out.
In communities such as Ozone Park, Richmond HIll, Jamaica, and Springfield Gardens in Queens... Fughedaboudit!
In communities such as Ozone Park, Richmond HIll, Jamaica, and Springfield Gardens in Queens... Fughedaboudit!
Springfield Gardens has one of the highest incomes per household in the city. And our numbers in other parts of Queens have got so large that South Asians from India and Pakistan were asking us to identify ourselves as South Asian in the 2010 Census, so they could boost their numbers to get more federal dollars for their causes.
Education
“We” have mostly stuck to the stereotype of immigrants whose main ambitions are to own a home and educate their children. Our kids are right up there with the Asian brainiacs, competing for spots in the city’s most prestigious and elite high schools. It’s not uncommon to find elite middle schools where 90% of the students are West Indian.
But it's not all rum and Coca-Cola. The American Dream remains elusive for many of us without proper documentation, forced into tough menial jobs as nannies, dollar van drivers and labourers.
“We” have mostly stuck to the stereotype of immigrants whose main ambitions are to own a home and educate their children. Our kids are right up there with the Asian brainiacs, competing for spots in the city’s most prestigious and elite high schools. It’s not uncommon to find elite middle schools where 90% of the students are West Indian.
But it's not all rum and Coca-Cola. The American Dream remains elusive for many of us without proper documentation, forced into tough menial jobs as nannies, dollar van drivers and labourers.
These folks work longer hours - and have less access to information and services to give their families the best shot at a good education and comfortable lifestyle.
But they work hard, following the footsteps of those who came before, and have been rewarded by subsequent generations graduating from college and becoming professional nurses, teachers and lawyers.
New York: My home
“We” are not unlike many other immigrant groups who go out on a limb and take our chances in a strange land.
“We” are not unlike many other immigrant groups who go out on a limb and take our chances in a strange land.
But we have made New York City our home, with “we” food on practically every corner in Central Brooklyn and Queens and the Bronx - and “we” culture regularly on show in the auditoriums of Brooklyn College and York College and Lehman College.
And look, if yuh planning a trip to New York City this summer, Machel Montano is performing on the USS Intrepid on 23 June, while Beenie Man will play at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens on 1 July. And of course, you can’t miss the pride and joy of New York City, the largest parade in North America - the West Indian-American Carnival Day Parade along Eastern Parkway on Labor Day weekend.
And look, if yuh planning a trip to New York City this summer, Machel Montano is performing on the USS Intrepid on 23 June, while Beenie Man will play at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens on 1 July. And of course, you can’t miss the pride and joy of New York City, the largest parade in North America - the West Indian-American Carnival Day Parade along Eastern Parkway on Labor Day weekend.
What’s not to like?