3.17 Afro-Caribbean Migration

Afro-Caribbean migration to the United States in the early 20th century was driven by economic hardship and political instability in the Caribbean. Over 140,000 immigrants arrived between 1899 and 1937, seeking better job opportunities, higher wages, and educational prospects in American cities.

This migration wave significantly impacted African American communities, introducing new cultural elements and challenging existing social dynamics. Afro-Caribbean immigrants brought diverse religious practices, languages, and radical political ideologies that shaped Black thought and activism in the United States for generations to come.

Afro-Caribbean migration causes

Economic and political factors

• Caribbean economies declined sharply during World War I due to disruptions in trade and production
  • Many Caribbean countries relied heavily on exports (sugar, bananas) which were impacted by the war
  • Economic instability and job losses pushed Afro-Caribbeans to seek opportunities abroad
• The United States expanded its political and economic influence in the Caribbean in the early 1900s
  • Acquired control of the Panama Canal in 1903 which connected the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
  • Increased American investment and business interests in Caribbean nations
• Afro-Caribbeans were drawn to the U.S. for better economic prospects and job opportunities
  • Higher wages and living standards compared to their home countries
  • Chance to escape poverty and limited economic mobility in the Caribbean
• Political instability and oppression in some Caribbean nations also motivated migration
  • Dictatorships and authoritarian regimes limited freedoms and opportunities
  • Seeking political asylum and safety in the United States
• Educational opportunities in the U.S. attracted Afro-Caribbean students and scholars
  • Access to higher education and prestigious universities (Howard, Fisk)
  • Chance to gain valuable skills and knowledge to bring back to their communities

Effects of Afro-Caribbean migration

Settlement patterns

• Over 140,000 Afro-Caribbean immigrants arrived in the U.S. between 1899 and 1937
  • Represents a significant wave of migration in a relatively short period
  • Contributed to the growth and diversity of Black communities in America
• A large proportion of these immigrants settled in Florida and New York
  • Florida's proximity to the Caribbean and similar climate were appealing
  • New York City was a major port of entry and economic hub with job prospects
• Other significant Afro-Caribbean communities formed in Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia
  • Drawn to industrial cities in the North with established African American populations
  • Sought to build new lives and pursue economic opportunities in urban centers

Community tensions and cultural blending

• The influx of Afro-Caribbean immigrants into existing African American communities sometimes led to tensions
  • Competition for jobs, housing, and resources in already marginalized communities
  • Differences in language, culture, and customs could create misunderstandings and divisions
• However, the mixing of African American and Afro-Caribbean cultures also produced vibrant new forms of Black culture
  • Fusion of musical styles (jazz, calypso) and dance traditions
  • Blending of culinary traditions and ingredients from different islands
• Afro-Caribbean immigrants brought a strong sense of pride in their heritage and resistance to oppression
  • Inspired by successful slave rebellions (Haitian Revolution) and independence movements
  • Contributed to the assertiveness and resilience of Black communities in the face of discrimination

Religious and linguistic diversity

• Afro-Caribbean migration significantly increased the religious diversity of African American communities
  • While many African Americans were Protestant, Afro-Caribbeans brought Catholic, Anglican, and Episcopalian faiths
  • Introduced new religious practices and traditions (Santeria, Vodou) that blended African and European influences
• Linguistic diversity also expanded as many Afro-Caribbean immigrants came from non-English speaking islands
  • Creole languages (Haitian Creole) and dialects enriched the linguistic landscape
  • Bilingualism and code-switching became more common in Black communities
• The infusion of new religious and linguistic traditions added to the cultural richness and complexity of African American life
  • Fostered a greater appreciation for diversity and the African diaspora
  • Challenged assumptions of a monolithic Black experience in the United States

Radicalization of Black thought

• Afro-Caribbean intellectuals played a significant role in the radicalization of Black thought in the 20th century
  • Drew upon their experiences of Black empowerment and autonomy in the Caribbean
  • Brought a global perspective to the struggle for racial justice and equality
• Figures like Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican-born activist, promoted Black nationalism and Pan-Africanism
  • Founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) which advocated for Black pride and self-reliance
  • Inspired generations of Black leaders and thinkers (Malcolm X) with his vision of African diaspora unity
• Other Afro-Caribbean radicals like Claudia Jones and C.L.R. James were active in communist and socialist movements
  • Saw capitalism and imperialism as intertwined with racism and oppression
  • Advocated for a more intersectional and internationalist approach to Black liberation
• Afro-Caribbean thinkers helped to push the boundaries of Black political thought and activism
  • Challenged reformist and accommodationist strategies favored by some African American leaders
  • Emphasized the need for structural change and the transformation of global power relations
• The radicalism of Afro-Caribbean migrants had a lasting impact on Black social movements in the U.S.
  • Shaped the ideologies and tactics of groups like the Black Panthers and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
  • Contributed to a more militant and uncompromising strain of Black politics that continues to resonate today

Required Sources

"Restricted West Indian Immigration and the American Negro" by Wilfred A. Domingo, 1924 (published in Opportunity, Oct. 1924, pp. 298-299)

This article provides crucial insight into the complex dynamics of race and immigration in early 20th century America. Domingo's analysis sheds light on the tensions between African Americans and West Indian immigrants, revealing the intersections of racial identity, economic competition, and social mobility during a pivotal period in Black history.

The piece offers a valuable perspective on the diversity within the Black community and the challenges of unity in the face of systemic racism. It highlights the nuanced debates surrounding immigration policy and its impact on African Americans, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of the Black experience in the United States.

Full text: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89073162208&view=1up&seq=307&q1=domingo

Summarized:

• The Immigration Act of 1924 aimed to restrict immigration of "undesirable racial strains" into the United States, including both non-Nordic Europeans and Black immigrants from the West Indies.

• Unlike the 1921 Act, which treated all New World immigrants equally, the 1924 Act specifically excluded European colonies in the Caribbean from non-quota status, while keeping Canada and other North American countries exempt.

• This change effectively targeted and restricted immigration from West Indian colonies with majority Black populations, while allowing unrestricted immigration from predominantly white areas like Canada.

• The author argues this was deliberate racial discrimination, not based on concerns about numbers (West Indian immigration was much smaller than Canadian) or cultural differences (English-speaking West Indians were culturally similar to Americans).

• The law aimed to maintain white racial dominance by limiting Black immigration while allowing continued white European and Canadian immigration.

• The author calls on African Americans to oppose this racial discrimination and advocate for equal treatment of all Western Hemisphere immigrants.

• He warns that the law threatens to keep African Americans a "hopeless minority" by allowing white immigration while restricting Black immigration.

• The article frames the law as part of broader efforts to make America "a white man's country" and calls on Black leaders to seriously consider its implications for the future of African Americans.