Notable Caribbeans And Caribbean Americans

Caribbeans and Caribbean Americans are celebrated in the first major biographical dictionary devoted exclusively to their contributions.

When Americans seek an escape from the worries and dilemmas of everyday life, the crystal blue waters and white sands of the Caribbean islands seem like the answer to a prayer. Yet this image of a tourist’s paradise hides a tumultuous history marked by strife and division over race, political power, and economic inequality. Olwyn Blouet explores the story of “the Caribbean” over the last 50 years, revealing it to be a region positioned at the heart of some the most prominent geopolitical issues of modern times. Navigating a rich mélange of cultures and histories, Blouet unearths a complex narrative that is frequently overlooked in histories of the Americas. In stark contrast to widely-read guidebooks, this chronicle unflinchingly probes two strikingly different worlds in the Caribbean islands—those of the haves and the have-nots—created by the volatile mixture of colonial politics, racial segregation, and economic upheaval. The strategic political relations between Caribbean nations, Cuba in particular, and the world powers during the Cold War; the economic transformations instigated by tourism; and the modernizing efforts of Caribbean nations in order to meet the demands of a globalizing twenty-first century market are among the numerous issues explored by Blouet in her efforts to redress the historical record’s imbalance. The Contemporary Caribbean also explores the proud histories of the region's many nations in sports such as cricket and baseball, as well as their famed cuisines, and the uneasy balance today between local traditions and the vestiges of colonial influence.

The West Indian Americans introduces students and other interested readers to the diversity and cultural individuality of a growing segment of the American immigrant community. After an introductory chapter that describes the history and people of Jamaica and the other English-speaking Caribbean nations, their migration to the United States and patterns of adjustment and adaptation are discussed. Next, the West Indian cultural traditions, transferred to this country especially the churches, literature, music, and festivals, are evoked. Another chapter covers family networks, return migration, and remittances to those members left behind in the West Indies. Final chapters examine the new challenges for the West Indian Americans, such as identity issues, education and job prospects, and gang and drug problems, and the contributions of West Indian immigrants.

This is the first major biographical dictionary devoted exclusively to celebrating Caribbeans and Caribbean Americans who have made significant contributions to their society and beyond. More than 160 profiles feature historical and contemporary figures from every Caribbean island, the United States, and even England and Canada, and from a diverse range of fields such as acting, sports, political activism, and more. Selection criteria included the notable demonstration of a Caribbean ethos or style, combined with a lasting and novel impact. Individual narrative entries discuss family background, education, challenges, and achievements. The breadth of coverage in Notable Caribbeans and Caribbean Americans will enlighten and inspire students and general readers alike. Many lesser known role models, such as labor activist and educator Antonia Pantoja and political philosopher Frantz Fanon, are presented along with engaging portraits of better known personalities like reggae superstar Bob Marley and baseball great Sammy Sosa. Bibliographical sources for further research complement each entry. A wide selection of photographs accompanies the text.

Henke clearly relates who the groups are - from the Jamaicans to the Garifuna - why they left their homelands, how they have adapted and impacted this country, and the new challenges they face. Many notable West Indian Americans are profiled."--BOOK JACKET.

"From Toussaint L'Ouverture to Pelae, the Dictionary of Caribbean and Afro-Latin American Biography will provide a comprehensive overview of the lives of Caribbeans and Afro-Latin Americans who are historically significant. The project will be unprecedented in scale, covering the entire Caribbean, and the Afro-descended populations throughout Latin America, including people who spoke and wrote Creole, Dutch, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. It will also encompass the full scope of history, with entries on figures from the first forced slave migrations in the sixteenth centuries, to entries on living persons such as the Haitian musician and politician Wyclef Jean and the Cuban author and poet Nancy Morejaon. Individuals will be drawn from all walks of life including philosophers, politicians, activists, entertainers, scholars, poets, scientists, religious figures, kings, and everyday people whose lives have contributed to the history of the Caribbean and Latin America"--Provided by publisher.

Recent transformations in the global politico-economic system have bought about closer co-operation between the Caribbean and Latin America. This book provides insights into their changing relationship. It covers topics including geopolitics, ethnicity, economics and culture.

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject American Studies - Culture and Applied Geography, grade: 1,7, University of Potsdam (Institut für Anglistik/Amerikanistik), course: Text and Context: Important Documents in American History, language: English, abstract: When in 1619 the first 20 blacks arrived in Virginia, nobody could even guess what consequences would arise from this arrival. This event should be the beginning of a yoke of suppression of blacks lasting nearly 250 years in order to work for the "white man's" fortune in the newly founded colonies in North America and the West Indies. In this "dark chapter" of history many of the slaves were driven to death by starving, exhaustion, beating or diseases. Legally they were not even considered as humans, but as mere properties. Regarding the American and Caribbean Colonies, certain differences occurred in economies, life conditions and social structure of slaves. Consequently my research will deal with the description and the comparison of "black history" from the beginnings (early 17th century) until the end of slavery in America and the West Indies. After having a look at the historical background, I intend to examine some crucial questions, for instance: Why did slavery in America develop in a different way than in the Caribbean? Or: Why did so many elements of the African culture survive until today on the West Indies, whereas an "African-American Culture" developed in North America?