r/AskTheCaribbean • u/CompetitiveTart505S Caribbean American • Apr 28 '25

Culture Does racism between Caribbean people disappear in the diaspora

For example growing up I was never under the impression there were conflicts between Indo and Afro Caribbean people, because the Indo Caribbean people I met were all very nice and emphasized that we're all Caribbean.

I also have a Dutch friend who explained that Surinamese people seem pretty united in the Netherlands regardless of race, but this is an outsider looking in of course.

What do you guys think? Does this imply that ethnic tensions are more superficial, or is it really not that significant? Do you all have any contradictory or complementary experiences?

18 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

76% Upvoted

124 comments sorted by

View all comments

58

u/SAMURAI36 Jamaica 🇯🇲 Apr 28 '25

LOL, there's plenty of racism in the Caribbean.

13

u/CompetitiveTart505S Caribbean American Apr 28 '25

My question pertains to outside the Caribbean.

As in do these racist and hostile relationships persist once people leave

13

u/MindAccomplished3879 Apr 28 '25

Yes it does

Once you emigrate, you shed your preconceived racial notions. That does not mean you won't experience racism or be one. But by being around different people, you understand that racism is about bulling and lack of self-esteem. You outgrow that

2

u/Shot_Pipe_3798 Apr 30 '25

Only if maturity does its thing.

1

u/breeeemo May 03 '25

I've noticed that my parents generation really hold onto some of those beliefs, but when i meet people my age (20s) who moved semi recently or as teenagers they tend to grow away from the homophobia and racism that was instilled in them.

4

u/SAMURAI36 Jamaica 🇯🇲 Apr 28 '25

Not sure I understand the question? 🤔

9

u/CompetitiveTart505S Caribbean American Apr 28 '25

For example would indo and Afro Guyanese beef in America the same way they would beef in Guyana

13

u/SAMURAI36 Jamaica 🇯🇲 Apr 28 '25

Probably not. We have our hands full with white society in Amerikkka 🤷🏿‍♂️

6

u/Efficient-Age-5870 🇬🇾🇭🇹 Apr 28 '25

any one i meet from the 🇬🇾 diaspora, wheter america, toronto, or london theres been nothing but love, i hang out with more indo guyanese than afro- guyanese here in nyc. if u ask me its not as prevalent over here

2

u/Retrophoria Apr 29 '25

NYC is little Guyana. Guyanese people tend to get along but Indo-Guyanese have a weird self loathe within the community. My mom hated Indo-Guyanese despite being one herself

1

u/Sir_Yash Apr 28 '25

I've experienced racism like this but it was the only time it happened in my face

1

u/Retrophoria Apr 29 '25

No... there are bigger threats in America.

3

u/Awkward-Hulk 🇨🇺🇺🇸 Apr 28 '25

Let me fix that for you: there is plenty of racism everywhere.

It's un ugly part of human nature that I'm sure served some purpose in our cavemen days, but is an absolute cancer today.

7

u/SAMURAI36 Jamaica 🇯🇲 Apr 28 '25

You didn't fix anything. The question was about the Caribbean.