Does racism between Caribbean people disappear in the diaspora

[u/CompetitiveTart505S]

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?

[u/sheldon_y14]

As a Surinamese I can assure you that your Dutch friend is very much mistaken. I just explained a bit already on a response in another comment, but in Suriname were a lot more united than in the Netherlands.

In the Netherlands they still hold on to some of the stereotypes, that were commonplace in Suriname when they left. You can still find them in Suriname, but are a lot more in the background now. Sometimes perpetuating the stereotype is Suriname might get you "cancelled".

In the Netherlands you also have to realize, the term "Surinamer" (Surinamese) is synonymous with what we call in Suriname "Creole". The creoles have claimed that term, the Dutch perpetuate the stereotype and the Indians, Javanese and somewhat Chinese are almost not allowed to use that for themselves.

The Dutch also have a "creole" vision on and about Suriname, mixed with their own biases.

Furthermore in Suriname we celebrate each other's holidays a lot more too, which is somewhat a stranger concept with the ethnicities in NL. Phagwa for example is a huge holiday and festival here. The second largest after the Owru Yari Fest. But in NL it's a "koeli" (coolie) party. You hardly see creoles or Javanese.