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?

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u/SAMURAI36 Jamaica 🇯🇲 Apr 28 '25

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

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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

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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

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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.