The effects of multiculturalism and multi-ethnicity group dynamics in a Caribbean setting

ABSTRACT

The ethnic and racial composition of the Caribbean is a convergence of many cultures that were brought together through slavery and indentureship. The region holds similar characteristics among the islands because of similar history and subsequent settling of migrants. This heterogeneous lifestyle has produced new cultures distinct to the Caribbean which to some extent acts unifying forces among the migrant population. The reality is the social, economic and political structures are still realms which serve as opportunities for discriminating against the Indian race and Indians which the financial advantage are easy targets for criminal attack. Women of the two main races are still characterized by stereotypical characteristics of their history. African women are seen as strong black women and Indian women as passive and docile independent of circumstance. These self appraisals and natural competitiveness among individuals of a country or group highlights the negative aspect of multicultural societies. The Caribbean today remains a hot pot of multiculturalism rather than a melting pot.