Understanding the causes and nature of immigration is a major step toward exploring sociocultural, sociopolitical, and socioeconomic relationships on an international level. At first glance, the connection between the 19-20-th-century migration to the Caribbean and immigration in Africa have very little in common. However, after a more meticulous analysis, similarities associated with the problem of sociocultural conflict, prejudice, and discrimination will surface. While the 19-20-th-centiury migration to the Caribbean historically has nothing to do with African immigration, the underlying cause of racism and discrimination case the main reason for migration connects the specified phenomena.
The migration to the Caribbean can be viewed as rather unusual yet, in hindsight, quite expected. Previously attempting to explore the opportunities of the western world, Caribbean citizens sought a quick return to the Caribbean after having been subjected to numerous instances of discrimination, ostracism, and racism (Dunbar-Ortiz, 2021). In turn, the migration trends observed in Africa have been spurred by multiple reasons, yet the presence of racist attitudes toward African people in Europe and the U.S. can be seen as one of the most common factors (Dunbar-Ortiz, 2021). Although currently, poverty and political conflicts cause African people to immigrate to Europe and the U.S., the hostile attitudes force the specified demographic to move back to Africa, therefore, establishing a migration trend (Dunbar-Ortiz, 2021). Thus, while political and economic issues serve as the main factor in migration from Africa and the Caribbean, racism is what drives people back to the specified locations.
Although the 19-20-th-centiury immigration to the Caribbean seems quite disconnected from African migration, the two have been largely affected by the presence of racism and discrimination. Therefore, the specified phenomena prove the lingering impact of racism and the necessity to fight against it. Once prejudices are subverted, opportunities for reconciliation will emerge.
Reference
Dunbar-Ortiz, R. (2021). Not” a Nation of Immigrants”: Settler Colonialism, White Supremacy, and a History of Erasure and Exclusion. Beacon Press.