“Blood Relations: Caribbean Immigrants in the Harlem Community, 1900-1930” by Irma Watkins-Owens is an excellent read on the historical presence of Caribbean immigrants in west Harlem from 1900 to 1930. This book differs greatly from other readings on the subject of the Caribbean diaspora in New York as it examines all different hues within the black community as separate but cooperative entities. Whereas the concept of the “black community” is often illustrated as a homogenous entity, Watkins-Owens does an excellent job of highlighting the varied nuances of black life in the early 1900s.

Points of Interest:

• Consider the way that Caribbean blacks were far more welcomed and well treated than their peers from the American south. By simply having an accent or speaking a different language (usually Spanish), Caribbean blacks were able to avoid many of the hardships to which American blacks were subjected.
• After the American government took over the construction of the Panama Canal, Caribbean blacks began migrating to Panama to find work but were treated unfairly in terms of the wages they earned. Yet, after this experience, blacks from the Caribbean still felt that immigrating to America would spell greater success for their families. This puzzles me because, after seeing American racism so blatantly at work in Panama, why would people want to come to America?
• I feel that this books gives a perspective on the Caribbean immigrant of the early 1900s that is seldom seen. The statistical data that Watkins-Owens provides regarding the immigrants’ educational status and thrift are not well highlighted in our history lessons.