Reading Christine Ho’s article on transnationalism as a gendered process was both surprising and not very surprising at the same time. I feel like we have touched on the importance of women in migration and transnational networks many times before in this course. Women tend to have an easier time finding work, often as a maid or caretaker, immediately after migrating and can secure financial stability much quicker than men. Women also used their “natural role” as a caretaker to take the burden of children off of other migrating families until they are able to get on their feet. What was surprising about the article was how matrifocal many Caribbean cultures are. Strong ties between mothers, other women and kin play a large role in creating the large kin networks we have previously talked about.

In the article “Black Like Who?” we finally go deeper into the relationship between native African Americans and Caribbean immigrants. So far in the course, we’ve only briefly touched upon these relationships and problems between native blacks and foreign blacks. Most of what we talked about was how they each group of people perceive the other. Many Caribbean immigrants felt they were better than native blacks since they often migrated with a substantial education and artisanal skills, while native blacks held their own prejudices against as well. What this article did was show how each group views each other in respect to how the country views them. Through interviews with over 50 different Caribbean immigrants, Reuel Rogers helps paint a better, more defined picture of the relationship between Native and Foreign blacks. Something in particular that stood out to me was how each group felt about their chances in succeeding in life or elevating their social standings. Native African Americans interviewed felt that it is incredibly hard to increase one’s social standing in America specifically due to the color of their skin. Caribbean immigrants interviewed felt different about the subject. Though some did say race plays a role, most felt that as long as one was hard working, they could improve their conditions. I don’t think anyone would not understand why these groups do not agree on this issue. The idea of a class system based entirely on racism is fairly new to many Caribbean immigrants; they did come face to face with racism in their home country, but class systems weren’t necessarily entrenched in the idea. Also, with many Caribbean immigrants holding strong transnational ties to their home country, there isn’t such a deep concern with issues in their new country. As Rogers explained, for many immigrants from the Caribbean, there exists an “escape route.” Many immigrants feel that if times get too tough, they could always migrate back to their original home. With such strong transnational networks in place, returning home and getting back into society would not be that hard at all.

The following chapter, by Mary C. Waters, ties in nicely with the aforementioned ideas. Many first generation immigrants cannot fully sympathize with native blacks. Yet, the emerging second generation, which mostly aligns itself with African Americans, definitely can. This second generation has grown up with the inequality and the ingrained racism of America. They do not have an escape route to a distant country since America is the only place many of them consider home. Most of the second generation is also too far removed from their ethnic identities to connect with a Caribbean culture. Many even want to rebel and often adopt the styles and attitudes of their native peers. Now, this isn’t a bad thing by any means. The only problem is that many of this second generation lose the hope in life that originally drove their parents to immigrate. Many actually start to feel that there is no use in trying to succeed, whether in school or in society in general, since their skin color will always relegate them to an inferior social distinction. On the other hand, members of the second generation who do on to any ethnic ties they have often stay optimistic about the future. They empathize with their parents and also want to achieved the heralded American Dream. As the article stated, to tell if hanging on to ethnic ties really does end up making one’s life better further research and studying will need to be done, but so far, those that do seem to have taken larger strides in bettering themselves.