In Caribbean Transnationalism As a Gendered Process, Ho describes the role of Caribbean women. She refers to them as “reluctant matriarchs”. While Caribbean women may be independent, they are not necessarily dominant. Men are perceived to be dominant, however they most often work low-paying jobs, and it would be unrealistic to expect that they be sole breadwinners for the family. Women uphold multiple jobs and are still expected to take care of the children and tend to the needs of the household.
They also tend to migrate first. Migration introduces tension into family relationships. Long periods of separation strain marriages, and also strain parent-child relationships. Children often spend many years living with relatives while their parents work to bring them over. As a result, children can view their parents as strangers and may still be attached to the aunt/uncle/grandparent/etc. that they grew up with. In addition to this women can find jobs more easily than men. More pressure falls on them as they uphold the family financially, and women put pressure on the men to find jobs. All these different pressures and problems can put excessive strain on family relationships and can break families apart.
Rogers’ Black Like Who? discusses group identity of American blacks. Black New Yorkers specifically are becoming increasingly more diverse. While native African Americans have outnumbered immigrant Afro-Caribbeans, the number of Caribbean immigrants will soon surpass that of native blacks. Thus, the singular group of black Americans is actually one composed of many different cultures, beliefs, ideologies, etc., and it is constantly diversifying and changing.
Additionally, African Americans tend to identify as black more than Afro-Caribbeans do. These differ in part due to diverging responses to shared experiences. Both groups fear marginalization and seek inclusion, however native blacks tend to feel more attached to the race than Caribbean immigrants who can feel less rooted in the country and can have less of a sense of belonging to the race.
According to Water’s Growing Up West Indian and African American, the ways in which the second generation balances their racial and ethnic identities are influenced by race, class, and gender. The second generation’s ideas about race are passed down from their parents as well as the values and beliefs of other family members. It’s also influenced by their peers at school and the racial discrimination they may face. The understanding that a second generation child develops greatly affects how they react to American society.
While reading this weeks articles, I began to reflect on my parents’ experiences as immigrants and consider my own experiences with racial and ethnic identity. Both my mother and father work full-time, and my mother is also in charge of household responsibilities. I’ve realized that there are many dynamics I have never considered that are present when one migrates from one country to another. It’s challenges one physically and mentally, and it challenges relationships. I have a greater appreciation that my parents were able to successfully immigrate, take care of our family, and allow me to live this lifestyle that I often take for granted.
