As the people of the Caribbean have moved to the United States, ties between those in the states and those back at home have remained, leaving an intense and intricate community for Caribbean people. The diaspora of the Caribbean has been able to maintain its connections between the United States and home countries through many different ways. However, the media has been integral in allowing people to keep up with what is happening on both sides of the water. The Caribbean people are able to maintain and grow their knowledge on politics, culture, economics, local events, and much more, but specifically, the media has allowed for a spotlight on Caribbean artists of all genres to showcase their talents and success in the transnational community.

One of the biggest proponents of artists in the diaspora is The Haitian Times, a newspaper based in Brooklyn. The newspaper’s main message is “Bridging the Gap,” which shows its dedication for reaching out to readers in both the U.S. and Haiti. In an article titled, “Emeline Michel On Art, Activism, And Anticipated Brooklyn Concert” by M. Skye Holly, there is a perfect display of the diaspora at work. The piece discusses Haitian singer and activist Emeline Michel and her upcoming panel discussion at CUNY’s Haitian Studies Institute.This not only promotes the artists involved with the panel, but it promotes the activism and involvement of these Haitian people in the United States, all the while creating music and other art that is intrinsically tied back to their home nation.

In another area of the Caribbean, the Trinidad Daily Express produced a piece called, “Artistic Ability Above Disability” by Kimoy Leon Sing. This article discusses Arlene Williams and her son, Jon, who has Down Syndrome. March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day, and Jon and his mother made great strides in bringing attention to the cause. Jon began to be able to express himself very well through painting. He created an entire exhibition titled, “Dis is Ability,” and it will be showcased at the Horizons Art Gallery in St. James. This support of not only an artist, but one with a disability depicts the type of communal support in the diaspora. Furthermore, with even the Secretary-General to the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, maintaining that it is imperative for persons with disabilities to have their voices and creations heard and seen, the issues of both raising awareness about disabilities such as downs syndrome and the promotion of art are instilled in Trinidadians at home and abroad.

Another article, also shown in The Haitian Times, is, “3 Haitian Artists to Celebrate for Black History Month” by the Haitian Times Editorial Staff. Clearly, Black History Month is very important for Haitians to be involved, as the large majority of the Haitian demographic is black. Specifically, these artists add their own unique contributions of work that are centered around their native country. The piece discusses how singer Riva Precil was raised in both Port-au-Prince and New York City, and that same mixture of cultures comes through in the mixture of styles in her music. Several other artists set to perform for celebrations of Black History Month also use styles of their native country, which helps to display these native roots to those in the United States, while also including (for many artists) social and political issues in their music.

                  

Throughout the Caribbean, there is an overwhelming sense of the love of sharing, mixing, and celebrating cultures in both the United States and on the islands. One of the most central ways in conveying that culture, especially for the Caribbean people, is through art: painting, music, film, etcetera. The heavy emphasis on art that is displayed by many of the news sites (some have entire sections dedicated to arts and culture) shows a strong support for building artists up and promoting them in order to further spread the ideas and traditions of their cultures and home countries, because often times, these are the themes that artists express in their works. The continuous production of new art helps to keep the diaspora and these transnational ties alive.

 

  • http://haitiantimes.com/2017/03/02/emeline-michel-on-art-activism-and-anticipated-brooklyn-concert/
  • http://haitiantimes.com/2017/02/10/3-haitian-artists-to-celebrate-for-black-history-month/
  • http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20170320/features/artistic-ability-above-disability