Racial Classification

Class, color, and ethnicity are factors in the national identity. Ethnicity in Jamaica paints a diverse figure that contrasts starkly with the nations motto, “Out of many, one people” (Social Life in the Caribbean). Jamaican culture is rich and diverse, but is also filled with tainted relationships. Race feelings are especially complicated in this Caribbean region, due to Jamaica having the largest population between 1838-1938 (Social Life in the Caribbean).

The indigenous Taino natives of the region first left evidence of material and cultural influence. Jamaica then became a Spanish colony from 1494 to 1655 and a British colony from 1655 to 1962 (Culture of Jamaica). The colonial period was marked by conflict between white merchants and African slave laborers. Jews came along as indentured servants to help establish the sugar industry and gradually became part of the merchant class (Culture of Jamaica). East Indians and Chinese were recruited between the 1850s and the 1880s to aid in the labor gap left by ex-slaves and to keep plantation wages low (Culture of Jamaica). As soon as the Chinese finished their indentured contracts, they established small businesses. East Indians have been moving gradually from agricultural labor into mercantile and professional activities (Culture of Jamaica). While the groups present show diversity within Jamaican society, the major ethnic division is that between whites and blacks, and would be the reason for conflict (Social Life in the Caribbean). The achievement of black majority rule has led to an emphasis on class relations, shades of skin color, and cultural prejudices, rather than on racial divisions (Culture of Jamaica). Jamaica has never experienced entrenched ethnic conflict between blacks and Indians or Chinese (Social Life in the Caribbean).

The bulk of national wealth is contained within the small number of light-skinned or white families, and within a significant portion of the Chinese and Middle Eastern heritages (Culture of Jamaica). While race has played a defining role in social stratification, it never assumed a caste-like form (like in India, for example), and individuals are solely judged on a continuum of color and physical features (Social Life in the Caribbean). Although Jamaican whites were forced to mingle with black in official and business life through the abolishment of Jamaica’s Assembly, they still looked down on all non-whites (Social Life in the Caribbean). Race relations, actually, might have turned for the worse after the end of slavery. Thus is why the importance on skin tone, rather than social stratification into class systems, become the dominating social factor.

Comparable to the United States, it wouldn’t be until the at least the 1930s that the hateful attitudes towards the black community would vanish (Social Life in the Caribbean). The racial system is very much comparable to that of the United States. It is a society that is structured around economic status and segregation based on skin color.  

*All information in this blog was found via:
YouTube 

Brereton, Bridget. Social Life in the Caribbean, 1838-1938. London: Heinemann Educational, 1985. Print.

"Culture of Jamaica - History, People, Clothing, Women, Beliefs, Food, Customs, Family, Social." Countries and Their Cultures. Web. 07 Oct. 2011. <http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Jamaica.html>.

Jamaicanism: 

I could not go on any longer without having a tribute to a famous man from Jamaica...also the person who I am named after: Bob Marley, the reggae musician. Here is an interview and a sample of his music.