The fabric of America is changing, with the influx of Black immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa into African American communities.
In the 1950’s and ‘60’s, AAs considered themselves a united community fighting for the right to live in America as first-class citizens. That perception seems to be changing. By the mid-‘60’s, race began to be overshadowed by divisions based on ethnicity and national identity, particularly in cities such as Miami, New York, Boston and Chicago.
Black immigrants represent about 48% of the Black population in Miami, and one-third in New York City and Boston.
In Miami, tensions have been building on both sides since the ‘80’s. According to Black psychologist, Marvin Dunn of Florida International University…
“Black Americans, for the most part, were not welcoming when Haitians arrived in the early ‘80’s, complaining about Haitians taking their jobs, or claiming they were bringing AIDS into the community, etc. On the other hand, there’s a certain ‘look-down-the nose’ attitude that one gets from certain Caribbean Blacks towards African Americans that I think is offensive to American Blacks. Add that to the Haitian view that African Americans are violent, don’t want to work, are lazy. Some of the things you hear from white racists you hear from Blacks who are not African Americans.”
Astute Black immigrants, however, understand that as an immigrant you are now part of America’s underclass – a poor immigrant - no matter your middle-class status or ranking on the educational scale, back in your home country.
In New York City and New Jersey, AA and Haitian kids clash, with similar clashes in southern Florida high schools.
Mr. Dunn goes on to say…
"It’s not a healthy situation. But I tell you, as these things go in south Florida, so may they go in the country. The entire nation is being impacted by immigrant groups coming in, particularly immigrant groups of color, into communities – and ethnic clashes, even within the same race groups, are becoming more common across the country. The tension between immigrants and native Blacks can be hurtful - emotionally and psychologically. But these tensions are a classic part of the immigrant story – arriving groups face hostility until they become assimilated into American society.”
In the 1950’s and ‘60’s, AAs considered themselves a united community fighting for the right to live in America as first-class citizens. That perception seems to be changing. By the mid-‘60’s, race began to be overshadowed by divisions based on ethnicity and national identity, particularly in cities such as Miami, New York, Boston and Chicago.
Black immigrants represent about 48% of the Black population in Miami, and one-third in New York City and Boston.
In Miami, tensions have been building on both sides since the ‘80’s. According to Black psychologist, Marvin Dunn of Florida International University…
“Black Americans, for the most part, were not welcoming when Haitians arrived in the early ‘80’s, complaining about Haitians taking their jobs, or claiming they were bringing AIDS into the community, etc. On the other hand, there’s a certain ‘look-down-the nose’ attitude that one gets from certain Caribbean Blacks towards African Americans that I think is offensive to American Blacks. Add that to the Haitian view that African Americans are violent, don’t want to work, are lazy. Some of the things you hear from white racists you hear from Blacks who are not African Americans.”
Astute Black immigrants, however, understand that as an immigrant you are now part of America’s underclass – a poor immigrant - no matter your middle-class status or ranking on the educational scale, back in your home country.
In New York City and New Jersey, AA and Haitian kids clash, with similar clashes in southern Florida high schools.
Mr. Dunn goes on to say…
"It’s not a healthy situation. But I tell you, as these things go in south Florida, so may they go in the country. The entire nation is being impacted by immigrant groups coming in, particularly immigrant groups of color, into communities – and ethnic clashes, even within the same race groups, are becoming more common across the country. The tension between immigrants and native Blacks can be hurtful - emotionally and psychologically. But these tensions are a classic part of the immigrant story – arriving groups face hostility until they become assimilated into American society.”