In America, we see Black, White, Asian, and Hispanic racial categories as encompassing all ethnicities. Indeed, there is much more to say past color and to explore differences in culture among groups that American society labels uniformly as “black”. Within the black community, there is a range of cultures from Spanish-speaking countries, the continent of Africa, to blacks in the Caribbean Sea. They have introduced to the U.S a completely different lifestyle and behavior from the dominant culture of African Americans.I would like to focus particularly on the division between African Americans and Caribbean-Americans, an issue that is not well-known to the American public, but has affected many in both communities.So what is the main difference between African Americans and Caribbean blacks? Reuel Rogers, associate professor at Northwestern University, explores black group identification and its effects within the political system. Rogers speaks of an “exit option” as an alternative available only to Caribbean Blacks, not African Americans, unveiling the division in black identification. If Caribbean blacks, the voluntary immigrants to America, believe their economic mobility is blocked by racism or other harsh encounters with white American society, they have an option to escape; an option they can identify with.The African American, an involuntary immigrant, does not have an alternative when the pressures become overwhelming and the oppression is unbearable. Consequently, political groups created by African Americans pursue radical causes or a movement for progressive change. The Caribbean Black may not push for as many demands in political reform, unless it is within immigration, an issue that does not pertain to black Americans.Theoretically speaking, Rogers argues that African Americans, carrying a burden of being oppressed by the American political system, take a prophetic approach in the arena of politics while Caribbean Americans who do not feel oppressed by the American political system, are pragmatic when entering the field of American politics.Back at “home” in many Caribbean countries, the political leaders are black, resembling the majority of the population. Race is not a factor concerning political issues and consequently, voting is high in Caribbean countries. In American cities heavily populated with black Americans, racial representation was historically unequal in terms of racial representation, with the exception of a few southern cities, Chicago, and New York City.One fundamental factor that divides black Americans and Caribbean blacks is the role of media: Caribbean blacks, who may have little or no encounter with black Americans before traveling to the United States, are susceptible to mainstream media. On local news castings, many stories featuring violence caused by black Americans are common and reoccurring.Unfortunately, Caribbean blacks often develop negative assumptions regarding all black Americans, and separate themselves and their families, not only for safety precautions, but in order to avoid the racial stigma associated with blackness in American society.Moreover, the Caribbean is more inclined to clench tightly their black prefix,” Caribbean-American”, expanding the division and promoting themselves to be more distinct to the rest of American society.This problem is detrimental to African Americans in particular. I predict cognitive dissonance is an issue in the African American mindset. The African American perceives himself as the victim in the political system, yet mainstream media contradicts this belief as violence floods urban neighborhoods.Another fundamental factor that divides African Americans and Caribbean blacks also lies in the education: Caribbean Blacks emphasize the importance of education to their children. To society, the truancy rate of blacks in high school is at 33% in many states and has shown a steady increase within the past decade.Also the Caribbean-American, who has probably made many sacrifices to reach America, not only carries a strong work ethic, but takes advantage of the education that he or his children will receive in their host country. It is believed that the African American, who did not experience the tough voyage to America, therefore may feel entitled to the education and does not take advantage of it.The Caribbean black may assume the African American is therefore not as serious about their education as he is. It is believed that if party A, the Caribbean Blacks, do not achieve academic success, it is due to barriers presented in the process or the struggle adapting to a new environment. On the other hand, if party B, the African American has short comings; it is due to their laziness an awful work ethic.What is often misunderstood is the difference in education received by the Caribbean black and the African American. The Caribbean Black is educated not only in world history, but the history of the Caribbean islands. A sense of pride emerges from the Caribbean black as he learns of Caribbean heroes who made a difference, not only in the Caribbean, but for black history.Much emphasis is placed into the education system. In the urban school systems that many African Americans attend, black history is not part of the curriculum. This particularly expands the division seeing the Caribbean black not only has a strong work ethic, but he most likely has learned of black leaders in a particular field that has achieved economic success; he is very proud of his culture. The African American is not only viewed as a criminal, but the ignorance of his history degrades the African American and the hopes that he can be successful like the black predecessors in his country.To the outsider, the black race may have been believed to be homogeneous; however, there are different cultures that are yearning to be expressed, minimizing the similarities between them. The ongoing division within the black community has been prevalent for many decades.To remedy the problem, one great solution is to teach black history in the school system to all students. This can possibly break any stereotypes of African Americans and create a tolerance of the ethnic group. An intensive research should be conducted on a variety of topics within this issue, paying attention to religion and the geography of the two cultural groups and the impact it may have on the relationship between the two cultural groups.

  What UMB students say What UMB students say: Shaun Glaze – Family Therapy Major I was raised as a black American girl in Texas and we did not have a huge Caribbean community there. For this reason, I do not know a lot of Caribbean Black people. For me, the biggest difference can be the language. Because we only speak English whereas they are more familiar with French and Spanish. Even though there is a language difference, the common understanding among Black Americans towards Caribbean Blacks is that we are all black and a huge part of black identity is the skin color. I think we look at things more homogenously than Caribbean blacks. Grace Ejiwale – Undecided I come from a family with St. Vincent and Nigerian background and I can identify myself as a Caribbean Black. Because I have a very distinct culture than other Black Americans here. First of all, work ethics are so important for us. Many Caribbean Blacks tend to work so hard and have a good education. Secondly, Caribbean Blacks have different language backgrounds, which allow them to switch ways of thinking. We are not only bound to the American way of thinking, but we also keep in ourselves, the African, Eastern and all other ways of thinking depending on where we come from. And finally, these two factors really affect the way that Caribbean Blacks raise their children. Our children have different manners than Black Americans’ children. This is why we are really different and apart from each other. It is like Cafeteria Syndrome: Everyone stays in their own clique