by Karen D. Sweeting and Chevanese Samms Brown:
Image of two different paths, one not as easy as the other.
Many rivers to cross
but I can’t seem to find my way over
Wandering I am lost
As I travel along the white cliffs of Dover
Many rivers to cross
And it’s only my will that keeps me alive
I’ve been licked, washed up for years
And I merely survive because of my pride
(Excerpted from Jimmy Cliff’s Many Rivers to Cross)
Caribbean identity is born from the innate strength of its people, shaped by a complex and indelible history of colonialism, slavery, plantation society, cultural imperialism, and the enduring struggles of both enslaved and indentured servitude. This identity evolved across different regions through a cultural fusion of African, European, Asian, and Indigenous influences, giving rise to a rich tapestry of cultural traditions, languages, and customs unique to the Caribbean people. Like the kente cloth, the colorful tapestry of Caribbean people is woven with a unique history of cultural practices, historical legacies, diverse influences, food, music, language, and dance. This legacy forged a resilient and truly indomitable identity–one that stands tall, embracing its rich history and cultural roots with strength, pride, and dignity. In the book chapter Caribbean Bodies Marked by Sameness and Differences: Navigating Triple Consciousness at the Intersection of Identities, the authors (two migrant women from Jamaica, one American-born Trinidadian woman, and one migrant man from the Dominican Republic) examine the complex journey of navigating their Caribbean identities in the United States focusing on issues of self-discovery, self-preservation, adaptation, and liberation.
For many Caribbean immigrants, the experience of triple consciousness begins with their arrival in the U.S., where they are often seen first and foremost as Black or persons of color. Caribbean identity is usually tied to specific islands—Jamaican, Trinidadian, Haitian, Dominican Republic—while race is a part of this identity, it is not always the dominant factor. In the U.S., they realize that their national identity takes a backseat to the American identity and their race/ethnic identity in the eyes of mainstream society. This new reality can be jarring. Many Caribbean people often face pressure to conform to navigate life in the U.S., which may lead them to suppress aspects of their Caribbean identity. The experience of straddling these worlds can create a sense of alienation—where individuals wrestle with their Caribbean, American, and race/ethnic identities occupying a liminal space among the three. This creates a challenge of balancing a cultural tightrope as Caribbean people are expected to advance with poise and grace despite visible and covert barriers and pressures of assimilation that undermine their heritage and rich cultural traditions.
In many cases, Caribbean immigrants are not only forced to confront the realities of systemic racism, but they are also expected to adopt the struggles and experiences of African Americans as their own. While there are shared histories of racism, oppression, slavery and colonization, the experiences and cultures of these two groups are distinct. These distinctions may lead some Caribbean immigrants to distance and differentiate themselves from African American communities, either because they find it difficult to relate or out of a desire to avoid the negative stereotypes and systemic marginalization associated with Blackness in the U.S. This creates tension in navigating both communities, leading to the third dimension of triple consciousness—the tension between their connection to their Caribbean heritage and the expectations placed on them as Black or individuals of color in the U.S.
Navigating this cultural tightrope requires a delicate balance. The authors reference Bob Marley’s song, ‘One Love!’ where he advocates for a greater focus on ‘One Heart!’ emphasizing unification, reconciliation, and liberation. Caribbean people have long played a role in reshaping the conversation about Blackness in the United States. From Marcus Garvey’s Pan-Africanism, the rise of reggae, dancehall, rap, and soca music, to the political activism of Shirley Chisholm, and the centrality of Caribbean language (Creole, Patois, or distinct dialects of various islands), the influence of the Caribbean is deeply woven into the fabric of Black American life and pop culture. These contributions demonstrate the value of Caribbean perspectives in broadening the understanding of what it means to be Black in America. So, finding that delicate balance may mean honoring our Caribbean heritage while engaging with the broader Black diaspora in America. It also means challenging the reductive nature of race/ethnic identity in the U.S. by embracing the complexity and fluidity of intersecting identities. Caribbean people carry a legacy of pride, resilience, resistance, and creativity—qualities they find essential for challenging race/ethnic narratives and navigating the constructed framework of American identity.
In the face of racial, cultural, and political challenges, Caribbean people can navigate triple consciousness by forging an inclusive, liberating, and self-determined identity that celebrates the richness of their heritage while acknowledging the complexities of their place in America. In the end, the experience of triple consciousness can be more than a burden, summed up in Buju Banton’s lyrics—it’s not an easy road, but many see the glamor and the glitter and them think a bed a rose. Triple consciousness reframed is an opportunity to redefine identity in a way that honors the past, engages with the present, and forges a path toward a more liberated future – skillfully balancing the multiplicity of our identities on the cultural tightrope.
Read More in Making Sense of Identity and Equity in the Public Sector (Routledge)
About the authors:
Dr. Karen D. Sweeting (she/her) (ksweeting@uri.edu) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Rhode Island. Her research interests include humanism, equity/social equity, inclusion, ethics, diversity, and justice. She spent more than 20 years working as a human resource practitioner prior to her academic tenure.
Dr. Chevanese Samms Brown (she/her), (sammsc@savannahstate.edu) is a Professor of Management in the College of Business Administration at Savannah State University. Dr. Samms Brown has conducted and published research in the areas of social equity, diversity, inclusion, creative problem-solving, management education, and human resource management.