Caribbean Cultural Diversity

Paper Summary:

This paper examines creolization, globalization, and cultural imperialism in Caribbean society. It explains that each country in the Caribbean has such diversity in its ethnic, religious, social, and national practices that it can be considered as a separate country and that people in the Caribbean cannot even agree on what it would mean to be patriotic. The paper notes that the basic problem is that, instead of thinking of culture, one has to consider the Caribbean in terms of numerous subcultures and that this means that there is no possibility for a united and integrated community, and no way that the Caribbean can relate as a whole to the global community. The paper also highlights the fact that whereas colonialism imposed division on the Caribbean, the exact opposite problem is imminent at the present time because of globalization. In conclusion, the paper shows that the Caribbean is made up of numerous subcultures that are actually small cultures which are relatively isolated from one another, and while there are similarities between those subcultures they are marked by too many differences to ever be brought together in unity. Whereas the process of creolization is effective for mixing the subcultures into a general form, globalization has the potential to completely destroy those subcultures.

From the Paper:

"Caribbean intellectuals are quite aware of the forces of globalization and of the need to situate their communities on the world scale. According to Gyssels (2001, p. 1), these intellectuals "have been working out ideals of trans-nationalism and multiculturalism, and have studied the dialectic connection between the colonies and the ex-colonies". Other attempt are being made in the Caribbean to protect, promote and preserve the elements of the cultural heritage such as the Carnival in Trinidad (Scher, 2002). Critical reflection on creolization is basic to the quest for identity because authentic cultures are in danger of being lost through the process of globalization and in great part because of the technological superiority of Western countries."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Allahar, A. (1993). Unity and diversity in Caribbean ethnicity and culture. Canadian Ethnic Studies, 25 (1), 70-75.
• Benitez-Rojo, A. (1998). Three words toward creolization In K. Balutansky and M.Sourieau, eds., Caribbean creolization: Reflections on the cultural dynamics of language, literature and identity. Gainesville, Florida: University Press of Florida, 53-61.
• Gyssels, K. (2001). The world wide web and rhizomatic identity. Mots Pluriels, 18, 1-20.
• Patterson, O. (1994). Ecumenical America In O.N. Boland. The birth of Caribbean civilization. Kingston, Jamaica: Ian Randle, 632-651.
• Scher, P. (2002). Copyright heritage. Anthropological Quarterly, 75 (3), 283-304.

More papers on Caribbean Cultural Diversity:

• Term Paper # 133181 : "Caribbean Culture"
• Term Paper # 103773 : "Creolization and Caribbean Culture"
• Analytical Essay # 132260 : "Caribbean Culture and Cultural Imperialism"

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