Afro-Caribbeans in Toronto

Term Paper # 101635

Canadian Studies > Gender, Race, Class issues
Canadian Studies > Immigration Issues

This paper explores the difficulties of the Afro-Caribbean community in the Oakwood/Eglinton areas of Toronto, Canada.

2,950 words () | 7 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper looks at the economic and social situation in the Oakwood/Eglinton areas, examining the integrationist efforts which have been undertaken to alleviate some of the struggles men, women and children face. The paper discusses the inclusionary tactics practiced by the larger communities housing Afro-Caribbean families and investigates the barriers which frustrate any sort of integrationist initiative. The paper concludes that the past and present have been difficult for recently-arrived Jamaicans in a city that prides itself on its racial tolerance, but there is hope that concerted community action can brighten the future.

From the Paper:

"The first thing which must be done in a paper of this sort is to look at the economic and social situation which exists within Oakwood and within Eglinton. In truth (simply by glancing at the ward profiles provided on the official web site of the City of Toronto), it appears as though Oakwood and Eglinton are not conjoined as many might think at first glance. Furthermore, a look at the city's neighborhood profiles is only a little more helpful - and it, too, marks the two areas as distinct. Be that as it may, some things can certainly be deduced which offer insight into how the Jamaican community is treated in Canada. For one thing, when looking at household income distribution in the neighborhood of Oakwood-Vaughan (for 2001), it is striking that the income bracket with the largest percentage of the population is that bracket housing those making $10,000 - $19,999 per annum. Ironically, the next-largest income bracket is comprised of those making $100,000 per annum or more (City of Toronto, "Oakwood-Vaughan: Social Profile #3," 3)."

Sample of Sources Used:

Barth, Fredrik. "Ethnic Groups and Boundaries." Reading and Lecture Notes: Week One. 2007. 5 Feb. 2007 <http://geog4190.googlepages.com/WeekOne-Barth.pdf>
Black Pages Canada Directory. "Homepage: Find a Business." Black Pages Directory: The Official Guide to Canada's Black and Caribbean Community. 2007. Black Pages Canada Directory. 5 Feb. 2007 <http://www.blackpages.ca/home.asp>
Black Voice. "Homepage: Black Voice Radio." Welcome to Black Voice. 2007. BlackVoice.com. 5 Feb. 2007 <http://www.blackvoice.com/>
City of Toronto. "Eglinton East: Social Profile #3: Households and Income." Eglinton East Neighborhood Profile. 2007. City of Toronto. 5 Feb. 2007 <http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/pdf3/cpa138.pdf>
City of Toronto. "Eglinton East: Social Profile #2: Immigration, Ethnicity and Language." Eglinon East Neighborhood Profile. 2007. City of Toronto. 5 Feb. 2007 <http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/pdf2/cpa138.pdf>