Caribbean American Heritage Month Ends

Wednesday, July 2. 2008

June 30th, 2006 Marked the official end of Caribbean American Heritage month. According to the best estimates there are well over 5 million people who would fall under the category of Caribbean American. These are people from the Caribbean or of Caribbean descent living permanently here in the United States as Citizens or residents . Caribbean American Heritage month began officially June 5th, 2006 upon presidential proclamation by current president George Bush.Congress woman Barbara Lee, originally entered the Bill which was passed by Congress in June 2005. The motivation behind establishing this bill was partially to counter an often skewed view of the people of Caribbean descent.

From the very founding of the United States of America , people of Caribbean descent from all races and creeds have particpated and succeeded in all areas of american life.

Just a few examples include even Founding Father Alexander Hamilton considered of Caribbean descent because he was born in (Nevis) , Social activists: Prince Hall Masonic order founder(Barbados), Malcolm X (African American/Grenedan descent), Kwame Toure aka Stokely Carmichael (Trinidadian Descent), Louis Farrakhan (Jamaican/St Kittian descent) in The Military: Collin Powell (Jamaican descent) ,Education: Ivan Van Sertima (Guyana) read more Politics: Shirley Chisolm ( British Guiana and Barbadian descent), Adam Clayton Powell (Peurto Rican descent),

Numerous Recording Artists : Notorious B.I.G( Jamaica descent ), Doug E Fresh ( Barbados) Hip hop originator Kool Herc (Jamaica) , Harry Belafonte (Jamaican descent ) Wycleff Jean (Haiti) ,Actors and Actresses: Cicely Tyson (Parents from Nevis/St. Kitts ). Derek Luke (Parents from Guyana), Sidney Poitier (Bahamas) Fashion: Tyson Beckford (Jamaican Parents)Sports:

Alex Rodriquez (parents Dominican Republic), Patrick Ewing (Jamaica) the list goes on either citizens Proclamation making it official was signed by President Bush on June 5, 2006.

It is in this spirit of achievement and civic contribution that The Caribbean Association of Columbus was formed. The number of Caribbean and Caribbean American people living in Columbus is unknown, but it is likely that figure is grossly underestimated.

There certainly are many who faithfully attend events that feature the culture of the Caribbean namely music concerts and few social activities but there are many more who are daily involved in their career and work activies without realizing that there are others who share the same cultural heritage.

Next year 2009 we hope to join with many other communities around the country, especially here in the midwest in celebrating the contributions of people of Caribbean/West Indian descent in the United states. It is up to each individual who identifies with the culture to spread the word and encourage this spirit of unity.

Posted by columbuscarib in Commentary at 21:03 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0)

Last modified on 2008-07-25 10:47

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