There is a also mass political involvement and influence on the part of the majority of the diaspora, regardless of the fact that they do not all individually hold political office.
Transnational Diasporic Media
The New York-Caribbean diasporic media provides a lens to observe the fact that most of the New York-Caribbean community cares deeply about the political situation in New York City and the Caribbean. Several examples of political awareness of the Caribbean population can highlighted in several newspapers and articles picked up in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Article about President Barack Obama’s visit to Jamaica on the front page of Caribbean-American Newspaper, Street Hype.
Side-by-side Caribbean and New York politics sections in Caribbean American Weekly.
Section of Caribbean American Weekly focusing exclusively on immigration.
Caribbean-American Community Political Weight
Aside from the importance that the Caribbean immigrant community has on politics and the state of affairs that affects their lives. They also play an important part in New York since they are a large community in the city. They compose approximately 20 percent of New York City’s population, so any individual running for a higher-level governmental position must appeal to the Caribbean Community.
Often times this is manifested clearly in the West Indian Day parade, where all of the major politicians go to prove their appreciation for the Caribbean community in New York City.
Mayor de Blasio, his family, andGovernor Cuomo opening the 2014 West Indian Day Parade. (From New York Daily News)
Bill Thompson
Eliot Spitzer
Michael Bloomberg
Anthony Weiner
Anthony Weiner’s attempt at a Jamaican accent, in order to win over the Caribbean community.
by Nicolás Yehya
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