Same Blood, Different Ships: The Caribbean Immigrant's Mindset in America

Caribbean immigrants often arrive in the United States armed with ambition and fueled by stories of opportunity. But what many bring in optimism, they often lack in context, especially regarding the historical trauma, systemic racism, and cultural resistance that define the African American experience.
Unlike those fleeing war or dictatorship, most Caribbean migrants pursue the myth of greener pastures:

• Promises of upward mobility, professional success, and the global prestige of the "American Dream"
• Images shaped by Hollywood, pop culture, and diaspora family networks
• A belief that hard work and education alone are the keys to success

But this narrative frequently leads to disillusionment when confronted with the invisible walls of American society, walls built on labor exploitation, racial hierarchies, coded discrimination, and gatekeeping structures that Caribbean newcomers were never warned about.