Caribbean Migration Essay

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The history of migration in its entirety and expansionary trends is deeply entrenched in a conglomeration of historical, economic, social and socio-structural factors; it is not a new phenomenon to the Caribbean. Chaney (1985) stated that there is one strong, common, and reiterated theme among migration researchers of the Caribbean; it is the awareness that movements to and from the region are not a new phenomenon. Thus, it has been evident in the eras of slavery, colonization and indentureship that this phenomenon is multifaceted with representations of many forms, expressions and faces. It is also a defining feature of modern societies, propelled by globalization. Many perspectives have been born in an attempt to understand migration and although this essay does not focus on these derivations; migration and migratory patterns have fostered such terminologies as return migration, circular migration, Diaspora, transnationalization and the concept of ‘inbetweenity’. This essay will attempt to; give an overview of intra-regional and intercontinental migration of the peoples of the Caribbean and examine the salient factors, which would have contributed to migration of Caribbean people to the North. An interconnected approach of historical, social, economic, political and alternative factors will also be examined. It should be noted that these factors cannot be interpreted or explained in isolation from each other but will be tied throughout the essay. Caribbean history is rich and full of depth as far as the mind can behold. Migration is just one factor that is embedded in these historical roots. Many explanations have been offered in an attempt to theorize migration as a process and practice, most of which have offered very similar debates. Foner (2008) described migration as traceable to the legacy of slavery, the distorting effects of colonial rule and the

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