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It used to be fashionable to speak of the existence of something called a “Caribbean identity” underlying this diversity, or encompassing it. Nowadays we are more inclined to accept the reality of many cultural identities co-existing within a society and more so within a region … the reality is diversity”. (Girvan, 2001, p. 4)

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Identity can be problematic to define as identity is something that is constantly changing and is not static.
In theorizing identity Abraham Khan (1996), said that there are two dimensions of identity:
1. The Fact of Identity-   a group situation where objective attributes and behavior are shared. Identity is impacted by others.
2. A Sense of Identity- involves subjective matters such as how one views the world or how one experiences self-hood. Example: if you are a Hindu society says you must act a certain way (The fact of identity) however you may not think so (Sense of identity).
Nature of Identity
1. Identity is not fixed
2. Identities are influenced by society through existing social norms.
Woodard and Grace (2006), says that identity is a combination of:
1. Social identity- influenced by primary groups such as family, school, workplace, etc.
2.Personal identity- how we present ourselves to the world and sometimes even to ourselves in the mirror.
3. Ego identity- this can sometimes be in conflict with our personal identity. Our ego identity is our own subjective sense of knowing who we are.
Caribbean Identity
Factors that contribute to Caribbean identity:
1. History
2. Race
3. Religion
4. Economic Activity
5. Region
6. Linguistics
7. Sexual Orientation
8. Geography
Caribbean identity is heavily shaped by our history. Enslavement, the encomienda system, independence, and emancipation has impacted on our identity.
When theorizing Caribbean identity Benedict Anderson (1999), says that there must be a collective sense of identity eg, shared interests or shared commonalities. However, this is problematic for the Caribbean because the Caribbean is made up of various ethnic and racial groups.
There is also Hall (2002), who says when we look at identity we are looking at  the issues of:
1. Representation- how we are depicted or how we image ourselves. Since the Caribbean is multi-ethnic problems may arise, the media may not represent everyone. According to OpenEdition, the Caribbean is perceived as a place of relaxation and pleasure where the people indulge in alcohol consumption, promiscuous activities, and other behavior that is deemed immoral.

"Representations sometimes call our very identities into question. We struggle over them because they matter – and these are contests from which serious consequences can flow. They define what is ‘normal’, who belongs – and therefore, who is excluded” (Hall, 1997, p.10).

2. Narratives-   stories that we tell others about ourselves and that others tell about us.
3. Recognition-  how we are recognized and how we step into the place of the recognition that people give us.

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There are three main theories related to  theorizing Caribbean identity.
1. Creolization theory- The origin of creolization in the Caribbean lies arguably within the processes of colonization, slavery and migration which created the foundation of the New World. As a result of the slave trade, Africans of diverse cultural backgrounds came into contact with people from Europe, China, South Asia and the Middle East. Consequently, the Caribbean became a melting pot of cultures (a pelau) resulting in what we know as creolization.

Picture showing Caribbean dish, Pealu, which came about as a result of creolization.

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This theory was developed by Kamau Brathwaite in the 1970's. It focuses on culture and Caribbean identity.
Brathwaite says that thorough exposure with different cultures, new cultures are formed. Through interaction, different groups adapted to and imitated the various cultures they were exposed to, This is referred to as acculturation and interculturation. Brathwaite based his theory on togetherness, unity as evident in some of our national mottoes which speak to unity:
Jamaican- Out of many, one people.
Guyana- One people, One nation, One destiny.
Trinidad and Tobago- Together we aspire, Together we achieve.
Orlando Patterson asserted that two type of creolization occurs:
1. Segmentary creolization- each group that came to the Caribbean created its own peculiar version of a local culture, a version of their culture that has been creolized by being mixed or influenced by other cultural groups.
2. Synthetic creolization- the group tries to create a local culture which combines elements from all the available cultures.
This theory has faced various criticisms however as the theory focuses on the Afro-centric group and ignore other groups such as the East Indians and the Chinese nor does it describe the reality of the Caribbean rather it describes the hope of many persons in the Caribbean.

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Developed in the 1960s by M.G.Smith based on the work of English Economist, J.S. Furnival.

“Each is in the strictest sense a medley, for they mix but do not combine. Each holds its own culture and language, its own ideas and ways…there is a plural society, with different sections of the community living side by side, but separately, within the same political unit. Even in the economic sphere, there is a division of labor along racial lines”

A plural society is "A society in which people mix but do not combine.” Each holds its own culture and language, its own ideas and ways. As individuals, they meet, but only in the marketplace; in buying and selling. Even in the economic sphere, there is a division of labour. (Smith, 1965)

The plural society theory is the opposite of the creolization theory. It focuses on the differences that were found between the ethnic and cultural groupings of the region. This theory states that people come together for economic reasons. Unlike the creole society it takes into account the various ethnic populations who coexists in the region.
This theory faces various criticisms as it fails to recognize the acts of inter-culturation and alliances between groups.
A Youtube video by Howardine Fuller explaining creole and plural societies:

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According to Barrow and Meddock (2001), the plantation society model is a particular class of society with distinguishing characteristics of social structure and political organization, and laws of motion governing social change.
George Beckford states that modern plantation society has its roots in the Slave Plantations system- mercantile system. Societies produce products for sale on the International market. Although this model is based on economic gains, the operation of the plantation influenced the political, social, and cultural aspects of its occupants. For example, the stratification system where whites were at the top and the mulattoes were ranked as middle class while the blacks and Indians were at the bottom and seen as the lower class.
Image illustrating the social stratification pyramid:

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Features of the Plantation System
Dependency Syndrome- during the plantation system raw materials were made in the Caribbean and sent to England or European countries to produce the final product. For example, cocoa was grown in the Caribbean but exported to another country to make chocolate and then sent back.
This gave way to the dependency syndrome where we look for others for guidance and permission. We have a preference for metropolitan values and still see ourselves as inferior.
Inequality and discrimination- as seen in the social stratification pyramid, whites were at the top therefore in order for us to align ourselves and move up the hierarchy we bleached our skin. Bleaching can still be seen in today's society.
The plantation system model faced criticisms as education has allowed for persons to move up the hierarchy hence weakening the plantation system.

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The term diaspora is used to refer to the spread of particular groups of people from their land or place of birth into other regions outside of this point of origin (FOUN 1101 Caribbean Civilization). Diaspora also takes into account either the forced or voluntary movement of people from their place of origin. Double consciousness is the term used to describe the feelings experienced by the diasporic person or community who is torn between two sets of identities. Double consciousness affects forming a Caribbean identity because the person is unable to gain a sense of belonging to their new land.

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The Haitian Revolution in 1791 was the first successful Caribbean push for Independence resulting from social antagonisms taking place in the country as well as the political ferment facing France.
It affected the institution of slavery throughout the Americas. Self-liberated slaves destroyed slavery at home, fought to preserve their freedom, and with the collaboration of mulattoes, founded the sovereign state of Haiti.
After independence most people became peasants resulting in a decrease in the plantation revenue hence Haiti had to remain part of the world economy through continued commerce with the outside world.

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Youtube video explaining the Haitian Revolution.

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The Haitian Revolution - Documentary (2009)

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After the Haitian Revolution imperialist powers sought to maintain an influence in the region, new imperialists such as the United States sought to re-define the Caribbean in terms of informal authority creation, this affected the sovereignty and identity formation of Caribbean islands and resulted in the widespread endorsement of not only US cultural norms and policies, but also the acceptance of US political and economic ideologies within the region and its identity.

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Given the history, societies and concepts of identity in the Caribbean i agree with the statement "All ah we is one" to an extent. Although we have been able to come together and create a creole society, stereotyping and discrimination continues to exist in society. As it was said earlier the creolization theory does not describe the reality of the Caribbean but rather the hopes of many persons in the Caribbean. While some elements of the plantation society may of changed the Caribbean Society still resembles a plantation society today. George Beckford's theory is still relevant to modern day society where the ownership of property and businesses still belong to the predominantly white. Plural societies do exist in the Caribbean as it can be seen where various ethnic groups coexists in society.