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Rising against the colonial hardship of the European powers, the Caribbean can mostly be characterized by mistrust and intolerance at all levels. Due to the History, Society and Diversity, members of the Caribbean community have become resistant to contemporary changes which occur. The relationship between the church and state, the school and civilians, immigrants and locals and cultural norms and a changing generation help to reproduce a form of mistrust and intolerance throughout the Caribbean region.

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One of the most diverse nations on planet Earth, home to 44.42 million people, is the Caribbean. Christopher Columbus during his travels stumbled upon the Caribbean and claimed the region for his country- Spain. The first Spanish settlements were established in 1493. Non-Spanish speaking privateers and traders established colonies on islands neglected by Spain. These colonies went as far and wide, from the Bahamas to Trinidad and Tobago. Slavery, immigration, and rivalry between world powers have given Caribbean history an impact regardless of the region's size.

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Humans civilize by organizing themselves into groups which facilitates interaction. Within the community, roles are assigned to individuals for effective operation of a nation (the government), this often leads to a 'civilized' society. A society is defined as people living together in the same geographical location over a long period of time. In the Caribbean, a society is referred to as the boundaries of a nation state (for e.g the Trinidadian society). The word 'society' is not limited to boundaries, but can include sharing similar historical backgrounds, cultures and interests. Societal institutions include but are not limited to: churches, families, government and schools. Each institution has a direct effect on the Caribbean society.

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Identity gives an individual a sense of belonging, and to the community a sense of solidarity. There are various factors that contribute towards a regions identity: race, religion, dance, history, language, culture and geographical location. Traders and Immigrants infiltrated the region, penetrating the Caribbean with their external forces. But despite being under a constant state of change, Caribbean people were able to formulate a sense of identity centered around the local community. A local identity presented itself throughout the Caribbean territories bestowing some form of uniqueness to the region whilst separating the various settlers (Spanish, French, Dutch, English) who abode there.

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Mistrust and Intolerance caused by Religion

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Mistrust and Intolerance caused by Religion

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There are different religions that are spread across the Caribbean region, the major ones being Christianity, Islamic and Hinduism. Recently there has been religious wars around the world. There were over 300+ Christians killed on Easter Sunday in the Sri Lanka bombing. The Muslim group referred to as ISIS took responsibility for this, stating that it was done out of retaliation to 51 Muslims being killed in New Zealand. This worldwide news does not go unnoticed by members of the  Caribbean community, and aids in putting a wider gap between the religious groups. Countries such as Guyanna and Trinidad and Tobago that have a significant mixture of Christians, Hindus and Muslims, are currently at religious odds which increases their level of mistrust and creates grave intolerance between these religious groups. Religious stereotypes take over in most cases, where all Muslims are seen as "terrorists" and are treated differently because of their beliefs.

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Mistrust and Intolerance caused by Religion (Cont'd)

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Mistrust and Intolerance caused by Religion (Cont'd)

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Within the Caribbean itself, there have been recent instances where people in the LGBT community expressed their fear of living in Caribbean territories because of their sexual orientation. Marches, rallies and parades occurred- much to the churches' displeasure. Islands such as Barbados, Grenada, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia and St. Kitts and Nevis, all have buggery and gross indecency laws (mainly because of British colonialism), that prohibit same-sex conduct between consenting persons. Members of the LGBT community feel that the laws give social and legal sanction for discrimination, violence, stigma, and prejudice against LGBT individuals. Churches intolerance levels are rising especially now that gay marriage is being legalized in various countries across the globe. Many ministers, churches and religious leaders have been brought to court because of their refusal to marry two people of the same sex.

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Mistrust and Intolerance caused by Racism

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Mistrust and Intolerance caused by Racism

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Religion is not the only thing that diversifies the Caribbean but also  Race. Negroes, Indians, Mulattoes and Caucasians all occupy the Caribbean islands. However, there is not always comradery between these groups. In Guyana, there is an ongoing racist feud between the Guyanese Africans and Indians. This has caused division among the Guyanese nationals for yeas. This issue also arises in Trinidad and Tobago, but as of recent years become less prevalent. Slavery has impacted the way many Caribbean nationals think or act towards Caucasians (whether these Caucasians live in the Caribbean or not). Physically free from slavery, yes, mentally not so much. The Venezuelans in Trinidad and Tobago can attest to the discrimination they face because of an economic crisis that took place in Venezuela which led to many Venezuelans turning to crime and violence for survival. This stigma followed them to Trinidad where they tried to escape for hopes at a better life, but succumb to lower wages, hatred and hardship in the process.

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Mistrust and Intolerance caused by the Government

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Mistrust and Intolerance caused by the Government

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Like many countries, the Caribbean also elects what is known as the "Government" which consists of men and women to lead in that island. Unfortunately often times, politics divides citizens. Governments can mislead their people, and turn out to not be as pure and 'honest' as the media depicts. Although the media should operate free from government influences, such is not the case in more instances. The press informs the public, holds leaders accountable, and provide a forum for debate of local and national issues. Citizens are blinded by the government (through the media), in that, citizens see what the government wants them to see. Mistakes are covered up, errors erased, funds go unaccounted for and these issues are sometimes not brought to the attention of the public. However, when they do, this causes mistrust within the society as there is dishonesty amongst its official leaders.

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In retrospect, the history behind Caribbean people, the turmoil of slavery, the changes in culture, education, language, migrating to foreign lands, lead to the behaviors of citizens in the Caribbean society. Decisions, actions and reactions are fueled by mistrust, not only at the religious level but at a racial and political level as well. Deception on the parts of the leaders, stereotyping amongst races and religions now pave the path of this era. Intolerance and biases against sexuality continue to create conflict between churches and states. However, being through what they've been through, you can see where this mistrust and intolerance comes from. The Caribbean today IS mostly characterized by mistrust and grave intolerance at all levels.

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Braunschweiger, Amy        "Discriminatory Laws against LGBT People in the Eastern Caribbean", Human Rights Watch, 2017

Bousquet, Earl "Chronicles Of A Chronic Caribbean Chronicler"

caribbeanelections.com. KnowledgeWalk Institute, 2008

Isajiw, 1990, p. 35

Martin, Tony "Caribbean History: From Pre-colonial Origins to the Present" ,(2011)

The Gleaner , Jamaica (2017)

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Video showing the Racism Haitians still face in the 21st century

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Video showing the Racism Haitians still face in the 21st century

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Race and Racism in Latin America: The Caribbean - 24 Jul 08