The Caribbean is a diversified society with a unique identity. Identity is one’s sense of self, it is the concept people use to understand who they are and why they do what they do.[2] This unique identity must be preserved at all cost. Caribbean integration took place in the twentieth century and these measures contributed to Caribbean development in a number of ways. CARCIOM was established to facilitate a common market among member states. CARICOM allowed for the move from a free trade area to a common market by removing trade restrictions to allow members to trade freely with each other.[3] This helped to reduce the region’s dependence on the importation of goods (mostly foodstuffs) from developed countries. This integration was beneficial for the local or domestic companies especially in the agriculture industry. It also put the Caribbean region in a better position to negotiate with the more developed countries. However, if the Caribbean moves from regionalism towards a global village, these local industries will suffer because of competition from larger multi-national corporations that will offer products at a cheaper price. This competition would result in local businesses having to close down because of low or no profits and the region would once again become solely dependent on importation. Multi-national corporations would also exploit the local labour by paying low wages. These large corporations would stifle economic growth for the Caribbean and negatively impact our appreciation of our products[4] as we would be more appreciative of the products of the more economically powerful nations.

    Furthermore, globalization would affect migration levels. In 1989 CARICOM decided to deepen its economic integration by creating the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, CSME. The purpose of CSME was to facilitate a single economic space where people, goods, services and capital can move freely among CARICOM states.[5] An important feature was the free movement of people, meaning that it promoted migration within the Caribbean. This was to cater for educational opportunities and the creation of jobs throughout the Caribbean however, as the years progressed, many people began to take advantage of this opportunity. For instance, recently there has been a huge wave of Venezuelans coming into Trinidad and Tobago,[6] although Venezuela is not one of the members of CARICOM. They are migrating to Trinidad, to escape economic and political turmoil. Additionally, integration at this level has created many other problems, for example the landmark case of Shanique Myrie. Myrie, a Jamaican citizen was subjected to cruel treatment upon her arrival in Barbados and discriminated against based on her nationality despite the existence of CSME and its aims for regional integration.[7] If the Caribbean cannot control migration within the region then the move towards a global village, would intensify the existing crisis with migration as more people would be capable of migrating into the region. This would result in the region suffering rather than benefiting; Caribbean citizens would have to compete for jobs, land/housing, education and even food. Hence, a move to a global village might be more detrimental rather than beneficial. 

    Caribbean integration plays an important role in preserving and protecting the distinctive culture of the  Caribbean. For instance the arts and culture of our region are promoted at the Caribbean Festival of Arts, CARIFESTA. CARIFESTA is the catalyst for strengthening regional integration among our Caribbean countries and it assist in keeping our culture alive. This festival is also seen as a launching pad for the Caribbean to bring their rich, vibrant and exhilarating talents and skills to the world.[8] If we move to a global village, this would provide the Caribbean with a larger platform to showcase and promote our culture and more people would become aware and appreciative of the Caribbean identity. Additionally, by all the continents of the world; Europe, Africa, Asian, North and South America, Australia and Antarctica, coming together to form one global village, this may help strengthen the move towards the eradication of racism which also affects the Caribbean. It is an issue that was inherited in the Caribbean from the slavery era. The Caribbean can join the campaign for the elimination of racism and join in the celebration of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (celebrated on March 21^st).[9]Globalization would allow us to learn and accept each other’s cultures and the races; it will foster unity among the citizens of the world. Globalization is therefore a cultural unifying force.[10]

    There is a contradictory force, as globalization brings positive returns for some and negative for other; the process is uneven.[11] We must also consider whether globalization would erase our Caribbean identity and negatively impact our values and appreciation of our culture. Many are of the view that globalization spells doom for the Caribbean’s culture; it would result in cultural imperialism. Cultural imperialism is where one group imposes its culture on another group.[12] This would change our unique identity in terms of food, dress, music and even linguistics. The presence of fast food franchise such as KFC, McDonalds etc. has changed our eating habits. Trinidad and Tobago has fifty-seven KFC branches, Starbucks recently opened many branches in Trinidad affecting our very own, Local Coffee House, Rituals, also Barbados recently opened its fourth Burger King. The presence of these fast food outlets not only change our diet and lessen our gratitude for local foods but it also affects local food businesses. Moreover, the popularity of American pop music has negatively affected our local music as Caribbean citizens now have a stronger preference for pop and rap music over soca and dancehall music. Also our traditional approach to these genres of music are changing to incorporate aspects of pop and rap. American trends in terms of clothing are also trickling down to Caribbean for instance the wearing of boots and brand names. Our linguistics have also been affected, as we adopt a lot of terms used in the American context, an example of this is the use of the term ‘bruh’.  Hence, globalization can lead to the loss of Caribbean culture and the way of life of Caribbean inhabitants.

    Would globalization benefit the Caribbean with gender issues? In a case in Guyana, individuals were charged for trans-dressing, in appeal their charges were dismissed in accordance with Human Rights policies. However, this case illustrated that by the police charging them for inappropriate dressing, discrimination toward transgender individuals is a very real problem in the Caribbean.[13]  Internationally, there have been campaigns for the rights of fair treatment for members belonging to the LGBT community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender). Many international advocates are calling for the LGBT community to be equally accepted as the heterosexuals are in society. Legislations are being altered to allow for same sex marriage in many foreign countries, for example Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand etc. have all amended their laws to allow for same sex marriage. With globalization, these gender issues faced in the Caribbean would be addressed. It can positively impact the Caribbean and enable us to be more accepting of the LGBT community and to alter our legislation to accommodate them. 

    Today, through regional integration, the British syllabus in the education system has been replaced by Caribbean Secondary Examination (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE). The syllabuses are developed by Caribbean people with more Caribbean content and attention to our local and regional context,[14] including subjects such as Caribbean History, Caribbean Studies, Social Studies and Caribbean geography. These exams are set and marked in the Caribbean. The Caribbean also have its own universities: there are 4 campuses of the University of the West Indies, there is also the University of Technology in Jamaica and the University of Trinidad and Tobago. Hence through integration, we were able to develop our own education system and we are no longer dependent on Britain. If we were to move towards being a part of the global village, this would impact our education system both positively and negatively. The pros are that Caribbean students would have more educational opportunities, especially in areas not offered in the Caribbean and they would be able to easily access these schools rather than if the region was to remain isolated. However, the cons are that our education system would be influenced by the developed nations and this would result in changes to our syllabus, for instance less emphasis would be placed on including Caribbean content. 

    In final analysis, Caribbean integration is beneficial for the preservation of our Cultural identity; food, clothes, music and linguistics, and it will allow us to be less dependent on the developed nations, as well as to control migration into the region. However, although globalization can result in cultural erasure, it can help us develop in ways that regional integration cannot. For instance, globalization offers greater educational opportunities, it can assist in the eradication of racism, allow us to appreciate cultures outside of the Caribbean and to become more acceptable of the LGBT community. Hence, both regional integration and globalization are beneficial and relevant in different ways and they can both be used to effectively achieve development in the Caribbean region.

Footnotes:
[1] Boxill, Ian. “Globalization and Caribbean Integration.” Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies, University of the West Indies, Vol. 48, No. 4, Federation and Caribbean Integration (Dec. 1999), pp. 229-249.

[2] Chinapoo, Carlton, et al. Cape Sociology. Pearson Education Limited, 2014.

[3] Axline, W. Andrew. “Integration and Development in the Commonwealth Caribbean: the Politics of Regional Negotiations, International Organization.” Cambridge Core, Cambridge University Press, 22 May 2009.

[4] Griffith, H. Winston. “Crisis in Caribbean Integration.” Institute of Caribbean Studies, UPR, Rio Piedras Campus, Vol. 23, No. 1/2 (1990), pp. 27-48.

[5] Mohammed, Jennifer. Caribbean Studies for CAPE Examination, an Interdisciplinary Approach 2^nd Edition. Macmillan Education, 2015.

[6] Otis, John. “Trinidad Faces Humanitarian Crisis As More Venezuelans Come For Refuge.” NPR, NPR, 18 Dec. 2018, www.npr.org/2018/12/18/677325140/trinidad-faces-humanitarian-crisis-as-more-venezuelans-come-for-refuge. 

[7] Jamaica Observer Limited. “The Landmark Shanique Myrie Case.” Jamaica Observer,  www.jamaicaobserver.com/special-advertisement/the-landmark-shanique-myrie-case_131050?profile=1470. 

[8] “Carifesta 2019.” Carifesta 2019-Ministry of Community Development Culture and the Arts, www.edca.gov.tt/cuture-and-arts/trinidad-tobago-hosts-carifesta-xiv-in-2019/.

[9] “International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.” UNESCO, 20 Mar. 2019, en.unesco.org/commemorations/racialdiscriminationday.

[10] Boxill p. 233.

[11] Boxill p. 234.

[12] Chinapoo p. 106-109.

[13] MC Ewan v Attorney General of Guyana [2018] CCJ30 (AJ).

[14] Mohammed p. 294 and 295.

Author: Shantelle Lake