The Caribbean Needs The Diaspora
By Consul General McChesney Emanuel

The Conference on the Caribbean held in June 2007 brought to light many issues that Caribbean leaders need to seriously reflect on. Firstly there is a piercing perception among Caribbean nationals residing in the Diaspora that there is an imperative need for more productive discourse and engagement between regional leaders and their respective Diaspora constituents in North America. Rejoinders and reaction from nationals who participated in several town hall meetings leading up to the conference in Washington D.C. were rather revealing. Many uttered the view that Caribbean leaders do not wholly appreciate the value of the Diaspora and that they should use Caribbean Heritage Month to massage this acuity.

Caribbean nationals living in the United States are regarded as some of the most successful immigrants, yet this actuality has not impacted the region’s development in any significant way. Thousands have acquired professional skills and wealth that could be tapped to benefit development in the Caribbean. Ambivalence toward the Diaspora appears to be a major factor that affects the relationship between overseas nationals and Caribbean political leadership. This indecisive political culture developed over decades and remains a troubling threat to regional sustainable-development. After colonial rule the Caribbean political leadership that emerged created systems of de-politicization in an effort to hold on to power and minimize instability. The original intent was to neutralize potential political aspirants. While there might have been marginal utility in constructing structures of political-containment Caribbean leadership styles that exhibit such lingering attitudes and behaviors may fail to deliver protractible development. There is just no enduring efficacy in perpetuating such a dated political leadership culture.

After the 2007 Conference on the Caribbean, as an immediate response to concerns posited by Diaspora constituents and as a gesture of good will, every Caribbean country should have seized the opportunity to establish an office dedicated to dealing with Diaspora matters. Prime Minister Gonsalves of St. Vincent deserves credit for taking that significant step in launching such an office. Other Caribbean leaders should follow his courageous lead and create a department to work exclusively with the Diaspora.

On November 1, 2007 Antigua and Barbuda celebrates 26 years of independence. Political independence is an achievement that symbolizes new birth and fresh approach to governance. Sovereignty should not be viewed as an exercise of exchanging political guards; it should be crowned as a renaissance-like achievement. The colonial powers instituted many organizational layers to suppress the aspirations of Caribbean peoples. Vestiges of these layers are still around and serve to retard economic, social and political advancement. As a forward thinking nation we owe it to all generations to make the best use of our hard earned sovereignty. If old-style leadership approaches and attitudes continue to dominate state run institutions aspirants from the Diaspora will be discouraged from giving of themselves and their resources. Antigua and Barbuda like all of the Caribbean needs to shred old-political habits and boldly embrace the Diaspora, the country’s sovereignty and economic nourishment are inextricably linked to the tens of thousands living abroad.