Jamaican Americans

Demographics

Like other British West Indians, Jamaicans migrate at high rates, spurred by Jamaica's economic underde-velopment, elevated levels of unemployment, and culturally entrenched traditions promoting migration. First manifesting itself in the mid-1900s, these traditions originally spread Jamaicans throughout the circum-Caribbean. The United States became a favored destination in the 20th century, however, and Jamaicans migrated to the United States in three waves: 1900s to the beginning of the Great Depression, the mid-1940s to the 1950s, and post-1965 to the present. Typically, they have outnumbered other British West Indian immigrants. For instance, Department of Homeland Security data show that 18,346 migrated in 2005, which ranked them fourteenth among all immigrants. Guyana, the next largest source of British West Indians, sent 9,318. Most Jamaicans (35%) settle among other British West Indians in the New York City metropolitan area, but Florida—especially the southern region—draws almost as many (30%). The rest reside in such favored locations as Bridgeport and Hartford, Connecticut; Newark, New Jersey; Baltimore, Maryland; and Atlanta, Georgia. Occupationally, they concentrate mostly in service industries, particularly women who, for cultural and financial reasons, find employment in health care particularly appealing. A sizable proportion of the population (19%) also finds employment as managers and professionals.

Culture and Assimilation

Jamaican culture intermingles with that of other British West Indians because a history of colonialism bequeathed to that Caribbean zone a common language, institutions, and pastimes. Nevertheless, a peculiar Jamaican element stands out, often being taken by U.S. society as representative of the whole group. Ska and Reggae music and Rastafarianism are especially noteworthy in this respect because their infiltration into U.S. culture has made what was once exotic now commonplace. The popularity of Jamaican resorts such as Montego Bay and Negril among U.S. tourists has added to the allure of Jamaican culture. Among Jamaican Americans, the culture is constantly reinforced through frequent back-and-forth travel.

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