Jamaican Americans

Jamaican laborers cutting sugar cane - Clewiston

Pete Rock @ The Brookyln Bowl in 2016

Harry Belafonte singing 1954

Jerk chicken plate

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ColinPowell

Jamaican Americans are Americans who have full or partial Jamaican ancestry. The largest proportion of Jamaican Americans live in the New York City metropolitan area and in South Florida. However, there are also significant Jamaican American communities in other parts of the United States, such as the Atlanta metropolitan area. Jamaican Americans are a part of the larger African diaspora in the United States and contribute to the multicultural and multiracial landscape of the country.

History

The history of Jamaican Americans begins in the 17th century, with the arrival of Jamaican indentured servants in the American colonies. However, the largest wave of Jamaican immigration to the U.S. occurred in the 20th century, particularly after Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1962. This period saw an increase in Jamaican nationals moving to the U.S. for economic opportunities, educational purposes, and family reunification.

Demographics

According to the United States Census Bureau, there are approximately 1 million people of Jamaican origin residing in the United States. The states with the highest populations of Jamaican Americans are New York, Florida, and New Jersey. Within these states, cities such as New York City, Miami, and Newark have particularly large Jamaican American communities.

Culture

Jamaican Americans maintain a strong cultural identity, with music, cuisine, and religion being central aspects of their cultural expressions. Reggae, dancehall, and ska are popular music genres within the community, and these styles have also influenced American music culture broadly. Jamaican cuisine, known for dishes such as jerk chicken, curry goat, and ackee and saltfish, is popular among Jamaican Americans and has gained popularity in the wider American culinary scene. Many Jamaican Americans are also members of the Rastafari movement, which has its roots in Jamaica.

Notable Jamaican Americans

Several Jamaican Americans have gained prominence in various fields, including politics, sports, entertainment, and academia. Notable individuals include Colin Powell, former United States Secretary of State; Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States, who is of partial Jamaican descent; and Bob Marley, the iconic reggae musician whose parents were of Jamaican and British descent.

Challenges

Like many immigrant communities in the United States, Jamaican Americans face challenges related to immigration status, racial discrimination, and economic disparities. However, through community organizations and advocacy, Jamaican Americans continue to work towards addressing these issues and promoting the welfare of their community.

See also

• Immigration to the United States
• Caribbean American
• African American