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It’s the beginning of June and that means Caribbean Week in New York is around the corner (June 5-8). It is also the beginning of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
And according to U.S. President Joseph Biden, “It is time for America to celebrate the achievements and dreams of the millions of people of Caribbean origin now living in the United States, while honoring the shared history of joy and perseverance that has united and enriched life across our region for centuries.”
In a proclamation to mark National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, the leader of the free world claimed there is no single Caribbean American identity. “The mix of cultures, languages, and religions alive across the United States and the islands reflects the diversity of spirit that defines the American story,” he reasoned, affirming that “our countries are bound by common values and a shared history — overcoming the yoke of colonialism, confronting the original sin of slavery, and charting new opportunities across borders and generations.”
President Biden noted that Caribbean Americans, from Alexander Hamilton to Colin Powell, have contributed to the United States in the most profound ways. “Today, pathbreakers like Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor continue advancing our work toward a more perfect Union. I am especially proud of the extraordinary leaders of Caribbean heritage now serving in my Administration – from Vice President Kamala Harris to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
“And I take equal pride in the generations of Caribbean Americans who literally built this country — bringing tremendous hope and energy to bear as small business owners, teachers, health care workers, military service members, union organizers, community leaders, and so much more.”
A central promise of America, the U.S. leader affirmed, is the idea that everyone is created equal and deserves to be treated equally throughout their lives. “It is a cornerstone of our common heritage in this hemisphere, even as we keep striving to finally make that vision real. Caribbean-American Heritage Month is a chance to celebrate the rich diversity that covenant has brought us and to renew its promise for future generations of Caribbean Americans and for us all,” he noted.
