Jamaican Diaspora – example for Caribbean nations to build regional unity in global arena
MIAMI – Jamaican born, Dr. Colin A. Palmer, also History Professor at the USA’s renowned Princeton University, has called on the Caribbean Diaspora to “re-birth the strength of the Caribbean region as part of the global economy.”
Speaking at the eighth annual Eric Williams Memorial Lecture series recently held at the Florida International University in Miami, Dr. Palmer told his audience that although there were few countries in the region with natural resources, “the brilliant minds of the Caribbean people could effectively manage those resources to create economic impact for the region,” he added.
In recognizing the efforts of the Jamaican Diaspora in this regard, Dr. Palmer noted that such could be an example in their existing effort to unite and organize nationals to create leverage to influence those communities in which they reside abroad.
Referring to his lecture theme, -Challenges for a diverse Caribbean -Dr. Palmer told his audience to not “be cattle of the past” noting that we were moving towards a global arena and that the Caribbean leaders must challenge their peoples to create possibilities for the region to be part of the process.
Reminding his audience of former Caribbean leaders like Trinidad’s Eric Williams and Jamaica’s Norman Washington Manley, the history professor spoke of their vision for political unity, harmony and service to their respective countries, simultaneously appealing to the younger generation of Caribbean nationals, many of whom were in attendance, to follow suit in becoming the new leaders of the region.
In preparing to be new leaders, Dr. Palmer urged them to apply ingredients for a positive sense of self-worth, vision and an imaginative process as formative influences to help the nations of the region achieve the cause for a brighter future for the area.
He pointed to careful cultivation of the intelligent young minds, both in the classroom and at home, in producing those young citizens to become selfless and motivated at an early age.
Dr. Palmer has joined the distinguished group of international scholars who have presented lectures at the Eric Williams Memorial Lecture Series since its inception in 1999. The event is organized in conjunction with the University of the West Indies, Trinidad campus, and the FIU’s African New World Studies Lecture Series.
He has authored several books and articles on Caribbean history, and is editor in chief of the Encyclopedia of African American Life and Culture. His latest publication “Eric Williams and the making of the modern Caribbean” has been described as the first scholarly biography of the former Trinidadian prime minister.
Also in attendance at the event were members of the Caribbean Diplomatic Corp, as well as Florida State representatives.
