CaribWorldNews, New York, NY, Fri. Jan 18, 2008: Caribbean Americans tired of hearing U.S. Presidential hopefuls talk about the `Latino,` `Asian` or `Black` voting blocs, want a strong voting bloc of their own.

Many Caribbean Americans CWNn spoke with this week believe they need to have their own bloc that can come if they are more recognized by the U.S. Census. `As a person who was born in the Caribbean and now resides in New York City, I feel it would be advantageous for Caribbean/West Indians to be given a separate category on the Census,` said Wendell DeRiggs, a Grenadian-born author and poet.

Statistics have shown that over the past decade the number of Caribbean American voters have surpassed 800,000. A CWNn analysis of US DHS data between 1997 and 2006 has put the number at 800,899 with high concentrations in New York and Florida.

But DeRiggs said that he is doubtful that the Census Bureau will create such a bloc without pressure from people from the Caribbean who live in the United States. He added there are sufficient numbers of Caribbean Americans in the U.S. to cause politicians to take them seriously. Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic dominated the top four highest number of dual citizens, according to the DHS statistics.

Most political candidates seeking Caribbean Americans\' support usually marched in the popular West Indian Day Parade, and DeRiggs believes that presents an opportunity for Caribbean Americans to demand a greater voice in helping improve their social condition in the United States.
The parade draws more than three million people annually and politicians are aware of the numbers and the impact of bloc voters.

Yet overall, U.S. Census figures put the total West Indian population at less than three million.
Derek James, a New York-based manager, agrees that Caribbean Americans must become more politically conscious. `I cannot remember any debate among US presidential candidates on issues affecting the Caribbean community,` he said. `We must start demanding that the issues affecting us be addressed and don\'t allow our votes be taken for granted.`

At the same time Caribbean people must come together and vote as a bloc, he added.  But there is cautious optimism from some Caribbean Americans about whether the statistics are enough to push that agenda. `While my initial instincts as a Caribbean person would be to say most certainly, the realism in me suggest that the statistics may not permit those Census changes at this time,` said George McLeish, a Caribbean national and George MacLeish is the president, U-Haul Company of Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. `If the current estimates are accurate, Caribbean folk represents under half of a percentage point of the US population. `

Additionally we have been `grouped` under the African-American banner for so long that the opening up to other origins will most certainly lead to the `can of worms` syndrome with the continued migration from other parts of the world growing at even a more rapid rate. But he admitted there are indications that Caribbean Americans are growing into an economic power and they must use that to their advantage.

`Our Caribbean folk continue to adopt the USA as their `homeland` with increasing numbers becoming naturalized citizens and are making themselves know with their growing presence in the political field, many running for public office at city and state levels,` he added. `Even the hallmark of fast food, Mc Donalds now has the Calypso King of the world the Mighty Sparrow voicing commercials on their behalf.`

But Ian Mark, who now lives in Canada, but frequents New York, has a contrasting view.

`This question boils down to race and or racial identity,` he said. `And while I think it\'s important to know racial identity like - what percentage of the US is black, for example, I don\'t think the `micro identity` need apply.` - CaribWorldNews.com
 

(Reported By Michael Bascombe)