The Socioeconomic Assimilation of Caribbean American Blacks

Abstract

Several authors have examined whether black Caribbean immigrants are more successful in the American economy than African Americans. This study examines the earnings and occupations of Caribbean American men in the 1990 census and expands previous analyses by examining generational differences within this new black minority. Central findings suggest that: (1) There continue to be important socioeconomic differences between Caribbean American blacks and African Americans. (2) If we can speak of a “black success story,” however, it is the story of British Caribbeans; blacks from the French- and Spanish-speaking Caribbean do worse than African Americans. (3) Second- and later-generation Caribbean blacks generally have higher socioeconomic status than the immigrant generation. (4) For British Caribbeans, this implies that later generations have gained further advantages on African Americans. The pattern of generational differences within the Caribbean American community generally does not support a notion of structural assimilation into the black American community.

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