Conor Finn

Professor Torres

May 1, 2009

For the blogs that have already been completed I wrote much about my personal experiences with Jamaicans in my hometown. Although the personal experience with Jamaicans have granted me much knowledge of their culture, investigating the history of Jamaican immigration to other parts of the United States of America help explain immigration patterns. Over the next few entries a major theme of my writings will be the history of Jamaicansimmigrating to the United States. Jamaicans have long been coming to the United States for greater educational opportunities along with better working conditions. Chicago was one of the first cities to embrace Jamaican culture and grant the children of immigrant workers the chance for higher education. “During the 1950’s and 1960’s, the number of Jamaicans seeking higher education in the United States increased, and schools like Chicago Technical College drew significant numbers to the city.”1

Jamaicans today have more chances to interact with family back home through the internet and other resources. Being able to stay in touch with their home island allows their roots to still grow while staying attached to Jamaica. In addition Jamaicans in America do not diminish the strong ties of family.Coming to America gives the immigrant a chance of proper education and great working opportunities. Being in a recession today could hinder the immigration wave of Jamaicans in our culture, however the strong Jamaican roots that have already been established in cities like Chicago and New York City since the early 1900s will not fade. 

¹ Morrissey, Robert. Jamaicans. The Electronic Encyclopedia of Chicago. 2005 Chicago Historical Society