The role of community radio in enhancing identity formation and community cohesion among Caribbean Canadians in Toronto

This paper examines the important role that two community-based campus stations - CHRY 105.5FM and CKLN 88.1FM -- play in community cohesion and identity formation in the Caribbean Canadian community in Toronto. The research questions are: What roles do community media play in the lives of Caribbean-Canadians in Toronto?; How do Caribbean Canadians access these media to tell their stories or hear their voice?; How do these media outreach to the large Caribbean Canadian community in Toronto?; How do they describe the relationship that they have with CHRY 105.5FM and CKLN 88.1 FM; and, Do these media affirm the marginalized status of Caribbean Canadians, or are they sites of transformation for Caribbean Canadians daring to contest their exclusion from mainstream radio? These radio stations readily accommodate people, including many on the margins, who are not represented in mainstream media - the public broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), or private commercial radio stations. They are the employers of many immigrants, mainly volunteers, who face barriers because of their Caribbean accents, lack of a Canadian accent, and the lack of "Canadian experience". The 'othering' of these immigrants has pushed/pulled them to these community-based campus radio stations where they find a voice to challenge oppressive systems from outside and within. These are community enhancing spaces where the Caribbean diaspora will hear familiar genres of music - reggae, soca, calypso, ragga, zouk - and accents/languages (Spanish, French, Creole) of the multicultural and multilingual Caribbean diaspora in Toronto.

The role of community radio in enhancing identity formation and community cohesion among Caribbean Canadians in Toronto

This paper examines the important role that two community-based campus stations - CHRY 105.5FM and CKLN 88.1FM -- play in community cohesion and identity formation in the Caribbean Canadian community in Toronto. The research questions are: What roles do community media play in the lives of Caribbean-Canadians in Toronto?; How do Caribbean Canadians access these media to tell their stories or hear their voice?; How do these media outreach to the large Caribbean Canadian community in Toronto?; How do they describe the relationship that they have with CHRY 105.5FM and CKLN 88.1 FM; and, Do these media affirm the marginalized status of Caribbean Canadians, or are they sites of transformation for Caribbean Canadians daring to contest their exclusion from mainstream radio? These radio stations readily accommodate people, including many on the margins, who are not represented in mainstream media - the public broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), or private commercial radio stations. They are the employers of many immigrants, mainly volunteers, who face barriers because of their Caribbean accents, lack of a Canadian accent, and the lack of "Canadian experience". The 'othering' of these immigrants has pushed/pulled them to these community-based campus radio stations where they find a voice to challenge oppressive systems from outside and within. These are community enhancing spaces where the Caribbean diaspora will hear familiar genres of music - reggae, soca, calypso, ragga, zouk - and accents/languages (Spanish, French, Creole) of the multicultural and multilingual Caribbean diaspora in Toronto.

Michie Mee

This chapter analyses the formation, maintenance, and transformation of the Caribbean diaspora in the formation of rap music in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It discusses the marginalization of rap music and people of color within the music industry in Toronto. The author focuses especially on the way artists use rap music to challenge racist and racialized conceptions of Canadian identity and, at the same time, help redefine Canadian identity in ways that emphasize the importance of diasporic identities.

Culturally Sensitive Health Education in the Caribbean Diaspora: A Scoping Review

Context: The Caribbean diaspora in the United States is a diverse community that is afflicted with high morbidity and mortality due to preventable chronic diseases. Objective: Our goal is to determine which culturally sensitive health and nutrition educational modalities have the highest efficacy for improving general health in the Caribbean diaspora. Methods: A scoping literature review was performed on the MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases using terms related to health and nutrition in the Caribbean population. Original, peer-reviewed research published from 2010 to 2020, which took place in the U.S. and Caribbean countries, were included in our review. Results: We identified a total of nine articles that met our inclusion criteria. Rate differences for individual education program features were calculated to assess the likelihood of a positive impact on diet, physical activity, and diabetes. Conclusion: Our review helps to identify key educational modalities targeting diabetes, diet, and physical activity levels that can be used to meet the health and nutritional needs of the Caribbean diaspora population.

Exploring Dementia Care Systems Across the African Caribbean Diaspora: A Scoping Review and Consultation Exercise

Background and Objectives Understanding the influences of marginalized cultural and social identities as experienced by the African Caribbean diaspora within the context of dementia care is essential to minimize the gaps in current practice and policy in the health care setting. This study explores the impact of marginalized identities upon the meaning-making process, access to services and experience of care provisions through a scoping review and consultancy exercises with key stakeholders. Research Design Fourteen databases were searched using key terms. Primary studies in English, any year, study design, and country of origin were eligible. Titles, abstracts, and full texts were screened for inclusion and data were extracted in stages. Thematic analysis was performed and the findings were discussed in a series of consultation meetings with people with dementia, carers, and health care professionals in Manchester (United Kingdom) and Jamaica. Results The scoping review retrieved n = 1,989 research articles. Nineteen were included, most were qualitative (n = 14), 3 quantitative, and 2 mixed-method. The findings revealed limited insight into cultural and multiple individual identities in explaining conceptualization and service access. Consultation meetings confirmed these findings and highlighted differences in health care services and systems in the United Kingdom and Jamaica. Discussion and Implications This study suggests there is a complex interaction of sociocultural processes that marginalize African Caribbean persons in and across various national settings within the context of dementia care. The study highlights the importance of acknowledging and addressing how prevalent racialized- and class-based divides and related marginalized social locations are reflected in inequities in access to and use of dementia services.