Why do a lot of people (especially Americans) think that Jamaican is a race?

Question

Also, why do people think that they are all dark?

Just to let you people know, most black Jamaicans are mixed and most of them are either light or medium complexion. Also, there are white jamaicans, chinese jamaicans, east indian jamaicans, middle eatern jamaicans, and of course black jamaicans.

I'm Jamaican so I know.

Answer 1

It's because of ignorance, like assuming that Africa is a country. There's a difference between race and ethnicity. Race deals with biological makeup while ethnicity is a more specific category dealing with common traits, customs and characteristics of a certain people group.

Answer 2

because of ignorance, jamaica is an island , a country, so being jamaican is a nationality, there is chinese jamaicans, black jamaicans, indian jamaicans, whie jamaicans, mulatos, etc etc. but the original jamaican is dark, due that after jamaica was taken by the british all that stay in the island was slaves and mulattos, and some whites, and before british came, there was some mix with the spanish, not that many native indians cause spaniards killed almost all native indians

Answer 3

Well beings how I have always thought this, I guess the reason is I realize that Jamaicans are "black" skinned, but I thought they were natives of that island, meaning there was no way they were african-jamaican. Am I wrong? What else would u call a jamaican native?? My race comes from europe, I jus always assumed the jamaican ppl were always jamaican, so what other race would they be?? I mean was Jamaica empty, then a bunch of africans ended up there?? There is always the chance that by now they have mixed with other races, making them jamaican and whatever other race(s). So if u can tell me what race a jamaican is, I guess it may change my thinking on it.

Answer 4

Me, I think Jamaicans are from Jamaica, a nice island that is a good place to get away from it all!
Seriously though, I have noticed that, on Y! answers, people seem to think that "Mexicans", etc., is a "race". The last I knew, those who claim some folks are "racist", "race" refers to skin color, such as "red, yellow, black, white, and brown". Which makes me wonder where people have been...
I know of a lot of people who think that all Mexicans are dark; some of the cutest Mexicans I have met are pale skin, with reddish hair.
My apologies for those who don't think, and believe that "Jamaican" is a race and that they are all dark...
Now that winter is coming, I would like to go to Jamaica...

Answer 5

It is an ethnicity/nationality, not a race. Jamaicans are a ethnic culture in the African-American community in my view. Jamaicans Are proud to be Jamaican, and they Will tell you that they are Jamaican in a New York minute. And If you go into most Jamaican homes do not leave hungry, and always ask for seconds.

Answer 6

I've never come across the problem in your first question but my brother's math teacher is Jamaican and my mother thought she was Puerto Rican, that's something I considered, and she said that a lot of people have thought that about her

It's I guess grouping a whole group of people together

Answer 7

I have NEVER heard of a Jamacian being categorized into a race. Jamacian is a nationality.There are only 3 or 4 races. Most Jamacians are black..

Carrie-Jamacians came from Africa during the transatlantic slave trade the same time African Americans did. They just ended up on an island. Technically the are African Jamacian.

Answer 8

I don't really know too much about Jamaican people. I do know that in every race someone can be light medium or dark.

Answer 9

esp. with that saun paul, dude is soooo puerto rican looking.

we you shudn't really care waht ppl say
shudnt really care what dem wa dooo!

Answer 10

Yeah, Jamacian is a nationality. People need to be more openminded.