Migrants versus the Yu di Kórsou: Race, Class and Identity in Curaçaoan Society

• Author: Rose Mary Allen
• Pages: 3-19

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MIGRANTS VERSUS T HE YU D I KÒRSOU

IntroductionIntroduction

IntroductionIntroduction

Introduction

This chapter investigates Curaçaoan culture and the role that migration

has played in shaping it. It looks at the ways in which Curaçaoan

identity is affirmed in the discourses on who is and who is not considered

a Yu di Kòrsou (translated as Child of Curaçao).The late Curaçaoan

sociologist, René Römer, linked the question of cultural identity in Curaçao

to the concept of Yu di Kòrsou. The concept of Yu di Kòrsou is present in the

discourses about the cultural impact of the immigrant groups (both those

in the past and the newly arrived) on the island. By the end of the twentieth

century Curaçao began to play an important role in the present-day intra-

regional migration. There has been a large increase in immigrants from

societies such as Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Guyana, and

Colombia. At the same time, Curaçaoans have emigrated in large numbers

to the Netherlands due to the deteriorating economic situation, some of

whom are currently returning. Finally, two key issues are addressed in the

investigation of Curaçaoan culture: the discussions on cultural differences

of the emigrants in Curaçaoan society, and how these discussions contribute

to Curaçaoan identity.

‘These foreigners are living as pigs together.’

‘They are grabbing all our jobs.’

‘They don’t want to learn our language.’

‘Latin American women are snatching away all our men.’

Migrants Versus The

Yu Di K

ò

rsou

:

Race, Class and Identity in Curaçaoan Society

ROSE MARY ALLEN

11

11

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FREEDOM AND CONSTRAINT IN CARIBBEAN MIGRATION AND DIASPORA

‘They want to take over our island.’

‘All Colombians are hit men.’

These are just a few expressions presently heard in Curaçaoan society

regarding the new immigrants who have established themselves on the island.1

They show the existing public perceptions about these newcomers in terms

of their alleged involvement in criminality, labour market competition

with the locals, as well as intra-ethnic female rivalry between local and

new immigrant women.

Immigration is a complex phenomenon and has great impact on the

demography, economy, politics and culture of the receiving as well as on the

sending society (Meyers 2000, 1245). While each of these considerations

warrants certain scholarly attention, this chapter looks at one neglected

aspect: the continuing role of intra-Caribbean migration in the construction

of cultural identities in the region. The Curaçaoan situation is used as a

case study.2 Being both a recipient as well as exporter of migrant labour

over the past century, Curaçaoans have been in contact with people coming

from all the language areas in the Caribbean.

The Curaçaoan case shows the dynamics of cultural formation and

transformation that arises from movements of people without and within

society. Intra-Caribbean migration research has yet to focus much more

attention on the islands with a Dutch colonial history. In this chapter I

examine how the discussions on cultural differences of contemporary

migrants in Curaçaoan society today contribute to the reaffirmation of

Curaçaoan identity and have delineated the ideal of being Curaçaoan. The

data for this study derive among others from radio talk shows, newspaper

clippings and editorials.3

First, a short overview is presented of the migration movements to and

from Curaçao over the past 150 years. Next, the characteristics of

contemporary Caribbean migration are compared with that underway at

the beginning of the twentieth century. The third section analyses how the

contemporary discourse about immigrants continues to redefine who is and

who is not Curaçaoan. The conclusion offers broader remarks on the relevance

of immigration for shaping contemporary cultural identity on the island.