CaribWorldNews, WASHINGTON, D.C., Fri. June 4, 2010: U.S. President Barack Obama is urging all Americans to celebrate the rich culture and history of the Caribbean this Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Obama`s call comes in a proclamation issued this week to mark the month. `I call upon all Americans to celebrate the history and culture of Caribbean Americans with appropriate ceremonies and activities,` stated the President as for a second year he proclaimed June, National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

President Obama insisted that `the triumph of Caribbean Americans, a diverse community that encompasses many nationalities and languages,` must be celebrated since `they have become leaders in every sector of American life while maintaining the varied traditions of their countries of origin.`

`Caribbean Americans enrich our national character and strengthen the fabric of our culture, and we are proud they are part of the American family,` stated the President. `Throughout our history, immigrants from Caribbean countries have come to our shores seeking better lives and opportunities. Others were brought against their will in the bonds of slavery. All have strived to ensure their children could achieve something greater and have preserved the promise of America for future generations.`

But despite the call, little national recognition is expected beyond the borders of the many Caribbean American communities in the U.S. The population continues to be largely dismissed because of a lack of an accurate count and even the U.S. Census, the body that issues annual facts for features on many other communities during other heritage months, is yet to catch up to celebrating the significance of this bloc.

Currently, the U.S. Census puts Caribbean nationals at a paltry 2.8 million nationally but Caribbean advocates are hoping the 2010 count will show a boost in those numbers which are urgently needed to tell the true economic story of Caribbean nationals and the viability of their market in the U.S.

Taken from: http://www.caribbeanworldnews.com/middle_top_news_detail.php?mid=3575