Alexia Arthurs: The Caribbean Immigrant Experience

photo courtesy of Alexia Arthurs

written by Alya S.

Classic American literature is historically written from a white perspective, omitting the immigrant experience. While we can not alter literary history, Caribbean authors are making a new history in building the genre of Caribbean American Literature.

Alexia Arthurs, a Jamaican-American writer has gained recognition in American literature. From winning the 2017 Plimton Prize from The Paris Review to a professorship at her alma mater, the University of Iowa, Arthurs has made a name for herself in the writing world. 

Arthurs was born in Jamaica and moved to Brooklyn at the age of 12. Brooklyn is home to one of the largest Afro-Caribbean communities in the U.S. Neighborhoods like Canarsie, Crown Heights and Flatbush amongst others reflect a strong West Indian influence. From Brooklyn’s Labor Day Parade to corner roti shops, the borough is known as a cultural hub. 

[Additional Read: Caribbean Mothers and Daughters Face Generational Trauma]

Growing up Arthurs experienced hardships such as poverty, the effects of being an undocumented immigrant, and witnessing an abusive and absent father. Her debut novel “How to Love a Jamaican” is sporting reviews from “The New Yorker,” “Oprah Magazine,” “Vanity Fair” and more. She has first-hand experience of the struggles of Caribbean immigrants in the U.S. and takes us on a cultural journey on the meaning of belonging.

Arthur’s essay “Permanent Resident” is a candid recount of her experience as an undocumented immigrant in America. Her family experienced financial struggles when they first moved to Brooklyn. At one point, all four relatives shared a single bed in a tiny apartment. These financial hardships were amplified when Arthur started to attend university. She struggled to pay for her tuition with various babysitting jobs. 

The church played a fundamental role in her life and is seen as a symbol of sanctuary to immigrants. She shares fond memories of home-cooked mac and cheese, potlucks and kind-hearted elders. Moments of highs and lows give a clear picture of what many Caribbean immigrants face when they move abroad.  

“It’s a very biblical idea, opening one’s heart and house to strangers. I am grateful to church people for their giving ways: the woman who made baked macaroni and cheese for the weekly potluck, older congregants who spoke tenderly to my siblings and me. It was a gift to feel known and welcomed in a country that wasn’t, but would eventually feel like, home.” - Alexia Arthurs, Permanent Resident-

 A lasting effect of the struggles Arthur underwent is anxiety. She shares intimate moments with her therapist and explains how the constant stress of being an undocumented immigrant caused prolonged anxiety. Mental health in the West Indian community has traditionally been a taboo topic. Similarly, the harsh realities Caribbean immigrants face are often hidden in shame, but Arthurs’ work ushers us into a discussion of its reality and effects.

“But even now that my life has changed for the better, anxiety has followed me like a familiar shadow.” - Alexia Arthurs, Permanent Resident-

Arthurs’ 2018 debut novel “How to Love a Jamaican,'' takes us on a journey through the everyday lives of Jamaican immigrants. The collection of short stories explores the complex relationships between immigrants and the new lives they lead. Characters in these stories face tension between each other and new places they find themselves in. Colourism, unresolved family issues and generational differences all come to light. Each story dives into the complex life of another Jamaican immigrant who faces unique challenges. 

These themes are relatable to the wider community of immigrants living in the U.S. By sharing Caribbean immigrant experiences, Arthur also showcases the theme of resilience. Arthurs not only empowers herself as an emerging voice in American literature but is also educating, representing and inspiring crucial discussions within the West Indian community.

“Up until that moment, all of my experience with black people in a sea of white faces was that we acknowledged each other, whether it was by eye contact or a smile, and that we would eventually make it across the room to each other. We might have been invisible to everyone else but we weren't invisible to each other.” - Alexia Arthurs, How to Love a Jamaican-

While fans across the globe hope for the release of a second novel, they can visit her website for links to her full collection of published essays and stories.

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