Race in Everyday Life

Abstract

This chapter explores the power of race and colour in everyday life. Relying heavily on contemporary anthropological and sociological studies, it first of all explores the socialisation of Jamaican children into the meanings of race and the rule not to talk about race. It then moves on to assess how as grown-ups, they navigated race and colour in the private sphere of the home and in hotels, churches and other semi-private spheres. And finally, through an examination of several racial incidents – events that sparked an island-wide discussion about race – , it explores how those socialised into the rule not to talk about race, talked about race. In doing so, the chapter conveys the coexistence of colour consciousness and colour blindness.