by Mell P
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has again underscored the urgent need for unity across the Caribbean, delivering stirring appeals at multiple recent events that call on Caribbean nations and diaspora communities to band together.
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Most recently, on Saturday, September 20 at a town hall at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, PM Mottley reiterated her commitment to greater regional and diasporic solidarity. She declared. When asked what can media contribute to help nation states, she said:
“The work of the media should be to encourage all Caribbean people to act together. You’re not going to make serious inroads if you try to walk this road alone, as Trinidadians, as Bajans, as Guyanese, there’s a reason why solidarity matters there’s a reason why the unions of the world start first with the principle that solidarity always. We need to work together.”
She went on to highlight issues close to many diaspora Caribbean people:
“There are issues of immediate concern to our community here (in the US), from immigration right back through to opportunities, right back through to the absence of DEI and further to be able to compensate for the iniquity that was there before. We need to have a strong voice and a focused agenda.”
Closing her remarks, she offered both advice and realism: “Many hands make light work, but always remember, you cannot boil the ocean.”
PM Mottley hasn’t only been making these statements in Brooklyn. Several high-profile speeches this year show a clear through-line in her leadership: pushing for Caribbean solidarity as both necessary and timely.
In her New Year CARICOM statement on January 1, 2025, as Chair of the Caribbean Community, she emphasized, “In our unity lies our strength. This must be our truth and our rallying cry.” She called for unified approaches to shared challenges—climate, economic vulnerability, and social justice.
At the 49th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government (July 8, 2025) in Montego Bay, she warned that Caribbean nations are facing more difficulties than at perhaps any time since their independence, but insisted: “If ever there was a time for regional solidarity, it is absolutely now.”
In February during the 38th African Union Summit, Mottley centered her speech on ties between the Caribbean and Africa, urging deeper institutional and cultural alliances and an end to fragmentation. In those remarks, she framed solidarity as essential to confronting global inequities and climate vulnerability.
Mottley’s repeated emphasis isn’t just rhetorical. In her view, the Caribbean (and its diaspora) face converging challenges—climate change, economic pressures, social inequities, migration issues, and the legacy of colonialism—that can only be tackled through united action and shared purpose. Her Brooklyn remarks add to this by stressing the role of communities abroad in pushing for change, not just governments.
She seems to be building momentum for a focused agenda:
– Strengthening media and communication across Caribbean nations and diasporas
– Ensuring equity and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) both domestically and in diaspora contexts
– Addressing immigration concerns and building opportunities for education, work, and social justice
– Holding leaders accountable, while reminding individuals that solidarity does involve sacrifice and focus
As Mottley calls repeatedly for solidarity, the question turns to how this will translate into action. Potential follow-ups might include:
- Formal proposals or agreements under CARICOM or regional body mandates
- Diaspora coalitions or forums to coordinate advocacy and policy changes
- Grassroots initiatives and media campaigns to raise awareness and bridge divides
- Institutional reforms to more effectively manage collective challenges
If the Brooklyn remarks are any sign, Mottley believes that the path forward won’t be easy — but that together, Caribbean people can make serious inroads.
See photos from the event below.
