🇵🇷🇨🇺🇩🇴🇯🇲🇧🇧🇻🇬🇻🇮🇭🇹 The case for the Caribbean
I close my eyes and imagine being in my happy place. A small coastal town in Puerto Rico. Standing on the boardwalk in front of the vast and intensely blue ocean, I can almost smell the salt in the air. If you were to take a couple of steps back, you'd see that two wood poles serve as a frame for this postcard-worthy view. Two skinny, worn-down poles held together by tangled wires; knotted and layered over decades. The Caribbean, summarized in one simple frame. Beauty juxtaposed with our raw reality. I open my eyes as I realize that this the first of my three-part argument in the case for hiring people from the Caribbean. Let's call this first one the anti-ostrich theory.
1. The anti-ostrich theory ☀️
Ostriches bury their heads in the sand. There's a scientific reason for this behavior, but for the sake of argument, let’s stick with the metaphorical one. In the Caribbean, things just hit you in the face. There's no way to bury your head in the sand and ignore stuff. Walk out of your home and get smacked in the face by an almost infernal heat, as if the devil himself was breathing down your neck. Be in the middle of a presentation and the power goes out in an office that doesn't have a generator. But there are also more fundamental factors, beyond the scorching heat, that are constantly trying to land a punch. There's the lack of dependable public transportation, unreliable infrastructure, limited budget with "unlimited budget" expectations from clients and many more challenges. What kind of person comes out of this challenging scenario? A person that is highly capable of adapting to ever-changing circumstances. A person that is able to zoom-in or zoom-out in order to get a clear perspective of the goals and the real-time challenges to achieving those goals.
2. The melting caldero 🌴
The Caribbean is the original multicultural market, where the rich tapestry of global cultures converges. From the vibrant rhythms of Afro-Caribbean beats to the spicy flavors of Indian and Creole cuisines, our region embodies a celebration of diversity unlike any other. This cultural mosaic not only fosters a deep appreciation for different traditions but also cultivates a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration, making it a fertile ground for innovation and creativity to flourish. No wonder a famous philosopher named Hostos (highly recommend going down Hostos' rabbit hole) thought we could all unite under what he called the Antillean Confederation. So, what kind of person comes out of this diverse landscape? A person that is sensible to different backgrounds. A team-player. A person that is curious about other cultures and open to sharing insights about their own.
3. La brega 🥥
In Puerto Rico it's called "la brega" but it's a Caribbean thing. If there's a lesson from early on in my life is that nothing comes to you easy. "Hay que bregar" with things. You have to deal with things, even if you don't want to or feel like it. It's just the nature of being born and raised in the Caribbean. "La brega" is a daily thing in that controlled chaos that makes us stronger. You can say that because of "la brega" we are chaos connoisseurs. Can we add that to the skills section on LinkedIn? Asking for a friend. So, what kind of person comes out of this daily grind? A person that does not shy away from a challenge and is aware that things need to be done in order to push forward, regardless of limited resources. A person that is grateful when things work, but when they don't, they find a way around it and make it work. A person that is comfortable wearing many hats.
I want to start this closing argument by saying that these attributes are not exclusive to the Caribbean. They can definitely apply to people that come from other regions, countries and backgrounds, but the Caribbean is my origin story and my truth so that's why I made the case for us. Hiring Caribeños (people from the Caribbean) brings a unique set of advantages, rooted in the daily lessons of isolation and adaptability cultivated in our beautiful paradise. Life in the Caribbean often demands a nimble and resourceful mindset due to the region's exposure to diverse challenges such as natural disasters and economic fluctuations. Caribeños learn to be quick on their feet, honing problem-solving skills and an ability to navigate uncertainties with grace. This mentality is not only a product of our environment but also a cultural trait passed down through generations. Employers will benefit from our valuable combination of resourcefulness and flexibility. We are chaos connoisseurs. We are experts in la brega.