Surinamese Americans
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (2,833[1]) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Florida (mainly Miami), New York City | |
| Languages | |
| English, Dutch, Sranan Tongo | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Hinduism, Islam |
Surinamese Americans (Dutch: Surinaamse Amerikanen) are Americans of Surinamese descent. According to answers provided to an open-ended question included in the 2000 census, 2,833 people said that their ancestry or ethnic origin was Surinamese.[1]
History
The Surinameses began migrating to United States, al least, from 1975. For much of the twentieth century, many Surinamese immigrants in the U.S., came to this country through a permanent visa, which enabled them to acquire American citizenship. Some of these people were political refugees that fled the Bouterse regime.
There many reasons for which Surinamese emigrate to United States: Although many Surinamese migrate to United States in order to escape poverty, also there many Surinamese people who have migrated for work and tourism. Thus, many Surinamese who traveled to Miami with tourist purposes, definitely settled here. Most Surinamese that migrated to cities in the U.S. after traveling to them were people of middle class and low who arrived between the late 80s and early 90s. Also the existence of families already residents in some American cities boosted the emigration of many Surinamese to those places.
Many Surinamese, however, are also illegal, mostly students and tourists who decided to stay in the U.S.[2]
Demography
Most Surinamese Americans live in Miami and New York City. Other places where many Surinamese living are Washington, Atlanta (Georgia), California (primary San Francisco) and others cities of Florida. However, according most associations, they are found scattered all over the country. These associations estimated about of 10,000-15,000 Surinamers living through the United States. Most Surinamese are attracted to places similar to their land, from the point of view of the architecture of the houses and the presentation of the flora. For that reason, the highest concentrations of Surinamese are in Florida (Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Sarasota and Tampa). Most of Surinamese living in United States are of Chinese, East Indian, Creole (mostly intellectuals), and mixed descent. However, all other ethnicities and races in Suriname are also represented in the U.S. So, many Surinamese of United States are also white (included people of Dutch descent) and people of Javanese, Amerindian, and Maroons origins. This racially variety in the Surinamese community is displayed specially in New York. The Surinamese community has many problems, such as lack of unity and mistrust. If well, there is a greater relative between the Surinamese in New York that among those living in Florida.[2]
Organizations
Most organizations try to maintain the identity and Surinamese cultures, and the specific ethnic identity of the Creole and Javanese groups, developing various activities and events in the year. Seven of the eight organizations are in Miami (Fayalobi, the only organization situated outside Miami, is in Tampa). Some Surinamese organizations in United States are the Surinamese Moravian Fellowship of Miami, Surjawa, the Organization of Surinamese people in Miami (OSIM), the Surinamese American Network Incorporation (SANI), Fayalobi, the Surinam Heritage Foundation and Heri Heri; all of them are within Florida.
On the other hand, the Surinamese church try to promote social union based on the Christian religion and in performing of social events. A Surinamese religious association in United States is the Surinamese Moravian Church, in Miami.[2]
Notable Surinamese-Americans
- Otto Huiswoud
- Robert Van Lierop
- Jacques Judah Lyons
- Jan Ernst Matzeliger
- Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop
- Jimmy Smits
References
- 1 2 "Table 1. First, Second, and Total Responses to the Ancestry Question by Detailed Ancestry Code: 2000". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
- 1 2 3 Surinamese Immigrants in the United States of America: A Quest for Identity?.
