Remarks As Prepared

Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, Grand Marshals, New York state officials, Colleagues of the diplomatic corps, Honored West Indian American Day Carnival Association organizers; in particular, I thank West Indian American Day Carnival Association President Mr. Bill Howard and his team for inviting the Department of State to participate for the first time in today’s celebration of Caribbean diaspora culture and history. It is a personal and professional honor to be here today.

Caribbean-Americans have made contributions to this country in business, political leadership, the arts, science, and education. As President Obama said, “the bonds between the United States and the Caribbean remain strong. Both rooted in similar legacies – of trial and triumph, oppression and liberation – our narratives have advanced on a similar path of progress, driven forward by our shared dedication to fostering opportunity and forging a brighter future.”

The Department of State is committed to increasing access to opportunities for all and advancing social and economic inclusion worldwide. Part of my mandate as Director of the Race, Ethnicity and Social Inclusion Unit in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs is to support initiatives that address the underlying causes of inequality, to raise awareness, and to engage with historically marginalized populations.

Persistent forms of discrimination are still an obstacle to social inclusion, and persistent inequality is holding the hemisphere back.

In the daily work of the U.S. government, we borrow from lessons learned and our current challenges in the United States to connect with the hemisphere: we address access to justice, racial profiling, disparities in access to health and education, access to economic opportunity and we work to protect all people’s right to live free from violence.

Through the United Nation’s International Decade for People of African Descent, we have a new framework for discussing U.S. civil rights and common challenges following high-profile incidents of violence in Ferguson, New York City, Baltimore, and Baton Rouge. We recognize the Caribbean diaspora past and present in the struggle for equal rights, including in contributions made by social justice activist and acclaimed actor Harry Belafonte born of Caribbean parents in New York and the first black Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, from Brooklyn with roots in Barbados!

The struggle to create more inclusive societies includes addressing the multiple forms of discrimination and high levels of violence faced by women and girls, indigenous peoples, LGBTI persons, people of African descent and individuals with disabilities. While gender-based violence affects men and boys, it disproportionately impacts women and girls at every point in their lives.

U.S. foreign policy integrates advancing women’s rights, and promoting women’s political and economic empowerment into broader bilateral relationships and policy decisions.

No economy can thrive when women are not seated at the table. That’s why President Obama launched the Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Americas Initiative: To give women and girls equal access to the training, tools, opportunities and resources that they need to become entrepreneurs, business-owners, and future leaders.

As Admiral Kurt Tidd and U.S. Ambassador Estrada noted in June this year, in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain: “Equal opportunity is more than just lip service or filling a quota in today’s security environment; it is a strategic imperative.” The United States remains deeply committed to the women, peace and security agenda. Further, we believe that the participation of women in peacebuilding and citizen security initiatives is essential to achieving sustainable peace and security.

While we have made progress in the United States toward ensuring equal opportunity for all, we know that there is much more we can do at home and with our partners abroad. Combatting all forms of discrimination is not just a domestic issue; it is a challenge every nation faces and a challenge we can all work together to overcome. We welcome this opportunity to deepen our collaboration with the Caribbean diaspora, and strengthen existing ties that already unite us in the region! Thank you!