The Caribbean diaspora is a constitutive element both in Euro-American society and the African American community but African American theology has never before used the Caribbean diasporan experience as a source for theological discourse. Put differently, African American theology neither considers the Caribbean diasporan experience as an appropriate starting point for theological inquiry nor does it address the issues and concerns of the Caribbean diaspora despite the Caribbean diaspora being in existence in America for just over a little more than one hundred years. The diaspora began with the migration movement of 1899 when 412 Caribbean people entered the United States in pursuit of the hope for a better life.

It is not possible to determine with certainty the reason for this neglect of the Caribbean diaspora's experience in African American theological discourse but what is certain is that the Caribbean diasporan church is an integral entity of the American society but no mention is made of its existence or role in the society by African American theology. Thus, this chapter calls attention both to this neglect in African American theology and the state of and need for Caribbean diasporan theological scholarship.

The Neglect

In the first major text on Black Theology, A Black Theology of Liberation, theologian James Cone emphasizes the inclusive nature of African American theology but overlooks the diversity of the Black Christian community. Cone attributes this lack to his training, experience and concern for African American liberation.