Oral history interview with Ralma Blake

Ralma Blake spoke of his childhood in Jamaica; his parents and the disciplinarian in the family; his siblings; the music he grew up on, mainly mento; and stories his parents told him. He also spoke of his migration to the United States, things that surprised him upon his arrival in the US, his first jobs, and communicating with family and friends in Jamaica. Note, Blake has dual citizenship in Jamaica and the United States. Blake spoke about his children, born in Jamaica and raised in the United States; instilling Jamaican culture in his children; raising and disciplining his children; family meals and saying grace; and the importance of family, and maintaining and passing down Jamaican culture and heritage. Blake discussed maintaining Jamaican culture, including visiting other Jamaicans, holidays, traditions, and language, specifically Patois; Jamaicans, particularly children, being ridiculed for how they speak; and greetings and addressing people. Blake detailed the opening and managing of a West Indian, Caribbean, African food store called Carnation Market; how his store was a community space for people to gather; building and supporting Jamaican community, including popularizing Jamaican coffee and employing Jamaicans; how the community has changed; popular Jamaican food items in his store; why ackee is illegal in the United States; and the possible future of his family owned store. Blake also spoke about the media's perception of Jamaicans; Marcus Garvey; visiting Jamaica and what he brings back to the US with him; his nicknames; his record collection; how Jamaican and Rastafarian communities influence people in the US; Jamaicans as entrepreneurs; future of the Jamaican community; and his intention to move back to Jamaica. Ralma Blake was interviewed by Ann A. Walters. Interview is in English. Digital audio files include loud white noise and static, some sound interferences and distortions, and some background noise. Interviewee's voice is intelligible for the most part.