Nia Long

susan ramsunarine says:

you must be crazy if you think that is what trinidadians are
yes they are a melting pot, but not a melting pot of the world.
I live in trinidad and it is not like that.

Trini-mon-1980 says:

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet – Shakespeare

Black, White, blah blah blah. Let science tell the truth:

It is said that Trinidadian and Tobagonians may be the most heterogeneous people on Earth. Similar to major cities like New York City or ancient civilizations like Ancient Egypt, Trinidad has been and still is a melting pot where people from all over the world meet. With the exception of Antarctica you can find a person that has ancestry from just about every continent on earth.
Most data regarding genetics is mainly focuses on European ancestry opposed to African, Indian, Indigenous American, or East Asian ancestry mainly because the majority of studies done are dealing with European ancestry.

African ancestry 45% to 65% Admixture
Afro-Trinidadians have approximately 45% to 65% African ancestry mainly from West Africa. Afro-Tobagonians have approximately 85% to 95% African ancestry also mainly from West Africa. From the time the French colonized Trinidad French Creoles (primarily white in appearance) were and to an extent still are considered the elite class. French Creoles, for the most part, are isolated from the general of the population. French Creoles (people strong of French European decent) and their Creole servants (Mulattos 1/ 2 black, Quadroons 1/4 black, and Octoroons 1/8 black, originally from France), did marry in high numbers and most “White” Trinidadians today have some degree of African ancestry 2% to 10%.[3][4][5]

South Asian ancestry 25% to 35% Admixture
Afro-Trinidadians have 25% to 35% East Indian ancestry. Some people consider themselves Dougla, and some do not find a need to make reference to their ancestry if they are part Indian and part African.[6]

European ancestry 25% Admixture
A host of European countries have colonized and populated Trinidad over the centuries. Inevitably many different European people have added their genetic distinctiveness to the populous. A series of Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonians were studied with respect to hemoglobin types, serum protein systems (Tf and Gc subtypes) and red cell enzyme types (AcPh, 6-PGD, AK, EsD, GLO and PGM1). The average Caucasian admixture was estimated at 25% similar to Louisiana Creole people in America, certain populations in Guyana, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Brazil. The similarities are most likely due to the Spanish, Portuguese, and French colonials.
In addition, prior to the African Trans-Atlantic slave trade, The British forcefully enslaved both Irish and the Scottish people. Prior to 1619 (beginning of the African slave trade) the Battle of Kinsale between the Irish and the English resulted in some 30,000 military prisoners, in which they created an official policy of banishment. The policy would mean slavery for the Irish and the Scottish in the Americas. During this time period the importation of African slaves began. Since the white slaves were of very fair complexion and did not do well in the sun it was in the slave masters interest to make sure the African slaves and the Irish/Scottish slaved procreated. European slavery ended in the late 17th century but between 1600 to 1699, more Irish and Scotts were sold as slaves than Africans. Only after the African Slave trade had become more profitable did the Irish and Scottish became Indentured servants and given an option to earn their freedom. As a result of this slave trade the Caribbean has a large amount of people of Celtic and African descent, including Antigua, Nevis, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and most noticeable on the Island of Montserrat where it has the highest population of redheads outside of Ireland, it is also known as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean . Because of this history it is common for some people to have Celtic last names (Marcus Garvey, Irish last name) throughout the Caribbean.[7] [8][9]

Indigenous American ancestry 2% to 5% Admixture
Afro-Trinidadians have approximately 2% to 5% Indigenous/Native American ancestry. The main groups of indigenous people were the Caribs and Arawaks (also known as Tainos) Amerindians. The Amerindians are a dead culture and most full-blooded Amerindians died during the colonization of the islands, and from malnutrition during slavery. The majority of the people have been absorbed into the population throughout the Caribbean. There are still populations in Trinidad that claim themselves as Amerindian, however most are of Mestizo and/or Zambo extraction or are transplants from Venezuela. [10]

East Asian Ancestry 1% to 2% Admixture
Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonians have approximately 1% to 2% East Asian Ancestry, mainly from China.

Other ancestry 1% Admixture
Afro-Trinidadian and Tobagonians have approximately 1% ancestry of other descent. Trinidad has had smaller populations of Lebanese, Syrian, and other Arab backgrounds.