Nassau - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Xenophobia (Haitians). - May 2024
The Bahamas has a long history of a black-white divide. The N-word is thrown around a lot, and there definitely is some racial tension on occasion between white and black Bahamians. As a white person, I am looked at as a walking dollar sign, but I've never experienced any other prejudice. There is a huge racial tension between Bahamians and Haitians. There aren't any serious religious freedom issues here, although the society is mostly Christian and those groups are vocal about political issues. Gender equality is still a few decades behind. - Jun 2015
Racial and religious - no problems. For gender - same as above - they're making progress. - May 2015
Black and white Bahamians (about 80/20) appear to get along just fine. I think any religion as long as it is Christian is acceptable. As far as gender goes, I would say there is a tendency toward very traditional roles, but in fact it is often the women who are better students and achieve more. - Jan 2011
There is a significant amount of anti-Haitian sentiment in the country. Haitian immigrants are routinely blamed for most of the country's ills. Haitians report being harassed by police. Many Bahamian born Haitians are living in a quasi stateless status because they are unable to apply for citizenship until their 18th birthday and even then it can still take years to get the paperwork. - Mar 2010
I have not noticed many prejudices. However, locals are not very friendly towards Jamaican and Haitian immigrants (legal or not) as they compete for jobs. - Feb 2009
None. - Dec 2008
