However, when countries with a similar history such as Jamaica and Barbados gained formal independence in the 1960s, the French Caribbean colonies remained under French control, becoming 'overseas departments' in 1946 and remaining so to this day.
Békés, the name of the white European settlers and descendants of slave masters in Guadeloupe and Martinique, continue to hold a disproportionate amount of wealth and power in the colonies today. In Martinique, they own 30% of businesses employing over 20 people, own 52% of the land and control 90% of the agri-food industry, even though they represent roughly 1% of the population. In Guadeloupe, Bacas controls 16% of businesses employing at least 10 workers.
However, Thierry Daviemo, not Becca but the French-born trustee of Guadeloupe, represents another aspect of French colonialism on the island. The French president, in this case Emmanuel Macron, appoints prefects to serve as the official representatives of the French national government in what are known as "overseas departments". " In the past, this title was called "Colonial Administrator. ".
As seen in the video, the relationship between working-class Guadeloupe residents of African heritage and the colonial province is fraught with tension. Anger erupted when Thierry Daviemo told a fisherman from Saint-Rose, Guadeloupe, to stop speaking Creole, finding the use of the Guadeloupe language disrespectful. Devimeux has since apologized, but many feel that apology is not enough.