Think of the recent historical programs on television, such as The Civil War or The American Experience: Marcus Garvey.  What would these shows be like if there were no historical documents available?  Think of how important it was to have the actual letters as source materials, to have oral histories from the people who were actually there to witness the events being shown.  Whether it's for scholarly inquiry or for popular programming, the work of archivists in identifying and preserving historical documents is crucial if we are to preserve our nation's legacy.

The Caribbean community represents one of the most important and fastest growing segments of Brooklyn as well as New York City as a whole. While this community has been a part of our city for a very long time, the years since 1965 represent a period of remarkable growth. Unfortunately, the documentation of this community has not kept pace with its rapid evolution.

In this age of fast-moving progress and increased computerization, it is all too easy to forget the importance of preserving our past to ensure greater understanding in the future. Therefore, it is crucial that we begin the process of identifying and preserving the records.  This will ensure that future generations are given an accurate account of what has gone before. We hope that by beginning now, while these records are relatively new and intact, vital information will not be lost.

In addition, this project will serve as an example for other projects. We hope that our experience will help other archival organizations involved in preserving the history of communities that have played such an important historical role, but whose stories are as yet underdocumented.