In carribean countries, like Curaçao, riots or demonstrations have hit one West Indian land after another. “They didn’t kill us, but they stole our culture,” said leader Stanley Brown.

Tourist brochures fancifully refer to it as the “eighth continent,” a palm-fringed paradise of emerald bays, gleaming beaches and sybaritic hotels. Just beyond the thin strips of sand, however, lies a very different West Indian world, one of discontent and outright anger.

Listen to Evan X. Hyde, 22, a summa…