IslandMix - Soca, Reggae, Zouk and Caribbean Entertainment

ok i've been avoiding this section of imix too long and officialy back with some good topics 2 come. we'll start with this.


http://www.rediff.com/search/2002/may/18yack.htm

i came across this article and found it very true and at the same time hilarious. after reading it, please share u'r thoughts.

***my view
i think there r tons of intelligent ppl on the net as we speak (rather read/type this). probably the reason 4 so much goofing and random conversations is bcuz ppl use the power of anonmity and freedom on the web 2 get away from the harsh things in reality (work, stress, problems, etc.).

salt

*ducks in serious forum*

you said it best salt... i deal with too many awful things during the day to come on imix and debate people too... so wha then ah debating and arguing 24/7

dat is why i gine talk meh tata and free up mehself..

*ducks out of serious forum*

Salt, you hit on a topic dey dat I had complained about last year, I think. I actually left this site for a long time because of it.

I have no problem with a good shit talk; hell I am a sailor and I have to deal with all kinds of drug and arms dealers, drowning victims, armed religious fundamentalist and the like, idiots who can’t take proper care of their boats and break down some ridiculous distances off the coast, and to top it off, Jurassic leadership. So I think I am in dire need of unwinding at times.

But there are very important issues facing “people of colour” in the Americas and across the globe; cultural, economic and political imperialism, neo-colonialism and so on. Most of this is able to advance with impunity precisely because the affected people do not want to talk about it at the end (or even the beginning) of the day and prefer to delve into escapism. We are dealing with systems that make it so that your primary concern is only about satisfying basic needs while someone else takes care of political, spiritual and social issues.

I am a regular on a couple discussion rooms similar to this one on MSN and I find it ironic that I have much more intense (often heated), mature discussion on politics and religion with white North Americans and Europeans than with Indo and Afri-Caribbeans (the exception to this is being MSN's The Black Think Tank and Afro-American)

But then, historically, the problem is not new. Just about everyone from Garvey to Blyden to CLR James to Walter Rodney to Lloyd Best, have made profound impacts upon the lives and thinking of people in Africa, Europe and the US, but faced uphill struggles to get people back in the C’bbean to talk among themselves in a meaningful way.

Perhaps what we need is some really cataclysmic event to jerk us out of this collective slumber. But then, given the way things happen so fast these days, when that happens it will be too late




"By the time the fool has learnt the rules of the game, the players have all gone home"

African proverb

tbaje - i c what u mean. imix is 'recreation' time from the hassles of the everyday struggles. :)

ananci - i c u'r perspective as well in regards 2 issues that have been laid dormant or not addressed or focused on from within the caribbean community. i disagree though with a 'cataclysmic event to jerk us out of this collective slumber'. once everything settle's and calms down a bit from an event, it will go just back to the way it was. ppl jus seem 2 be contented these days which is really frightening. time here on earth is short and there is much more that can be done 2 help better not only ourselves, but every1 in general. it's good 2 c though on imix ppl posting events on seminars, demonstrations, aids walks, rallies, etc. these r just some of the different ways we can use (not only imix) ppl of caribbean descent 2 get involved in more than just the party scenes.

salt

"once everything settle's and calms down a bit from an event, it will go just back to the way it was."

Salty

I have a REAL problem with that. First off “the way things were” is precisely why we are in this mess now; no one analyses, discusses or challenges much anymore and it is this mental laziness that is playing into the hands of, well, “de oppressah”. Also you said “when things settle down”; I don’t believe that things will settle down at all to any appreciable level because the whole key to the success of neo-colonialism, cultural imperialism and globalisation is to inundate the people whom they rely on for their enrichment

Although i didn't read the article you posted Salt, I've talked about this topic many times w/friends i've made on imix.....

Ananci_7 - I'm as disturbed with Salt's comment about things going back to the way they are as you...But unfortunately I find that is the mentality of many people. Look at 9-11 - While some people have kept the lesson, many havent...for the weeks following that horrific day, people in NYC had more tolerance towards each other. people weren't as quick to push yuh out the way for a seat on the subway, people looked at others and saw their pain, and were sympathetic. some even said good mornin to strangers, etc...but, that died VERY QUICKLY and to me is actually WORSE now due to the fear that has been instilled in people to be afraid of those not like you, for fear that they could be a "terrorist". sad as it is, i think salt is right, but it shouldn't be accepted as how it has to be.

But to respond to the subject......I see the need for an outlet to the everyday stresses of life. we all need laughter to live a healthy life. But at the same time, the internet has the ability to connect people from all walks of life, around the world, etc and can be used for more than just jokes. Imix is a good example. Here we have people of many nationalities, living around the world, gathered in one location because of a common interest in caribbean culture. We have doctors, educators, nurses, lawyers, accountants, students, mothers, fathers, etc...with the resources we have collectively surely more could come out of the site than bickering over bunji vs. machel. Forums such as this one give a great opportunity to debate issues while many are exposed to issues they were unaware of. Not only can we spark debate, but also CHANGE to the world we live in. The internet has brought together people that likely would not have been. That should be capitalized on in addition to adding comic relief to our lives...

now that i've managed 2 disturb u guys, let me try and rephrase or be more specific 2wards what i was trying 2 relay about 'things going back' to the way they were. :)

socaj actually took the words out of my mouth in the example she gave (which i actually typed, but deleted b4 posting) in the atmosphere of ppl's attitude's after 9/11. there was a sense of change i detected in new yorkers with the sympathy, concern, etc., but after the initial 'calm down', as mentioned, 'things went back 2 the same' in that ppl went back 2 their 'hardened shells', old ways of thinking, bigotry thoughts and so....after such a cataclysmic event. the key in getting people out of going back 2 their old ways of being/thinking is to keep instilling that little good of interacting with others that came from tragedy. that can eventually branch out into ppl learning more and having respect for other's culture's, religious beliefs, yadda yadda.....and eventually contribute more 2 society than they would have b4.

sorry if i typed it unclear, but i do agree with u'r points made.

u'r points r valid as a subsidiary 2wards the main focus of y ppl choose 2 be or rather stay a certain way with their cyberlife. since i've been involved on the net for the past 9 years now, i've interacted with ppl from all parts of the globe and it's great 2 learn about them and whatz happening in their 'corners of the world' (plug for my time cube post). ppl seem 2 4get that the internet isn't just about chatting or surfing the web. broken down barebones the internet is an internetwork of shared resources. there r a ton of resources available from everything aa to zz, but it's how we use them 2 better ourselves and help share the knowledge obtained.

salt

You bring it and I will follow. I am flexible and can banter with most, both on the serious aspects and light-hearted topics. With the world in such a serious state, I think we need to discuss more serious topics but I understand some people's need to blow off steam with colorful rhetoric. So as I see something of substance I will reply. Best Regards
D Bad Lad