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as we post our superstitions in de orginal backchat, the all seem so familiar. Different words were used, however the meaning of the superstition is the same or differ slightly. Our cultures in general are the same, due to the fact that we stem from the same root. As I read the superstitons, I smiled, thinking, we believe in de same things, but yet it is so difficult for us to come together.

Isn't ironic, don't u think

We generally spend sooooo much time talking about how different and unique each ah we are, instead of realizing how much we have in common. And what's funny is it seems to be easier for those of us in another country, those that have been more or less forced to stick together, to realize the plenty that we have in common with each other.

You both have said something that makes a lot of since. Those same superstitions are prevelant among black families in the US also, steming from slavery and old southern folktales.

I seem to be so open to the W.I. culture (which is why I joined imix) after visiting JM for the first time this year because more than anything, I enjoyed simply seeing a culture of people with the same color skin as myself, but speaking and doing and living in a way that was so different that what I see here.

I'm still confused on a lot of things but reading things like this let me know that I am among individuals out there who "get it" and I'll soon get answers to all my questions.

there are things that separate us but so much more that link us together.... we just call stuff by different names

have to agree
but ah guess, such is life/those who believe enough will stand upso that unity can come among us. Since ah kid, ah always said we would be better off as one/ individual islands/ country(yeah ah know guyana ain't an island, however we r linked by British rule).

Will it become a reality in my lifetime, hmmmmmm/will it ever become a reality hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Let's not get carried away...there are many things that are different and unique about all of us (caribbean islands) which is why it grates on my very last nerve to hear folks refer to the region as "the islands" like we're some frigging buch of homogenous rocks, one indistinguishable from the other (as I often like to say). We very much should celebrate and try to retain that which makes us unique.

That said, we are all children of the African diaspora...and in particular the West African peoples. As much as I always knew this, a visit to Charleston, SC a couple yrs ago was truly eye-opening. I encounter ed a couple artisans from the nearby Gullah Islands, and seeing their craftwork and hearing them speak I was transported back to a Trini market. Not that they sounded Trini...but the accent was unmistakeably "West Indian" and the crafts (hats, bags, baskets...woven from palm fronds) identical.

There is much that unite us...we are all from the same root, some of us just stayed on the ship a little longer and ended up cutting 'cane instead of picking cotton.

Wow that just clarified so many questions I had regarding black Americans and blacks from the Caribbean. This is why communication is so important among out culture because up until now, I wasn't even sure that Caribbean people were even of the African decent and thought that their roots BEGAN in the Caribbean. I too am guilty of referencing those "from the island" and did not realize that this was offensive so I extend my apologies to all W.I.'s.

Since I'm on the subject, is there a difference in saying W.I. people v. saying Caribbean people?

What is the difference; and please pardon my ignorance on the subject but I am not from this region, but very much drawn to this culture and very interested in learning.

same difference kawanastyle. West Indies was the name orginally given to that end of the world. However I tend to use West Indians, when I speak about the English speaking islands and the ones who were once ruled by Britian.

Bake didn't get carried away, I know we are different, but as I look at it, to we are more similar.
Yeah I was speaking to some people from down there and boy I was like, dey using our words. And the explained life down there to me.
I watched a documentary when I was in college about Louisana, and boy I thought I was back home. They have a bunch of dialects
and I said to myseld they sound just like us.

simply puttin it, the caribbean ppl are like a mosaic artwork, individually we reflect our own natural beauty and together/united we form a breathtaking view

It's true.. We can say that about other cultures!! The world itself is like a PATCHWORK QUILT!! Each one threading there own patch to be one collected piece of ART.. It is truly breathtaking lucian!

Thank God I'm not the only one who's nerve is irritated by such ignorant statements: I can't stand to hear people say "yeah she from one ah dem islands". Hello it's a country ok!
But Kawan, I must say I love your approach. You don't criticize what you don't know and you always choose clarification over assumption of facts or opinions. It's just so sad that some of our own caribbean people can't do the same!!

Thank you. I respect the fact that I am the minority in regards to the culture of people that respresent this site and there is much I do not know about it.

Blacks in this country were stripped of the culture of which we have originated so we tend to gravitate to any kind of "belonging" to feel a part of a unit. I find that people of the Caribbean are very much embrasive in this respect.