More than sunshine and beaches: Growing up Caribbean and American
It’s like being caught between a beautiful clear blue sea and a hot sandy beach. In America, you’re not quite American and in the Caribbean, you’re not quite Caribbean. So you live in this middle place, where you’re kind of stuck. But it’s a great place to be. My culture is a mix of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Dominica. Not the Dominican Republic but the island of Dominica.
I am the first generation to be born in the United States. Growing up Caribbean-American was interesting. An average meal consisted of rice and peas, plantain, curry chicken, pelau (rice, beans, and chicken), grapefruit, Sorrel (every once in a while). We flocked to Carnivale to celebrate the independence of our countries. I picked up Patois and could decipher a conversation.
My family and I visited the Caribbean once a year and I’ve been to Carnivale both on the Parkway in Brooklyn and in Dominica. I’ve never been to Trinidad, but one day I’ll go! I saw the world through Caribbean-American eyes. Our cultures are rich with traditions, music, food, and pride and so much more.
Here I am in a “jip” / “wob dwiyet”, a traditional folk costume, sewn by my entrepreneur Granny. “The madras cloth, originating in India, was used to make the traditional dresses throughout the Caribbean.”
Young Jas in jip/wob dwiyet
The peaks in the headdress represents availability of singleness. Clearly I am a child in this photo, but 1 or 4 peaks means single… 3 peaks mean in a relationship. Still one peak, no changes. lol.
The Caribbean is a mix of African, Indian, and other South Asian cultures. Each place has its own history, including a colonial one, and its own customs. (Zimmer, 1997) I feel like every Caribbean American struggles with this truth. An American viewpoint of how they see the world and their Caribbean culture they’re connected to.
So how does this relate to your upcoming book, Jasmine? I’m glad you asked. As writers, who we are is reflected in our books. It’s how we see the world. I desire to write books that share the importance of diversity and culture. Not just with characters, but the setting. We are all different and that’s what makes up beautiful. We’re more than just sunshine and beaches :)
Want more Caribbean culture?
Check out the 11 Best Children’s Book about the Caribbean
Go on a Virtual Tour of Barbados
Make my favorite dish: Trini Fried Bake (you can send some to me if you want) :)
Are you Caribbean or First Generation American?
If so, what was growing up like for you?