We compared the South Asian culture found in Jackson Heights, Queens with the West Indian and Caribbean cultures found in Flatbush, Brooklyn. We specifically looked at the cuisine, clothing and residents found in each neighborhood.These three things give a culture a means of expression.
We started our journey looking for differences between the two communities. Instead, we ended up finding more similarities than differences between the two neighborhoods in these three aspects. In terms of food, seafood is a major component of South Indian and West Indian and Caribbean cuisine. We noticed that brands of instant noodles and milk mixes were found in specialty food stores in both neighborhoods. Fresh produce were also found in both grocery stores and the same vegetables and spices are being used in completely different ways. In clothing, the style of long skirts were found in boutiques in both places. All the clothes in the store displays were brightly colored in Flatbush and Jackson Heights, with intricate embroidery and bead work setting apart the fancy clothes from the everyday wear. People in both neighborhoods were observed in traditional and Western clothing, walking down the streets with their friends and families. Different languages can be heard when walking down the streets. They come to the neighborhoods because both Jackson Heights and Flatbush remind people of the lands they left behind when they came to America. Neighborhoods like these help people keep in touch with the traditions and culture of the people back home.
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