“Ethnic identity as a ‘cool’ commodity within peer groups:
In the marketplace of youth, where young people are seeking validation from their peers, ‘coolness’ itself is a valued commodity, and in the two schools where I conducted my research, one could earn a significant number of ‘cool points’ by claiming a non-American ethnic identity. I found this similarity despite differences in the varied organizational structures and race and ethnic composition of each school. The cool commodity was embodied in part through Jamaican popular culture, which students used as a common terrain for collectively constructing an ethnic ‘script’ for themselves as West Indians, one that set them apart from African Americans. Similar to the progeny of European immigrants described by Waters (1990), however, this pride in their ethnic origins has emerged precisely because it does not come at a social cost. In fact, students at Mayfield and Farmdale pointed to a recent shift toward acceptance of Caribbean music and culture:
I notice that reggae music is taking the mainstream, . . . and I think its kinda cool. Because you know a few years ago, you know, you never saw like a dance hall video but now [you see] Sean Paul… videos. But look at that! (St Lucian student, Mayfield)
The growing popularity of Jamaican dance-hall music reinforced the idea that being a West Indian ethnic was something that made them all special.”
Excerpt from Ethnic identity on display: West Indian youth and the creation of ethnic boundaries in high school
This excerpt from the article, “Ethnic identity on display: West Indian youth and the creation of ethnic boundaries in high school,” by Bedelia Nicola Richards, focuses on the perception of identity among the young population and second generation immigrants. As the author notes that it is important for the young people to gain approval from their peers, she discovers that they achieve this “coolness” by identifying themselves with Caribbean origins. She finds that students use Jamaican popular culture as a common platform that unites their identity as West Indians and distinguishes them from African Americans. There is a larger acceptance of Caribbean culture and music that expresses their pride in their ethnic origins, which connects them with friends and makes them feel special and “cool.” The article, and specifically this excerpt, highlights the significance of culture, music and art in creating connections, communicating with others and reinforcing Caribbean identity.
