One of the most important things about an ethnicity is the culture that comes with it. Music, dance, food, religion and fashion are all cultural topics that are different for every ethnicity or religion. Even when people move away from their home countries or ethnicities, most times they bring their original culture with them. It reminds them of where they came from and helps them never forget. This is true for many cultures but specifically the Caribbean culture. Even after many people from the Caribbean have moved away, to New York for example, they have still kept their culture. The struggle is how to keep their culture when coming to a completely new society.
Music is one of the cultural topics that can differ greatly based on where you are. In the Caribbean, reggae music is very popular as opposed to New York, where it is hard to find. If Caribbean immigrants in New York want to remember reggae they need to provide it for themselves. Caribbean singers in New York need to be willing to record and perform reggae music so that the rest of the Caribbean population in New York doesn’t forget it. In an article found on Caribbean Life News, a reggae band, New Kingston, is performing in Manhattan next month. The news website put this information as one of their feature articles which show how important it is for them. The Caribbean media in New York needs to spread the news about a way to connect to Caribbean culture in the diaspora. One of the singers said, “Our reggae music is progressive and it is influenced by both our Jamaican roots, our culture, and the sound of the rhythm of Brooklyn.” They are trying to combine both the culture of where they come from and where they are now to make a new kind of music. One of their songs, Protect Me can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XgXdhTGB34 . By the lyrics you can see that it’s a very deep song and can be interpreted in many different ways. It can be representing life in many different places. The thing that connects it to the Caribbean are not the lyrics but the notes, tunes, and style (New Kingston hits Highline Ballroom).
Pagwah Parade in Queens
Another important cultural aspect of Caribbean life in religion. There are many different religions observed in the Caribbean and each has their own unique aspects to them. For immigrants in New York, observing their religions are not always the easiest. One of the ways they are able to celebrate their religions is with parades. Many people come out to show their support and love for different religions. One example of this was the recent Phagwah parade in Queens. Phagwah, also called Holi, is one of the largest holidays celebrated by Hindus all over the world and in the Caribbean. Phagwah is a celebration of colors that honor unity, life and the welcoming of the spring season. This year was the 29th parade held in Queens in honor of Phagwah. It’s just another way that Caribbean people can connect to their culture here in New York. Most of the attendees are Caribbean Hindus but everyone is invited. People can learn about the Hindu religion and the way it is celebrated in the Caribbean. For the second year, the parade has included the Caribbean Equality Project, a Queens-based organization supporting the LGBT rights. “They were sending the message that LGBT voices are also included in religious settings,” said the founder of the Caribbean Equality Project (Rainbow colors at Phagwah Parade).
Food is also a key component to culture. Going all around the world, you will see that every culture and country have their own food preferences and cooking styles. But how would someone in New York know how to cook Caribbean food? The Jamaican TV show, “Taste the Islands” is the first Jamaican show televised in the United states. It features two culinary experts, Jamaican Hugh “Chef Irie” Sinclair and Haitian Cynthia “Chef Thia” Verna, who show the audience how to make Caribbean inspired dishes. They not only show how to make tasty cuisine but present an opportunity for the audience to learn about the culture of the Caribbean and the food that comes with it. The show has an added section where island explorer, “Lisa Lee” Arneaud, takes the audience on different island adventures highlighting the different parts of the Caribbean. You can see how interesting the show looks by watching their promo video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=30&v=Oj75NX2luxE (The Haitian Times).
All of this information was found on Caribbean news websites. Although the main audience is Caribbean people, including ones who have migrated away from home, this media is accessible to anyone. The media wants to inform as people as possible about the ways to learn about Caribbean culture outside of the islands. Through music, religious parades and TV shows, there is a lot to see and learn without ever stepping foot in the Caribbean. Many Americans may not be interested in learning but if anyone is, it is available at their fingertips.
Resources:
http://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/stories/2017/3/2017-03-24-tc-reggae-band-highline-ballroom-cl.html
http://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/stories/2017/3/cl-bb-phagwah-parade-lgbt-2017-03-17-cl.html
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