Are British Caribbeans losing their cultural identity?
QUESTION: Are British Caribbeans losing their cultural identity?
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9 Comments
| wez tindian
is’nt that the point of assimilation – the diaspora ideas, culture norms and values are expected, by the host institutions of control, to be assimilated into establish historical cultural norms, values and constructed images?
We as British Black Caribbeans are not losing our cultural identity, the society we live in has always tried to take away, dumb and put down our sense of self and therefore our history, our culture. Right from school through to work, neighbourhood, even our apparel, natural hair, even our speak. This is what we fight against every day, this is what we as black people stand up against every single day! To coin Meghan Markle’s views, the only thing we could ever do wrong is to not speak out. As Black Nation, we do have our cultural identity, one we are proud of. I believe and hope that this year is the year that black history/our identity, our treatment will be the beginning of ongoing worldwide discussion and change that always had to be had and was always going to happen. We have a voice.
Our parents came to Britain to give our children a better quality of life and to integrate into a new society. We have not lost our culture but have blended with the British culture “as well as” the many cultures who have also taken that journey to Britain. It is inevitable that parts of our Jamaican ways and habits have changed as it is expected. Being a British born with Jamaican roots…I am blessed with both cultures and continue to embrace both as well as fight to keep my Carribbean blend alive.
I personally feel that we as black british caribbeans are gradually loosing certain aspects of our caribbean cultural practices like STEEL PAN,KAISO and other various activities due to over ASSIMILATION into this EUROCENTRIC society.
Just look at what Notting Hill carnival has become.
Given that we are in Europe, surround by Europe, trade primarily with Europe, and have a population that is overwhelmingly of European ancestry, what would you expect?!
The actual point I was intending to make was the sheer disconnect inter generationally in relation to our communities. Those who fully embrace and adopt English cultural norms and traditions, perhaps like yourself by the sounds of things.
Large up my people who stay connected to their African Caribbean roots.
Carnival as it has become does nothing to enhance us as Caribbean, our culture, our practices or our heritage. Our attitudes to being and becoming so-called Black British is superficial. I want us to be proud of our ancestry/heritage!
Why and what are the influences that create this desire to belong! We would be careful to contemplate what it is that “drives” this notion of claiming a British identity. We still do not escape the “question… you come from” although you are 60 years of age! Simple in itself, WHERE you are from?
Some still feel they must be accepted as British, it is the only reason you will be continually denied, rejected, refused, shunned, rebuffed, made to feel inferior, spurned, made to feel unworthy… did I say SUFFER DISCRIMINATION!
Embrace your truth proudly and know your POWER! A gorgeous Dalmatian (any creation) remains so, irrespective of where it inhabits.
Lets all us black people return to the West Indies, Africa India ,South America and build a better equal ,no discrimination, racist countries, THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS PROVIDED US. SO lETS HELP THOSE WHO ARE NOT
HAS FORTUNATE AS US TO HAVE FREEDOM AND A VOICE TO CRITICISE OUR CURRENT LIVES.
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Comments Form
9 Comments
is’nt that the point of assimilation – the diaspora ideas, culture norms and values are expected, by the host institutions of control, to be assimilated into establish historical cultural norms, values and constructed images?
I would like to think of myself as a Black British (Barbadian).
We as British Black Caribbeans are not losing our cultural identity, the society we live in has always tried to take away, dumb and put down our sense of self and therefore our history, our culture. Right from school through to work, neighbourhood, even our apparel, natural hair, even our speak. This is what we fight against every day, this is what we as black people stand up against every single day! To coin Meghan Markle’s views, the only thing we could ever do wrong is to not speak out. As Black Nation, we do have our cultural identity, one we are proud of. I believe and hope that this year is the year that black history/our identity, our treatment will be the beginning of ongoing worldwide discussion and change that always had to be had and was always going to happen. We have a voice.
Our parents came to Britain to give our children a better quality of life and to integrate into a new society. We have not lost our culture but have blended with the British culture “as well as” the many cultures who have also taken that journey to Britain. It is inevitable that parts of our Jamaican ways and habits have changed as it is expected. Being a British born with Jamaican roots…I am blessed with both cultures and continue to embrace both as well as fight to keep my Carribbean blend alive.
I personally feel that we as black british caribbeans are gradually loosing certain aspects of our caribbean cultural practices like STEEL PAN,KAISO and other various activities due to over ASSIMILATION into this EUROCENTRIC society.
Just look at what Notting Hill carnival has become.
The UK – Eurocentric – how shocking!
Given that we are in Europe, surround by Europe, trade primarily with Europe, and have a population that is overwhelmingly of European ancestry, what would you expect?!
The actual point I was intending to make was the sheer disconnect inter generationally in relation to our communities. Those who fully embrace and adopt English cultural norms and traditions, perhaps like yourself by the sounds of things.
Large up my people who stay connected to their African Caribbean roots.
Precisely, I certainly agree.
Carnival as it has become does nothing to enhance us as Caribbean, our culture, our practices or our heritage. Our attitudes to being and becoming so-called Black British is superficial. I want us to be proud of our ancestry/heritage!
Why and what are the influences that create this desire to belong! We would be careful to contemplate what it is that “drives” this notion of claiming a British identity. We still do not escape the “question… you come from” although you are 60 years of age! Simple in itself, WHERE you are from?
Some still feel they must be accepted as British, it is the only reason you will be continually denied, rejected, refused, shunned, rebuffed, made to feel inferior, spurned, made to feel unworthy… did I say SUFFER DISCRIMINATION!
Embrace your truth proudly and know your POWER! A gorgeous Dalmatian (any creation) remains so, irrespective of where it inhabits.
Lets all us black people return to the West Indies, Africa India ,South America and build a better equal ,no discrimination, racist countries, THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS PROVIDED US. SO lETS HELP THOSE WHO ARE NOT
HAS FORTUNATE AS US TO HAVE FREEDOM AND A VOICE TO CRITICISE OUR CURRENT LIVES.