This poster brings up so many emotions as a WestIndian. Every Caribbean nation has their own beautiful language that may be considered broke-english to the untrained ear. These languages are an amagalmation of the diversity of West Indian nations. The mix of African, East Asian, South Asian, Indigenous, and Latinx. How many of our ancestors were brought from far to work on plantations, losing connections to their motherlands but adapting, mixing and reinventing themselves to make new cultures. Too often Caribbean languages are disregarded. The South Asian diaspora ignores the #IndoCaribbean experience and tells us to learn one of their languages. They don't know how insensitive and triggering it is when they say that. It's the lack of understanding and respect for the IC communtiy. They only see our physical and don't understand the cultural fluidity of Caribbean culture. It has taken over a century to develop our languages- be it Patios, Bajan, Trini or Creolese.
In addition, there are West Indian folks who don't acknowledge their languages. Folks who look down on people who speak in these languages. They have been brainwashed by colonialism and the West to ignore their identities and assimilate to the majority culture in the US, Canada, UK or else where. As someone who has had to internalize speaking their language due to family pressure and being bullied but is now becoming open to speak it, it hurts when West Indians disregard them. The effects of colonialism still permeate Caribbean culture.
So, seeing this poster brings out all these thoughts. I'm hoping one day the Caribbean/West Indian languages will fully be accepted. #languagejustice #complexityofCaribbeanculture #fluidityofCaribbeanculture #Guyana #Trinidad #Jamaica #Barbados #alloftheWestIndies
