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Starving for Culture!

3/15/2012

11 Comments

 
Given the subject of my website and most of my blog posts so far you’d be forgiven for thinking I’m a die-hard Brit who’d lay down my life for the Union Jack.

But I consider myself, first and foremost, a person of Caribbean descent. I was born in Guyana (which is actually in South America but considered part of the Caribbean) 

Growing up in England it was easy to submerge myself in the Caribbean culture. I could sample cuisine from a different part of the world every night of the week in London if I chose to. Strolling along any busy road in my old neighbourhood I’d be greeted with a variety of  genres blaring from car speakers...reggae, soca (West Indian up-tempo music), bhangra (Indian dance music), afrobeat or highlife (African pop music). Hair products and cosmetics for women of ethnic origin could be found easily and in abundance.

So, to say that moving here was a ‘culture shock’ is a huge understatement.

Of course, big cities like New York, Atlanta and LA are cultural melting pots but in this suburban East coast town I
find myself starving for some cultural interaction.

My search for Caribbean seasonings and food has been abandoned - the pickings are too slim.

Funny though how everyone seems to know about St Patrick’s Day.

How did this Irish holiday become so widely embraced in America, yet events like Three Kings Day in January, Brazil and Trinidad carnivals in February or even the Welsh holiday St David’s Day, (which is also in March), hardly get a mention?

It’s obviously to do with the country’s strong Irish roots but it’s interesting how those who have no clue about the
holiday or are about as Irish as Oprah can’t wait to wear their green t-shirts and hats and start celebrating.

It’s a big seller on the commercial retail calendar. Any holiday with a strong emphasis on drinking and partying is going to be popular but I just wish such enthusiasm was placed on other cultural holidays too.

I’ve now chosen to actively seek out and dive into any cultural experience I can get my hands on here.

I love that I have made friends with women also from the Caribbean. I’ve found a local Zumba class. Yay! Just being able to hear music with reggae and African rhythms and dancing like I would have every weekend on some dance-floor in London (when I was still single, childless and a few years younger!) makes me happy. I've also found a steel-pan class nearby (and nearly fainted when I did!) and I'm thinking about having a carnival-themed party for my son's next birthday.

It’s my way of staying connected to where I came from and who I was and still am. It makes me feel less estranged from my old life. My culture is what makes me unique. I don’t want to lose that and blend into the scrap-booking, college t-shirt-wearing majority!

Of course that’s a sweeping generalization and I know there are lots of people in this county who embrace diversity but my wish is that everyone makes a little effort to add to more culture into their lives. Then we could all have a big party on February 14th!  No, not for Valentine's Day, but for one of the least known holidays of all, Race Relations Day.
 
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11 Comments
Shakira Harris
3/16/2012 02:17:02 am

Well said!

Although I don't live in America, and although I may not be experiencing the lack of Caribbean cultural celebration you’re experiencing.

Reading your blog has left me shocked and wondering why America who love to celebrate 'Blackness' are not carnival-ing like the UK ... I assume it’s the direct link to Africa historically, where as the UK had its colonies in the Caribbean?

Ever way food for thought!

Reply
Tricia Clarke link
3/16/2012 02:47:31 am

Hey Shakira! Thanks for the comment!

I guess I should make it very clear that I live in a pretty suburban, less diverse part of the US...so it almost like living in the country in the UK.

NY, ATL, Florida etc...big cities like that all have large Caribbean populations so they have their own carnivals and celebrate hard!

This is just my experience, in the little (but lovely) town that I'm in!

I'm not far from Baltimore & DC...both have carnivals in the summer too...so some cultural relief is not too far away! Lol!

Reply
Shakira
3/16/2012 03:20:45 am

OH! LOL Phew ... Can tell I have no clue! I did assume it was only your personal town, but then began to wonder! LOL

Go on girl start a carnival of Caribbean festival weekender of your own; include it in that Feb 14th 'race relations day' shocker! That I was also unaware of!

Keep up the good work!

Donna link
3/16/2012 02:25:31 am

As a fellow Brit in the US ,albeit NYC,I already learned a few new things that I never knew before. I never knew that the US gave the Visas for extraordinary abilities for Djs! Just a sign that if you have the will, the US gives you the way...and I did not know that you were born in Guyana! Anyways..keep up the good work and I will definetly be sharing your blog with the other Brits that I know in the US<3

Cheers Mate! <-- I just thought Id say that as no american seems to "get" those Britisms.

Reply
Tricia Clarke link
3/16/2012 02:49:32 am

Hey D!

You learn something new everyday!

Thanks for commenting and thanks for sharing!

Cheers to you too! Lol!

Reply
Laura
3/16/2012 02:28:03 am

Really interesting read Tricia, in my ignorance I assumed the US to have all the Caribbean food, hair products, music etc in abundance, just like London. I guess you better stock up on your next trip home :0).

As for the big St Patrick's Day celebrations, it's got to be due to the Guiness!

Reply
Tricia Clarke link
3/16/2012 02:53:17 am

Laura, thanks for commenting!

I know, a lot of people, outside of the US, assume the whole country is like New York. But there's not too much diversity in middle America.

But, these are just my experiences...coming from a big city to this particular small town. Ask someone in Miami and they'd probably have completely different ones.

Yes, they should rename it 'Guiness Day!'

Reply
Dali
3/21/2012 12:16:09 pm

I think you make a great point about St. Patrick's Day. I had never heard some of the holidays you mentioned and it would be pretty cool to celebrate them. It would be something refreshing to the "American Culture" whatever that really means.

Reply
Tricia
3/29/2012 09:14:36 am

Hi Dali, thanks for the coment!
I totally agree!

Reply
Henry Rivrera
4/16/2012 03:33:25 am

Tricia,

I was reading a comment you made about there not being a lot of diversity in middle america, but you know middle america is a long way away from us. here on the east cost there is plenty of diversity. I grew up in the Silver Spring area of MD and I think if you had a chance to go down there you would see that it is very diverse, if you tried going to places like Adams Morgan, you would find yourself surrounded by different cultures. Even if you were to go to specific areas in Baltimore you would be able to see how close to diversity we are. I know that here in Harford county it all seems one sided to put politely but it's not that way if you just travel south bound a bit. just my two sense.

Reply
Tricia
4/16/2012 04:59:00 am

Hey Henry!

You are right...lots of areas in Baltimore and closer to DC are very diverse. When I first moved here we were in Laurel and I have family in Bowie and other places.

I was really just referring to the city I live in and my immediate neighbourhood. After what I've grown up with, travelling 30 mins to Baltimore to find the best products for my hair or authentic Caribbean seasonings is a little too much sometimes! It's the fact I have to travel to it that can be frustrating when it was so readily available in London.

Thanks for your comment! x

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    Tricia Clarke

    I'm a British event planner and journalist turned Soccer Mom!
    I moved to America in 2005 and blogging about the experience of going from big city life, to suburban motherhood keeps me sane!

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