..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

[Tigrrr]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

Black Star, that was one of the coolest posts I have seen in a while. I can now go outside and enjoy di weather because di board is safe inna di hands of di cool. You're so groovy that I dig YOU! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[bandido1]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

This is a very interesting/enlightening thread for sure. I have never allowed myself to "see" others through the eyes of others. I let my own personal experience with people teach me about those people, and even then I try to be careful not to lump people into groups. Each individual is different! Years ago when I worked for Westinghouse Corporation, part of my job required that I make periodic visits to Puerto Rico to conduct audits. From my visits I learned that Puerto Ricans are some of the warmest, most open people that I have ever worked with; just like other caribbean peoples. I have friends right here in Philadelphia who, if you should listen to them, believe that Puerto Ricans are the worst people to interact with! What ignorance! I was so enchanted by my Puerto Rican experience that years later I have many lasting friendships on the island; my wife and I even spent our honeymoon in San Juan.

The bottom line is that people are people , and anywhere you go there will be idiosynchracies(sp) that keep people distrustful, or even envious, of others.

[diamond26]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Xks:

"Sad thing is, our perceptions tends to become our reality.. If you treat a man like a brute, dont be surprised if he starts acting like one."

I have to agree with you. When I first came to the US, I was so happy to meet other Caribbean Islanders since I felt that we had so much in common. I was naive to the fact that they did not like us. They would always tell me that I don't act like a Jamaican and I was very offended by this. Can someone really tell me what a Jamaican "acts" like? When I joined the Caribbean Students Association in college, one Trini girl went as far as saying that Jamaicans and Haitians are just alike and are at the bottom of the ladder. These comments made me even more proud to be a Jamaican.

Nowadays, everywhere I go I make it my duty to inform people that I am Jamaican. Even during Malvo's incident, I was still telling people that I am a proud JAMAICAN. So to tell you the truth, yes, I'm probably one of those proud and arrogant Jamaicans.

[Pepper]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

While growing up I was told, Pepper, you are Jamaican. You should be proud of your heritage. Our people are beautiful, smart, hard working, top scholars, great athletes, good cooks, etc. I believed it then and still believe it now. I am Jamaican, I am fabulous, and my people are faboulous.

Some may call this arrogance, I call it high self esteem. Many Jamaicans grow up hearing "whatever you do, make sure you are best" For a small island, Jamaicans have made some stellar achievements. We always strive to be on top. However, this applies to the good and the bad. Top scholars, top athletes and top criminals.

Jamaicans get more coverage (good and bad) than the other caribbean islands. If other caribbean islands dislike that, instead of grumbling, they can take it upon themselves to get out there and do things that will get them in the spotlight. (hopefully only good things)

Other islands are just as stunning as Jamaica, but the reason Jamaica is a top tourist destination is because of the people who live on the island. We want it, we go for it and we get it. Anyone else can do the same. I have posted this several times, I love the beaches of Jamaica, but so far, from travels to other islands, USVI has the nicest beaches. But I wasn't crazy about the 'niceness' of the people.

Am I arrogant because I am proud of where I come from and I think my people are fabulous? I think not. Everyone should feel the same about themselves and their people.

[CeaBee]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

In addition to not being particularly fond of calypso.. I can't even pretend to like rock, gangsta rap or Jazz...does this mean that I am close-minded? insular? arrogant? ..or just someone with selective tastes and an extremely small collection of cds? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[evanovitch]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

Originally posted by bajanyardie:
[qb] Leh me preface dis comment wid a likkle background.
I think I have a both-perspectives answer to this, cos I'm both- Jamaican and 'other West Indian'- Barbadian.
To be honest, I've lived in Barbados most of my life, but I went to university in JA and it was the best time of my life. I loved it and I love JA- my wonderful, dreadful, schizo other island. :love:

But! Jamaicans are bloody arrogant.
No lotta long talk, no sugar-coating it, I telling wunna plain. Jamaicans can be very arrogant, tend to be condescending, especially of the other smaller islands and they tend to be insular no rhatid. The insularity is not neccesarily Jamaicans' fault, because geographically they are far from the rest of the English speaking C'bean. It ent like here in de E.C. where we can hop a plane and reach another island in half hour and there is a lot of back and forth between the islands.

But! Jamaicans still tend to look north before they look south- even reading the Gleaner and the Observer, one of the things that used to frustrate me was how little C'bean news there was compared to what I was used to 'back home'.

Jamaicans tend to be woefully uninformed and often close-minded about the culture of the other islands in the Caribbean and it galls the rest of us (or dem) because we are in tune with JA culture. Dancehall music does be licking down every day in we part and then when we go a session in Kingston, if u hear de yardie dem cuss and gwan bad if soca play for 2 seconds. It's insulting.

Another reason why many other West Indians are not thrilled by yardies- you have to admit it is true that almost as much as Jamaicans make the Caribbean 'look good' by their accomplishments, they make it 'look bad' by their misdeeds... and more yardies out deh misdeeding (i know it ent a word) [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] than other nationalities, but people 'up north' will categorise all West Indians as Jamaicans... and often it ent in a complimentary way.

And last of all...Jamaicans can be damn unfriendly. Not all, especially not country people, but Kingstonians especially I find dem hard man! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70361-embarassed.gif[/img] Perhaps it is that the reality of Kgn has made them unfriendly and cold, but when I came from the E.C. and I walk pun de road and say 'good morning' to people and dem look me back in my face and pass me like a full bus... I was shocked. Coming from smaller islands, we're used to people making eye contact with you on the road so they can greet you. In Kingston, people just... look pon yu, but dem nuh say NUTTEN!

I say this with all the love, because I have many Jamaican friends and family but it is all true, true, true and that is why a lot of other West Indians tend not to like yardies.

Just look at some of the comments on this board- they are so typical. 'Dem jealous a we cos we have fame and reputation' and rae, rae,rae... When I used to get this in JA, I used to just bite my lips and hold strain cos if mi did leggo pon dem bout why mi coulda neva jealous of JA as a Barbadian and why it should be the other way around, it woulda come off as cruel. Cos de things Jamaicans tell other West Indians they should be jealous of are essentially superficial- the cultural/athletic accomplishments of others, not the social/political accomplishments of the society on the whole like... say, Barbados. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

awoah! dis lang... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] [/qb]

is funny but in my frequent trips down the chain, it is hard to believe that Jamaica has not been transported to these islands....every jack thing is a copy of wat is thought to be Jamaican

Bajans still feel dem is British, Trinis not sure wat to believe, and the smaller places trying to piggy back on the success and name recognition of Jamaica

sounds harsh but is the reality....every festival, every thing is a copy of wat was started in Jamaica, so come off this Jamaica is arrogant....

wat has happened is that because of geographical location, people found it easier to reach us in Jamaica....

the other islands were retirement offposts for expats who dictated the mood of the islands...
is juss now dem a adopt 'their' essence

Barbados was hell fi law school....pure unmitigated helllllllllllllll.....place boring as heck...hope it has changed

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

Originally posted by BlackStar:
[qb] Good thread - interesting and honest views being presented without fighting! Wow!!

What I can conclude from this is that we shouldn't let other people's preconceptions define us. We are not all insular, arrogant, criminal types. Just as people from the EC are not all cosmopolitan, modest, law-abiding citizens.

On the other hand, we do have a lot to learn from places like Barbados, where the crime rate is much, much lower and they are more successful in running the economy and public policies in general. Saying Bajans (or Trinis or Grenadans) are jealous is damn foolishness.

BTW, coolbeans*, I am so with you on the preference for reggae. Soca gives me a headache. [/qb]

Jamaica does not need to learn nothing from Barbados or anywhere else that have low crime.
Sociology teaches that It is the other way around. Jamaica was where those countries are presently,and has 'progressed, yes progressed,like happened in the developement process in every other country that have achieved 'developed' status. They all had their peripod of wanton murder,with the wild west,and rRobin Hoods period of al othe countries.
It all resul;ted from sppression of the people's ambition. That is what has happened.it will happen in all thoise countries in the future, unless they learn from the Jamaican experience,and correct their economic faults
T..because the underlying problems in Jamaica existe,even to a much greater extentin those countries.
Back to the topic though.
AS a Jamaican I avoid opportunoties where gatherings include people from the Caribbean,because my experiences is that those that I have interacted with in the past,even when they are depemdendant on my services,carries a very strong resentment of my status,as a Jamaican.
They seem to always have to apologise for statements they make in my presence,about Jamaicans.
I don't resent,or evendislike them. I pity them,for allowing their ignorance to rob them of the abillity to emlighten themselves about Jamaicans.
The reason why I avoid them is that,I can afford to do so,and I will mot submit myself to any uncomfortable situation (yes I find it uncomfortable to listen to people making negative,baseless remarks about),or my country.I experience enough discomforts,in the process of practicing my profession,but I'm paid. So I can't afford to avoid those situations,but where I am not paid,is a no..no.
I even make excuse not to take part as a bolunteer,in Caribbean Heakth screenings.

[damask]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

Well I will say this, I love me some jamaicans, I think jamaicans have more flavour, more spice to their ice, more style to their walk and so much more exhuberance doing their stuff. but then that is just my opinion

Some friends from other islands are always warning me off jamaicans, you know the usual steretypical stuff and for the most part I think it is just envy. Keep on keeping on ya Jamaicans [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

There are posters on this board that because they are jamaicans I will open their post because I know I will get a good laugh, just thier specific brand of humour, someone else says the same stuff and it so bland no likkle flavour, just boring as hell [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] Jammie galang same wey so,oonu no change oonu spicy caan doan [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Guest]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

every festival, every thing is a copy of wat was started in Jamaica,

Like 'Jouvert' in Trinidad?

[CeaBee]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

yeah we copied that "carnival" ting from Trinidad- no doubt...shows that we (all a dem Jamaicans except me- I guess) *are* open to music other than reggae...doesn't it?

[Boricua_papi]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

Originally posted by BlackStar:
[qb]

every festival, every thing is a copy of wat was started in Jamaica,

And where did Jamaica get the inspiration for these festivals - Africa mixed with the traditions of the Taino Indians and even the europeans. It is short sighted to claim oneself as the starting point of a given culture. [/qb]

[damask]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

Barbados was hell fi law school....pure unmitigated helllllllllllllll.....place boring as heck...hope it has changed

still boring as

[Boricua_papi]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

Originally posted by damask:
[qb]

Barbados was hell fi law school....pure unmitigated helllllllllllllll.....place boring as heck...hope it has changed

still boring as [/qb]

Well, you are there to study, not to party.

[damask]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

Originally posted by Juss plain ole B_P:
[qb]

Originally posted by damask:
[qb]

Barbados was hell fi law school....pure unmitigated helllllllllllllll.....place boring as heck...hope it has changed

still boring as [/qb]

Well, you are there to study, not to party. [/qb]

BP, I was not there to study, strictly to vacation go back and read Evanovitch post plus gulang ga plan yu wedding from now I want some jamaican oxtail [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[evanovitch]

Re: ..reality check.. does other west indians really despises Jamaicans?..

Originally posted by BlackStar:
[qb]

every festival, every thing is a copy of wat was started in Jamaica,

Like 'Jouvert' in Trinidad? [/qb]

oh please, is juss Byron in him ole age a try a ting fi mek more millions

but u notice seh is di ongle one u could draw fah...

nuff said