West Indians and Southern Black Folks - Jamaica Talk

southernbelle · #1 (**permalink**) 02-27-2004, 04:20 PM

Hey Ya'll -

Would like some Jamaican inside and perspective from Island brothas and sistahs.

Unless this is just me living in New York- has anyone else noticed the high rate of inter-cultural marriages and relationships between West Indians (Jamacians for sure) and Southernerns in America?

I moved to New York and never seen so many West Indians in one spot, Brooklyn is the place to see the African Disporta - No Doubt. But of course I'm loving it. But something that occurred to me one day while just kind of taking it all in - is that these two groups of folks seem to really like each other. Mad friendship seem to get formed immediately.

Most of my friends and sorors are either southern, west indian, or puerto rican - though people keep thinking i'm domincan and I'm really African American w/ a southern Texas accent. (lol) I guess I should learn spanish.

But for real - does anyone have any input on perhaps why this could be?

Tia · #2 (**permalink**) 02-27-2004, 04:46 PM

my spot isn't as ethnic as i would want it to be so i haven't seen very much of that here in indiana. coincidentally, i have a collegue from alabama who has a sister that married a jamaican.

Samba · #3 (**permalink**) 02-27-2004, 10:00 PM

Maybe their history makes them understand each other better.

paz · #4 (**permalink**) 02-28-2004, 08:45 PM

Prehaps we are finally realizing there's more to keep us together than there is to keep us apart. Samba said it better "ONE WORLD ONE PEOPLE"

paz · #5 (**permalink**) 09-01-2004, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernbelle

Hey Ya'll -

Would like some Jamaican inside and perspective from Island brothas and sistahs.

Unless this is just me living in New York- has anyone else noticed the high rate of inter-cultural marriages and relationships between West Indians (Jamacians for sure) and Southernerns in America?

I moved to New York and never seen so many West Indians in one spot, Brooklyn is the place to see the African Disporta - No Doubt. But of course I'm loving it. But something that occurred to me one day while just kind of taking it all in - is that these two groups of folks seem to really like each other. Mad friendship seem to get formed immediately.

Most of my friends and sorors are either southern, west indian, or puerto rican - though people keep thinking i'm domincan and I'm really African American w/ a southern Texas accent. (lol) I guess I should learn spanish.

But for real - does anyone have any input on perhaps why this could be?

I thought this was an interesting post by Southernbelle, it didn't receive much of a response, what's your take? ...

When I lived in the states the neighborhood was Spanish, Italian, Black and Jewish, we isolated ourselves by language and/or skin color (maybe fear for fear itself... what a lost

)

angelker · #6 (**permalink**) 09-01-2004, 11:09 PM

this is because the culture is similar

Blingee$ha · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2004, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernbelle

Hey Ya'll -

Would like some Jamaican inside and perspective from Island brothas and sistahs.

Unless this is just me living in New York- has anyone else noticed the high rate of inter-cultural marriages and relationships between West Indians (Jamacians for sure) and Southernerns in America?

But for real - does anyone have any input on perhaps why this could be?

A lot of reasons....

#1. If a man of any culture finds himself in an area where he's only around people of other races and cultures then that's who he's probaby going to end up with.

#2. Sometimes guys just get curious about different types of women and they want to experience that. They sometimes en up falling for a person and then mariage comes later..

#3. Hate to say it but a lot of guys, not only West Indian guys, a lot, come from other countries and just buck up with someone who is easy CON! So for example.. if they want to look after IMMIGRATION papers... they look fo someone who they can con into marrying to become a citizen

More than that.. people are people and no matter what colour, or culture you're dealing with... people fall in love!

JaGoBi · #8 (**permalink**) 09-02-2004, 04:25 PM

I hear ya Angel, I feel the same way. Generally speaking our cultures are similar, especially in how we're raised... values, manners, etc.

Just a newbie's 2 cents y'all...