It seems that lately there has been a lot of political squabbling within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) especially between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia. The latest squabble has been between Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and Minister of Tourism Senator Allan Chastnet of St. Lucia over access of air carriers to their territories. While I know I am more than well equipped to discuss this issue, I will save my two cents for another day.
With the OECS Economic Union coming into force in January 2011, one would think that the governments of the Eastern Caribbean would try to work more closely together. This however does not seem to be the case. It seems as if the talk is just that, TALK. But it seems among the OECS students of the University of the West Indies, there is a movement of integration and I just happened to experience it firsthand.
Last semester I met a young St. Lucian by the name of Laurina who just happened to go to the same church as I do. A friendship developed as we not only shared similar religious views but were related by geographical location and a better understanding of each other’s culture (I had been exposed to St. Lucia by my time in the airline industry and had picked up one or two Lucian Creole sentences along the way.) There was also Iola who is a Dominican national who not only lives on the same cluster on my hall, but also majors in Media and Communication as I do. In addition she is a fantastic singer and a fashion enthusiast. Also there were the two Grenadians in my Communication Culture class, Norlene and Kwesi. Interestingly I knew Kwesi as he had lived in St. Vincent for a while after Hurricane Ivan as well as he dates an old work colleague of mine. There is Louis, an Antiguan with whom I take Portuguese. Majoring in International Relations, he hopes to work in the diplomatic corps and eventually lead his country.
Each of these persons represents a different country within the OECS. They come from varied backgrounds with different majors and different life interests. Yet there is one common factor that keeps us all talking and united: the fact that we are from the Eastern Caribbean. The Jamaican society tends to use the term ‘small islands’ to refer to the islands of the Eastern Caribbean and often try to belittle us because of our size. They assume that due to their size they are superior in everything and as such have a snobbish attitude towards us. For this situation we as ‘small island’ people have to band together.
It was great last semester to have students from the same geographical and cultural background in my class to understand and support the views that I expressed. The Grenadians were not only able to assist me in showing that outside of Jamaica there are other views but they also had my support for their points. By exercising that integration, we were not only able to help bring across our points but counteract a lot of the misconceptions held by our Jamaican colleagues. I was extremely happy when we could propose examples which were non-Jamaican and show their relevance within a Jamaican and Caribbean context.
Portuguese is always interesting with Louis. I had been to Antigua several times and have a familiarity with the island. This aided not only in conversation but in working together to present the Eastern Caribbean culture in the Portuguese context. It’s interesting that our islands have descendants from labourers who migrated from the Portuguese island of Madeira. By working together we have been able to show our colleagues the similarities and differences of the islands in the Caribbean.
Then there is my favourite part of life, the food. Being in Jamaica exposes you to a different type of cuisine. From the infamous jerk to the Sunday rice and peas to the national dish of Ackee and Salt fish with Breadfruit, there are so many dishes to engage your taste buds with. However there comes a time where you yearn for some great Eastern Caribbean food, whether it is bakes and salt fish or some good soup with cattle skin or just some steamed ground provisions with stew chicken. It’s great when we have friends from St. Lucia or Dominica who cook these dishes and though they may have slight variations. The offer of just green bananas and a piece of fried fish just makes me start to salivate. I have had my fill with bakes and salt fish since I have been here as my St. Lucian and Dominican friends not only make them regularly but make some of the best bakes I have ever even. The texts would come to bring the flour or provide the peppers and tomatoes to make the salt fish and one would only be more than happy to oblige. Nothing like a hot bake with salt fish cakes early in the morning or on a good night lime where we are ‘old talking’. The invitation to the celebration of the Independence anniversary of St. Lucia this week was topped with the serving of a breakfast of hot bakes and salt fish cakes with hot chocolate tea. The tea which was rich reminded me of Sunday morning when my grandmother would make a nice big pot and I would savour the flavour of the spices in my cup.
What’s the point of all this? We as persons from the Eastern Caribbean are aware of our small sizes and our limited resources. By working together not only in small settings but in larger ones we are better equipped to confront the challenges and portray and support ourselves on a regional and international level. While we may have differences, the old adage comes to mine which says “Divided we are conquered, United we stand.” And so I for one will continue to push for Integration as it not only keeps me happy but keeps my belly full!
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