Neither Here Nor There-Indo Caribbean Diaspora | Shades of U.S.

Through the stories of three community activists in the Indo-Caribbean community of Queens, this episode explores a group identity that began with indentured servitude in the Caribbean and now finds its way through new generations.
(Frist Air Date: 04/16/2020)
When you take a look in the mirror, what do you see? Shades of U.S. is a series, that focuses on race and ethnicity through people’s’ journeys of self-identity. It explores multiracialism at a time when the country's population is shifting drastically. The subject's personal stories are a microcosm of the United States own struggles with racial politics.
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SHUS02004

[@aniskashiwram1613]

Majority of Indian don’t know our history and Guyana has 46%Indians descent

[@Sahil-ph1bp]

As an Indian American I love my Indian Carribean brothers and sisters, at the end of the day we really are just one massive Indian diaspora and we are connected forever.

[@vaishnavnegi9640]

My people have suffered not only in the subcontinent but were also dragged over 2 continents and oceans to compound to it. Yet their resilience outshone their perils. Long live Bharat and its children.

[@shaktir5309]

Best attempt I’ve seen at explaining who Indo-Caribbean’s are and where we come from. Growing up in Orlando, I was there when the Indo-Caribbean community was extremely small and no one understood who I was. I remember being made fun of when my packed lunch for school was roti and pumpkin, or when people would be like you mean Ghana- no fool Guyana- and I most definitely remember saying I’m Indian but not Indian. So I get the statement “neither here or there”. As for the bridging the gap with India, I think it would be great for a more peaceful world, but in my opinion it’s like fighting for acceptance from a community that turned their nose at us. Growing Up I saw first hand my parents and then later on had my own experiences where East Indians in the Orlando area completely disrespected, did not accepted or looked down on us when they heard my family was Guyanese. I remember being in college and a good friend, who I know did not mean any harm, said “If only you were Guju you’d be perfect for my family “ and to this day I can’t help but think sooo because I’m Guyanese I’m not good enough. Over the years I’ve seen the term Indo-Caribbean pick up popularity and I see how the younger West Indian generations hold on to our Indo-Caribbean culture and I love it. To bridge the gap between Indo-Caribbean and East Indians would be wonderful but at the same time I’m very proud to be Indo-Caribbean and have no desire to have that change so it fits the mold of being “Indian”. Today when asked, I say my ancestors are from India. But I am Indo-Caribbean.

[@ramloganfracic5761]

You are born for a purpose. Our ancestors suffered immensely. Congratulations and continue your work Blessings OmNamaste. Viewing from the French island St Martin in the Caribbean.

[@pavitrajaimungal1889]

Thank you for this historic and important documentary on East Indians of the Caribbean living in the US. Glad to know that many East Indians living in the big US still maintained their indian culture.

[@dubiouswords7851]

India is not one culture. Most indo-Caribbean people’s ancestors are from Bhojpuri speaking areas of the present day provinces of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. But most Indians coming to North America these days are from other communities - Punjabis , Gujaratis, Marathas,, Bengalis, Tamils, etc. So one cannot expect any sense of familiarity from these groups to long lost Bhojpuris who are now more Caribbean and/or Westernized than anything.

[@arambhhaiprachand]

I hve never beeen to Caribbean but cricket connected me to indian Caribbean and their journey is very fascinating. I love their culture and tradition they have managed to retain indianness. Hats off. I am a chef based in Uk and opened a Caribbean restaurant. I love you all and we all are connected and together. ❤️

[@jmartin4204]

I am quater Indian from Trinidad paternal side and Muslim I was brought up Christian either way proud to have Indian and Muslim as part of my background and my family loves us all unconditionally

[@Nxyphoenix]

This is amazing , thank you so much everyone involved in documenting this . Definitely so beautiful to acknowledge our heritage and that we are not alone and to learn more about our history as well as modern day presence . So much relation to this . When I lived in queens during highschool , it was the best experience . Many desi classmates connected with me and helped expose me to other aspect of Indian culture . Grew up around so many diverse cultural ethnic roots , and it was hard to explain to people growing up plus , I didn’t know much about origins as well . So excited that there is community . This resonates so much and I’m glad and looking forward to connecting further . 🙏🙏🙏💖

[@anesiaandrews214]

Who else is here because of the Caribbean Civ assignment?

[@djsal7769]

in Fiji we have a big Indian community and the culture is very similar to Trinidad

[@tc2334]

14:05

[@fijianz1]

The Fiji 🇫🇯 indian Community came under the indentured system and carry on their traditions just like the Caribbeans. Almost half left for new zealand, Australia, USA, Canada and some in UK after the political turmoil of 1987 in Fiji. Fiji Indians are proud of their heritage and say they are Fiji indian no matter which part of the world they live in. Fiji is now more excepting and has matured as a nation and acceptable of all races namely the Indians. So pleased to see this video

[@aniskashiwram1613]

We never Indians enough,we never Guyanese enough Sucks we lost our language

[@rin8500]

I love this sm!

[@0230Raveena]

True. I'm Guyanese but left when I was really young. I get so offended at the term "white washed" but at the same time, there is such a thin line. I agree with you. I'm not Indian enough or Guyanese enough and I look middle eastern. There is such a conflict of identity, like living on the edges of all these cultures but never being fully assimilated. But That's where the future is heading, if not already. There will come a time when people are so mixed and multicultural that it would be a non-issue.

[@gatheringleaves]

I have an almost obsessive interest with Indo-Caribbean narratives and history because up until a few years ago it was something I knew almost nothing about because there are no movies or tv shows or really any famous books fiction or non fiction which focuses on it, and yet it makes up such a large part of the Caribbean diaspora and culture in places like, not only Guyana and Trinidad but also Grenada, Belize, Jamaica, St. Vincent and even Antigua and Barbuda that I feel it should be more well known. Growing up in the states I am already well versed in how bad the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade was and the intricacies and horrors that came with it as well as the relationships and culture which arose from that in the United States alone. But I didn't know until fairly recently in my life that most of the slaves didn't even go to the United States they went to Brazil in South America! I also didn't know that after slavery African indentured laborers came to the Caribbean from places like Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Saint Helena. It sometimes feels as though the powers that be are trying to push this history under the rug because they want to push some sort of agenda.

[@renithabechan7262]

Very similar to South African Indians....S.A also had an indentured system.

[@_checosb1tch_236]

in Trinidad and Guyana it’s always blacks against Indians, this needs to change. Majorly in politics it’s always these two races against each other