We Don't Look Indian, So What? Rejecting Cultural Appropriation Fears to Create Our Identity

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Join Shan Boodram and Premika Leo as they discuss the complexities of Indian-Caribbean culture, identity, and legacy. After her mother Geeta dies from COVID, Premika is left shocked and in charge of their family's Indian dance company. Come listen to this powerful conversation between two women as they explore what it means to come of age in such a diverse community as well as the potential risks that can come with being Indo-Caribbean.
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therealpremshady

[@bigfoot890]

As an Indian-American growing up in the States and married to a non-Indian, I've realized that unless you're a 1st generation, it's pretty impossible to maintain "the culture" in a way that is inoffensive. Culture morphs with it's people and all we can do is honor the traditions we've learned and use it to gain community and perspective. My children won't look like me, but it's already devastating to think that people will gatekeep their culture just because of it. Sidenote, even before I learned about your heritage, I thought you looked like the bollywood actress Karishma Kapoor, so I wasn't surprised!

[@user-do1qf8rm7b]

Your culture is lost now. All they will do is plan an extravagant wedding and eat Indian food once every two weeks. They are American now. It’s ok though.

[@bigfoot890]

@@user-do1qf8rm7b I think that's a really reductive way to look at things...and honestly, comments like these create more anxiety about what it means to pass on culture. To someone looking in from the outside, they could sum up my life like you did. But culture isn't performative, it's a natural understanding of your roots and the shared "language" of your family. My kids will have a fundamentally different upbringing from their peers based on my and my husband's background and that's enough.

[@JoseKM247]

​@@user-do1qf8rm7bHindu Culture Ambassador is Modi not this pseudo feminist liberals

[@Cinematic_habits]

That gate keeping will make them creative

[@Serge-cm5my]

💯%, by the third generation. All cultural links pretty much die.

[@EdwardSanchezProductions]

Don’t be afraid to celebrate your culture

[@ruthannroberson7048]

My dad is Guyanese, my mom is Guyanese-Surinamese. My mom doesn’t acknowledge her father’s culture from Surinam all. And I don’t know anything about Guyana except the music they listen to and a few traditional dishes. I say that I am Guyanese-American, but feel completely removed from Guyanese culture. I wish with all my heart that I was able to feel more connected to the culture and land of my family’s birth…

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

Not her culture you apee

[@keekssss]

Funny thing is if you go to the Caribbean everyone there will be able to look at you and tell you are mixed with Indian. It’s only in America where you will feel people don’t see you as you are. When people in America think of mixed they only think of black and white. People from the Caribbean know what our demographic looks like. I’m half indo-Caribbean one of my parents is from Trinidad and this definitely resonates. Of course growing up in America I wasn’t Indian enough , and I wasn’t black enough either, sigh.

[@no.6377]

I was just about to say, I live in the Caribbean and everyone would just assume she's mixed with Indian.

[@shaffy856]

The One Drop Rule in the United States prevented people from being "mixed" it also forced the merging of people who were not of African origin to be classified as such.

[@observantsweetie]

That’s because mixed in the USA means mixed race not culturally mixed because we’re all culturally mixed (at least peoples born to the United States). People don’t necessarily acknowledge Asianess as a collective because within that race there’s also nuances of “blackness” and “whiteness “ ideology within that race also because blackness is not just “of Africa” for a lot of people and were seeing that white is not just exclusive to descendants of European Countries…. It’s extremely complex.

[@keekssss]

@@observantsweetie a person who has 2 African American parents is not the same as a person with 1 African American parent, and 1 Indian parent. The race of an Indian is Asian. The race of an African American is black. So how would that not make you bi-racial ? You ppl just say anything these days lol. Like I said in America you guys hear mixed and only think in black and white. From what you typed you are the perfect example of being brought up in a system of the one drop rule.

[@Lil08103]

​@@keekssssin general i agree with you but i don't think mixed is only thought of as blk and white. not with millions of south east asian and white mixed babies running around. but yes there is a blk white binary in the u.s. that makes us fixated on those two the most because of our tense histories

[@GeetikaDance-mz9jo]

It was so amazing having Shannon Boodram (and little Ryu) visit us at the studio! We appreciate the connections, knowledge and experiences you offered us, as well as allowing us to reflect on some fun memories! Thanks so much @shanboodram!!

[@MaisWay]

This is so great and so extremely beautiful in so many ways words cannot describe! The talk about culture, the dancing, your parents, loss of a parent. This is simply a beautiful moment and I'm so glad you did this 😍

[@shanboody]

Premika is a gift and I am so so glad to share her with my community

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

​@@shanboodyit's bc blacks appropriate the most with no consequences

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

@@shanboody I remember when you got embarrassed by your own fans when you tried to upload on Candace Owens. Keep the trend going shaniqua

[@hechovisto]

I’m not indo Carribean (I’m Pakistani-indian) but I just wanted to say thank you for this video! It was interesting learning about a different subsection of the diaspora. I also am sorry Shan about the conflicts you’ve felt about cultural participation due to being of mixed heritage. You are part of the community regardless, so screw the shitty people who try to make you feel otherwise

[@hechovisto]

Also sorry I had more to add: screw people who think there is only one way to look indian! If you think about it: what does that mean anyways? I feel like even south asian media in India itself focuses on one type of look whereas people from the northeast, south, etc all look different (in terms of features, skin tone, hair texture, etc). Sorry this is a mini rant but I wish more people showcased the vast diversity of what looks south asian

[@coffeewednesday553]

@@hechovisto I can tell you are from the UK because you say screw so much

[@hechovisto]

@@coffeewednesday553 nope, wrong country

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

​@@hechovistoabsolutely not. Blacks copy Indians 24/7 and are racist and ignorant. You don't see the opposite. They appropriate everyone

[@shivamsinghrawat9910]

Either u r pakistani or indian not both

[@mayabasquin]

“It’s hard to lose your soulmate.” 🥺 incredible interview. Deeply painful, yet your parents had the foresight to train you to be ancestors and now you’re doing the same. ❤️‍🩹

[@YochanaIrie_FineAppleStylez]

I love that you brought up this discussion because it seems like many people outside of the Caribbean aren’t even aware of the multiple ethnicities and cultures and races within the Caribbean. My sister is half Indo Caribbean and half black so those experiences are real for people.

[@dumfriesspearhead7398]

No they're not. The percentage of African-Caribbean to Indo - Caribbean is about half in Trinidad. Jamaica (and to a lesser extent Grenada) also have a smaller population of Indian descent. Jamaica has a small Chinese population as well (Naomi Campbell is quarter Chinese). Nicki Minaj is originally from Trinidad and is a quarter Indian, which is obvious from her surname.

[@YochanaIrie_FineAppleStylez]

@@dumfriesspearhead7398 Yeah people just don’t realize it! Like when I used to tell people in College that I was used to hearing Indian accents they were confused and I was like well I’m Caribbean and grew up around Caribbean people so I know a lot of Indo Caribbeans. And a lot of their parents had those accents. I actually knew someone from high school that has the same last name as Nicki Minaj, Miraj , and she was an Indo Caribbean as well.

[@sugarpop4642]

Can you make content on the indo Caribbean on the Indian diaspora to Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica and other Caribbean countries?

[@awkwardblerdgirl6650]

As someone who is neither Indian or Caribbean, I still appreciate this conversation.

[@ncokeke1958]

The “cultural appropriation” accusations that y’all get is just a disrespectful form of antiblackness. You are just as Indian as you are Black. Own that however you want.

[@dumfriesspearhead7398]

She's actually more Indian than African - Caribbean.

[@gatestimonymiracle1302]

​@dumfriesspearhead7398 why does she look like a typical biracial

[@shaffy856]

​@@dumfriesspearhead7398 There is no spectrum on ancestry stop it. People's aversion to mixed Black people stems from the One Drop Rule ans associating all Black and Carribean people with the African Continents. Being Black or African does make you less other.

[@sillau9]

​@@shaffy856what is you even on about

[@dumfriesspearhead7398]

@@shaffy856 Yes there is. My comment was correct. I don't understand what your issue is.

[@marcellamelville214]

Not Ryu reminding you she needs potty breaks 😭😭…..but seriously I’m so so proud of you Shan and your growth over the years. I feel like I have watched you blossom in front of my own eyes and it makes me feel so happy to see things come full circle with you carving out your own authentic space to reconnect with pieces of your family history. Im half Trini and I didn’t have the opportunity to grow up with Indo Caribbean culture despite my dad being half Indian. It’s hard to feel we have a right to celebrate the cultures that have shaped us or that maybe we have lost to history. So I’m so glad to see you come out into the light and share precious pieces of that culture with your daughter. Much love as always❤

[@melindanazim]

Being half Guyanese growing up in the Uk the moving to California I can Relate to this completely. I spent the first half of my life hiding my Guyanese - Indian culture and only recently I’m starting to embrace it. We should not be afraid to celebrate our unique backgrounds.

[@Priya-rf7ov]

I’m Indo Fijian, I’m grateful my forefathers chose to live in Fiji 🇫🇯. We have preserved our Indian heritage at the same very Fijian.

[@michellezevenaar]

Thank you for addressing this! My kids grandfather was Chinese via Suriname. They look just white because they look like me but they have the Asian last name. It confuses people. We try to include my husband's families culture in our life but definitely look different than others at the cultural celebrations.

[@mjones1187]

as a fully ethnically indian person, i take 0 offense to this. it is an honour to be able to embrace your culture, and im so excited personally that you are also of our culture! win for us XD keep learning and remember you deserve to feel a sense of home with indian culture too! ignore the rude things people have to say, they are too narrow minded.

[@user-tg5xk4kh3j]

Thank you so much Shan and Premika for this! It’s so powerful to have you claim your Indo-Caribbean culture and continue passing it down. Indo-Caribbean culture is so distinct but it IS Caribbean culture too❤

[@coffeewednesday553]

With respect, you look Indo-Caribbean

[@rejectionisprotection4448]

I think she looks more African Caribbean in her facial features. Her sister looks more Indo-Caribbean.

[@user-kn3or7wp6b]

She looks Dougla

[@jennTwaambo]

This was beautiful. I'm excited for you as you go through the journey into your culture

[@shanboody]

Thank you Jenn I am excited too

[@yancychery9621]

This resonates so deeply as a Haitian/Canadian following your footsteps to be a sexologist. Thank you so much for this conversation ❤🙌🏽

[@shanboody]

Yes!!! We need more of us doing the work this warms me

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

You're not Canadian. You're just African. You guys are so insecure and desperate to be something else or be somewhere else

[@BKnightwriter85]

I'm Nigerian/Indo-Guyanese and have battled with this too! Thank you for this discussion, I'm about to rep my heritage proudly regardless of what ppl say 💜

[@aaliyahraghnal]

My dad's family is Indo-Trinidadian so thank you for this!!!

[@lee48lee68]

My older sister is Indo-Trinidadian. She’s adopted and we all grew up in Canada. I really enjoyed this video.

[@arriek.1375]

as a black and indian person, i try my best to keep my culture alive.

[@sugarfreeproductions8519]

OUR PREMIKA LEO! So proud!!!

[@ShahidR82]

As a Canadian born desi, who's family is from East Africa, thing one thing i noticed is quite simple. When your any kind if desi living outside of your native land, every other desi there is one of us. Caribbean, East African, North American, etc. We all see each other as one and the same. ps. you both look Indian AF fyi lol.

[@ShahidR82]

@@Flowers-777 Ugandan

[@colleencoldwater4735]

Greetings from yaad (Jamaica). Shan, thank you so much for this video. I deeply connect with so much of these stories and sentiments. Much love and appreciation to everyone.

[@pwilson5625]

I just watch you and smile. I’ve been watching your channel since I was 18…I’m 28 now. I remember when you moved to LA(?) and were struggling, didn’t land your dream job, and felt under appreciated for your work. I especially remember a video of you recalling a toxic relationship and the line “it is not my fault that you’re f’d up” stayed with me as I experienced similar pain. Your advice and your story were so helpful for me as a young person navigating dating, sex, and pursuing my dreams. Now I look at you and you’ve authored books, your podcast is thriving, married with children, several television appearances. It’s just so beautiful to watch you continue to flourish.

[@musicneurons7807]

That toddler is Ryu????! Children really grow as quick as a blink.

[@valerie6336]

be unapologetically mixed. I tell mixed people biracial people to not feel pulled by outsiders who use your mixe heritage to advance their personal cause. I am not mixed, but being mixed of particular cultures are these unique people and it's okay

[@kakumee]

Thank you so much for this! I am mixed (white, Japanese, Inuit*Greenlandic* and native American) I was raised outside my culture by white "parents" (my mixed parents passed away when I was very young) IV been really struggling with this lately. Thank you for posting your journey! Qujanarussuaq!( Thank you very much!)

[@catmangrove]

Beautiful story. This is your culture too and you are honoring it. Thank you for sharing more about this side of yourself. 1st generation Caribbean-Americans are tasked with a unique charge to preserve the culture of their parents. It is wonderful that you are being so intentional about this job. Very relatable. It was so heartwarming to hear from Premika Leo and to learn about the legacy her mother left behind. Premika is carrying on this tradition with grace. Also side note: your wedding dress was lovely and you all look amazing in the Indian dresses. Also, I saw that curry and roti in the beginning which makes me want to stop at my local Guyanese spot right now 😭!

[@pilarmt9210]

I am indo Caribbean Guyanese and New Orleans creole so I know all about not fitting in lols! Thanks for this❤, 🙏🏾.

[@Sadji594]

I so agree. I have little girl and little boy and my parents are Jamaican and where I live I don't really participate in a lot of the Caribbean things. And then my husband is Bahamian and Cuban and even though we cook food sometimes and his mom speaks Spanish in the house. But we still don't get to live in the culture like I used to when I lived in Florida

[@zsalim101]

as a fellow indian girl, I love seeing you embrace this side of your culture!!!

[@premikaleo2002]

Thanks for having me on!❤next time I’m giving you a chart reading

[@anandarogers8631]

I'm half white & Thai and struggle to represent my Thai heritage because I haven't been connected to Thai culture since I was a kid and I look more white than Thai so I can understand some of your struggle. But I have been wanting to get back in touch with it more lately and this may be the push I need ✨

[@Appleboo222]

So glad you’re talking about this! I feel like a lot of Indians from India that move to the UK have no idea about Caribbean Indians and they almost bully those people for saying they are Indo-Caribbean they can’t understand whereas everyone understands that black Caribbeans have African heritage with their Caribbean culture which is similar but still different to African culture.

[@impactfully5714]

I love this conversation 💕 our experience is very similar to yours ❤️ I’m a Afro Guyanese mama with a mixed son(Tatar Russian husband) We have been on a journey of learning and sharing our cultures with our son.

[@Haye_you]

This was such a beautiful and important conversation, I love that you want to get your girls exposed to the culture while still staying true to your values. As a first generation American, I truly appreciate being exposed to my culture from a young age. Your girls will truly appreciate the exposure and conversations ❤

[@lunahestiasolaria]

my prem

[@PfEMP]

I really loved this episode. I wish I had the opportunity to take part in my other culture that's not around me as a child like you did Shan. And it's super nice that you are thinking of passing it on to Ryu & Xya, I think it's important. Much love xx

[@EdwardSanchezProductions]

Thank you for sharing your culture with us Shan

[@adaaleide]

omg i’m so happy you collabed with premika!!!!! ahh this is lovely, i had no idea you grew up with her, i feel like i’ve been following her for ages. the city is happy to have you back shan🫶🏽

[@Social_Pugatory]

I didn’t know what your cultural background was but now that you’ve said it, I can see them all in your features. Loved this vid. We should be able to respectfully embrace ALL OF OURSELVES not only in the ways all these systems and -isms have us believe we must based on phenotype.

[@Ilikefrogs..]

I'm a Jamaican girl, Black and Indian ancestry (technically Indo-Caribbean, I guess) and I've been having this same conversation with myself when it comes to me and my daughter. Internally I feel so proud of that (and every) part of my heritage. But listening to people (both Indian and white) talk about Indian culture and people makes me feel so weird and sad about wanting to participate in it.

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

Exactly. You know Indians have it way harder

[@Sukhjeet2022]

If you are Indian then you can partake in it. Why don’t you learn the language and learn the history of South Asia. Our culture is more than clothes and jewelry and dance and music. People who wanna partake in it usually only do those things because they wanna dress up. Before you do that….take up a hobby. Learn about your roots. Get a history book…learn the language….talk to Indian people

[@trini2DBone134]

​@@chauvintookaknee4blm268you again? go away with your racism somewhere else 🙄

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

@@trini2DBone134 my country, go to Africa sweety, then speak

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

@@trini2DBone134 debate me, or tell boody to, go ahead

[@SamriBliss]

Been waiting for this! Thanks for sharing your heritage with the web

[@elleroLUV]

THANK YOU for this Shan!!! Omg I got so emotional because I have had these same sentiments of not fitting the mould since i was a kid, I'm now 25. Feeling like if I do engage people will think I'm appropriating especially outside of Jamaica because as you guys said in the video their is a sharing of culture and everyone is aware of who's mixed with what even if you don't "look it". I also live in Alberta so I don't have an Indo-Caribbean community I can lean on or access. I hope I can grow the courage to just wear my saree if I wish and go about my business. Much Love

[@elleroLUV]

I'm so sad because this video just made me realize how much I want this!

[@keekssss]

I’m half indo- Caribbean, one of my parents is from Trinidad. It’s only in America where you will feel like this. People in America, including Indian Americans, when they think of mixed they only think of black and white. If we go to the Caribbean everyone there would be able to tell we are mixed, they know how diverse our demographic looks because the Caribbean is largely black and Indian.

[@rejectionisprotection4448]

​@@keekssssIt is indeed with a little bit of Chinese.

[@PS-ej2xn]

Wow! As an Indian who knew nothing about this subject, I am fascinated by your conversation. Somehow, extremely proud of you all.

[@Search4Cherise]

I love this conversation as a multicultural woman myself, not through biological heritage, but through cultural upbringing. I was born in Germany, raised during my most formative years in Hawaii - but I have a Dad from Jamaica Queens, NY & a southern SC/GA Mom lol. & I’m Black, racially & ethnically. I never really fit in to any of these cultures, but all of them are a big part of who I am. It’s known as being at “TCK” Third Culture Kid. It can be a lot…. & now I’ve married a first generation Mexican American man. & I too think about how will this impact our future children. 😅 I feel you, Shan! 🤍

[@TabJoy7]

OMG, this! I'm a black woman my mom was mixed, but presented as a black woman (everyone thought she was Cuban for some reason) and my dad (stepdad) is Mexican American. It was hard because I identified strongly with Hispanic culture. I was always proud of my blackness, but culturally, I didn't connect with much in American Black culture beyond a few influential women and music (not hip hop). I was called white girl when I moved to metro Atlanta as a teenager. People would always ask why I spoke Spanish and they'd ask why I felt connected to Hispanic (esp Mexican) culture despite it not being in my blood. I always say it's because it's in my soul. Funny thing is my brother and sister who have Mexican blood don't speak Spanish and they identify much more with black culture. It's very interesting. Now living abroad and raising my black daughter who is multi-lingual and influenced by multiple cultures, my most important goal is to ensure she has a clear sense of self and a high amount of self-esteem and self-love.

[@Search4Cherise]

@@TabJoy7 you are a great Mom! & thank you for sharing! We are not alone lol!

[@TabJoy7]

@@Search4Cherise thank you! I wish you the best wherever you are on your journey! 😊

[@user-kn3or7wp6b]

People forget culture is also ethnic. People of the same ethnicity can be from different races

[@Search4Cherise]

@@user-kn3or7wp6b yes!!!

[@audreyjackson7379]

Not Indian, am distantly Caribbean but I identify and was mostly raised as a Black/African American. Appreciate the video ❤ I love learning about other peoples cultures and grew up around so many cultures(east coast of the us). As the world becomes more blended I hope people can still be able to hold onto distinct aspects of their cultures; that can only happen if we get rid of this idea of what people from certain cultures are supposed to look like. Otherwise people will continue to mix, and the gate keeping people do will eventually kill off cultures.

[@francisimanuel8824]

I am Surinamese Dutch, but from my dad side supposedly there is some Indian via British Guyana. My mom is mixed with Chinese and Indonesian. But as a child I looked fully Indian and had many Indian Carribean and Pakistani friends. And at Indian weddings nobody blinked an eye. I treat people culturally the way they tell me that they culturally identify themselves. I tell people I am Blasian because I was culturally raised that way, the end.

[@elimo3901]

What a beautiful video, Shan! Maybe my favourite. And your friend is so beautiful, and I thank her for sharing her story and vulnerability. I deeply feel for her loss. As someone also part of the Caribbean culture with Trinidadian heritage, which because of circumstances I only got to know as an adult, knowing your culture is everything. It enriches your life, makes you have a better understanding of what you come from looking back and forward. It's something to be proud of. As a teacher I always encourage my students to embrace that side of themselves and celebrate it. Because of my life experiences being mixed, I'm initially drawn to the idea of the in-betweeness. It is so fascinating the way culture travels, expands and changes.

[@Dominique777]

I relate to this so much. It is hard to lose your soulmate 🙏🏾

[@shanboody]

I’m so sorry for your loss

[@WillieFordham]

OFF TOPIC: You look IDENTICAL to Lauren with straight hair.

[@atlsongbyrd6084]

🥺 This is so sad that the way people feel they aren’t excepted & they don’t wanna be alive anymore.

[@sweetashoneybabylove]

I think this was the best interview ever!

[@RaaniJ]

I love this episode! Might be my favorite, this coming from a New Yorker whose family comes from Guyana. Living in America I’ve learned early that it’s not about fitting in. Screw fitting it. I am who i am. I come from the family that I come from. Whoever doesn’t like it, oh well.

[@malibooyaw]

New York is unique to most of America in the sense that people are exposed to a wider range of different cultures on a daily basis.

[@RaaniJ]

@@malibooyaw True but there’s still a lot of ignorance here.

[@malibooyaw]

@@RaaniJ indeed. Can’t escape that.

[@Megan6772]

Ryu has gotten so big 🤩

[@hybridangel3403]

My Grandma is 3/4 Indian 1/4 Scottish the only Grandparent they were from Grenada her maiden name is actually Punjabi.

[@92spice18]

I’m Grenadian too but not indo-Grenadian. I believe my moms genetic makeup is west African and European, dad is west African and indigenous Grenadian. However, watching this video makes me appreciate how Indo-Caribbean culture is so embedded into the entire culture of Grenada. I wonder if Indo-Grenadians feel as much pressure as those in other countries with larger divides in African and Indian populations like Guyana and T&T?

[@hybridangel3403]

@92spice18 my mom said my Mom Said a Grandmas good friend was Indian but did not want her daughter to marry black. She was racist. Mad how close racism is.

[@raethebuilder]

I didn’t watch the video yet but you definitely look Indo-Caribbean to me!

[@jordilovesasn1230]

Such a beautiful conversation. Wish it was longer. ❤

[@eric8786_]

Thank you for sharing this part of your culture Shannon. Please continue to embrace it and share it with your family even if it’s just privately, I love the idea of more content on this topic, but I also understand that not everything is for the Internet.

[@diamoneyes3737]

As an indo-caribean woman...thank you for this

[@JW-qp9pr]

Had no idea you were Dominican 🇩🇲🇩🇲🇩🇲 love it.

[@Sukhjeet2022]

I’m very protective of my culture being South Asian and I do gatekeep (I think that’s the right term idk) because the way non south Asians try to come into our space and use it as a way to exoticize themselves or use it as a way to play Indian for a day or to use my culture as a fashion statement….it’s painful. However just because you don’t physically present as a South Asian…..doesn’t make you not South Asian. If you were educated in it, if you embraces it as a young person and took part in it and are genetically south Asian…..all this comes with having a South Asian parent….then of course you can do what we do because you are one of us. It’s not like you just found out you’re 2% Indian or something. I’ll give you an example of my neighbor. Her dad is from Goa, India. Her mom is Greek. She was nasty to me because I am hundred percent South Asian (specifically Indian). She would never claim South Asian heritage. She would say her dad is Portuguese not Indian. Until of course being a person of color became cool during the recent years…..she’ll claim it now. It bothers me very much because she said nasty racist stuff to me and my south Asian friends.

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

Exactly! This is the point. Blacks are the most racist but they want to copy everyone they hate. Asians, indians, whites. It's why no one likes them!

[@nataliep1528]

This was so beautiful. I feel for her. There is something core shaking about losing your mom. It is also amazing how much they of an impact we all have on one another. 💕

[@sianinaylea6694]

we love Toronto Shan and her content. RIP Greta

[@iheartigloos]

This was a beautiful.... As well as, I imagine, a very difficult conversation. Thank you for letting us be a part of it 🥰

[@themysticmodel]

I felt that in my heart when she mentioned how hard it was to lose her soulmate (her mom). Her reverence and love for her mother is so beautiful. May her mommy rest in peace and her memory continue to inspire people for generations to come. Thanks for sharing this episode, Shan. I just love listening to your perspective on topics even if they don’t directly apply to me. You’re doing great work!

[@Angelic414]

Thank you for making this! I subscribed to your channel after seeing you address the "controversy" around your wedding dress. Really appreciate the visibility and all your content as an indo-guyanese myself!

[@letstalkintersectionalinte7681]

Beautiful, my grandfather was West Indian Bajan to be exact, but never knew I was part East Indian until a 23 and me. Now I want to know more. I feel like it explains so much.

[@abdulazizclare9545]

My family is this mix talking about looks my father and myself not only get stopped by Indo Caribbean but by Eritrean, Sudanese, Somali and even South Yemeni as these people say we look like them. Traveling to NY going to T&T, Guyanese, Eritrean, Pakistani, Sudanese and Yemeni restaurants i have to say I am Jamaican. I remember my sister had to let Ethiopians know she is not Ethiopian.

[@kylaknight3655]

Thank you for sharing something so intimately personal. I’m so sorry Ms. Leo passed 😢

[@bellaa3903]

Loved thees last two videos. I love all of your videos. It's just the last two hit different.

[@stephaniewilliams8684]

I am also Indo Caribbean. I don’t know much about my culture because a lot of it was not passed on. I’m on a journey /quest to learn about this side of me. My family is from Belize and we are the entire 3% East Indian population of Belize. You Shan, are the first person I’ve fake met lol that I can identify with. I do not fit in visually with my Indian roots but my Mother and maternal Aunts and Uncles are all 100% Indian descent. I feel a bit uncomfortable embracing this side of me because I don’t look Indian and my hair is curly like yours but you give me hope and courage to walk in my truth. Thank you for sharing yours ❤

[@nehanandini1224]

I’m indo Fijian and I’m just so happy someone is talking about this

[@eric8786_]

We need lovers and friends hoodies Shan. Drop the link please.😊

[@spektr540hemi]

I love being a "Mutt" ! Red/Brown/White/Other, in that order %wise... Proud of all my ancestry.

[@vannesacolin2565]

Bring some indie Caribbean vibes to Maryland!!! Love this episode ❤

[@tanyajames2683]

Culture is skin deep. Own whatever makes you free

[@ritapalmer7590]

How come I am not seeing this. Love you guys!

[@victorial.6745]

Shan your videos have made me tear up today... Thank you both for sharing. Blessings and love to you guys 🩷

[@safeiael-jack740]

This was so beautiful - thank you for sharing and being vulnerable with your story 🤍

[@naalamptey-mills7811]

Love the curiosity + openness through which you approach topics

[@nadeinspired]

This is such an important conversation and I commend both of you for sitting down and talking about it! We have such a beautiful and rich culture so much to celebrate and carry on with future generations! 👏🏽💞

[@elegant.destiny]

This was beautiful. Appreciation of ones culture (whether your own or others) goes a long way. I believe that is the gift of living interculturally✨️

[@preciousmccullough109]

Beautiful interview, very well done and appreciated 🙏🏾

[@classassignment3643]

This is so great. My great grandparents and grandparents were both Indo Caribbean & my parents are Afro Caribbean. It’s not something I visibly enjoy because I don’t pheonotypically look Indo.

[@dakotac180]

Never be afraid to express you culture, most of us are related anyways. Maintaining culture is so important. Ryu is getting so big, they are too cute.

[@leonorpereira548]

Very sweet and heartwarming video

[@valerie6336]

I like this not your usual content but more relatable to me as a Haitian American my Kids are officially first generation

[@runwaygina]

Loved this! I’m Black, but I am a Modern Dancer and this resonates with me so much. Rest peacefully to your lovely teacher 🙏🏾

[@AliciaRodriguez_]

It makes me so sad that you are scared to celebrate your culture because people accuse you of cultural appropriation. 😢 Please continue celebrating whichever culture you feel close to your heart ❤

[@pamk1967]

This was Wonderful, Shan! Sharing yourself fully with your daughters so they know who you and they are ,on your Dad's side, is a gift that is a Blessing for Life!! You and they are Beautiful!!! ❤️❤️❤️And your friend, Premika, is so Awesome for her openness ❣️👋🏾 Hey Jared

[@victoriaexplainsitall1871]

I just wanted to say you’re all beautiful. Celebrate whatever you want as long as there is love in your heart. People are ignorant they’re so stuck in their reality that they lack empathy for people’s unique experiences. I remember talking about countries in between India and africa and mix of both races and they flat out said that didn’t exist, she is also the type who is constantly saying what is or isn’t ok for others to do, without educating on the subject, like being Italian is being Latin (ofc you can find there is an argument on this) but factually they were Latin not meaning Spanish or Mexican but Latin.which I am and she thinks my daughter has a name that only Spanish people have even thought the language is over 70% the same and her name is also Italian. Sure we can say Americans are not taught this but it’s like you can’t google a map or something before you tell people that something you never learned isn’t a thing? Ps your daughter is such a cutie! It makes me happy to see people have and strive for a connection to things that goes beyond what society says is ok and truly deep, it’s a beautiful dance and lovely tradition.

[@flyy1226]

Thank you for this video Shan, and sharing your journey with holding on to the important aspects of culture and how you want to pass that to your daughters. 💛

[@paris1584]

Beautiful work, Shan. ❤

[@OnyinyeNwokorie]

Thank you so much m for sharing Shan ❤

[@nubianqueen9675]

I'm born and raised in the UK of African and Indo Guyanese background. I've never had a problem with my background and culture and as a child I was used to attending social functions and seeing my beautiful family members all blended together, enjoying themselves, eating roti, dhal puri, souse, pholourie, cook up rice and chow mein I could go on, but I won't as I'm getting hungry just thinking about all the beautiful Guyanese food. Another thing, why do some Guyanese people refer to themselves as Caribbeans when Guyana, French Guyana and Suriname are geographically located in South America and not the Caribbean. It might be due to the Caribbean culture for e.g. cricket and music, one love 🙏🏾💕

[@ruveydasoyupak713]

loved this to bits!