The rest of the world may see the Caribbean as one big country made up of smaller nations. But for many Caribbean nationals, we identify as individuals who appreciate each other’s similarities and celebrate each other’s differences.
“Together We Aspire, Together We Achieve” and “Out of Many, One People”; two different mottos but both highlight we are all the same, sharing the same dreams, hopes, doubts, and fears while still acknowledging our differences.
Danielle Raymah grew up in San Fernando, Trinidad, where she still resides with her family. Being the middle child, Danielle enjoyed family vacations with her parents, brother, and sister. One vacation she remembers vividly is a trip she took with the rest of her family to Canada. What stood out about that vacation was the waterparks and amusement parks. If you’re from the Caribbean, you already know, these parks are not an everyday amenity. The ride that she enjoyed the most was the rollercoaster; it brought a mixture of excitement and terror.
Many who know Danielle, would describe her as an introverted, laid-back individual, that looks unapproachable but she is truly down-to-earth. She was always an obedient child, spending her time exploring the arts, where her love for music and drama developed. Musicians such as J Cole, Kendrick Lamar quickly became a few of Danielle’s favourites. These musicians are not afraid to express the injustice experienced by many Black people all over the world, which is also a topic she is passionate about.
Working in Trinidad’s justice system, Danielle has seen first-hand how unfair sentences can be, forced on Black people and, their White counterparts are given lighter sentences for the same offences or more serious crimes. Police brutality is another issue that has been at the forefront of concerns for many. “Very few times are officers punished for their crimes against black people, who were no threat to them,” also a concern echoed by Miss Raymah.
In a world that thrives on division no matter what form it takes, the sooner we all realize that at our core, we are all the same in different ways. We all get excited when we experience other parts of the world for the first time, we all feel sad, angry and less than when treated unfairly. A better world we will create!
