CULTUREWAVE 2009

The event of the semester has come and gone amid musings of self-regret and excitement. Excitement as the show was awe-inspiring and truly entertaining. Regret because due to my own ignorance I was not allowed the opportunity to take part.

As I think back and reflect I vaguely recall Tiffany, one of the first Bahamian females I met here, talking about a culture show that is usually held in February. She asked if I would be interested in participating in a dance. My response was of course, where, what would the routine, comprise of and when would we practice? I was told she would get back to me. Both February and March have come and gone and yet I still anticipate the shrill stoccato of my telephone ringer indicating I have a call (from her at least).

At the end of February I remember asking her about it and being told that 'it was postponed, so they probably won't have it anymore'. Foolishly I left it at that. This is one of those rare occasions where I regret just letting everything go as it was. Why? Because I lost an opportunity to participate in a cultural event not only to illustrate pride in myself, but to demonstrate that latitude of pride to an audience that was not aware of the many faucets of the aspect of being Bahamian. I was morbidly and mortally dissapointed ( and a bit embarrassed if I might add), in the circumspect that of all the Carribbean nations present, I felt that my gold, aqua and black was the only one that was not accounted for. To me that embodied the indifference, dissarray, disregard and non-chalance that I have come to associate with many of the Bahamians that I have encountered upon attending Brock University. I simply refuse to accept this in my mind as I attempt to convey to you the breadth of my inner turmoil.

To make matters worse, the president of the ROOTS is a housemate of A BAHAMIAN!!! Now if that just don't beat all??? I asked the Bahamian housemate why she never volunteered the information to myself or to Brooke, the other exchange student. Her response was that she 'do not have any talent, so I don't bother to go on stage'. As for passing the info on, she didnt think about it. I guess it just was not relative to her as her apathy shone through.

In retrospect, my guess is that there is not so much a lack of pride as a lack of unity among the Bahamian populace here at Brock. Everyone so caught up in their own lives that they let everyone and everything pass them by. Sadder still is the fact that the majority of the Bahamian students here either know each other or have known each other before leaving the island of New Providence, yes New Providence. I am the first student to hail from the Northern Bahamas Campus. Hopefully I will not be the last.

As I retire I once again glance at the outermost cover of the programme for the Culturewave show. I will reiterate for you the words exhibited in vivid colouring:

Think about your Culture. How would you define YOUR culture?

Yourself? Your family? Your community? Your country? Your world?

I was saddened by the circumstances with which I found my emotions raged following my viewing the performances, however I am satisfied to say that it has given me a drive, a grit and determination to showcase my pride.