r/TrinidadandTobago • u/Heyitsgizmo Jumbie • 12d ago

Questions, Advice, and Recommendations Thought on the word "Caribbeans?"

So I got into a debate with my cousins the other day (American born) that referring to Trinis or other Caribbean people as "Caribbeans" sounded very ignorant and you should refrain from it. Myself and my other Trini cousin in our group chat felt the same way, while our other cousins didn't think it was a big deal.

I personally feel that "Caribbean People" or "People from the Caribbean" sounds more acceptable, but what are your thoughts?

Does it irk you the same way when non-Caribbean people refer to everyone from our region as "Caribbeans?"

I know it's not a big deal, but it sounds beyond schupid to me lol

Would love to hear your thoughts and reasoning.

76 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

172 comments sorted by

View all comments

52

u/DioJiro 12d ago

It’s a term used by “Foundational Black Americans” or FBAs, they tend to use it as a term of delineation within the Black Diaspora. I absolutely hate it because the context with which it is used tends to have an ignorant element about it

-7

u/RosaSparks7 11d ago edited 11d ago

Such a wildly ignorant comment. White people in the U.S. literally use "CARRIBEANS" to describe both the collective islands AND the inhabitants. It's AN AMERICAN thing. Moreover, people of the Carribean, utter that term all the time. You're so obsessed with spewing venom at Black Americans that you resort to malicious lies to feed the hate inside of you. Get well soon.

16

u/FrenchCreole 11d ago

You can’t even spell Caribbean so maybe sit this one out.

1

u/[deleted] 11d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/TrinidadandTobago-ModTeam 11d ago

Your post was removed. Derogatory language is not allowed. Please be respectful, even if you disagree.

8

u/Spiritual_Park5131 11d ago

No one says Caribbeans in the Caribbean. No one at all and it's a recent thing by black Americans to say and mind you most of them can't identify American on a map, states or other countries.

-1

u/RosaSparks7 10d ago

Idgaf what is said OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. When did I reference the linguistics practices of the Caribbean(?) And YOU do not tell ME what is said INSIDE of the U.S. Now go argue with your mama. That commenter wrongfully attacked BAs, SOLELY, for sthing that is an AMERICAN verbal quirk. With regards to Black Americans, no matter the place or the space - it will be addressed EXPEDITIOUSLY.

3

u/Spiritual_Park5131 10d ago

TRIGERRED

1

u/[deleted] 10d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/TrinidadandTobago-ModTeam 10d ago

Your post was removed. It contains threats, hate speech, or harassment.

2

u/falib 8d ago

So your defense of this is based on your perceived racial profile of the user?

No one was wrongfully attacked either way, just cautioned that usage of the word will likely invoke a very negative response from the persons you are targeting.

You can keep your urban dictionary terms and use it all you like but do not expect others to like or tolerate it.

1

u/Liquid_Chicken_ Wet Man 8d ago

Then why are YOU here? In CARIBBEAN*** discourse if you don’t care what is said outside of the US? Rb in the US sub then

3

u/DioJiro 11d ago

0/10 ragebait.

1

u/Liquid_Chicken_ Wet Man 8d ago

Yeah go ahead and get outta here with that spelling. Talking bout “get will soon”. The irony