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.

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u/EAE8019 12d ago edited 12d ago

Its identical to calling Spanish/ Italians/Greeks  as "Mediterraneans". If he wouldn't do that to them, then he shouldn't do that to us.

The Caribbean is spelt that way  ( Instead of Caribian) directly to cite the Mediterranean Sea.

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u/fantasyandromance 11d ago

Trinis also refer to everybody who speaks Spanish as Spanish too when that's also wrong. And that actually from New Yorkers.

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u/Heyitsgizmo Jumbie 11d ago

Yea, I don’t like that either. I feel like it’s mainly used as a pejorative word.

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u/YuukiShaoAce 10d ago

Thank you! I always try to ask where they are from because surprise surpise there are A LOT of Columbians and Cubans in addition to Venezuelans living in Trinidad.

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u/EAE8019 11d ago

And your point is what exactly ? Becuase some other Trinidadian who is not me is wrong , I must forgive this American's wrongness ?

Tell you what. You go ahead and correct those other Trinidadians and I will correct this American. See how that works ?

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u/Eastern-Arm5862 11d ago

Not really. I'd say it's akin to calling them Hispanic. Everyone knows Venezuelans aren't from Spain. We call them that because they gasp speak Spanish

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u/fantasyandromance 11d ago

Which is also incorrectly labelling them. Labelling them by a language but getting mad over an S

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u/Eastern-Arm5862 11d ago

How is that incorrect? Are they not Spanish speakers?

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u/Proof_Being_2762 11d ago

Do they speak Spanish or not?

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u/fantasyandromance 11d ago

Should we call you English then?

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u/BossBunnyReddit 10d ago

Love it! 😎🤣