I feel no need to be "exposed" to their culture. Eventually, the only place you'll see "American" culture is in a museum. If I wnat to spend time with thousands of illegal caribbeans, I'll go (no thanks!) to their smelly islands

great article. I think that all the time as my 2 get older. It was so wonderful to get together last fall with the whole family and do the West Indian thing. I want them to know and love that part of their culture as much as they love southern cooking at their father's family reunion.

Great article. I have the same experience... it's so easy to let our family traditions fall by the way side but I'm so glad that you are keeping her in touch with her Caribbean roots. Real American culture is a melding of so many diverse experiences- anyone who can't see that is missing the best of what our country has to offer. Just wish I had been there to share the jerk chicken!

Had_Enough - You need some cultural exposure because you have no idea what you are talking about. You uneducated people don't know anything. You are the one that is smelly and have no common sense.

The Carnival was a great experience!! America was built by immigrants and the racists should never forget that. Their people were once immigrants too.

The Carnival was a great experience!! America was built by immigrants and the racists should never forget that. Their people were once immigrants too.

Great article!! It's so easy for us as immigrants to embrace the cultures of others rather than our own, in an attempt to assimilate. It's important to keep connected to our heritage and even more importantly to expose our children to it. I love the constant reminders that parades and carnivals bring. They reminder us that no matter how far we may be from our places or origin, it only takes a group of people with similar backgrounds to come together and celebrate the richness of theirs.

Great article!! It's so easy for us as immigrants to embrace the cultures of others rather than our own, in an attempt to assimilate. It's important to keep connected to our heritage and even more importantly to expose our children to it. I love the constant reminders that parades and carnivals bring. They reminder us that no matter how far we may be from our places or origin, it only takes a group of people with similar backgrounds to come together and celebrate the richness of theirs.

I thinks it's great that people of all ethnic groups are able to understand and celebrate their heritage and traditions. It's what enriches the human experience. Children, especially, need a strong sense of identity and need to feel connected to others who share a common culture. Let us remember that East & West Europeans are ethnic groups also and should, also, be allowed to celebrate their heritage, traditions and cultures. We all know how much horrible, racist behavior occurred. There was no excuse. However, that's not ALL light skinned people are about. All children, of ALL races, colors and creeds, should be taught to be proud of the positives connected with their identity and the importance of their respecting, learning about and celebrating the existence of other cultures. Slavery was only defeated because the white people in power recognized the evil and eliminated it. Civil rights gains were a joint effort of decent people of all colors, especially Caucasion. I'm English & white and I was one of the biggest crusaders. Please, let's all appreciate and respect each other. Just for the record, the Mayflower Pilgrims settled on vacant land, accepted help from the Natives, but ALSO saved many Native Indians lives with their greater knowledge of medical methods, including the Chief who shared the first Thanksgiving. Please, let's cease hurling insults & accusations and work to get along TOGETHER. Thank you.

I'm white and married a West Indian Trinidadian. She does a wonderful job of exposing our 5 year old to different cultures as well as her own, and I am absolutely in favor of this! After reading this article, we will definitely make the trip down next year for Mas.

I think it's great to expose your little one to parts of her cultural heritage. As she grows she will remember the experiences your giving her now and will have plenty of culture to hold on to. When I was a child I was seldomly exposed to the Caribbean influences in my family. As I grew up I was able to gain perspective into our culture. However, exposure to my mother's island background earlier in life would have prevented some of the identity issues I had growing up. Since, I was raised by my mother and the culture of our house hold was different than that of all my peers. I never quite fit in to any particular cultural norm. Was I American? My American family didn't think so. Was I Jamaican? My Jamaican family would say no. Thus, exposure to all parts of ones culture is so important. Esp. in children as it will help to shape their personal identity later in life. I am now teaching my son about all parts of his personal heritage-Afro-American, Jamaican, Native American and Brazilian. I try to include aspects of each of these wonderful rich cultures into his life so that he knows that he belongs to each one of those groups in his own right. That for the thought provoking topic- Great Job!!!

I'm Jamaican - my two granddaughters are American born (but you can't tell them that) they say they are Jamaican - I tell them "you're that and more". They along with thier mother, a sisterfriend and her daughter went to the Carnival, now my granddaughters say they intend to participate next year.

Learning the culture of all nationalities is what is beneficial to humankind - and I lament the fact that those pitiful ignorant people will remain so because of their ignorance, hatred and most of all FEAR.

I want to celebrate my cultural heritage too! I am a European-American with roots to the Mayflower. But I don't have a parade, or a day off, or a history month to celebrate my background! I want to show my son it is ok to be proud of his heritage and what our culture has added to American Society!! Everyone else has a parade! It's not fair! I think it is discrimination!!

I want to celebrate my cultural heritage too! I am a European-American with roots to the Mayflower. But I don't have a parade, or a day off, or a history month to celebrate my background! I want to show my son it is ok to be proud of his heritage and what our culture has added to American Society!! Everyone else has a parade! It's not fair! I think it is discrimination!!