..

No, no, no.

The Bahamas is in the Atlantic Ocean. NOT the Carribean Sea.

That irks me to high heavens.

The fact is that The Bahamas, Bermuda and the islands in the Caribbean Sea are all considered the "West Indies", or the western tropics.

The reasoning is that we all share a similar culture, especially those islands that were colonised by the British. If you don't believe this, ask an American to differentiate between the accent of a (true) Bahamian, a Jamaican, a Bajan, a Trini etc and they will most likely call each one "Jamaican" or "Ca-RIB-be-an". You may think peas and rice is very different from rice-and-peas... to an outsider it is not.

Therefore, although we are not technically a part of the actual Caribbean because we are not in the Caribbean sea, we are widely considered to be a Caribbean nation because of our shared regional culture.

Being that we technically aren't located in the caribbean, wouldn't this be a good escape for our government to back out of that stupid caricom? Despite what some people say, caricom is not bennefficial to us at all. Were they there for us when we need assistance with the Haitian situation? And assistance with helping us deal with illegal immigration? And how about our five once missing boys? I never heard anything about those countries informing thier citizens to be vigilant and lookout for any of the boys. When we have a problem, it is just our problem and not theirs but yet still they will advise us to maintain membership of that stupid caricom thing. Would they be there for us when we need their help? I seriously doubt it. So why are we :taped: with them?

It's so sad when we as a people identify our friends’ base upon what they can do for us. This reminds me of what Jesus said when he spoke about how the hypocrites give only to those who can give back to them. It just seem morality wrong for us as a Nation to reject other nations solely upon the fact that they are not able to contribute to our well fare like our big brother to the North can.

"You know", I remember a principal for success that says we are bless in our giving not in our receiving and it is more blessed to give than to receive. Do we want to be known as the greatest little country in receiving from bigger countries or would we rather be known as the greatest little country that gives to lesser countries.

It’s my opinion that instead of us cutting of lesser unfortunate Caribbean countries we should be seeking ways to make our relationship with them stronger, because it’s only through our collective strength in numbers that we can all stand independently, even against mighty giants like the United States (a chain is only as strong as its weakest link). You Think about it.

BB359
Very well said, now can we practice it? It also goes back to another teaching of Christ. Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you.

The Bahamas is not part of the Caribbean. But we are considered to be by the majority. But they are wrong. Hhhhhmmmm sound familiar??? Majority or traditionally believing in something does not make it right.

No, no, no.

The Bahamas is in the Atlantic Ocean. NOT the Carribean Sea.

That irks me to high heavens.

i totally agree it what you said couln't be said no better...

we are 700 islands and cays in the Atlantic Ocean and not the Carribbean Sea....

Okay so geographically we are not in the Caribbean sea. I personally was not aware of this well into my teenage years, when I took a magnifying glass and took a good look at the map. But should geography be such a gargantuan factor to separate ourselves from the Caribbean. I mean we share a close history, that of african slavery and colonialism, our landscapes are very similar (ie. pristine beaches etc), we share similar population demographics, government systems, the list of similarities can go on and on and on. So why are we focusing on this one difference, I mean its a body of water for goodness sake. We are in the region, so it will be natural for outsiders to affiliate us with the Caribbean. Lets get over this, and try to unify instead of divide.

I sense a large streak of arrogance in that comment, like "yeah we better than dem down dere".

you are so wrong, 100 percent, when you say we get no support from our fellow caribbean countries. antigua, barbados and trinidad were the first ones to help batelco and bec get back up and running after hurricanes andrew, floyd and michelle ... and that's just for starters.

we west indian nations need to stick together in the face of the cowboy usa onslaught these days, cuz those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it. one thing that caricom can do for everyone here is withstand the intense north american pressure to accept that cockamamie ftaa crap :driving: .

Yes it is common sense that we here in the Bahamas rely greatly on the US of A, but we should not become so totally dependant to the point that the US "owns" this country and can snatch it up from underneath our feet in an instant. We have to wean ourselves off partially, and look for other sustinance, instead of getting all of our milk from one cow. And I find it hard to believe that other countries including our other fellow West Indian countries don't have anythying to offer us. Just suppose the US's economy crumbles to the point that they are not the dominant superpower in the world (and it can happen), what will we do then. The Bahamas has got to start making some other friends, allies, whatever you want to call them besides the US (their own list of friendships with other countries is dwindling).

Although I am not 100% Bahamian, I thought it would be important for me to share my expereince I had with an American's perspective of the people of the Bahamas. Upon meeting thsi guy, he asked me if I was from the islands. I responded truthfully by stating that my parents were born Bahamians who came to the States to have me. After I said that, his facial expressions changed :what: and he immediatly said "Oh, your a Bahamian-American? Its funny because you seem more sociable then the Bahamians I now!" When he noticed that I was about to give him a piece of my mind, he hurried to explain why he made the statement.

He told me after encountering many Bahamians on his college campus, he said they were quick to put him in his place when he would mistakenly catagorized them as "Carribean" he said they seemed arrogant and gave the impression that they were better than the Carribean and especially the USA.

I explained to him why they responded in such manner, but I was completly appauled by his experience with Bahamians. Now, I now you cannot generalize every Bahamian based on this experience; however after reading some of your responses, it made me think about this particular situation.

Being a 23 year old women who is very enriched in the Bahamian culture, I was embarrased to hear about how some Bahamians are percieved by others. As a Bahamian American, i believe Bahamians are great people who stick together with respect and integrity. Division is not the way to love, peace, and success anywhere.


Vanessa.

Bahamians acting as if they are better than the rest of the West Indies is a common occurance in the US. Bahamians aping the black American culture is also common. What can you do? These are grown adults, and if they want to believe that the average American recognises or cares that Bahamians are not Jamaicans and that the Bahamas is not part of Florida, then so be it. After all, you have Bahamians right here at home who spend their last dollar to have sneakers like Jay Z, speak with fake Jamaican accents, swear "I and I a Rasta!" even as they chow down on KFC and otherwise embarass themselves daily.

This business of not wanting to be associated with the Caribbean is as ridiculous as Abaco wanting to secede from The Bahamas. You are what you are, and there are no two ways around it. The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and the rest of the English speaking Caribbean, these islands will always have more in common with each other than with the US OR the UK. Trinidad and Tobago are almost as or closer to South America as we are to the US, but are they complaining that they should be part of Venezuela?

Yes, it is advantageous as a small country to align with bigger, stronger countries. But it is also advantageous to have your neighbours as allies. A big dog may ignore one flea on its back, but when that flea become an army, the dog will take notice. The Bahamas can contribute much to CARICOM, and we are in a position to learn from, teach, assist, be assisted by and exist harmoniously in the same waters as our Caribbean brothers. And we can do while maintaining positive relationships with the US and others. :bahamas: :jamaica: :stkitts: :tandt: :sg: :cheers:

Don't ask what Caricom can do for you, ask what you can do for Caricom!

While The Bahamas is not 'technically' in the Caribbean, it is geographically and culturally linked to the Caribbean. The organization can help as the US is becoming increasingly more of a bully, especially with the war on terror and drugs. The Bahamas will have far more negotiating power via the US if its backed up by ALL countries in the region.

Certainly the Bahamas has advantages and unique situations that will cause it to be treated differently then toward other nations, but one should not minimize benefits to being a Caricom member when it comes to trade and as negotiating power versus bullying tactics by the US.

I irks me when Bahamian students go off to school in North America, and clad themselves with a persona of arrogance and superiorty. Bahamians are the only people I know will leave home to go to school and drop their accents, and take on an "American" accent. What is up with that. I am proud to be Bahamian. I have been schooling in Canada for two years now, and I beam with pride when persons ask me "Where are you from?" I love to to say I am Bahamian. I love speaking with other Caribbean students and learn about their country and culture, as well as them asking about mine. Yeah there are some vibes there sometimes, put I dont let it bother me. I am Bahamian and that wont ever change. I'll try my best to get along, and hopefully other's will do the same. One can only try.