Are we proud to be Vincentian?

08.MAY.09

Editor: Are we proud to be a Vincy? This question we must all face and answer. I am wondering if we are proud to be a Vincy or if we are ashamed that we are Vincy.{{more}}

When one travels to any part of the world, the Bajans, Trinis and Jamaicans are easily identified. They do not lose their accent that easily. They are proud of their country and where they came from. Not so with us Vincentians.

Sometimes you hear many Vincentians speaking as Jamaicans. You are left to wonder if they are Jamaicans. Many of these people have never put a foot on Jamaican soil. Yet they are more Jamaican than Vincy. The music played by the radio stations, including gospel songs, are more foreign than Vincy. The lifestyle is more foreign than Vincy. The mode of dressing is more foreign than Vincy. They even adopt the foreign life style of gangs and crimes.

Sometimes we wonder if we are proud of who we are? I know the Bajans, Trinis and Jamaicans and other nations are proud of who they are. Even though they lived in a foreign land, they are proud of their countries and so, carry their flags and practices and keep their accent and it’s so we must be. But us as Vincentians are ready to adopt another man’s way of life and accent so much, that we wonder if we are ashamed to be called Vincentian.

I would encourage us to be proud of who we are. Why should we be ashamed to be called Vincentian? We are the Home of the Blessed. We are a free nation and a lovely place to live.

I am proud to be a Vincy and would not trade my country for another. I hope we are all proud to be Vincentian as we look forward to Vincy Homecoming.

Thank you.

Kennard King