A-maze-in-me, 2024

Many West Indians, including my ancestors, migrated to Britain seeking a better life and hoping to return home with the wealth they accumulated. Unfortunately, despite bringing a rich cultural heritage with them, they felt compelled to assimilate ...

Many West Indians, including my ancestors, migrated to Britain seeking a better life and hoping to return home with the wealth they accumulated. Unfortunately, despite bringing a rich cultural heritage with them, they felt compelled to assimilate into British society to fit in and succeed. The brief period my ancestors spent in the West Indies after gaining freedom, followed by their move to England, has diluted my sense of connection to both places. My family, in their effort to survive and thrive in the UK, absorbed British culture, making it feel more like home than the Caribbean. Understanding that my heritage originates thousands of miles away makes me feel even more disconnected. There is still much work to be done in understanding and preserving our identity. I hope to engage in this work with my family and for future generations, ensuring we don't lose our sense of identity and heritage.