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A New Yorker in Toronto: Reflections on the Rise of Indo-Caribbean Communities in Toronto
Written by Cristine Khan
On a recent trip to Scarborough, where I was conducting an interview for my research on the Indo-Caribbean community in Toronto, the already late GO bus driver decided to pull over on the road to use the bathroom at a Swiss Chalet. Annoyed because of the delay, I let out a loud sigh and sucked my teeth. Slightly embarrassed by my noise, I turned around to a sea of brown faces on the bus—everyone was cackling. They seemed to find the situation amusing, accepting that the bus driver needed to use the restroom.
The New Yorker in me was baffled—if I was home, people would have loudly complained, maybe even attempting to move the bus themselves. Though I appreciated the kindness and solidarity in that moment, it also hints at a distinction between New York and Toronto that I’ve been grappling with....Read More
Putting the Half-Stories Back Together Again with Djamil Ninsoo
Written by Felicia Gopi
Djamil Ninsoo, known on Instagram as @douglabwoy_ found himself holding back tears on a visit to the Jamaica Archives and Records Department in Spanish Town, Jamaica.“I had to stop myself from crying because I didn’t want my tears to mess up the paper.”
It was an emotional moment, one where Djamil, a cultural activist, author, historian and anthropologist, had been searching for in some way. The archives are a place where visitors can find historical artifacts like agreement forms signed by indentured workers, names of those on the immigration passes, thumbprints, and details like the year and the ship their ancestors came on.
Nine years ago, Djamil embarked on a journey to create a family tree to fill in the gaps and reconnect his family starting with his second-great grandfather who came to Jamaica from India. Using a free website to create his family tree he began by filling in the names and birth dates of his parents, grandparents, siblings and cousins. When he found that he had run out of information, that’s when his adventure as a young anthropologist would really begin....Read More
So You Want to Go to Law School: Here are 10 Tips to Help You Get There
Written by Natasha Bhimji (Prasaud)
As we embark on a new school year, many students are contemplating their next steps in their academic journeys. That contemplation will lead many students to consider law school who will begin to wonder what that application process looks like alongside future career planning.
As a lawyer who has worked in talent management for over a decade, here are some tips and best practices I would encourage you to consider if you are thinking about attending law school...Read More
Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani: The Therapy Session You Didn’t Know You Needed
Written by Tiffany Manbodh
If you want to trigger your West Indian, Caribbean or Desi family, take them to the cinema to see the Hindi film, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani. For the cherry on top, have chai after at a cafe and ask them to share their thoughts on the movie.
Karan Johar’s latest film Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani is more than a love story between the main characters played by Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh. In this film, the two youngsters seek to bring their grandparents together again despite the grandfather being married. However, there are two love stories that overlap in the midst of family chaos and it is here the elements that impact the family dynamics become visible.
I left this movie feeling a mixture of different emotions, thoughts just swirling around in my head. How is it that Karan Johar was able to craft such a movie that delivers several messages all brown children wish they could communicate to their parents/caregivers? These messages surround various themes such as gender roles, body shaming, domestic abuse, and many others...Read More
Story is an Indo-Caribbean newsletter designed to bring Canadian Caribbean culture to the forefront. Explore Indo-Caribbean news, identity, and culture online.