Coffee Hour: The poetry of the Caribbean sparks necessary conversations

Yamila Lascano | Contributing Writer

As we come to a close on Caribbean Heritage Month, The CSE hosted a unique version of their series titled “Coffee Hour” that was dedicated to showcasing island poets and discussing their impact.  

Centers for Student Engagement hosted a very intriguing roundtable conversation in GC on June 27th. 

Being able to be present during this discussion was a deeply enriching experience, not only because of the showcase of strong poetry, but also for its insightful discussions on the unique challenges and experiences of growing up with Caribbean heritage. 

Before analyzing the poems, members of the center went around sharing their personal experience when it came to the way they were treated or perceived because of their accents, or lack of. They also discussed how judgment surpasses just society in the states, and is also a present issue in their own culture. 

They discussed things like how speaking with an accent may have been seen as “improper” or “uneducated” to superiors and classmates growing up. Their dialect was a topic of conversation one way or another, and this began a deep hearted exchange on the impossible standards that are set up.

“Amongst marginalized groups we all have to fight for the same things, there’s a mentality that there’s scarcity amongst us, and there’s only so much to go around,”saida member of the CSE.  

One of the poems discussed is by Soeleil La Barrie, in this poem she personifies her hair in order to symbolize her identity, cultural heritage and pride. 

Her powerful piece expresses the complexities of growing up with her cultural background and how she handles it to this day. 

This topic initiated dialogue about what hair means to them and why it’s so important. The group bonded over memories of the “heat wand” and related to each other’s feelings of not feeling ready to go out if their hair is not done. 

Their conversation, although lighthearted, held deep complex truth behind what it means to navigate their identities and expression in a society that often fails to appreciate the beauty and significance of their hair and culture in general. 

When asking the group why conversations like these are healing to have, Brittany Davis, a program manager,  says “It’s great to hear other peoples stories, growing up you feel so isolated so it’s nice to be in this group and learn from each other”. 

Kaitlyn Mitchell, A second year grad student, also mentioned how important media like these poems can also be found on social media apps such as TikTok. “Whether you’re looking for it or not you get to hear people’s stories”. 

Coffee Hour strives to provide a safe and welcoming space for meaningful exchanges. Discussions about culture and identity are enhanced through conversation circles like these.