Through My Eyes

So I'm in Place X in Trinidad and "Random Trini" and I begin conversing. The conversation going good. We both love all things Machel and hate anything to do with a diet. 

Random Trini: "blah....blah...blah."

Me: "Blah,blah....blah,blah."

Random Trini: "Blah.....blah....blah."

Me: "Blah, blah...blah, blah."

Random Trini: “So where yuh from?"

Me: “Laventille”  *making sure ah pronounce it just right (not too ghetto and not too freshwater yankee)*

Random Trini's once smiling face suddenly begins to contort into something between confusion, disdain and fear (and if "Random Trini" happens to be a guy “tracking”, utter and complete horror)……… A sentence begins to form, but, the words trickle out sluggishly as if in slow motion*

Random Trini: “You…….from……Laventille?

Me:*with a beauty pageant smile i.e., fake as hell* “Yes”

Okay, so maybe the slow motion thing only happens in my head. Random Trini's reaction to hearing I'm from Laventille though......typical. 

As we "natives" of “The Hills” unfortunately know all too well, there is a mark of disgrace; a stain of reproach; a stigma associated with all things Laventille. So much so, that many persons, much like Peter denied Christ, deny their Laventille roots. And who can blame them, when the only portrayal shown of Laventille is a place permeated with gangs, guns and violence, streets  saturated with the blood of young men.

Me, I have never denied my beloved Laventille and I never will. I know she is flawed, but, I see her beauty still. I understand her struggles, I am familiar with her strength, I perceive her potential.

So, with this blog, allow me to show you the Laventille not shown in the media.   A place where a sense of community still exists among us residents; A community where the village still raises the child;  A village where yuh neighbour will send over a plate of food when she cook something she know yuh like.

If you journey with me, you will see Laventille, through the eyes of one who loves her deeply, my eyes. Then, maybe you too will begin to see her charm.