August 21, 2012Dear Sir,Never in recent history has the National Stadium been sold out and so vibrant. During Easter, we were treated to a potpourri of Olympics, Carnival and Sun splash rolled into one.West Indians of every island came out to support their home teams. Bermuda was fully represented, with Bahamas and Jamaica vying for second place. With respective flags ever present, we watched our athletes perform. We cheered them on and we had drum beating and pot cover contests between our islands. Most of all, we of the Caribbean got together for four days and enjoyed our commonality. Eight thousand strong, young and old. It was for many the best Easter in a long time. As always in our culture, new friends were created and old friends reconnected. And we danced.Lest we forget, Usain Bolt and Keshorn Walcott won their first major gold medals in Bermuda.The West Indian Association’s Dine around and dancing is an annual event that presents a buffet of dishes from every island. This year was simply taste buds heaven. There were lines of persons licking their lips to get that Jamaican Curry Chicken or my Aunt Dolly’s Trinidadian Roti or Guyanese Pepper Pot. Picture near 1,000 folks inhaling on every type of West Indian delicacy. Another moment of Caribbean unity eating, drinking, conversing. And we danced.Hamilton Princess was the setting for The Gala Occasion of celebration of the first English speaking Caribbean island’s 50th anniversary of independence. Ladies dressed to the nines, gents in their best suits. Gourmet servings of fish or chicken. We West Indians prefer big servings. Entertainment by living legend Fae Ellington and a resounding speech by Jamaican tourism minister Damion Crawford. His theme was “50 not out”. Speaking on the development of Jamaica and the Caribbean over the last 50 years. “Despite whatever challenges we have, we are not out” A great night was had. And we danced.I recount these events as significant in the backdrop against the chirping sounds of persons who attempt to tell us that we are not West Indians or we are not in the Caribbean. They are confused. Years ago they told us we were not Bermudians. We must understand their point. We really must.West Indians have proven that despite slavery, indentured servitude and economic hardship, we have emerged as the most influential region in the last 50 years. It’s amazing what can be done when you take your sovereignty and destiny into your own hands. Unto the world we have given; Reggae, Calypso, Soca, Dancehall, and Hip Hop, Salsa, Aime Cesaire, Henry Blyden, CLR James, Sir Arthur Lewis (Nobel for economics), Celia Cruz, Bob Marley, Brian Lara, Usain Bolt, Keshorn Walcott, Kirani James, Derek Walcott (Nobel Prize for literature), Franz Fanon, Claude McKay, Marcus Garvey, Sugar Cane, Cassava, Colin Powell, VS Nipaul, the Mighty West Indian cricket team. One island alone, St Lucia, has produced two Nobel Prize winners. Here we are now dominating track in the Olympics. Bahamas, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Grenada and Trinidad shocking the globe and the lists go on. We build the canvas and we colour it with our flair, genius and creativity.Family, understand when they say we are not in the West Indies, technically they are correct. Geographically we are not in the West Indies.But they can never take the West Indies out of us. “Rally round the West Indies”Stand strong, family.CHRISTOPHER FAMOUSDevonshire