Cross posted from @tammyjadev's blog written by @izatrini
"What it means to me to be a Trini (A citizen of Trinidad and Tobago by birth). I was born and bred in the larger
of the islands of my beautiful twin island republic and despite all the issues my country faces on a regular basis I have
never been more proud of Trinidad and Tobago.
The old adage absence makes the heart grow fonder applies since I
left Trinidad in 1992 and although I visit regularly I have not resided there since then. Living abroad makes me feel more
connected to Trinidad than I ever was as a resident. I grew up taking Trinidad and Tobago for granted and went about my daily
life as did any teenager in my day. It was all about me and what could be done for me and no thought was ever given to what
I could do for my country. It is unfortunate but oh so true.
Living in North America makes any Trini want
to seek out other Trinis and or West Indians and I certainly did that and have made good friends over the years as a result.
We constantly seek ways to display our Trini pride and represent our country through fetes, sports, carnival, food and so
much more.
While living abroad the desire to know more about my country and what is happening on a daily basis
grows stronger as time elapses. As the Internet became easier to access and T&T's national newspapers were more readily
available online it became easier to keep appraised of local news. IZATRINI.com is my contribution to Trini people globally
to keep up with what is happening in Trinidad and Tobago and a way to educate those that have never even heard of my country.
I manage it with a great sense of pride and it is not consided work but an Internet brochure for Trinidad and Tobago.
My Trini pride is overwhelming at times and by nature I am a very passionate person and it is so
true that we are small
islands with big passion. I operate under these rules and being a Trini to me means never ever bad mouthing my country to
other non Trinis that is not to say that I live in denial but I find inventive ways to accurately portray Trinidad and Tobago
in the best possible light. I have been called T&T's cultural ambassador and PR representative by my friends. A role I
take seriously because my national pride comes before all else, most of the time.
Being a Trini means always caring and welcoming to people of other nationalities, races and religions. Being a Trini
means always sharing my music, carnival and the talent of my people with the world. Being a Trini means introducing and sharing
our tasty and diverse food.
Educating Trinis and Non-Trinis about all that T&T is and has to offer is important
to me and doing all that I can for Trinidad and Tobago is another role I take seriously.
Keeping mindful of all
that Trinidad has done for me has become easier with old calypsos, carnival and maintaining a sense of cultural identity.
Despite any other citizenship I may inherit I will never give-up my Trini citizenship and nationalism."
- @IZATRINI now and forever!
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