# data[].attributes.body
Music is a key element of Caribbean cultural identity. Calypso is a genre of Afro-Caribbean music, which started in Trinidad and Tobago. It was brought here by the enslaved people, and is a commentary about politics, history and humor. It declined in the 1970's, and evolved in to various forms of Soca. Calypso was the voice of the people, whereas soca is music for partying. Soca is heavily influenced by outside genres of music such as hip hop and R&B from the America. Consequently, the younger generation is less appreciative for the traditional forms of music. They are more drawn to American artiste, and are oblivious to the history of the music. This in turn hinders the cultural development and identity of the Caribbean, as it forces local artiste to mix soca with genres such as R&B, electronic dance music, techno and hip hop. For example, Bunji Garlin's song, Differentology, which won best International Performance at Soul Train Music Awards. Therefore, instead of the local artiste promoting the local music, they further aim to become similar to american genres, in order to be internationally recognized and accepted. Also, soca is not conscience music like Calypso. This leads to a rebellious younger generation, who is forgetting the importance of calypso more and more. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7WoINpYQtSUMldrelMwdFEtUzA/view?usp=sharing

# data[].attributes.body
Fashion is an element of Caribbean culture, which evolved due to colonialism, and is constantly evolving due to imperialism. The slave trade had led to the mixing of traditional clothing style among Africans and Indians, then the Europeans. This allowed Caribbean people to portray their creativity and style, while still keeping key elements of each group. However, as the US did not adopt these styles, with introduction of technology, fashion from the us slowly invaded the Caribbean culture. Even clothing is being made locally, it resembles the american styles. This led to cultural erasure as many young persons are unaware of the traditional clothing, and insist on adopting america's culture of branded clothing, as seen in the picture. The clothing styles influenced from America are even much less conservative than the traditional clothing. This also takes away from the creativity of the people, as they are encouraged to import more, and create less. Therefore, the Caribbean identity is affected as fashion is important in the cultural identity. Even though the ancestral clothing is seen in traditional dances, not all youths participate in this activity. Nevertheless, the ones who do, only associate the clothing with the dance, and are not encouraged to use it in their style. Therefore, there is not much appreciation, and US culture can continue to invade. Consequently, they will always have power over us as they continue to impose their ideas of beauty.
Picture date: 18th October, 2015

# data[].attributes.body
The family is the most important social unit. This institution is important for the development of identities in the Caribbean. It is responsible for the passing on of morals, values and traditions. The African-Caribbean family usually is matriarchal. Therefore, so is most of the population, as African-Caribbean is the majority. America's patriarchal family structure, tried to influence itself into the Caribbean, as dominance of males for political and economical benefits were imposed. This lead to more nuclear families being introduced into the Caribbean, as seen in the video below, the family is also African- Caribbean. Therefore, in the nuclear family, there would be two parents to demonstrate the basic gender roles to the children. This highlights how important family is for socialization. When the father acts as the economic provider and disciplinary in the family, the boys will copy this, and regenerate in society as adults, while the girls will follow their mothers to be submit to men, and to deal with domestic tasks.

# data[].attributes.body
Religion was introduced into the Caribbean through colonialism. Catholicism and Anglicanism were believed to 'civilize' the people. However, it has affected development in the Caribbean by introducing certain cultural norms and social attitudes. Religion was a way of influencing the people, especially through education and politics. It made people feel socially accepted, and made them believe it was easier to ascend in society. Therefore, power remained in the hand of the Europeans as people accepted the practices.  Consequently, protestant groups were formed in the US in the 20th century, as people decided to resist against the European religions. This soon reached the Caribbean, and persons became drawn to the protestant groups. Even a previous Prime Minister, Patrick Manning, was a Pentecostal, and it was brought to the attention of the public, if his religion influenced his governance, further discussed in the article. Therefore, religion will always hold some type of power in society. This also shows the extent to which Pentecostal is the most popular and fastest growing religion in the Caribbean. Although the Caribbean was still influenced by the US this positively affected development. This symbolizes a decolonization of the people. They are empowered, as persons move away from colonial order. It even highlights a decrease in male dominance, as women can be pastors in Pentecostal, and the people can mix charismatic traditions from African cultures into the services.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Trinidad and Tobago's Newsday : newsday.co.tt :

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Portal of Trinidad and Tobago with always fresh news on sport, business, culture and entertainment

# data[].attributes.body
The Influences by American culture continue to invade our Family, Religion, Fashion and Music more and more because of our lack of drive to chase it away. Caribbean people hold America in a very high position mentally. Therefore in order to uplift the Caribbean tradition, the people of the Caribbean have to make a conscious decision to unite and find ways to promote the culture. If this continues, the Caribbean will decline in development and the US will always have power. When the identity of a country is strong and unique, this increases confidence and even productivity of the people.
However, what I have learned from this course, is that the Caribbean developed its entire cultural identity from each of the groups that have been mentioned in its history. The European  groups, the enslaved, and the indentured, have all somehow integrated itself into society. This course also highlighted that despite the culture growing, changing, or being less appreciated, the society has put in place different tasks to keep them alive, whether through festivals, buildings, music, literature, or arts.
This course has made me realize how much of american culture we have adopted, in my family, among my friends, and in my country. However, compared to what I have learned, I have discovered that generally the structure of the nuclear family is not as rigid, and neither are the gender roles. Families come in all forms, and their roles are different to the traditions of each person. Among friends, I became aware of our branded clothing, but we each wear our own style, despite what is popular in fashion. In my Trinidad and Tobago, we have a range of accepted religions, that continue to be passed on with generations. In all, the Caribbean seems to be moving aware from a colonial structure, and is making its own identity.