Why do so many Americans think that people from the Caribbean dress like Africans?

Question

So I've always been curious about this topic, being from the Caribbean. The media portrays us so many strange ways and 90% of the time none of it is accurate.

Not only the dress but I've been asked some of the dumbest questions of all time from "Do Jamaicans live in trees?" to "So which part of Africa is that located?" when if you look on a map of the Caribbean the Caribbean is very very close to the United States and "You're a rastafarian then?"

Please, I'd love to hear what you all think of us, and some of the misconceptions you might have previously had...

Answer 1

well......I went to the Caribbeans many of times (vacation wise) and lets just say this, you don't dress American.

Its not African but pretty close but brighter colors.

Answer 2

I find it really annoying. I remember one of the first times I went to America, I told somebody that my mum was born in Jamaica and my dad's family is from St Lucia. They asked me what part of the Bahamas St Lucia is in. Then they went to ask me if my mum smokes ganja so I said no she isn't Rastafarian.

I've actually met people that thought in the Caribbean they eat African food dress just like them speak some of their languages etc. It really irks me with the whole "What part of Africa is that"

All I could say was:

"Yup Jamaica sure is right next to Nigeria, that's why our languages sound completely different and we're called Caribbeans. If you ever do go to Jamaica make sure you stop off in Ghana!"

I told one of my friends that Jamaica is that island right under the Dominican republic and Haiti. They tried telling me I was wrong and that it was near Togo, I couldn't stop laughing and they couldn't understand why.

When people see this question:

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

They'll start thinking that the Caribbean is somewhere near China, although I guess there's some truth in it.

EDIT: @ yahoo answ3rs pimp ! Thanks!

Answer 3

@ jasmin : love ur answer !

Answer 4

uh! i hate it too. it's so sad that americans are so ignorant when it comes to other cultures.

Answer 5

Do you realize that most Americans are unable to place all fifty states on a blank map of the United States?  How in bloody blazes are they supposed to know where and how Jamaicans live?