Stew Chicken philosophy

Ahh, the aroma of a well marinated pot of stew chicken with a dash of curry powder for added flavor on some freshly made rice and red beans. Add some fried plantains or a green salad, splendid everytime. It's story time again. Devin thinks I don't use my Trinidadian dialect/accent alot. He thinks that I am denying my culture by not speaking how Trinidadians speak to everyone I talk to. Devin thinks I don't cook enough Trini dishes, I don't listen to enough Soca and Calypso and I don't listen to alot of Reggae. He complains about these things all the time. I once had the pleasure of having lunch with a friend, Conelius, who was studying to be a priest, and Father Grie, priest of my Grandmother's Church. Father Grie is from Southern France. He has been "stationed" in different parts of the caribbean for 20+ years and he has a well deserved natural tan to prove it. We talked about many things that day, people, religion, music and of course, cheese and chocolate but the most important thing Father Grie told me is that Communication is the key to Peace and Unity. It's not how you say it, it's what you say, choose your words carefully in the best context to relate the message you want to rely. Lauguage is a strategic tool, use it accurately and with caution. Words are powerful, they can hurt just as much as they can heal. My dialect is strong and misleading at times, words are always confused and most times people just don't understand what I am saying if I speak Trini. I spend more time explaining what I am saying more than getting my point across. Therefore, I don't use it that much depending on who I am talking to. I told Devin, My Dialect does not define me. I am a born Trinidadian, coconut water is in my blood. If he thinks that listening to Reggae and Calypso all day makes me a Trini then he is sadly mistaken. Like a good pot of stew chicken, that can be marinated with many herbs and spices, stew chicken will always be stew chicken, rich in flavor and part of my culture, served to others in many ways.