Before I moved to America I had never lived in a Black neighborhood. Yet it is here in Bedstuy that I not only feel at home but even enriched as a child based on a cultural education that was naturally instilled in me from birth.
Easter Brunch can be anything. From Sushi to Cornstarch Cookies. See also my Instagram Photo Blog
In Suriname I have always lived among neighbors who were a reflection of the history that took place on the conquered land of the plantations. The indigenous Indian blood was hard to find, but African blood ran through the veins of almost everyone. But all too often also the blood of planters that historically crept where it could not go. As far as I can remember we have also always had Hindustani neighbors. An enrichment that I have taken for granted in retrospect.
With Pagwa we were invited every year to party. I didn't understand the language but the music enriched with tabla rhythms always made me loosen up. And I haven't even mentioned the lavish and delicious food that was shared with the whole neighborhood, friends and family who came from everywhere to celebrate the originally religious festival.
Although we had no Javanese neighbors, it was no different during Ramadan. At the end of the fasting month, it was time to eat and party with Muslim families, wherever you came from.
Only afterwards did I realize that the Western religious holidays like Easter and Christmas that I am used to are not as inclusive as those of the Hindus and Muslims with whom I also grew up. Although the whole society is in the tide of these holidays, these religiously based holidays are celebrated with family and not with people from outside this culture. I have sometimes wondered if it is a cultural difference or a religious difference.
The conclusion may be a long time coming, but since it is almost impossible to change religion, it might be easier to start by slowly but surely changing the culture.
You don't have to go and cook for 20 Muslim or Hindu families like they do, but invite someone from a completely different culture and take them to an Easter service or invite them to an Easter brunch. Explain to them what Easter is, what it means to you and I'm almost 100% sure you'll find a connection with their religion. In the end, we're all the same.