Stripes & Polka Dots

Crenglish We gesticulate when we tell stories. Smiles wide, we speak using our whole bodies We laugh loudly and yes, sometimes it sounds like we’re arguing but we’re not. We wear polka dots and stripes and you cannot tell us that we’re not fre. I mean fresh. Nou toujou bien abiye, Well-dressed rocking Zoe man sandals. Nou pap kite entranje yo di nou ke nou pap sove paske survival is in our DNA. Those strangers know nothing about us, how dare they say we can’t be saved? Nou se moun fò; we are a strong people. We are bold. We are hustlers. We are proud. We may not have mastered the English language but we’ve mastered heart. We will put tout bagay on de line pou yon chans for de better lye-eef—Life. We take chances at it. We put everything on the line to make something out of the nothing we came with. Béniswa Leténél. Blessed is the Lord, our tongues know the language of praise and worship. We are the melting pot; the spirit of Independence. The heart of Freedom; We are the rebellion, Haters can never stop us, lènmi nou pa ka sispann nou. Nap etidye tout sa nou bezwen pou nou ka akonpli rèv Ameriken sa. We will study everything we need to accomplish the American dream. Grace a dieu. Nou pa bezwen pale angle tankou ekspè, we don’t have to be experts at English, we jes need to talkin’ angle klè enuf. Clear enough for them to see us trying. Accents heavy but our diligence weighs more. There’s cunning in our bones and persistence on our tongues. There is a tenacity coursing through our veins. We want to make good; We want better for our children. We give up degrees and prestigious occupations; humble ourselves to housekeepers and cashiers, janitors and gravediggers for a better life here—for a chance. We trade our certifications for opportunities for our children so they can have better lives. We blend our Creole with your English. We speak Crenglish.