By Ian Strachan, For The Guardian

"Game Recognize Game." "Black Juice." "Stop Hating." "I'm Blessed." "King Son." "Snaggapuss." "Niceness Crew." "The Lord is My Light." Do you recognize any of these phrases? Probably not.

No, they are not the titles to the latest radio hits. Well? Figured it out? They all appear on the windshields of cars buzzing by you here in Nassau. It's true, folks. I didn't make up a single one. It's also sad but true that I spent two or three weeks writing these phrases down!

See, an important part of being an artist is paying attention to the little things in life, things that don't really serve much of a purpose in your head, until an opportunity comes along to make them a piece of something bigger and more profound, like a work of art.

I tell people I have no doubt in my mind about what it means to be Bahamian. I know my people and I know who I am. That's probably because I pay attention to the little things; quirky things that we do on this rock that make us a special kind of people in the world. Like creating billboards out of our cars where we shout our visions of life to the world, celebrate ourselves, pass on advice or reveal just how screwed up and bitter we are. What a smorgasbord of messages my people are sending out there.

And who can blame them? It's kind of refreshing actually. Think about it. "Too Bless to be Stressed." "Rough Neck." "Blind 2 U Haters." "You May Live But You Must Die." "God's Blessing." "Only God Can Judge Me." "4 Play N." "Love ya Self." "Keep Watchin Things."

We are bombarded by messages. Caps, tennis shoes, jeans, bags, T-shirts, TVs, radios, movies, billboards, spam, flyers, posters, text messages, newspaper, magazine and TV ads, community announcements, are all telling us something; selling us something. At least with these windshield messages we're talking back, having our turn.

I'll admit that there's a far cry between the windshield that says "Ride for Your Money" and the one that says "Worthy is the Lamb," but all of these phrases, words or sentences do have something in common. They each represent a person who realizes that they don't need a stage or a pulpit in order to have a voice.

They each represent a person who feels that his or her views, no matter how 'out there', are fit to be shared with the world. Dese are people who ain' likely to be scared a what people think 'bout dem. A good example would be the dude driving the car that has "So What?" posted on the front. So what if you think I'm loud, brassy, opinionated, whatever!

I asked myself, what message would I communicate if I were to put one out there?

I couldn't come up with an answer, but a friend suggested to me, that I already communicate a message by the type of car I drive. With three rows of seats and two toddler contraptions in the back, when I drive it says, "On Lock Down." When the wife drives it, it says "Soccer Mom." So, whether you are in the "Rebel Without a Cause," "Boy U Dun Know Me A," "Bling Bling," "Divine Favor," or "Run Ya Mout'" crew, I encourage you to express ya sef'. Be inspired by our fellow travelers to shout a message out loud. Why wait on someone to give you a mic? Use your life. Use the way you walk, talk, dress and work. I know, you're thinking that Bahamians are already sending messages by the way they walk, talk and dress, and a lot of those messages are pretty base and superficial. But how about we use our influence wherever we may have it, to pass on a good message to people? Whatever that message may be, let's keep it real, and perhaps it will connect with someone else.

I think in honor of those who have cut a path in the bush off the side of the road, by boldly declaring their thoughts and feelings for all to see, I'll end with the most memorable messages I saw over these few weeks (with a little commentary added on for good measure).

"7 Up Yours!" Ok . . . That's aggressive. There's definitely some hostility being expressed here. What did I do to deserve that, I ask?

"Pantys Droppa." Hmmm. Surely we men can take pride in something a bit higher on the scale of human needs?

"Blame God." For what?

"Outlaw." Umm, you realize the police will read this?

"Empress." The Rastas have gotten to you, haven't they?

"I'm Doing Just Fine." I believe you, I believe you.

"Millionaire." Given the number of murderers looking to pay their lawyer bills, should you be putting this on your windshield?

"Backbitters." Bitters for the back, I don't know about you but I use Aleve or Ben Gay when my back hurts.

"Money Go Where Money Live." Amazing. With this one phrase this car driver has summed up our economic situation as a nation. (Must be a Ministry of Tourism employee).

"Boombastic." OK, ya showin' ya age. Shaggy's album was 1995, man!

"My Gives a Damn is Broke." 'A' for Originality. 'D' for Effort.

"Not Reality. Actuality." Umm . . . help me here. The difference is . . .?

"God Treasures You." Definitely the best of all. Let's all try to remember this one this week.

Write strachantalk@gmail.com or visit http://ianstrachan.wordpress.com.

Ian Strachan is a playwright, poet, novelist and filmmaker. He teaches English at the College of the Bahamas.