# data[].attributes.body
This portfolio reflects my personal opinions on social issues discussed in the Caribbean civilization course. The reflections are all based on objective which are congruent with the Caribbean civilization content. This portfolio involved me using my critical thinking skill on an issue of importance to Caribbean Civilization hence achieving the first objective. The second objective involved me applying my learning in Caribbean Civilization, to show my understanding of my social or geographical environment.  A third objective covered is me applying my knowledge to show understanding of a  problem that is of regional importance, as reflected in the news and current affairs literature/programs in the region. Finally an evaluation of my learning for the semester is included in this portfolio.

# data[].attributes.body
The Caribbean civilization course clearly demonstrated how the past has influenced life today in the Caribbean primarily our culture.

The island of St. Lucia for instance is very diverse given its history from the slavery days, being under British and French ruler-ship seven times each. As a result, many of the streets and communities have French names like Soufrière town and English names for example the  Rodney Bay village.

I have also learnt to appreciate the various religions while studying the Course unit dealing with Caribbean culture. One of the main religions include Christianity handed down by the Europeans. Other religions include Hinduism, Islam, and voodoo.

Evidence of the richness of culture is demonstrated in the various  festivals held on the island. The island like many other islands in the Caribbean celebrate Carnival. This event is held once a year and although it has its roots from slavery all ethnic groups join in the celebration. This coming together demonstrates the integration of people from various ethnic groups and religions. In fact, the festival showcases costumes that feature designs and themes from various countries further demonstrating  this integration. Additionally, they also celebrate the flower festivals namely the La Marguerite flower festival (La Magawit in Creole) and the Rose (La Woz in Creole) festival. Again, the flower festival date back to times of slavery; which unveils elaborate pageantry reminiscent of European court, but with their music richly evocative of Africa. Most people on the island support one of the two groups (CDF 2).

I feel whenever it come to the major festivals I have highlighted; the country becomes unified even though the population is diverse. I must however admit, that there has been a decline of the celebration of the festival for many year. I believe a greater effort must be made to preserve all the cultures of the island thus preserving the identity of the people.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The 2017 La Woz Festival kicked off with a church service at the saint peter roman catholic in Dennery and culminated with a Gwan Fet at the Clendon mason memorial secondary school. The event is dedicated entirely to its name-sake flower, and highlights the feast of saint rose de lima on august 30th.

# data[].attributes.body
Caribbean civilization teaches, the Europeans being the colonial masters exploited the Caribbean region becoming rich. Experts estimated Britain's debt to Africans in the continent and diaspora to be in the trillions of pounds. While this was a useful benchmark, its basis was mistaken. Not because it was excessive, but because the real debt is incalculable. For without Africa and its Caribbean plantation extensions, the modern world as we know it would not exist (Drayton 1). As the course went on I further appreciated the fight for reparations when I see island such as Haiti suffering from poverty when the basically built France. In addition, not only have the English and French benefited from Chattel slavery  but all the colonial countries.

The Caribbean community (CARICOM) has now united in the fight for reparations by setting up the Caribbean Reparations Commission(CRC). This Commission is a regional body created to establish the moral, ethical and legal case for the payment of Reparations by the governments of all the former colonial powers and the relevant institutions of those countries, to the nations and people of the Caribbean community for the crimes against the following: Humanity of Native Genocide; the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade; and a racialized system of chattel Slavery (CRC 2). The CRC has since then launched a ten-point plan in the quest for reparations which I believe is a step in the right direction (Zulu 4).

The cruelty of chattel slavery made known to me while doing this Course has made me appreciate the fight for reparations by CARICOM. The reparations movement at one point was mainly seen as a Rastafarian fight, but now with the CARICOM on board it seems more possible.

I believe that times have changed but judging from the past I believe that our former colonial masters will not be so inclined to the whole idea of reparations and hence it will be difficult fight.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Prime Minister Dr. The Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves Statement on Reparations

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Prime Minister of St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. The Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves Statement on Reparations.

# data[].attributes.body
While doing the Caribbean civilization course one of the issues that appealed to me was racism. According to the Collins Dictionary (1) racism is defined as the doctrine that one's own racial group is superior or that a racial group is inferior (physically, intellectually, culturally) to the others. In the Caribbean region this issue has existed since the colonial days. During and after slavery, miscegenation did not make it any easier; in fact, the offspring had an identity problem trying to figure if he or she was black or white, an issue which is very much alive in the Caribbean. Many of the mulattoes also faced great pressure because of one parent being white. As a result society looked at them differently, perceiving them as more privileged (James 37).

In the Caribbean racism influences daily life.  In islands such as St. Lucia, racism is exhibited daily. This is highlighted in The Voice newspaper in a piece entitled “Racism is Alive and Real” written by Rochelle Gonzales (1). In this article she postulates that in St. Lucia racism has become so embedded in people’s daily life that racism is now accepted as something that will never change.

In Trinidad and Guyana racism is very prominent. In these two countries, politics has also influenced the ethnic division which is most times accompanied by social class and ethnocentrism. Some efforts appear to have been made to bridge this divide through political coalitions, nevertheless signs of racism still exist. According to the Sunday Express (2-3), in Trinidad and Tobago  political parties are often viewed as the black party (PNM) and the Indian party (UNC). The situation is the same in Guyana.

I do believe that the topic "Racism"  has given me a much deeper understanding given that I got the opportunity to trace its origins from colonialism.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Race, Ethnicity and Democracy in Guyana and T&T

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Race, Ethnicity and Democracy in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago

# data[].attributes.body
At first, I thought the course was about history previously taught to me, however, as the semester went on I realized it was nothing like before. This learning process began by dealing with prehistory. his unit along with the others to follow debunked many of the myth taught to me earlier, as it relates to the early civilizations in the Caribbean. As the semester continued I grew an appreciation for Caribbean history something which was previously absent. This new-found knowledge in this course enabled me to view the Caribbean differently and gave me a better understanding of some of the issue presently affecting the Caribbean region.

The first class took the form of the traditional sit in class lecture which I found to be very exciting. The classes to follow although enjoyable did not mirror this experience due to it being held online. The online classes at time presented a problems due to poor internet connection at the school As a student travelling from far to get to the school,  it was my only opportunity to listen live. As a result, I had to resort to listening to the recordings something which I did not enjoy as much as a live broadcast or better yet sit in class experience. I must admit I do understand the use of online lectures given the volume of students and given the fact they could reach a wider cross section. Additionally, although having a bias of preferring the classroom experience I must say the use of technology was admirable and had many advantages such as listening to lectures anytime.

There was a challenge keeping up towards the end of the semester for me, but the knowledgeable and friendly staff helped me to get through. This course in my view is a wonderful course and because of my new appreciation for history I will continue to build on the knowledge acquired.

# data[].attributes.body
(CDF), Cultural Development Foundation. 2017. "National Flower Festivals." Accessed November 10, 2017. http://www.cdfstlucia.org/portal/what-we-do/events/national-flower-festivals/.

(CRC), Caribbean Reparations Commission. 2017. Accessed October 29, 2017. http://caricomreparations.org/.

Collins DIctionary. 2017. Racism. Accessed October 30, 2017. https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/racism.

Drayton, Richard. 2005. "The wealth of the west was built on Africa's exploitation." The Guardian. August 20. Accessed October 29, 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/aug/20/past.hearafrica05.

Express, Sunday. 2014, . "A vote against racism." April 16. Accessed November 20, 2017. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/commentaries/A-vote-against-racism-255423421.html.

Gonzales, Rochelle. 2015. "Racism Is Alive And Real." The Voice. January 27. Accessed October 29, 2017. http://thevoiceslu.com/2015/01/racism-alive-real/.

James, C.L.R. 1963. The Black Jacobins. N.Y: Random House.

2017. "THE FLOWER FESTIVALS OF SAINT LUCIA." Calabash Cove. Accessed November 10, 2017. https://calabashcove.com/the-flower-festivals-of-saint-lucia/.

Zulu, Itibari. 2016. "Ten Point Action for Reparations:." Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies(JPAS). August . Accessed November 1, 2017. http://www.jpanafrican.org/docs/vol9no5/9.5-1-Intro.pdf.