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This is my first entry where I'll be talking Caribbean and sharing my photos
. It may sound a little like... "Me and my mom are pretty cool. My mother's Caribbean, and she gets a little spicy, and I get a little spicy back."- Cardi B

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Maracas Lookout

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The Caribbean region usually refers to countries that are washed by the Caribbean Sea geographically. However, the Caribbean holds more than one definition and cannot be defined geographically alone. The countries within the Caribbean shares many features together and can relate to similar problems and issues together from a political, historical, cultural, economic, and social perspective. This relation allows the people of this region to unify and integrate therefore establishing an image of one- the Caribbean. The Caribbean has been forever termed as one since the discovery and colonization of the new world. The Caribbean had also united and persistently fought together for their Independence from the Europeans- to establish their own identity and become proud of it. However, is the Caribbean truly one so that we can say “All ah we is one.”? While the Caribbean portrays that there is unity amongst its people in multiple ways, the unification of its people is there to some extent. To evaluate if “All ah we is one”, gender and sexuality in the Caribbean will be discussed exploring the history, societies and concepts of identity in the Caribbean.

Firstly, Gender affects the unification of the Caribbean with regards to the division of labour. Roles has always been distinct for both sexes since before colonization, for example, in the Neo Indian civilization where patriarchy was prominent- authority naturally belonged to men and they were in charge of political positions while women were expected to tend the welfare at home and busy themselves with crafts. This structure continued into colonization where men were preferred to women since they were more suitable. However, after colonization, in the Caribbean women are no longer as submissive to concept of patriarchy. Women are now holding positions that were naturally owned by men only. For example, (UN Women, 5) “On average, 22% of ministerial portfolios/ cabinet positions in the Anglophone Caribbean are held by women.” This shows that women are not only now entering political positions compared to the past where it was only men, but they are also part of the labour force. It can be seen that roles are now being accessible to both sexes of the Caribbean to some extent.

However, while women are taking up roles that men hold dominance over, the numbers are still small compared to male. For example, in the same article by (UN Women, 5) “. Across the region, women generally do not hold more than 30% of elected positions with the exception of Guyana (which has a legislated quota of one-third of the number of political party nominees must be women) and Trinidad and Tobago.” This shows that gender is still segregated in the Caribbean and that one sex still overpowers the other in terms of roles in society. However, the fact that a change has occurred compared to the past shows that there is progress and that the Caribbean is working towards becoming one.

Gender can also be seen as an important issue with regards to the labour force and the unification of the people in the Caribbean. When the Caribbean was colonized, men were naturally right and viewed as more powerful therefore making their actions excusable and just as they exploited women and sexually assaulted them on the plantations. The behaviours of men sexualizing women were mostly excused because of the teachings in religion that painted women to be the reason for men’s sins. Religion is mostly seen encouraging patriarchy. (Chinapoo, 126) “Feminists argue that religion is a patriarchal institution made up of a system of beliefs, values and norms that mainly benefits males in society.”  This can be still be seen in today’s society as well where mostly women are sexually exploited and sexualized in their workplaces as well as paid less in comparison to men and the perpetrators are usually men. In a study of women and work Berleant- Schiller pointed out that women’s contribution to labour usually went in vain (Berleant- Schiller, 207) “Official policies pushed housewifery, and women’s labours and economic contribution went unmarked, even when women also worked for wages outside the home.” This acts as a hindrance therefore questioning the statement “All ah we is one” since both genders are not viewed equally.

However, exploitation and sexual harassment in the workplace is not only subjected to women but men too. An example of this can be seen in an article in Jamaica by UN Women Caribbean “Dr. Denise Chevannes-Vogel, has underscored the fact that although the majority of victims are women, sexual harassment is experienced by both women and men and is perpetrated regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.” The article went to on to speaking about a  “Sexual Harassment Act 2019 which seeks to protect all women and men from unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and crude sexual behaviours that affect quality of life by creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment” (UN Women Caribbean).  The Caribbean has implemented laws and created organisations that protects both men and women from being sexually harassed as well protects their rights in the workplace. However, it is evident that mostly females suffer in such situation. Though cases gender inequality still does exist, it shows that the Caribbean is working towards addressing this segregation which makes the statement “All ah we is one” true to some extent.

Gender affects the education system in the Caribbean which contributes to the unification of the Caribbean region as well. The education system in the Post Emancipation era were mostly favourable to males as they were taught arithmetic and parents preferred to educate their sons while girls would be prepared to become housewives and would be taught needlework. The segregation of subjects were prevalent since education became accessible. This is still seen today, and boys and girls are taught based on genders. The curriculum open to both sexes hinders the options given and limits the development of identity and gender. Boys are not expected to enjoy subjects such as Food and Nutrition and girls are not expected to enjoy subjects like Technical Drawing because of the gender stereotypes attached to both and the hindrance to sexuality. Sports were mostly offered and easily accessible to males as well in schools, therefore restricting females. According to Chinapoo (Chinapoo, 216) “Girls were also encouraged to choose subjects such as cookery, food preparation and home management, thus reinforcing the perception of women as carers and nurturers.” This therefore limits women’s option while looking for careers and reinforces the idea of female domestication. This therefore questions the unity amongst the people in the Caribbean.

However in study done by Kutnick, et al. in 1997 (Chinapoo, 223) “In Barbados, girls scored higher than boys in English, mathematics, science and social studies in the Common  Entrance Examination and throughout Secondary school they perform better on average in core subjects”. This shows that both boys and girls were exposed to the same subjects. The education system provides such subjects and opportunities in Co-ed schools. Opportunities for development in sports exists as since sportswomen like Thora Best has been establishing her path since the 1960’s along with other women “She (Best) became the only woman to win a track medal at a major games in an individual event for Trinidad and Tobago in the 20th century” (The Caribbean Review). However, it is prominent that both genders are still not equally provided with the same opportunities as not every student attends co-ed schools. Though the opportunities are accessible, it not exactly provided by the education. This shows that “All ah we is one” is true to some extent and the Caribbean is working on providing opportunities for the people to unite amidst the segregation.

Sexuality majorly affects the statement “All ah we is one” and is extremely important to the Caribbean. Sexuality is typically associated with one’s identity and their expression. People are commonly viewed and evaluated by their sexuality which is also affected by gender. This is common in the Caribbean where one’s sexuality is linked to their behaviours and society judges them based on this. As mentioned above, since males and females already has their roles and images painted in society, anyone who acts against the norms are usually pointed out as a ‘sore thumb’. A man who is gentle by nature is viewed as effeminate and therefore automatically labelled as homosexual while a woman who is bit more aggressive or energetic is labelled as a tomboy and potentially viewed as a homosexual. These standards were created since the Europeans brought their Eurocentric teachings of how each sex should behave and the Caribbean people were taught to adopt their styles. Men are associated with toughness and women are associated with fragility heterosexual relationships are the dominant ideology. This therefore creates a distinction amongst certain groups especially in the Caribbean and outcasts the ones that goes against the norms because of their identity that may be associated with the LGBTQ community. In a study of Homosexuality in Modern Jamaican Society it was found that (Charles, 7) “Near the end of the case study the attempted lynching of a young boy suspected of being gay is highlighted. The depth of hatred towards gay men is revealed by the fact that one of the person’s urging the boy’s murder is his father.” This reveals the extent that Caribbean people repels the idea of assimilating this form of sexuality within their society and hinders one’s development of their identity because certain genders are expected to behave a certain way. It questions the statement if “All ah we is one.”

However, certain countries in the Caribbean has been slowly opening up and accepting the change to accommodate certain groups within society, though majority still discriminate against the LGBTQ community. For example, “The High Court in Trinidad and Tobago, with this ruling, made a powerful statement that the legal sanctions on same-sex intimacy impinge on basic rights, ranging from privacy and family life to freedom of thought and expression,”  said Boris Dittrich (Human Rights watch). This shows that certain Caribbean countries such as Trinidad and Tobago are taking the initiative to revise as well as create certain laws that restricted and ostracized certain groups in society and they are progressing towards a change. Therefore, promoting a sense of togetherness amongst the people so we can say that “All ah we is one” to some extent.

In conclusion, the people of the Caribbean can only say “All ah we is one” to some extent. By evaluating the statement through gender and sexuality, many issues arise in multiple aspects of society. Gender is seen to segregate the roles and tasks of both men and women though opportunities do exist. One gender seems to overpower the other in certain fields such as politics in society. Gender is also seen to affect the labour force as women is sexualized and preyed on by mostly men at work. Women are even exploited in the workplace from not being credited for their work. However, this is not only subjected to women alone, men are also exploited and even sexually harassed. Therefore, Organisations and laws has been implemented to protect the rights of these people, to create a sense of unity amongst them. The education system is also seen to be catered to gender as well which restricts the development of gender as well as identity. Both sexes are also sexualized by society’s standards since they are planning what the genders should be associated with. The people of the Caribbean are also discriminated against based on their sexuality and preferences if they are outside of the norm. Some countries are making attempts to protect these people though. Therefore, the people of the Caribbean are working to say “All ah we is one.” The Caribbean is not yet fully united yet they are not fully divided.

REFERENCES

Charles, Christopher A.D. “Representations of Homosexuality in Jamaica.” Social and Economic Studies, vol. 60, no. 1, 2011, pp. 3–29.

JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/41635290. Accessed 24 Apr. 2020.

Berleant-Schiller, Riva. “Women, Work, and Gender in the Caribbean: Recent Research.” Latin American Research Review, vol. 34, no. 1, 1999, pp. 201–211.

JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/2503932. Accessed 24 Apr. 2020.

UN WOMEN. “Women in Political Leadership in the Caribbean”. 2018, pp 5.

https://parlamericas.org/uploads/documents/WomensPoliticalLeadershipUNWomen.pdf

Chinapoo, Carlton, et al. Cape Sociology Units 1 & 2. Hodder Education, 2015.

The Caribbean Review. “Women Athletes Come of Age”. 2011 https://www.caribbeanreview.org/2011/05/women-athletes-come-of-age/

UN WOMEN. “Sexual Harassment affects both women and men and can incur significant social and economic costs in the Jamaican Workplace”. 2019https://caribbean.unwomen.org/en/news-and-events/stories/2019/12/sexual-harassment-affects-both-women-and-men?platform=hootsuite

Human Rights Watch. “Trinidad and Tobago: Court Overturns Same-Sex Intimacy Ban” Victory for LGBT Rights Activists. 2018.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/04/13/trinidad-and-tobago-court-overturns-same-sex-intimacy-ban

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God's gift in Chaguaramas.

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Even the rocks are picturesque !

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Quarantine won't let me go there :'(😢😢😢 #COVID-19