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04/11/17
Novelist Chimamanda Adichie who   spoke in "The Danger of a Single Story' is a Nigerian woman who talks about how she grew up reading books about British and American people and their beliefs and culture. She grew up thinking a certain way of these other people who were not Nigerian and from Africa as these books gave her a certain perspective on their lives. She also talks about a story how her mother told her one thing about another family and that was the only thing she thought about them she never saw that "poor" family as being any other way but poor. This relates to the aspect of the history of the Caribbean as some people only believe what they hear about people or the Caribbean's history from other people and not bother to dig deeper and find out the truth. Just hearing one story about something can make someone believe it and their perspective will not change unless they see or experience it for themselves. Chimamanda Adichie also speaks about how Americans think lowly of 'black people' or think that they were better than Africans,  i assume because of their knowledge from the history of African people. Chimamanda Adichie showed her that this was not the case. This goes to show that even till today white people may still think they are higher than 'black people' however in this 21st century 'black people' are becoming educated and being leaders. Overall this video speaks about how one single interpretation of a race or culture by someone, can spread an make others believe it as most people will not find it in their heart to explore and find out the truth about these stories for themselves.
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Historical Perspective On Haiti's Contemporary Society

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Historical Perspective On Haiti's Contemporary Society

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19/11/17
Haiti tells many sad stories of its destruction, slavery, catastrophes, corruption, exploitation and violence. Haiti is known for its poverty, debt, illiteracy, overcrowding and no infrastructure. Haiti's history tells us that it was a country that it was the first independent nation in Latin America and it the world's oldest black republic in the Western hemisphere. However, with the French Revolution, Slavery and The Great Depression occurring, this led Haiti to its collapse. Even though Haiti gained independence in 1804, Haiti's revolution may have brought it independence but it also ended up destroying the country's infrastructure and most of its plantations. Haiti was once a striving nation with riches but with Haiti being under the rule of another government and outsiders migrating into Haiti corrupted the country and led it to its downfall.
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28/11/17
Caribbean Civilisation has taught me a lot about our history that i did not even know. This course has truly been an awesome experience and fun to learn about history and modern day society. I am glad that Foun 1101 is being thought in other Caribbean countries as we are all one people and everyone can learn about our true past and we can also be enlightened and be freed from mental slavery. A lot of questions that i had about the past was answered. The book 'Through It All' by Giselle Mills was a wonderful book to read and showed all aspects of Caribbean culture and society from history to modern day. This course has taught me that even though we are of different races and culture, no matter of our past, we are still one people that must stand together in peace and unity. We must be each other's keeper and protect each other from bad things. Dr. Campbell and the other lecturers have given me insight to the history of the Caribbean that i can now spread to others who do not know and i think this course is important for everyone to have an understanding of where they came from. The tutorials were fun and interactive which i liked as everyone cooperated and worked together in which i learned a lot. Overall the Caribbean Civilisation course was an insightful and amazing experience which gave me new knowledge and everyone should be able to be a part of this.

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25/10/17
MUSIC
Music is a form used to express emotions and feelings through vocals. This has shaped the Caribbean in many ways from long ago to now. Music has been evolving since then and has a huge  influence on peoples lives today. It can have a positive or negative impact on people and society. People use this to send good or bad messages to others. Music also has different rhythms in which people dance to. Different cultures express themselves in different ways through music. This course has taught me that music is highly influential to society and can cause people to react differently. The words in the songs speaks volumes whether good or bad and people use this as a means of carrying about themselves. Music can spread love and peace or can cause crime and hatred. On the good side however, even though different cultures have different music, they do sometimes come together to create a mix of their culture in one song. Artistes also sing songs about the situations that go on in their countries to express how they feel about it.
Below is a music video of Jamaican artiste Bob Marley singing words of peace and spreading love.

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Bob Marley - Everything's Gonna Be Alright

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25/10/17
SPORT
Two famous sport in the Caribbean today are cricket and football. Cricket is more than just a game, cricket was historically the game played by most children in their backyards. Sport was used to promote regional nationalism. It is played as a means of recreation and as competitions where other teams come to Trinidad to compete against us and vice versa. For these competitions, people buy tickets to go watch the match at the stadium or go by a bar or any liming place. The crowd goes wild watching the game as everyone is hoping for their team to win. In the end there is a big celebration of drinking and dancing to soca music for the winning team. I have always loved cricket growing up as i always played the game for fun. Historically cricket had a major impact in the social life of Caribbean people, even until now, as it helped promote colonialism in the Caribbean and also helped to free themselves from the chains of the British. It also promoted their beliefs and assisted in the building of the Caribbean region with respect to race and culture. The West Indies cricket team means a lot to Trinidadians as citizens fully support them in every match. Whenever they win, spectators feel a sense of joy, love and pride for their country.
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15/10/17
CARNIVAL
Carnival, the greatest show on earth is celebrated by people all around the world. It is tied to freedom from slavery, colonialism and religious conversion. Carnival originated from Europe which then spread to the French and Spanish who brought slaves and settled to Trinidad, Haiti, Martinique, Dominica and other islands. These people also brought the pre-Lenten tradition with them. Carnival lasted from after Christmas to ash Wednesday. With the abolition of slavery in 1833, people were free to celebrate with music such as calypso, dress and dancing. Carnival is celebrated by the diversity of races all over as they all come together and play mass in bands and also play the steel pan. There are also other events which takes place during this time which are Jouvert, a mud mass celebration which takes place around 4am followed by Carnival Monday and Tuesday. There is also a day for kiddies carnival. Numerous competitions take place such as road march, Calypso and Groovy Soca Monarch. Artistes express feelings and thoughts about the past or present through these music. Carnival now however, is a source of bringing income to the country and people. Celebrities from all over travel to islands to celebrate this holiday, buy costumes and play in bands. Below is a picture of singing celebrity Nicky Minaj performing with celebrity Machel Montano in Trinidad during Carnival.
https://trinicarnivalsocaallstars.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/the-euphoric-experience-the-hollywood-stars-seek-out/

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18/10/17
EID UL FITR
Eid is the festival celebrated by the Muslim community. Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and Muslims fast during this month. When the moon is sighted after the 28/29 day of fast, Eid is celebrated the day after. Fasting is an act of sacrifice to gain mercy and blessings from Allah. Muslims go to the mosques to offer prayers early in the morning and then their family and friends go over to their homes to celebrate. The traditional delicacies for Eid are sawine and samosa. Eid is known to be originated from prophet Muhammad as some traditions believe that when the Prophet arrival to Madinah he saw people engaging in recreational activities and decided that Eid Ul Fitr was a better day to enjoy oneself. Muslims offer money or gifts as a form of charity on this day. Eid is celebrated by Muslims across the Caribbean.
Below shows a photo of Muslims engaging in prayer next to the Kaaba at Gulf City Mall in Trinidad as spectators look on to observe what was happening.
Photo taken from Gulf City page on Facebook.

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15/10/17
CHRISTMAS
Christmas is the festival celebrated by Christians on the 25th December every year. Christians celebrate this day in honour of the birth of Jesus Christ.  On this day, people go to church to offer prayers during the morning time and then have families over to their homes where they exchange gifts, feast, where the traditional meal is ham, grog and pasta, and they have a good time. Christmas is celebrated all over the Caribbean as during the month of December there's parang and Christmas caroling all over the country. There is also a lot of toy drives during this time as people dressed up as Santa Clause and elves deliver toys to kids in need to spread the joy and happiness. People buy Christmas trees to put in their homes and place gifts under it for their family and friends. They also decorate their homes with a lot of Christmas decorations and lights. Watching Christmas movies is also a norm for this holiday. Families from different countries visit their loved ones on this auspicious day.  Below shows a photo of a parang group singing in their costumes in Trinidad.
http://www.guardian.co.tt/entertainment/2012-05-24-000000/parang-goes-back-its-roots

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18/10/17
DIWALI
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus and is described as the festival of lights. This festival marks new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Hindus pray to Mother Lakshmi for health, wealth and prosperity for themselves and their families. Diwali lasts a five day period an occurs between October and November. Before Diwali, Hindus usually clean and decorate their houses and belongings and participate in family puja. On the day of Diwali, families come together and celebrate by the lighting of deyas all around the home, eat food and kids play with starlight. Hindus celebrate Diwali in honour of the return of Lord Ram, his wide Sita, brother Lakshman and Lord Hanuman to Ayodhya from exhile of 14 years after defeating Ravana. Diwali marks the start of the new Hindu year as Hindus from all over the Caribbean celebrate in different ways. In Trinidad and Tobago, communities from all over join hands in celebrating in a grand way as they decorate the streets for Diwali.
The town of Felicity, Trinidad -- aglow during Diwali (Photo Courtesy: The Spice Necklace)

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