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My Caribbean Civilization portfolio is reflective on the topics that I am deeply passionate about hence striking a strong interest in me.  Sports, the Haitain's historical and modern society and even racial and social perceptions due to the eutrocentric views were all ideas chained together and contribute to the unique culture and diversifying history of the Caribbean islands.

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'THE DANGER OF A SINGLE STORY' BY CHIMAMANDA N. ADICHIE.
21/11/2017
"The Danger of a Single Story" is a beautifully, crafted 18 minutes and 49 seconds speech by Chimamanda N. Adichie at the TEDGlobal, 2009 which is reflective of the dominant view on perception held by society. Throughout her speech, she speaks highly of the eurocentric view and her building confidence of her personal identity.  Adichie keenly notes the mental shift of superiority and appreciation of Nigerian African culture through her perception of literature. During the colonial period, blacks were considered to be ‘half devil, half child’. This can be a driving force, or simply the root cause for the horrors of racism.Society’s perception of class, race and even social status is linked towards her speech as she reflects her experiences entering a "white and blue eyed" (Achibe, 2009) world in her British and American readings. Unfortunately,the Nigerian culture was given little value in their society due to superiority of the eurocentric ties. The speaker firmly rejects the idea of making "one story become the only story" (Adichie, 2009). She demands that people remove the stigma associated with the single story along with the issue of race and use it to empower and humanize. The perception towards poverty, superiority and even colour are ideas created by society and is taken as a social norms in which people feel pity without understanding the true meanings behind these terms. It makes our recognition of equal humanity difficult and emphasizes how we as people are more different than similar. Throughout her speech, the perception of the white culture was given a higher value than their own Nigerian roots which could be linked to the ties of slavery and the British colonial rule. Today, Africa is viewed as a place of senseless wars and dying poverty instead of acknowledging the beautiful culture and landscape of these areas.  Chimananda N. Adichie speech “The Danger of a Single Story” is reflective of understanding and appreciation towards her African views while  rejecting and changing the perception of the eurocentric view in society.

Artifact 1: Video of Chimamanda Adichie speech about 'Dangers of a Single Story'

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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story | TED

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Artifact 2: A person rejecting a single story

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CRICKET- A MEANS OF FREEDOM
25/11/2017
Sports is intertwined in the Caribbean culture and its history. Cricket is a sport which underlies a much passionate spirit and determination held by the Caribbean people in terms of their freedom from the colonial rule.  The Caribbean was described as ‘ an overwhelmingly black region of the earth and the West Indian society began to assert itself  as an important element  throughout the period of change and turmoil in the community. Cricket was a form of relief from the boredom of garrison life. The Caribbean people learnt the sport from the white elites and understood its reputation in the context of social development of the societies of which they were apart.  A simple game of cricket proved to be the beating heart of freedom and empowerment of the Caribbean people. (Beckles, 1998).The West Indies Cricket Board of Control, also known as the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) was created in 1926 to echo the social structure of the region and their cries of oppression in turn noted in the local associations. In time, despite efforts to perpetuate control of the Board by the dominant class of the region, the WICB was eventually reflective of the fact that the Caribbean society was multi-racial in nature and that the best talent was needed to make the Board proficient in the administration of cricket. (Joseph, 2017 ). In the ending of the 19th century, cricket was not only played by the whites but was increasingly played by people of various ethnic and racial groups who became master at this sport and it was to become an reflective mirror of Caribbean society as reflective in artifact 2.2

Artifact 3: West Indies  Cricket team celebrating their victory match

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HAITI- A BATTLEFIELD FOR FREEDOM
26/11/2017
The Haitian revolution is perhaps the most profound revolution as slaves had a burning desire for freedom and equality in their homeland of Haiti. Today, Haiti is described by the media as high rates of poverty, tremendous instability and the devastating impacts of the 2010 earthquake. It’s notable heritage of the centre of freedom in the 18th century is being pushed away from the limelight as its culture is slowly eroding away  through the media as labelling the island of tremendous instability and high poverty levels. Within the colonial period, the Caribbean islands were the economic powerhouse and its greatest wealth was the black labour force often referred to as the ‘black gold’.  (Campbell, 2017). Ironically, Haiti was the richest colony in the entire New World. The ‘ Jew in France’s Crown’ produced  nearly a half of the world’s sugar and generated 2/ 5 of France’s overseas’ trade. Toussaint Louverture , Jean Jacques Dessalines and Dutty Boukman"s burning desire and determination to end  slavery in their island resulted in a bloody revolution which lasted from 1791- 1804 noted in artifact 3. Their determination for freedom was engulfed with passion and fuel with anger as Alexandre Pétion was declared as the first President of Haiti in 1807. This is reflective by maintaining the Caribbean culture and identity by fighting for their freedom. The Haitian-African language, culture, heritage and its political ideologies were reformative by its colonial power which shaped the context of the revolution. The self- abolishment movement of slavery was used as a source of inspiration around the whole Atlantic world into the 19th century because of what is symbolize- the vulnerability of the slaves and the aspiration of freedom of millions of African slaves. (Girard, 2005). This revolution strengthened the Caribbean identity and rejects the eurocentric views and its superiority. Ironically, today, people are immigrating out of the country to neighboring countries such as the Dominican Republic and even the United States due to poor economical and social factors within the country. The once economic striving country is now, unfortunately, in desolate poverty.

Artifact 3: A picture depicting the Haitian Revolution

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REFLECTION
30/11/2017
This portfolio allowed me to gain a deeper insight and appreciation in understanding the Caribbean culture and its society. This course has been an eye opening experience and truly changed my perspective on the importance of history in the Caribbean islands.  Understanding the Caribbean island’s burning passion for freedom and its revolutionary fire really intrigued me to respect my freedom in society today. It has also educated me on the myths of prehistory. Some challenges of this portfolio and course were the time constraints in attending the Caribbean Civilization Live online lectures at 6pm on Mondays due to the late classes at night. Also, as a first year student I have learnt extraordinary ideas and concepts on the Caribbean History which I felt were inaccurately presented at CXC level. Additionally, as a young student with a hearing disability, I would recommend captions to be implemented in the video for me to fully understand and enjoy the lectures presented. This Caribbean Civilization course has been an enjoyable one and I am more knowledgeable in my culture and I share a great appreciation and respect of my history.

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In conclusion, racial perception, sports and even the Haiti"s freedom and its society's today all symbolizes the burning flame for the Caribbean freedom and to restore back its unique Caribbean identity.