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Black Lives Matter Movement (BLM) was established in 2013, after the acquittal of George Zimmerman. Zimmerman was charged for the murder of Trayvon Martin’s murder in 2013.  The movement for Black Lives Matter (BLM) was formed by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi. The mission of the movement is to eliminate the violence that is inflicted against the black community (“Black lives matter”).

How relevant is the Black Lives Matter movement to Caribbean history and current reality?

The Caribbean is a multi-cultural region with the majority of the islands consisting of Africans with the exception of countries such as Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana which consists of the majority of its population as a mixture of Africans and East Indians. The Black Lives Matter Movement is important to the Caribbean but it varies from that of the United States of America. The colonial past that Caribbean has endured has led to our multifaceted diversity in language, religion, food, traditions and most importantly culture.

The Caribbean was first occupied by the indigenous people namely the Paleo, Mezzo and Neo Indians, who all had their own cultures and civilizations. In the 15th century the Caribbean was colonized by Spain, when Christopher Columbus made landfall in the year 1492. His arrival here saw to the extinction of the indigenous people by means of diseases and inhumane slaughter. The Europeans saw the Caribbean as an opportunity for agricultural industry to supply products that their country was in need of. They then brought in Europeans who were deemed prostitutes and criminals to work on the plantations as means of their punishment. This, however, was short-lived. The Europeans then sought Africans slaves from West Africa to work on the plantations, which they bought from the Africans chiefs. These African Salves came to the Caribbean with their cultures and traditions in what we know as the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Chinese and East Indian indentured laborers also was brought to the Caribbean with their cultures and traditions, thus making the Caribbean well diversified in various cultures traditions and ethnicities (Unit 2).

The issues of race./colourism, social inequalities and police brutality has played a major part of why the Black lives matter movement is needed to help deal with the issues facing our social, economic and political spheres in the Caribbean

Photograph showing Christopher Columbus statue in Port of Spain Trinidad.
Picture taken by Keron Nanan in July 2020

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Race/colourism has been an issue since the days of Slavery. Through colonialism, the Caribbean was ruled by the British and they overruled the African Chattel Slaves and the Indentured East Indians. These two slavery styles were as a result of the plantation in the Caribbean. According to George Beckford (1972), the Plantation society was prevalent of mono-crop (sugar cane) cultivation and social stratification. That era was based on race and colour and therefore the plantation society consisted of Whites and Blacks. Theorist, M.G Smith spoke of the shift in the plantation society stratification system; he believed that it was a caste like system and it consisted of race, colour and socio-economic factors. This stratification system was made up of the Whites, mixed Mulattoes and freed Negroes and the blacks (higher to lower) (Mustapha 245). In today’s reality, the stratification system still exists; however it is similar but different. Stratification has changed from colour to class in the post-independence time which consists of the upper class, middle class and lower class.

The issue of race/colourism has been a concern for social issues since slavery and still exists today. During slavery, chattel slaves were seen as a commodity and not an individual. They were not considered as human beings but as tools for labour production. The indentured labourers, although paid for their labour were also treated in the same manner as the chattel slaves. In present day society race and colour still speak to social issues and persons with colour are offered positions in organizations rather than a person who may be dark skinned despite their qualification. Light skinned people are more favoured and admired as oppose to dark skinned people. Race and colourism also stems from political issues. For example in Trinidad and Tobago the two main political parties are traditionally voted for based on race however in a small minority it is changing due to the mixture of the races. These political parties contribute to the race/colourism issues in present. Their influence on the people to vote based on what race they belong to has caused this racial division amongst many.

Economic issues also arise as a result of race/colourism problem. Since slavery, the indentured labourers were paid whereas the chattel slaves were not. The Black Power Movement challenged issues of political and socio-economic inequality which resulted in a shift in the stratification system from colour to class, there is no specific position for a specific race or colour. During the Black power movement revolution in the Caribbean the Africans and Indians united to overcome the issues they were facing. Makandal Daaga of Trinidad and Tobago, united the Africans and Inidans during the black power revolution in the 1970’s with his labour party NJAC (National joint action committee) who fought against the Canadian Banks in Trinidad and Tobago because they were not hiring Africans nor Indians. According to Kafra Kambon, Dagga allowed "Black brothers from Belmont and Laventille marching to Caroni wanted to say to the Indians, 'we embrace you', and to cement the unity that was growing” ( Baboolal par.5). Anyone can fall into any strata in society which is what exist today. Hence the need for Black lives movement today is quite relevant but the focus has changed within the race/colour scheme to more of a class issue. Therefore the need for this current movement can be used positively to fight against the inequalities that exist within the Caribbean society today.

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The international Black lives matter movement has made the awareness of social inequalities in our society be seen. Due to the large movement of persons fighting for civil rights and freedom in this current day tells us that our democratic systems that exist among the Caribbean islands needs improving. Since the colonial times, there were many inequalities that were shown towards the African population mainly based on the treatment they received and no wages. Our forefathers such as Makandal Dagga and Walter Rodney fight against the inequalities that existed during the 1960’s and 1970’s. Dagga encouraged the Africans and East Indians to stand in Solidarity against job discrimination.  However as stated before we have seen inequalities not necessarily among race but among class.

In this present day, the Black lives matter movement is needed to show why there is so much unemployment and underemployment. Without this movement there will be no pressure among the governments and Caricom to make a change to policies, thereby creating a better life for everyone. FOCUS par.10 states that a major cause of poverty and inequality in the region is due to high unemployment level and underemployment, contributing to insufficient income to maintain adequate levels of consumption and welfare. Unemployment creates the domino effect of low to no wages for household, which in turns leads to low, or no academic attainment and skills. This is seen mainly in Jamaica, Belize and Dominica.

During colonial times to present day the structure of families has been impacted. Many households within the Caribbean are Matrifocal. This leads to poorer homes due to one parent working and supporting the children, which leads to lack of education and unemployment. Why is this so up to this day? The only way these things can change is by the use of proper legislations and social programs ensuring there is not only equality but equity. Without the movement today, no one will look at the social issues that are affecting the Caribbean people.

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Police Brutality has been an ongoing issue in the Caribbean region for quite some time now. It dates back as far as the 1970’s in the Black Revolution era. For example famous Political activist Walter Rodney stood up against injustices against blacks. He fought due to unjust police raids, house searches and beatings. During his fight against this injustice, Walter Rodney was arrested among seven others due to the burning of two government buildings. This case was further dismissed (“Walter Rodney & Works”).The question here is what is different to our current day situation? The black lives movement in America is fighting against a similar injustice. The difference with the America,  it is based on a black and white issue but within the Caribbean race it is not the main focus but based on the stereotype of a criminal. The stereotyping of persons based on physical appearance leads to what is seen as injustice from the police in the Caribbean.

One of the major questions is, have any of the countries of the Caribbean region implemented any policies to deal with “police brutality” as seen by the region’s citizens? Is it really Police brutality? Or is it lack of resources, training or unethical behaviour of people? Do we need to change the thinking or mindset of persons, what social awareness needs to be done in order to bring justice to all persons involved? Hence, the Black lives matter movement is extremely relevant in today reality.

Jamaican political scientist Neville Duncan stated that there is a need for an impartial and independent investigative body that has the capability of investigating cases of this nature. He further stated that even though police brutality occurs, the police force needs to be upgraded with man power, equipment, and the intellectual and managerial capacity it needs to address evolving crime patterns (Richards par.15)

A few weeks ago, there was heavy protest by citizens of Trinidad and Tobago in East Port of Spain over the killing of three men by Police. It was seen as police brutality against the three men. Several activists such as Kareem Marcelle (Law student and youth activist) spoke out stating that that these protest were also happening within a social system that disables citizens from depressed communities to rise above their current circumstances. He reignited conversations about equitable wealth distribution, racism and police brutality (Mendes- Franco par. 13).

Based on what was seen during the black power revolution as compared to today the Black Lives Matter movement in the Caribbean region is relevant to stand against Police brutality. Policies can be implemented to assist governments and other stake holders, for better training and a more equipped police force across the Caribbean. Social issues amongst citizens in this region must be also address because of the social inequalities and racial issues in the Caribbean the various police services are faced with a dilemma.

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Although the  issues faced in the Caribbean are different from those of the international territories, according to race/colourism and social inequalities, the Black Lives Matter movement can stand in the Caribbean region. This will help fight in order to alleviate various social issues such as race/colourism, social inequalities, crime, teenage pregnancy and many others, which will in turn enable society to progress socially and economically, thereby the need for strict and physical police intervention will be minimal.

We have to stand in solidarity and fight for the freedom that our ancestors endured in the past. We need to follow the lovely words of the famous Bob Marley and  "emancipate yourself from mental slavery none but  ourselves can free our mind"

Photograph taken by ( me )Keron Nanan in June, 2011
Emancipation Park , Kingston Jamaica.

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Redemption Song- by Bob Marley.

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Baboolal, Yvonne. "Daaga to play cruical role, United Africans and Indians." Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 8 May 2010, www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.334058.f4812fdb17.

Black Lives Matter, 2020, blacklivesmatter.com/about/

"Growth Poverty and Inequality in the Caribbean." FOCUS, June 2013, repositorio.cepal.org/bitstream/handle/11362/38333/1/FOCUSIssue2Apl-Jun2013.pdf.

Mendes- Franco, Janine. "Police killings spark protests in Trinidad's capital." Global Voices , 30 June 2020, globalvoices.org/2020/06/30/police-killings-spark-protests-in-trinidads-capital/.

Mustapha, Nasser. Sociology for Caribbean Students. 2nd nd ed., Ian Randle Publishers, 2013, pp. 245-47.

Richards, Peter. "CARIBBEAN: Police Under Fire for Brutality." Inter Press Service Agency, www.ipsnews.net/2004/10/caribbean-police-under-fire-for-brutality/.

Unit 2 Defining a Caribbean Civilisation. University of the West Indies Open Campus, FOUN 1101: Caribbean Civilisation Retrieved from

https://shared.tle.courses.open.uwi.edu/pluginfile.php/94372/mod_resource/content/1/FOUN1101unit2_S32019.pdf

Walter Rodney Foundation, www.walterrodneyfoundation.org/biography/.

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Tobago Fort King George is located in in the capital of Tobago. it was built by the British in the 1770's and name after King George the third. the site has the various cannons and a museums which houses Amerindian artifacts, military relics and past documents.

See below for a collage of photographs of the cannons, the museum and the view from King Fort Geroge. All photos were taken by me (Keron Nanan in 2014)

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Student: Keron Nanan
ID: 320021182
University of the West Indies Open Campus
Caribbean Civilization
FOUN 1101
Course Coordinator: Ms. Nicole Plummer
E-tutor:  Ms. Susan Rolston