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Chimamanda speaks on the dangers of a single story. Caribbean Civilization taught us the importance of revisionism and that often times we never bother to question the information passed down to us. This reminded me of my visit to England; a girl who I was chatting with asked me where I was from. “St. Vincent”. “Where is that?”. “In the Caribbean.” I could never forget how her face lit up as I told her I was from the Caribbean. Her ideas of the Caribbean are of paradise; coconut trees and beaches. She was oblivious to the ‘hard life’ Caribbean that I know of. Yet I smiled as I wished her fantasies were real too. I guess a single story like this doesn’t hurt anyone, just disappointment if she were to go.

Contrarily, some single stories have more negative impacts and can lead to stereotypes and also hateful and judgmental outlook towards others. Just as the single story of the people labelled Kalinagos to be bloodthirsty cannibals. When Isabella of Portugal received this story, she deemed them deserving of being enslaved. This single story caused her to think of them as less of humans.

All the same, it may be difficult to get other stories or perspectives; even harder when you couldn’t care less. Just as Chimamanda’s roommate, people of the Caribbean have been fed a similar story of Africa. The story of Africa shared is that of malnourished children either battling a disease or struggling to get clean water. Pay a dollar a day to help. This brings many to think of Africa as a place of sufferation and that is all some may ever think of it. We are never to accept a single story alone.
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By Cody Ince.
Caribbean Civilization Plenary Slides 1
20th September 2017

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A single island divided; Haiti and the Dominican Republic. They share similar history to the other Caribbean countries. They also share something even greater in common, an island; Hispaniola. The island of Hispaniola is one island; the Dominican Republic is prosperous, healthy, full of resorts, et cetera. Haiti is in desperate poverty. These countries have proven from time to time that their borders are not just physical, but something deeper. The dreadful immigration predicament continues to separate the former French and Spanish colonized countries, Haiti and the Dominican Republic respectively.

The argument of immigration is quite similar to that of Mexico and the USA. One argument being that the Haitians take all the good jobs in the Dominican Republic. The other being that they only take the labor-intensive jobs that the Dominicans won’t do themselves. Hundreds of thousands of Dominicans of Haitian descent were stripped of their citizenship, deported and forced to prove they were born there; a violation of human rights. When problems like these occur in the Caribbean region one tends to wonder if there is any mediator or council that settles such dilemmas. Who plays the role of Father in this ‘One Caribbean Family’ that is so often preached?

The diversity of the Caribbean, reflected in linguistic, ethnic and general cultural differences, is historically described as the area that experienced European colonization, slavery, indentureship and the plantation system. Though affected by these institutions, there is a strong bond and unity that lies between most of these countries that wave the ‘Caribbean’ banner. Yet, the unification of Haiti and the Dominican Republic seems highly unlikely. A serious problem, seemingly overlooked.
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Dominican Soldier guarding the border
22nd November 2017

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There are many factors that spark diversity in the Caribbean; ranging from colonial and cultural heritage to ethnic separatism. Though they share these differences, there is one thing that seem to bring all together; lovely cricket. More so for the West Indies. Many may be unaware of the large impact that West Indies cricket has played and continue play on culture and history and unification of the islands of the West Indies on a whole. It is safe to say that I too was like this before this Caribbean Civilization course.

Cricket, formally used as an instrument of colonizing, was now used as a symbol for freedom. During the 60’s and 70’s when a fight for equality for blacks in the Caribbean and abroad was going on, West Indies cricket was used as a way to showcase this equality. It was use to prove the emergence of the nation. They represented the region. Several dots on the map, dominating the world.

West Indies also led the way for a cultural revival in the islands during their prominent reign. There was a sense of pride to be West Indian and sense of African pride as well. Not only for people living on the islands but West Indian immigrants all over the world. They were also of social significance as they stood up against their board on numerous occasions, giving the people a form of encouragement to stand up against the ones who oppress them. I for one was totally unaware of the significant impact that West Indies cricket had conveyed.
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West Indies vs England
Fire In Babylon. Movie
19th November 2017

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Humans crave approval. In recent times, this approval has come in the digital form of ‘likes’ and ‘followers’. Scientists are discovering an increasing number of troubling links between social networking and mental health challenges. Furthermore, research is also zeroing in on the effects of social media addiction on the brain. Social media has a similar yet significantly different impact on the people of the Caribbean and the black community.

Moreover, social media offers a way to ‘front’. Urban Dictionary defines ‘fronting’ as acting like you are more, or you have more than what really exists; something that black people seem to specialize in. If you were to step foot on any social network, you are likely to behold a black person, man or woman, posted up in expensive attire, showing off their money and prized possessions.

As a matter of fact, some may say that black people may be overcompensating for the years they didn’t have; that being years of slavery. Years of nothing, suffering and tribulation. Years of barely having clothes on their backs. Our backs. Now we over exaggerate on the way we dress, our appeal and living expenses as a way to make up for those years. It was so difficult to change status from being a slave to a freeman during those dreadful years. Could that be the reason why we try to make it seem as if our social status has improved on social media? Squabbling for approval in the form of ‘likes’ in the process. We art to do what we love doing, and not what gives us the most ‘likes’. In the end, what makes us truly happy?
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Chronixx - 'Likes'. Music Video
24th November 2017

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Music video by Chronixx performing Likes. (C) 2017 Chronixx Music Group LLC, under exclusive license to Virgin EMI Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Ltd http://vevo.ly/LBaL2k

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My journey for this course has been one with a drastic turnaround. Initially, I had a negative towards this course. Reason being; I had already completed a course in Caribbean Studies at CAPE and was thinking why would they be teaching me things I have already learnt before. I was thinking that I knew it all. I even went to my academic advisor and ask if I shouldn’t be exempted from the course. That didn’t change much as I was told that it was compulsory. With that, I had already had a negative attitude towards the course even before the first class.

That didn’t last long as I indulged in the online lectures and tutorials. It was convenient for me because I didn’t have to even shower to go class. When classes started for about the first 5 weeks, I was still thinking that these are things I already know. I had known Christopher Columbus didn’t discover the Caribbean. I had also known about the chattel slavery of my ancestors. What I didn’t know much about was the introduction to Indians in the Caribbean. Maybe because there aren’t much Indians in my country, St. Vincent. But it was a topic not frequently mentioned. All I knew was that they came to the Caribbean as indentured servants; that’s it. Through this course I gained knowledge the Indians and now have a better understanding of this ethnic group. For I while I would look around at Indians I saw in the streets and wonder if they originally from the ports Kolkata, Bombay or Madras. In later weeks I had come to learn about Caribbean identity, religion, education, music, culture, family, gender and sexuality; stories untold to me. I had changed from a ‘know it all’ to a student once more.
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By Cody Ince
Caribbean Civilization Plenary Slide 6
13th November 2017