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Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie in the “TED talk” video, ‘The Dangers of the Single Story” sheds light on how groups with cultural and economic power have the ability to write the story of other less powerful groups, although it may be warped or untrue. In her speech, she explains how America and Britain, via media and even literature, were able to share all aspects of their culture and society, while there was little of hers to portray, and even what was portrayed was not a true and holistic representative of her birth place, Nigeria. So too in the Caribbean we are influenced by more powerful countries: the British historically, and presently by The United States of America.

The artifact chosen shows persons of African descent across the globe voicing the different stereotypes placed on them, and this again is because of a single story and what the media repeatedly displays. In the video an Afro-Trinidadian voices one of those stereotypes, where being from the Caribbean means that you are Jamaican, which is completely false. Jamaica has gained its popularity because of their reggae music and the legendary icon Bob Marley. However, being from the Caribbean does not mean you are from Jamaica as it is simple one of the many islands in the Caribbean. Even Trinidad’s national instrument is believed to originate from Jamaica, simply because the Jamaican culture is portrayed  hand in hand with Caribbean culture in the media.

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Persons throughout the world are stereotyped because of the 'first story'.

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Hey, So this is an important video that we made as part of Afro-Caribbean culture week. As the title states, it is about stereotypes and the effects of pre-conceived identities. Stereotyping someone is a form of prejudice. It's not enough to just say that you didn't know because it translates into ignorance.

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Caribbean history entails colonisers indoctrinating slaves via numerous means, sports being an example. Cricket especially was taught in British colonies to encourage, obedience, discipline and respect among slaves, encouraging order on plantations. Although slavery ended several decades ago and many islands are no longer colonies, cricket is still embraced. Although we were taught by the English, history shows that our West Indies Cricket Team has been able to master the game and even triumph over the creators and teachers, the English. However, this did not come without challenges. The artifact 'Fire in Babylon illustrate the long journey towards development development and the circumstances they were faced with representing the Caribbean. Having The West Indies Cricket Team and the West Indies Cricket Board, which consist of members of various English- speaking Caribbean territories, also helps to encourage Caribbean integration, deeming it as the only sport that unites us a Caribbean people.

Over the years, sports has been beneficial to the region in numerous ways, positively impacting Human Development. Partaking in sports promotes and facilitates a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally. Increased Sporting activity can encourage buildings of sporting complex, stadiums and training programs to facility development towards these persons. Socially it fosters teamwork and nurtures values of cooperation and good sportsmanship. Lastly, on the largest scale, when athletes are born and raised in the Caribbean, by the Caribbean, we all unite to support that athlete, forgetting borders or boundaries. This has been seen in cases such as Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt, or Keshorn Walcott at the Olympics or even cricket matches that the West Indies Team partake in.

Video showing History of West Indies Cricket

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The Caribbean Community and Common Market, founded in 1973, is a twenty Caribbean nations organisation that aims to promote economic integration among members ensuring equal sharing of benefits to coordinate foreign policy. A decade after the formation of CARIFTA (the Caribbean Free Trade Area), a Treaty of Chaguaramas was signed to deepen links within the region. Their goal was to increase trade among members, booting output and productivity while protecting the Caribbean from global forces of competition by fusing various aspects of out economics. This is done by being a limited common market where internal can be free and easy by having a common external tariff and the removal of restrictions on movement of services, labour and capital. This togetherness help form a regional identity and can also lead to the development and globalisation of the Caribbean. When skilled nationals are allowed free movement between islands they are able to seek employment in any Member State and the elimination of the need for work permits and permits of stay.
Although Caricoms' promised increased trade and economic development, it is not total materialised. A challenged posed was some countries being economic stronger. Trinidad and Tobago have benefited from the free trade while compared to other regional islands where have not witnessed an increase intra-regional service trade. This defeated the purpose of prompting deeper integration into a single market. Another threat was a strong sense of insularity. At times only one or two visionaries were the driving force towards regionalism.

Video showing Heads of State at Caricom meeting

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CARICOM HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING OFFICIALLY OPENS

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"A people without the knowledge of their pasthistory, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." - Marcus Garvey. At the beginning of my semester, i was elated
when i found out I am able do this Caribbean Civilisation course. I was able to improve and expand my knowledge on the history of the culture of the Caribbean region, resulting in a sense of self awareness and appreciation. I was also enlighten about the myths associated with the history such Christopher Columbus discovering the Western World, the indigenous people being referred to as 'Caribs and Arawaks and some being classed as 'cannibals and man eaters'. This course enabled me to be more conscious when identifying persons and not being responsible for using the 'first story' phenomenon. Furthermore, I believe the face-to-face tutorials were an excellent teaching method as it encouraged communication and participation among students, which can result in self development. However,  some challenges were experienced during the semester. Although having the lecture online may be quite convenient, the application used, 'blackboard collaborate', was not fully efficient. There were times were internet connection would drop resulting to difficulty in hearing and also missing certain words and key terms.

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"Skill- Free Movement in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)". Caricom Caribbean Community. (2001 - 2017) http://caricom.org/skill-free-movement-in-the-caricom-single-market-and-economy-csme/

Jones, Trent. "The 7 Most Common Caribbean Myths and Stereotypes". The Root, (23rd June 2015). https://www.theroot.com/the-7-most-common-caribbean-myths-and-stereotypes-1790860296

Mulalu, Lulwama. "Stereotypes-Afro-Caribbean culture week 2014" Youtube, (Jan 13, 2014). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ur3wrM9NJw
ZNSNetwork. "CARICOM HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING OFFICIALLY OPENS". Youtube, (Jul 5, 2016). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7PuMjeTiKk

Ngozi Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. "The danger of a single story" TED Ideas worth spreading, (July 2009). https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story

Rose, Char. "Fire in Babylon Movie 2010 - full movie". Youtube, (Dec 21, 2016). https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1492&v=Fd3TzH21Yz8

Mohammed, Jeniffer. Caribbean Studies. Macmillan Education, 2007