# data[].attributes.body
In this Ted Talk, novelist, Chimanda Adichie speaks on cultural identity and the perceptions of your culture by others in different countries. Many of the points she raised can be compared to life as a person who grew up in the Caribbean. The author begins by mentioning growing up reading English literature and not being able to relate with the situations the characters faced since it was so foreign to her. This is similar to the Caribbean, where foreign media is consumed more than local media, (whether it be books, television or music) despite it being harder to identify with due to differences whether geographical or cultural. Another similar aspect she brought up, was the stereotyping of her nationality as viewed by her American acquaintances.  To outsiders, many Caribbean people are said to be laidback, living by a beach, enjoy partying and that we're all from Jamaica. Another point made was that as she grew older, she began to take more pride in her country and her heritage. This is very relatable since the older I get and learn more about my country, I obtain a newfound sense of pride.

The following video showcases some of the stereotypes people get grouped in because of their nationality:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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.

# data[].attributes.headline
Understanding of Social Environments in Caribbean Civilisation (1/12/17)

# data[].attributes.subject
Understanding of Social Environments in Caribbean Civilisation (1/12/17)

# data[].attributes.body
Social environments, refer to a society's culture whether it be through their beliefs, customs, traditions and behaviours. In this case, religion will be discussed. In the Caribbean, many of us believe that religion( which is seen as something of peace and unity) was spread peacefully by the Europeans, when they arrived. However as learnt from Caribbean Civilisation, the groups of indigenous people inhabiting the islands had their own beliefs and religion which they practised.
The Europeans enforced their religion upon others and this would continue even to the time of slavery, where the Catholicism ideology would be used as a mean to justify their actions. The Africans when forcefully brought had their  practices and culture stripped from them, since they were seen as sub-humans only fit for work. Acts of horrific violence, rape and humiliation would be done by these men who claimed to be a religion of peace. Many of these salve owners used the bible and scriptures as a way to ensure themselves and the slaves that what they were  doing was deemed righteous by their God. Additionally, in later years colonialism used education as means to push their religious agendas by creating schools and making education available for lower income households. However education was said "to promote pupils above their “station in life” but rather to make them “industrious, contented and happy”,(Campbell, C).

The following video goes in depth with role of religion in the Caribbean:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Role of Religion in Caribbean History

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Role of Religion in Caribbean History with Patrick Hylton - From Amerindian Shamanism to Rastafarianism The islands and continental territories of the Caribbean showcase as wide a diversity of religious beliefs and practices as can be found in any other region of the world.

# data[].attributes.headline
Immigration Situation Between Haiti and the Dominican Republic (1/12/17)

# data[].attributes.subject
Immigration Situation Between Haiti and the Dominican Republic (1/12/17)

# data[].attributes.body
The issue between Haiti and the Dominican Republic raises many social conversations  such as discrimination, human rights and poverty. Despite sharing one island with each other the neighbouring countries are not on the best of terms  At one point in time Haiti was one of the richest Caribbean  however due to multiple economic troubles and natural disasters, this no longer became the case. Because of these reasons, many Haitians sought refuge at the Dominican Republic both legally and illegally. The Dominican Republic's government however saw the influx of citizens as a threat to their country. The government believed that they are burden to their economy, and some citizens saw them as "stealing their jobs". The government's decision to conduct mass deportations on Haitian nationalities was seen as violation of human rights, since some of them were legal residents of the country. Many Dominicans were of Haitian decent who were residents were "ghosted" meaning they would not be able to access basic government grants like education.

One may view this as the government showing a lack of compassion and concern for a fellow Caribbean island who's citizens are experiencing hardships. However this can also be viewed in another perspective where political backlash and conflicts of interests with other countries could tarnish their relations. Another problem is that the Dominican Republic, cannot allow a large amount of Haitians(legally) into their country without proper security and background checks. The government would not want to be responsible for endangering their nationals either by allowing criminals or even diseases into their borders.

This video contains a very detailed journey in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and the interactions between the common folk of both nations:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Over the past six months, I've taken thousands of photos, released 13 dispatches from the road, visited eight countries, and shot countless hours of footage - all for six documentaries about life at the edge of nations.

This is the first one.

The island of Hispaniola is home to two very different countries: Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Infant mortality rates in Haiti are 2.5 times higher, and Haitians are almost 10 times poorer per capita than Dominicans.

I visited the island to investigate how these differences play out in the lives of its residents. As I traveled through Haiti and the Dominican Republic, I saw the stark disparities that are deeply rooted in history, all the way back to their colonial origins. The stage was set hundreds of years ago, but the story continues today.

Vox Borders is a six-part, international documentary series about life at the edge of nations, produced by Emmy-nominated videojournalist Johnny Harris. The Vox Borders documentaries publish weekly on Tuesdays. You can watch and the other documentaries on YouTube.
Was this article helpful?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
One island, 2 worlds: the story of Haiti and the Dominican Republic

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Over the past six months, I've taken thousands of photos, released 13 dispatches from the road, visited eight countries, and shot countless hours of footage - all for six documentaries about life at the edge of nations. This is the first one. The island of Hispaniola is home to two very different countries: Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

# data[].attributes.body
This course has provided me with a new insight and perspective on the Caribbean. Before I would not have appreciated our history or even consider the trials and issues our ancestors would have faced. I also would not have thought about certain historical figures such as Christopher Colmbus in a negative connotation and as a man responsible for mass genocide of innocent people. Additionally, this course showed that certain parts of history which was taught at secondary level to be wrong, such as the lie that Caribs were savages, cannibals and war mongering people. It opened my eyes to subjugated history and the possibility that some historical events may have been documented incorrectly. Not only that but in this course I learnt to take pride in my culture and embrace it and its rich heritage.