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General Remarks of Caribbean Civilisation

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General Remarks of Caribbean Civilisation

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It has been my distinct pleasure to be enrolled in the Caribbean Civilisation course for the period of Jan-April 2017 Semester 2. Prior to this course I did Caribbean Studies at the A level and history in my early secondary school life. Personally the info I was exposed to at that level was taught to be accepted and regurgitated. However, Caribbean Civilization gave me the opportunity to critically think and analyse the Caribbean history through a revisionist lens and to explore subjugated knowledge where I was able to obtain new perspectives.

I enjoyed the plenaries and the mere fact that they were online which allow the unification of Caribbean students from the various UWI's campuses as well as it allowed students' flexibility. In addition I appreciated that the course in itself was not rigid as we could have deviated at points which sparked our interest. The plenaries were very interactive and engaging where not only the lecturer was able to educate but at times, the students. This way, every individual benefited tremendously from this course.  Not to mention, the tutorial classes were also excellent in its execution.

As the semester comes to a close, I which to thank the course coordination along with the tutors and guest lecture. You made these thirteen weeks enticing and rekindle our purest Caribbean identity. I would encourage both regional and international students to enroll in this course because along with academic, one can develop critical thinking skills which will better equip them for the world after university.

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Patriarchy does not only affect women but it also sets very high expectations for men which can be humiliating when they are not met.  When men do not meet the standards of " bread winner" they are seen as less of a man and associated with womanliness. Less status is attached to the man.
On entrance to a university lecture class, one can distinguish immediately that there is a ratio of male to female is significantly lower. So the question of concern is, "where are the men?''

A short interview was conducted on Tuesday 11th April, 2017 with a friend of mine to find an answer to this question.

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Patriarchy is solely male dominance. According to Sheila Ruth," the essential element of the masculine ideal is warrior aggressive...because this world is a violent world, the man of the world must be violent." Due to the higher status place on men,  women are seen as inferior, passive, subordinate and hence women are mistreated.  This helps maintain the system of patriarchy.
Patriarchy is central to gender based violence such as rape and domestic violence. Patriarchy has infiltrated the Caribbean during the colonial era and the plantation society where the planter was male and his maleness will allow him much privileges and opportunity. Assertive, strong and active are usually associated with men and the opposite for women. This was taught in subtle ways on the plantation and has been continued up to present day.
Due to our similar historical experiences, all Caribbean countries suffer from this disease called patriarchy which cause segregation between the genders. As a result, most Caribbean islands newspaper article headlines are ridden with dehumanising act done to women and girls through the hands of our men who ought to be the protectors. In recent times, there has been an upsurge in gender based violence where many girls and women were captured, tortured and left for dead.The article below is just one of many fatalities among women for only four months in the year 2017. What will happen in the next eight months?
I am of the belief that this issue is not an easy fix as it persisted for many generations and some may have gotten accustom. However, in order to see a reduction in such occurrences, we must first deal with abolishing the system of patriarchy and promote equity among the genders. In addition government agency must finance television ads to bring awareness and provide confidential support services.

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This poem is a reflection of the impact on patriarchy on my family structure. I grew up in a single mother home because my father left soon after my birth to seek job opportunity abroad. The pictures attached shows that I knew no father and a very tender age.

Patriarchy sailed in the Caribbean shores,
He came in the form of our  colonisers.
He distanced men and women,
And caused kinship, to soon come to an end.

He was like " wolf in sheep's clothing".
He projected gentleman-like quality,
However he came mainly to cause  pure misery.
He wrecks havoc in families,
Leaving young African children without daddies.

We are now in the 21st century,
But we still suffer from our unpleasant history of slavery.
My father left my mother with no return,
As it was more beneficial for him to earn.
Patriarchy rest subtly on all societal structures as we speak,
While father absenteeism continues to rise to great peaks.
Most children will never know what its like to have a father,
But I cherish  the day where children can imitate his excellence.

Growing up where all I knew family to mean mother,
One who multiples her little
Even when things were seemingly brittle.
She's the superhero that saved me from the patriarchal power,
As she utilised every single hour.
To my heroine, thank you for be both mother and father to me.
So this tribute is for all you mothers, grandmothers and aunts.
You've sacrificed all that you had so now we give back to you.
Thank you mama.

-Shenell Best

The image on the left was taken on 07.12.1996 and the image on the right was captured on 03.05.1999.

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As a woman, it is empowering to stand in front of a congregation and declare the word of God. It shows that there has been progress with women and leadership roles in the church. I attend a Full Gospel Church and the image dated October 12th, 2016. I was given an opportunity to impart biblical knowledge to a congregation.  In the early church, this image or even the idea of women leadership was scorned and looked down upon. Men were seen as the ultimate head of the church. The bible was written by men who perpetuated the importance of patriarchy which can be read all through the scriptures.
In the Pentecostal fate, women are heavy involved in ministry and occupy very important roles such as the elder who gives good counsel. However, the top roles are monopolize by men. Women in the Pentecostal ministry are not often ordained as a Pastor, Apostle, Prophetess because these offices are held in high regards. Although women are allow to be more active in the church sphere, they are also daunted and discourage for aspiring for instrumental decision making roles. However,  women attendance to men is drastically greater .
This  image shows the church leadership seated at the back of me. Which implies that they are visible structure which help to maintain the patriarchal structures within the church. Personally, I don't see much more progress for women in the church because the Holy Bible which was written by men inspired by God will not change as it is caste in stone and according to the bible in 1 Timothy 2: 11-12"A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet." Any deviation from this will label one as an outcast or a rebel.