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Unnecessary. This one word summed up my view of this course at the beginning of the semester. After doing History in Form 5 and Caribbean Studies in Form 6, I tried to understand how many times our education system wanted to shove the same information down my throat. Then, as I went through the course outline to further criticize the course, I  asked myself what more could they possibly teach me about the Caribs and Arawaks that I did not already know. However, by the second lecture, I was forced to put many things I had learnt or what I thought I knew into question. Hence, I was able to eradicate myths and misconceptions. Furthermore, I was also able to add to my existing wealth of knowledge as the course exposed me to new information. The course was not burdensome, in fact, I enjoyed attending the tutorial sessions. Moreover, as I have come to the end of this course, I can recant my initial statement as Caribbean Civilization surpassed the low expectations I had of it. Conclusively, it was very insightful and I am glad that I was given the opportunity to learn not only about our past but also current important issues being faced by the Caribbean region.

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The influx of foreign music in the Caribbean has become part of the daily experience of Caribbean people. Few local radio stations pay attention to promoting Caribbean music and talent. By placing the focus primarily on American forms of music under-emphasizes the indigenous music in the Caribbean. Exposure to foreign music is likely to put a higher value on American living which usually results in giving up listening to Caribbean music or placing a higher value on foreign music. Resultantly, individuals may only listen to regional music such as Soca seasonally, specifically around Carnival time. Moreover, most Caribbean artists gain international recognition when they become famous by adopting international music, labels and media. For example, Shaggy, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj. Furthermore, there is a heavy influence of hip hop, r &b as well as rap in local music. Caribbean nationals often incorporate these foreign musical elements into their music. For example, Differentology by Bunji Garlin and Raze by Fayann Lyons. In fact, Bunji Garlin’s Differentology was able to reach a foreign platform when it was featured in an episode of ABC network’s ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.  Hence, it clear that the imperialist agenda in music has flooded the Caribbean whether through foreign music or foreign musical elements within local music .

10/04/2017

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Caribbean economies have not been able to successfully engage in economic transformation. This is evident through its monocrop culture where economies are dependent on mainly one industry to generate its revenue that is focused primarily on the production of raw materials for export. Hence, Caribbean countries are left to produce primary products whereas developed countries benefit from the lion’s share of value added. The economic question of what to produce depends on the needs and demands of the developed countries which facilitates the imperialist agenda. For example, Jamaica is heavily dependent on bauxite and Grenada is highly dependent on its spices such as nutmeg. Hence, although the nature of production has changed, the structure of production persists. However, due to this high dependence, our economies are highly vulnerable to changes in global economic climate. For example, due to Trinidad and Tobago’s heavy dependence on its energy sector, recent falling world oil prices has put our economy in a critical state of recession. In fact, according to the Central Bank’s annual survey, in 2015 the energy sector accounted for approximately 42% of the country’s GDP, 48% of government revenues and 85% of merchandise exports. This  dependence on oil and gas allows for the susceptibility to booms and bust. Additionally, our economies are also vulnerable to supply shortages. For example, Trinidad was once the largest supplier of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to the US, accounting for as much as 80% of T&T’S LNG exports .The US is now producing its own shale gas and has reduced LNG imports from T&T. In fact, the question of how long we can continue pumping oil from the ground without exhausting our supply remains an issue of major concern in the country. Hence, lack of economic diversification, acts as a serious impediment to sustainable and stable development.

18/04/2017

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Throughout history, Caribbean countries have had a dependence on natural resources for the generation of export earnings. For example, our dependence on sugarcane exports and other agricultural exports such as coffee and cocoa. Contemporary regional economies remain largely dependent on natural resources for their economic survival. This is evident in the tourism sector where Caribbean economies depend on sun, sand and sea as their export goods to foreign markets. Thus, the tourists that visit the Caribbean, come primarily from first world countries which imperialises us. In essence, tourism in one of the largest revenue generating sector in most Caribbean countries and its attractiveness as a holiday destination has led tourism to become the greatest single foreign exchange earner in 13 economies in the Caribbean. Resultantly, high dependence on tourism makes Caribbean economies extremely vulnerable if there is low visitor arrival. In fact, a major contributing factor to low visitor arrival is global crime. For instance, if there are terrorist activities occurring abroad then this would negatively affect our tourism industry as foreigners would not want to travel. Additionally, crime within Caribbean islands also has adverse effects on tourism. For example, due to the high crime rate in Jamaica, the Jamaican government restricted foreigners via cruise ships from passing the vendor area at the port. Hence, those who gained an income in Jamaica by selling goods to tourists were denied the opportunity to do so. Hence global as well as local crime affect the tourism industry significantly. Its significant negative economic impact is a challenge faced due to regional dependence on the tourism industry.

16/12/2016

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Fears that Tobago's tourism is dying as arrivals dwindle

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President of the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA) Christopher James has expressed fears that the Tobago tourism industry will be non-existent in the next few

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Caribbean countries are saturated by cultural imperialism either through forced acculturation of western clothing or by voluntarily embracing it. This is exemplified in the Americanization of our culture and revealed through the dress of Caribbean individuals. People have become conditioned to foreign clothing and fashion thus regarding it as normal and in so doing accept it as part of their culture. For example, leather jackets and Timberland shoes which are used in countries with cold climates are being worn in the Caribbean. Also, foreign fashion and style adapted in the Caribbean. This shows that Caribbean individuals have taken the concerns of the US and have transformed the into our own which builds pro-US sentiments. The impact on Caribbean individuals have been intensified by the foreign mass media which influences the interests of Caribbean people to acquire the everyday fashion and clothing that the typical US citizen has. Furthermore,the ability to shop on-line has also intensified this impact. Caribbean individuals are imbued with the latest trends in America which display that they are up-to-date with modern trends. Resultantly, Caribbean nationals often turn away from shopping at local clothing stores. In fact, most of the local clothing stores purchase foreign clothing and redistribute them. Hence, the impact of cultural imperialism is evident in our dress in the Caribbean.

10/04/2017