https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization "All ah we is one" en-us 2020-04-16 12:27:59 UTC 2026-01-27 09:44:21 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f469-1f393.png kaylesammy https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/514255748 "All ah we is one," when one hears this statement they would think one of unity, love and respect amongst a society or group of people. In the Caribbean, this statement is heard alot. The meaning behind this statement is similar to many Caribbean countries' national motto. For example, the national motto of Trinidad and Tobago is "Together we aspire , Together we achieve," for Jamaica " Out of Many One People," and for Guyana ,"One people, One nation, One Destiny." What is common among all these three national mottos?  They all signify one of UNITY. The Caribbean is often described as 'a melting pot' for its mass variety of races, cultures and religions. If one thinks this is would enable a nation to be one as people that is not always the case. It is can be seen as more of a divider because of the many different beliefs, opinions and perspectives of the persons on various situations in life. There are many problems among a nation that could cause a division within it's people. Some of these issues include the existence of racism and colorism and the diverse perceptives on gender and sexuality and religion]]> 2020-04-18 12:15:38 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/514255748 kaylesammy https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/514263506 Racism is the belief that a particular race is superior or inferior to another, that a person's social and moral traits are predetermined by his or her inborn biological characteristics. ]]> 2020-04-18 12:25:21 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/514263506 kaylesammy https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/514268349 Colorism is a prejudice or discrimination within a racial or ethnic group favoring people with lighter skin over those with darker skin. ]]> 2020-04-18 12:31:09 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/514268349 kaylesammy https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/514422378 Gender can be understood as the way an individual expresses and understand themselves in relation to their sex. 
Sexuality is ones sexual feelings, attractions, thoughts and behaviour towards other people. ]]> 2020-04-18 15:11:24 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/514422378 kaylesammy https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/514424340 Religion is social-culture system of beliefs, behaviors and practices, morals, sanitized or organizations that relates humanity to supernatural or spiritual elements. ]]> 2020-04-18 15:13:29 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/514424340 kaylesammy https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/515711189 Racism in the Caribbean became prevalent during slavery when the Europeans took Africans from their homeland Africa to work on the sugar cane plantations. Life on the plantation for African slaves were filled with fear, punishments and mistreatment. Slaves would have to endure cruel and brutal punishments from the plantation owners whenever they try to rebel or disobeyed them. African slaves were always pushed to be seen as inferior to the Europeans. On the plantation, there was a social hierarchy which was very dominant where the African slaves were referred and seen as the lesser people. Even after the abolition of slavery, the now freed African slaves experience difficulty in having opportunities in labour and education. All because of their race and the blackness of their skin. Where one would hope this racism would not existence in the 21st century century, that is sadly not the case. 
In a Trinidad and Tobago Guardian report, a study done by an IACHR commissioner Prof Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, stated that racial profiling and discrimination in the Caribbean have grown to be accepted by its people. She also stated that there were still strong paradigms that exacerbated inequalities between races, "Financial power is still largely in the hands of white minorities in the regions because of business patterns that have shifted little in the centuries." In her studies, she pointed out that in Barbados, black entrepreneurs have greater difficulty in securing business loans and capital than their white counterparts which places them at a great disadvantages. Another form of racism could be between people Indian and African decent. After the abolition of slavery, there was a lack of labor due to the African slave being freed. European plantation owners bought Indentured Indian laborers to the British colonies to work for small wages and accommodations. However, the ex- African slaves would be paid less than the Indian laborers. This would of course cause problems between the two races. 
In present day Trinidad and Tobago we see racism between the races BUT for a different reason. This reason being POLITICS. In a Trinidad and Tobago News blog report, it stated that alot "swing votes" where race would persuade their political agenda. This is one of the main reasons for the division among Trinidadians especially during election season. It is clear when one sees the racial stereotypes and discrimination during this time that it is a serious division and ongoing problems in Trinidad and Tobago. ]]> 2020-04-19 17:29:56 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/515711189 kaylesammy https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/517282698 This issue of skin color became common during slavery when dark skinned slaves would receive unequal treatment as opposed to the light skinned slaves. When enslaved Africans were put on the auction block, the mixed and lighter skinned slaves would generate the highest bids. In 18^th century chattel slavery, the slaves master would have a division formed by a hierarchical structure based on the color of the slaves’ skin. There were dark skinned slaves and mulatto slaves, the slave masters would often treat the mulatto slaves better the darker slaves.  The color of one’s skin has also been portrayed as an identifier for social status. The mulatto slaves were people who were as a result of sexual relations between the slave masters and female slaves. the impregnation of slaves were to bear children of lighter skin tone and mixed genes of the slave masters. Though these children and adults were slaves, they would receive better treatment in comparison to their darker skinned counterparts.  In the present day, colorism tends to affect Caribbean light skinned and dark skinned women. 
In a Trinidad and Tobago News, an article written by Akilah Holder called "The Issue of Colorism: Dark-Skinned Girls, Light-Skinned Girls" which speaks of the experiences and stereotypes of both skin toned women. She stated that, " Because our still very patriarchal society values light skin over dark skinned females are invariably most subjected to unfair bias and negative stereotypes. Lighter skinned persons suffer less negative discrimination which is roughly proportional to how close they are to the white ideal."  This discriminating behavior leads darker skinned women having insecurities and disadvantages due to the color of their skin. 
In Jamaica, it is very frequent to see cases of people "skin bleaching." Skin bleaching refers to the use of products to lighten darker areas and achieve a lighter complexion. Jamaica has always been known from its dominant color hierarchy where darker women and man are at a disadvantage in the workplace and face discrimination from society, even their own race. "The skin bleachers alter the physical self after equating light skin with beauty, attractive, popularity, social acceptance, high status, and prestige, which they elevate over its opposite dark skin and equate with ugliness, coarseness, low social status and low prestige and social stigma. The persistent negative images create hegemonic representation that light skin is superior because it is closer to the White ideal than is dark skin."( Hughes 2015). The issue was also bright to light when a famous dance hall artist, Spice, released a song called "Black Hypocrisy" which speaks of the negative lookout that is put upon darker individual by society including their own race. ]]> 2020-04-20 12:07:25 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/517282698 kaylesammy https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/518514660 When it comes to gender and sexuality the Caribbean has been very controversial. In Caribbean history, in neo-indian civilizations, the system within the society was very patriarchal where it was mainly dominated by men. In this society, men were in charge of the more ‘tough’ labour such as hunting and defense of the village, in marriage women would be traded as commodities, in religion majority or all of the priest and healer were men and in political organization the chief or cacique were mostly men. On the plantations there was alot of gender divisions when it comes to allocation of work, parenting, resistance and sexual predation. women would be used for sex and reproduction by slave master. On the plantation, they would be in charge of working the fields and rearing children. After the abolition of slavery, there was an increase of the number of women being excluded from political and economic roles and instead have to take the roles of being maids and dressmakers. The dominating Caribbean society is pushed by the ideas of conservation, socialist and evangelican christian perspective which all believe that men should have the main dominance.
In a CDB report, there is a occupational segregation with women tending to have lower-waged occupations in the economy and lower female labour force participation. Higher educational achievements of girls does not get translated in a higher participation in the labour market and closing the wage gap. There is a high proportion of female headed household in poverty and with dependency rations. There was also men and boys increasingly reported gender based violence. 
In the Caribbean, sexuality is revealed as heterosexual in nature which is governed by male sexual desires and needs and where sexuality is attached to power and for women to fidelity and reproduction interests. The stereotypes of a heterosexual man could be similar to ' toxic masculinity.' This is one of reasons for the excessive homophobic violence in the Caribbean. According to Jeff Taylor, in many Caribbean countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, St. Luica and St Kitts and Nevis, there are homophobic laws where same sex activity is illegal and result in a prison sentence up to between 5-15 years. However, in Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia,  same sex activity between females are LEGAL. This would cause alot of discomfort and fear for people in the LGBT community for they have to be fearful and disrespected when living in their own country. There are a few Caribbean countries that have enforced this ban such as Trinidad and Tobago]]> 2020-04-20 19:31:50 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/518514660 kaylesammy https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/518820183 In the Caribbean, it is filled with a variety of religions. During the time of Encomienda system and enslavement, there was the introduction of the Roman Catholic religion. The indigenous people would work for an Encomiendero in which they would protection in return. In this system, the natives would have to learn and practiced the Roman Catholic religion for the Encomiendero wanted to convert them. Other religions introduced were Anglicans, Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed and Lutheran churches. The Baptist society was also formed by a formerly enslaved man in the North America colony in Virginia. After the abolition of slavery, Indian Indentures were bought to work on the plantation. They also bought their culture and religion, Hinduism. Another common religion in the Caribbean is Islam, Judaism and Rastafarianism. 
In a media release by The Equal Opportunity Commission, spoke about the religious discrimination at Lakshmi Girls Hindu College towards an On the Job Trainee (OJT) wearing a hijab. It stated and reminds persons that the Equal Opportunity Act prohibits discrimination in employment which include recruitment, remuneration, transfers, promotions and termination based on religion. Another form of religious discrimination is the stereotypes behind Voodooism. Voodoo is a term used for African-based religion practices followed by people in the Caribbean, primarily in Haiti. This practice is also known as Orisha. Although this is a popular religious practice because of  dominant religions such as Christianity which sees the practice as devilish and demonic.
In a International Freedom Report in 2012, it is stated that in Haiti, members of voodoo and Muslium communties do not enoy the same legal protections as Christians. In Jamaica, Rastafarians endured serious barriers in their ability to find employment and achieve professional status because of the elements in their elements such as their dreadlocks and smoking marijuana.
However, even though there are experiences of religious discrimination towards certain religions, religion is one of the many aspects that brings a society together. This often happens during religious events such Christmas, Divali and Eid al Fitr. During these times, there is unity among societies where people would gather and partake in meals, delicacies and fellowship, all while maintaining a level of respect towards that religion.  

]]> 2020-04-20 22:57:29 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/518820183 kaylesammy https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/520310353

"Study: Race problems subtle in Caribbean." Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, 21 April 2020, http://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.426546.1c8ce3385d.

Shah, Raffique. "Race in our politics." Trinidad and Tobago News, 13 January 2013, https://www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=6891.

Holder, Akilah. " The Issue of Colorism." Trinidad and Tobago News, 24 April 2012, https://www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=6337.

Hughes, Claretha. Impact of Diversity on Organization and Career Development. IGI Global, 2015. 

"Gender Inequality Remains Persistant in the Caribbean." Caribbean Development Bank, 20 May 2016, https://www.caribank.org/newsroom/news-and-events/gender-inequality-remains-persistent-caribbean-cdb-report.

Taylor, Jeff. “Homosexuality Is Still Illegal In These 9 Caribbean Countries.” LOGO, 23 April 2018, http://www.newnownext.com/homosexuality-illegal-caribbean-countries/04/2018/.

"Religious Discrimination under the Equal Opportunity Act." Equal Opportunity Commission, 28 May 2018, http://www.equalopportunity.gov.tt/?q=religious-discrimination-under-equal-opportunity-act-28-may-2018.

"Caribbean Discriminates Against Rastas, Musliums - US Report." Repeating Islands, 29 May 2013, https://repeatingislands.com/2013/05/29/caribbean-discriminates-against-rastas-muslims-us-report/.

]]> 2020-04-21 13:55:51 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/520310353 kaylesammy https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/522867161 2020-04-22 12:43:52 UTC https://padlet.com/kaylesammy/caribbeancivilization/wish/522867161