Chimamanda also spoke about her experience of being stereotyped when she went to America to attend University. Her roommate, who expected her to be a young woman who cannot speak English and not very educated, was very shocked to hear Chimamanda speak English as she had a stereotypical view of her before she even met her. This stereotypical view can be linked back to historical times where the Europeans saw the Neo-indians in the Caribbean as “uncivilized”. This stereotypical behaviour has progressed through the ages where Europeans judge persons from the West based on what they believed these people were like. 

            These views of Stereotyping can be seen in the artifact below which is a trailer for the 1972 movie The Harder They Come directed by Perry Henzell starring Jimmy Cliff. The movie set in Jamaica show examples of stereotyping of Western people such as Rastafarian men rolling and smoking weed as well as them being involved in criminal activities. 

            Caribbean Culture has been used throughout history to bring together Caribbean people as they share the same beliefs and it has given them something to enjoy together as a people. Music such as David Rudder’s ‘Trini To De Bone’ and Calypso Rose’s ‘Leave Me Alone’ reflect the type of music created in the Caribbean known as ‘Soca’. This music has become so famous that it is known all over the world in present times as the music of the Caribbean. This music is special to Caribbean people as it may remind them of their childhood or just helps them to relieve pent up stress. 

Different festivals such as Trinidad’s Carnival have been celebrated around the world and have been used as an aspect of Caribbean Culture that has brought Caribbean people together and consisted of many different cultures. It also allows Caribbean persons who no longer live in the Caribbean to come together and celebrate their culture. For example Notting Hill Carnival in London which allows Caribbean people to celebrate their culture outside of the Caribbean.

The following artifacts show examples of Caribbean Culture expressed through Music and festivals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VCYILG8VR8 

            Free movement of skilled persons in the Caribbean has allowed for the region to be seen as one body on an international level and allows for a higher level of camaraderie. Movement across the Caribbean whether it be movement of goods and services or movement of persons have allowed for better integration and comradery amongst the different countries. This integration brings together the different cultures of people throughout the Caribbean and forms a bond through the shared history of these countries. Countries in CARICOM have all experienced a history of oppression and slavery and through this initiative it has allowed for a comradeship to form through events such as the CARICOM Invitational Games. In Caribbean civilisation it is taught that we as a Caribbean people must always help each other and through this initiative this is possible. 

            The following artifact shows the CARICOM song, sung by Michelle Henderson, which illustrates the unity of the Caribbean through free movement. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqpzwm4ZBxc 

            The course coordinator Dr John F Campbell has thought us all from many different campuses through an application called ‘Blackboard Collaborate’ in order to educate us all about our linked Caribbean lives. Through this application Tutorial tutor such as Miss Lynette Sampson was able to assist us for an extra hour in each week with information we may have missed or to answer any questions we had. This was extremely helpful as it allowed us a little one on one time since the lecture consisted of approximately 900 students. This vast number of students has also led to a complication in this course. When attending the online lecture some persons had a difficult time getting into the application and often may have missed the lecture. Luckily these lectures were recorded and posted onto the course page to help these students that missed them gain the information. 

            Overall this course has been very informative to me as it gave me a different perspective on Caribbean life and history. It also gave me a better understanding and appreciation for the life I am living as I have learnt of the struggles of my ancestors to give us a better Caribbean.