https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5 Exploring our history, society and concepts of identity. en-us 2019-11-27 14:57:12 UTC 2026-02-14 01:59:41 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4ad.png azmohammed https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417564530 Mistrust can be defined as a "lack of trust; suspicion" according to the Oxford Dictionary.]]> 2019-11-28 18:29:14 UTC https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417564530 azmohammed https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417568448 Intolerance is "unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behaviour that differ from one's own," according to the Oxford Dictionary.]]> 2019-11-28 18:48:23 UTC https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417568448 azmohammed https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417582591 Prior to 1498, the Amerindians within the Caribbean followed their own religious practices based on their ancestors and spirits within nature. However, upon the arrival of the Spanish colonizers in 1498, the Caribbean society changed. The Tainos and Kalinagos were forced to give up their religion and convert to Catholicism due to the Eurocentric view placed on them that their religion was inferior to that of the Spaniards.
As time progressed and slavery was introduced into the Caribbean,different groups of people were being brought to the Caribbean to work on plantations however, they were forced to give up the religious practices and convert to Christianity. The enslaved Africans had to give up their religions such as Voodoo and Yoruba as the plantation owners did not want them to have any ties to their former life. This demonstrated intolerance on the part of the colonizers as they took away from the enslaved people their religions and practices to fit the construct that Christianity was superior to what they practiced.
Gradually overtime the Caribbean society became predominantly Christian due to colonization. This created a level of intolerance towards others for their religious beliefs and showed from the past how it was not acceptable for people to believe in what they wanted to.]]> 2019-11-28 19:55:31 UTC https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417582591 azmohammed https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417594643 During the time of colonization, a social hierarchy was set up based on the color of your skin. Persons of European descent was seen as being the elite, the most successful and held as being of a higher standard than those of darker complexions. Following this mulattoes, that is persons mixed with white and black but had a lighter complexion, were also seen as being better than people darker. The lowest people within this hierarchy were those of dark complexions such as the Africans and dark-skinned Indians. 
This clearly showed racism as it made persons of a darker complexion believe that they were of lesser value to those fairer than them. This colonial society demonstrated that people were not of equal value but rather than if you were anything darker than a white person, you are worthless. This showed a clear level of intolerance towards people as they were often belittled and made to feel as they were of no value to society. This also created mistrust as Europeans believed than persons darker than them were always up to no good and should not be trusted.
While colonization has ended, this ideology of persons of a lighter complexion being seen as superior still stands. A classic example of this is seen in Jamaica whereby women often buy skin bleaching products in order to achieve a lighter complexion due to this mindset. ]]> 2019-11-28 21:00:56 UTC https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417594643 azmohammed https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417843418 Religion has placed a big factor that has affected the education system within the Caribbean and has a key factor in showing a level of intolerance towards persons of a different faith. As well as racial discrimination has led to numerous issues seen in many schools throughout the Caribbean.
An example of racial discrimination experienced in the Caribbean seen in the past was that only persons of European descent and mulattoes were allowed to be educated during the time of colonization. This was because these people were viewed as being better than the enslaved. Apart from this, the enslaved Africans were not given the opportunity during this time to become educated as it was feared that once they do become educated, they would figure out ways to overthrow the heads of the plantation which they worked on or flee the area in search of a better life and treatment. This was clearly seen as a way to keep these people as low members within society so that they are unable to attain higher positions that the whites. As well as mulattoes were only able to get an education because they were part white, had this not been the case, they never would have been allowed the chance to be educated. Religion is then factored into this as the education being given to these people followed the Christian faith and nothing else since this religion was seen as being better than every other, the schooling system revolved around this. 
Once slavery ended and the people who were previously not allowed to be educated were now able to, this still did not change what religion the school system followed. Since Christianity was predominantly the religion of many islands in the Caribbean, this was still practiced in all schools. Within Trinidad and Tobago, the top schools seen today are predominantly Christian or Roman Catholic faith based schools as they followed the faith of the former colonialists.
While many Christian schools nowadays allow students of different faiths to attend it, many difficulties are still being faced. In 1994, Sumayyah Mohammed, Muslim student wearing hijab, filed a lawsuit against Holy Name Convent, Port of Spain as they refused to allow her to wear hijab. As the national anthem of Trinidad and Tobago goes, "Here every creed and race finds an equal place," stating that no matter your religion or race, everyone is considered to be equal, this was not the case for Sumayyah Mohammed as she attempted to practice her religious beliefs. A similar incident occurred in 2011 when another hijab wearing Muslim student passed her examinations to attend St. Joseph's Convent, St. Joseph was told to leave her hijab at the front gate before entering the school compound. Today, the rules have changed allowing students to wear their hijabs in Catholic schools however they still do experience a difficult time. A student practicing their right to freedom of religion does not affect them obtaining an education however to some schools this may have been their thought.
Along with this, racial discrimination has affected students within the education system as they are often mistreated all because of their skin tone. An interview done with a former student of Lakshmi Girls' Hindu College of African descent, who wished to remain unnamed, said that she was often mistreated at school because of her color. She stood out amongst her peers as the school is of predominantly Indian ethnicity, she often was subjected to cruel insults by students because of her hair type and her color.

 ]]> 2019-11-29 20:21:21 UTC https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417843418 azmohammed https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417867463 A clear linkage is seen between religion and racial discrimination to the educational system despite what many may think. The mindset of many individuals today is that, "Whatever happened in the past belongs in the past," however this should not be so. Today students are still experiencing religious and racial discrimination within the education system which is suppose to be a safe place for them. Intolerance is being experienced when it comes to religion in many schools as seen in Lakshmi Girls' Hindu College whereby Muslim students are not allowed to wear hijabs. As explained by the definition of intolerance, this school does not accept the beliefs of others but wants others to respect them. This school produces some of the most intelligent students whereby they are topping in the Caribbean in various subjects at both O and A Level examinations and difference of religious views should not be a factor holding a student back from attending the school. Similarly this creates a level of mistrust, it can make many persons believe this is the mindset of many Hindus towards others who does not practice this faith and would not want to send their children to schools which promote this level of intolerance towards others. 
As well as in Roman Catholic schools, such as St. Joseph's Convent, all students must attend the Mas service even if they do not follow the same religion. Yes it can be argued that parents know that they are sending their children to a Roman Catholic school but students of other religions should be allowed to have their own religion groups to spread knowledge amongst one other rather than feeling forced to attend the service. 
Another way in which mistrust and intolerance is seen which is common amongst students of African descent is that they are often mistreated for their hair styles which showcases an example of this. What are often deemed as prestigious schools within the Caribbean, black students are often told their hair choice is untidy and that she need to fix it. From speaking to a student that attended St. Joseph's Convent, Port of Spain who wanted to remain unnamed, in 2015 she was told by a teacher that her Afro hairstyle is not presentable and looks untidy and should fix it. The student was humiliated in front of her peers for being singled out for this. It made her feel as though she was not accepted because of her race as she did not have straight hair like other students and felt victimized. 

]]> 2019-11-30 00:18:39 UTC https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417867463 azmohammed https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417869988 It can be said that in the past this level of racial and religious discrimination was experienced to a greater extent in the education system, which is true. But it is still happening today, just not to such a large extent. 
From my perspective this issue is just as much of a problem as it was in the past. Students of various races and religion are being exposed to these problems which should not even be an issue in the 21st century. Nowadays, people preach about accepting one another with open arms however this is not seen. Persons are still being victimized because of the skin color and the religion they follow not only by their peers but by their teachers as well, the persons students are supposed to look up to in admiration. 
Religion and the race of an individual should not be a determining factor on whether or not they should be allowed into a school. A school is supposed to be a place where people of various backgrounds can learn to become tolerant of one another, not place a prejudice onto someone because of the color or religion. Schools should not make people feel as though they are not good enough in today's society based on what they look life but rather what they are able to offer to the school and improve the mindset of many. The stereotype of black students hair being deemed as unpresentable if it is in its natural state does not give the right to anyone to make them feel bad about themselves for embracing their culture. Similarly with girls who choose to wear their hijab, the hijab does not prevent them from performing their academic work in no way. It is simply a form of religious expression which does no harm to anyone.]]> 2019-11-30 00:53:27 UTC https://padlet.com/azmohammed/hoaug96iylq5/wish/417869988