The Caribbean identity is somewhat elusive. The thought of the islands all united under a common banner is utopian in nature; but should it really be so far-fetched? Who we are today is always determined by who we were yesterday and where we would like to be tomorrow. Our yesterday has been skewed and heavily disfigured by a Eurocentric view. This has made our progress more challenging and less evident. It is a clear case of a single story or more precisely a one sided story as seen from the perspective of the European colonials. This story was so well conceived and told as the only authentic version for so long that it sought to control a people, not through whips and chains but through their psyche and general view of themselves. 

Today we are a society fragmented within our shared past, a past which binds us through common ancestry, common struggles and common determination to define ourselves not solely based on who we are told we are but who we would like to be. There is a need for a new understanding of our unique history, as given by revisionist historians, as we try to create a sense of awareness within our Caribbean community. This unearthing of repressed, suppressed and erased history is essential in the quest for identity, as one can only truly appreciate where they are if they have a true understanding of where they were. 

However, there is strength in our diversity as this gives us alternative views and opinions to assess problems within our region. The ultimate goal of the Caribbean identity will rely heavily on our plurality, and our ability to coexist. The solutions must be ours in order for them to be truly adopted. We must accept that our forefathers were dehumanised to the greatest extent, but we must also realise we are no longer limited.  We have the power to perpetuate a greater Caribbean philosophy.

The stamp of colonialism has left its mark on each of the Caribbean islands. It is most evident in the naming of streets and towns within varying locales of the Caribbean region. This was a strategy used by old colonial masters to ensure that the status quo was maintained. It was so effective that even today as forts, buildings and other relics lie in decay, these names still resound with a certain authority and authenticity. It was common practice, and it still is today, to name streets and towns in honour of great, influential and powerful people of the time. Since all of the power and influence resided with the colonial government and by extension their respective European motherlands, it was not surprising that Eurocentric themes and names dominated the landscape. This asserted their supremacy and ensured the continued subjugation of others who might have felt that they could never be worthy of such accolade or recognition.

Today this perception is slowly being challenged. In Port-of-Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, we have a glimpse of the birth of consciousness, that we may not only honour our own heroes but have the conviction to do away with a long deceased status quo. Though still far to go, as even the name of the capital asserts some allegiance to a foreign sovereignty, there was a historic paradigm shift with the renaming of Queen Street to Janelle Commissiong Street in honour of the first black, Caribbean woman to be crowned Miss Universe. There are however, still many instances where this approach can be adopted, as a listing of the streets of the capital evidenced by the names Duke, Prince, Henry, Edward and others are still strongly suggestive of ties to British monarchy. 

It is not imperative that we erase all trace of our historic identity, but that we realise that we need not hold on to something which may be perceived as prestigious in lieu of our own substance and belief of self-worth.

“The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) is an arrangement among the CARICOM Member States for the creation of a single enlarged economic space through the removal of restrictions resulting in the free movement of goods, services, persons, capital and technology and it confers the right of CARICOM Nationals to establish a business in any participating CARICOM Member State.” (https://foreign.gov.tt/services/csme/).

The CSME is an innovative mechanism which fosters Caribbean integration. It helps to spread the available resources of the Caribbean amongst CARICOM states. The CSME decreases the brain drain to foreign countries by allowing qualified Caribbean nationals to use their ability and competences to fill vacancies within the region. This ensures that the brightest and the best that the Caribbean has to offer remains as the nation builders that would lead to a greater Caribbean society.

The CSME allows the different member states to make greater use of products indigenous to the Caribbean, rather than products from foreign entities. This will have a net effect of raising GDP within the Caribbean, which in turn will be realised by the individual countries.

However some may argue that there could be drawbacks to this system. One such scenario would be the perception that jobs that could be filled by qualified nationals are given to nationals of other CARICOM member states. It is incumbent upon the different Caribbean countries to ensure this does not happen.

Greater Caribbean integration will also have the effect of a shared Caribbean responsibility in the face of natural disasters. Evidence of this was apparent in the relief efforts provided in the wake of the devastating hurricanes which pounded the Caribbean recently. It is imperative that more established CARICOM countries assist in regional development, towards the goal of a single Caribbean ideal. 

This Caribbean Civilisation course has been an enlightening experience. It has taught me so many different things in so many aspects of Caribbean life. Things I thought I knew as truths have been revealed to be misinformation designed with a specific agenda. History as recorded is really “His Story” as recorded from the perspective of the European writer. The misconception that the West Indies was discovered by Christopher Columbus was only the first eye opener. My eyes are now truly opened to the glaring atrocities that were committed upon the naïve and unsuspecting groups of people who were found already inhabiting the islands and those brought to the Caribbean for a singular purpose. A purpose that was fuelled by greed, prejudice and discrimination. The ensuing decimation of an indigenous population and the inhumane and ungodly treatment of both Africans and indentured labourers from India towards economic advancement is truly abhorrent. 

The lasting effects of this assault were also something which I personally did not account for. Only now do I realise that so much of what we have lost and have to regain, is as a direct result of the colonial’s systematic degradation of a people’s mind, body and spirit in order to exert total control and dominance of a people.

However I am infused with a feeling of hope and optimism. This course has shown me that no matter the adversities one can always triumph. A Caribbean identity can be fostered to grow a sense of awareness that as a region we can produce anything that can match, rival or even surpass anything on the world stage. From our music, different cultures and multi-ethnic backgrounds we can prevail against all odds through harmonious diversity. I am truly blessed to be Caribbean. 

n.d. 15 November 2017 <http://images.cdn.filmclub.org/news-and-events__fire-in-babylon-poster.jpg>.

n.d. 15 November 2017 <http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1ts7exznH1rsmsy4o1_1280.jpg>.

n.d. 26 November 2017 <https://i2.wp.com/www.caribbeantimes.ag/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Lions-Club-Donation-7913.jpg>.

n.d. 23 November 2017 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08IA1_jnNBg>.

Tobago, Government of the Republic of Trinidad and. CSME. n.d. 26 November 2017 <https://foreign.gov.tt/services/csme>.