HOW FAR WE'VE COME ON OUR JOURNEY by Amy-Jo Sankar https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27 Reflecting But Not Forgetting en-us 2017-04-14 19:43:05 UTC 2025-02-11 22:51:02 UTC hello@padlet.com INTRODUCTION amyjosankar1 https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/166405633            According to Spanish philosopher George Santayana (1863-1952), “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This statement does not necessarily have to be taken in it’s  literal sense but it does indeed highlight the importance of being knowledgeable and aware of one’s history. One should not limit his or her perspective to what they have witnessed in their lifetime only, as much of it could have been influenced by situations many years prior. Even if these events were not of determining factors, it may have significance up to this day. From a contemporary Caribbean civilization standpoint, it is safe to say that the unique history of the Caribbean is at the root of today’s culture, values and principles, and in general, one’s way of life. Therefore, the history of the Caribbean is well worth remembering as the journey that brought us here to this day deserves to be highlighted and reflected upon. 

 
]]> 2017-04-14 21:00:20 UTC https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/166405633 CRITICAL THINKPIECE OF AN ISSUE OF IMPORTANCE TO CARIBBEAN CIVILIZATION - 1st April, 2017. amyjosankar1 https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167398382
Exactly 100 years ago, thousands of Indians came from Calcutta, Madras and Bombay on the SS Fatal Rozack to the Caribbean to work as indentured laborers. This chapter in time was recognized, honored and celebrated earlier this year as the Mastana Bahar hosted an event in memory of indentureship at the Divali Nagar site in Couva, Trinidad. This program highlighted the East Indian tradition through dance, song and wear. From  a bystanders’ viewpoint, one would notice that the traditions of the East Indian culture was well represented. Additionally, many well recognized dignitaries from around the world were present as they gave speeches about their opinions and feelings. The speeches were truly moving as it showed how sensitized they were to these past events and that the building stones of the Caribbean’s history is not going untold or being forgotten. For someone who was not knowledgeable, this program was very informative. 
      After indentureship ended, the indentured laborers had the option to return to home,  however, many refused and instead made the Caribbean their new home. The East Indian race is more prominent in some nations such as Guyana and Trinidad than others. In Trinidad, one will observe the Indian tradition through many things such as, Hindu weddings where old practices such as burying the lawah is still carried out, tassa music, as well as classical singing performed by bands with instruments such as the dantal and hand drum can also be found. Additionally, the cuisine in Trinidad is heavily influenced by East Indian culture, dishes such as channa and aloo and roti is prepared for poojas. Indian delicacies such as jaleebee, kurma, doubles and aloo pies can be found in multiple sheds in the area of Debe, South Trinidad. The coming of Indians has indeed shaped a way of life in the Caribbean which is still upheld and valued to this day as principles, values and traditions are still up kept. 
 



]]> 2017-04-21 00:49:58 UTC https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167398382 UNDERSTANDING ONE'S SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT- 11th April, 2017. amyjosankar1 https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167400195 When the East Indians came, they brought with them their culture and traditions which included festivals such as, Divali and Holi, better known as Phagwa. Since then, Phagwa has continued to be celebrated as an expression of culture in many communities, in particular, one can observe its effects in the community of Cedar Hill, Trinidad. Phagwa can be described as a festival of colours. On this day persons play together with abeer, forgive and forget and start fresh since this is the true meaning behind phagwa. Phagwa serves as a unifying event where every member comes out to participate including young, old and anywhere in between. Parents boil abeer and fill buckets with it which is then used by the children to throw at each other. There is music, dance and traditional singing. This continues on for hours and it brings a lot of laughter and joy. One can observe that Phagwa plays an important role in this community as it allows its members to bond, integrate, and be part of a bigger family, as well as to further understand oneself. Phagwa has significantly impacted the lives of those who reside in this community as an outsider can observe how these different groups of people interact and co-exist with each other. 

]]> 2017-04-21 01:13:17 UTC https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167400195 A PROBLEM OF REGIONAL IMPORTANCE AS REFLECTED IN CURRENT AFFAIRS- 5th April, 2017. amyjosankar1 https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167400286 During 1791-1804, a people rose from the ashes and fought for the freedom they believed they deserved. The Haitian Revolution was the first successful slave rebellion in the Caribbean and therefore, this uprising resulted in San Domingue achieving its independence from slavery and now being controlled by ex-slaves and former captives. Herein lies the problems, these blacks were not knowledagble on how to manage Haiti’s resources and economy like the white businessmen. Therefore, from the onset of Haiti’s Independence, its governmental structure was poorly set up. For all the damage caused by the revolution, Haiti owed 150 millions Francs to France in reparations as they were previously a French colony. Due to Haiti’s poor economic conditions, they were never able to re-pay. These reasons account for the level of suffering that the people of Haiti’s face currently. 

Natural disasters have often struck Haiti and the country has never been able to revive. It is believed that Haiti will run into a famine in the near future and many are losing hope. One can incur that Haiti’s current situation has its root in its past. The rush to achieve independence and not go through an apprenticeship period like most of the other Caribbean territories where the people slowly learnt formal processes of governance to take over their own territories is what could be responsible for its unstable government and economy. The strength it would have took for the blacks to fight for their freedom is not to blamed, however, the long term effects are very clear. 

]]> 2017-04-21 01:14:24 UTC https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167400286 SELF EVALUATION- 17th April, 2017. amyjosankar1 https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167400515 Caribbean Civilization can be described as a revisionist course that addressed a variety of topics over the past 10 weeks through a banded learning approach using both online and face to face mechanisms. This approach was very holistic as it brought together the Caribbean Civilization students on a much broader scale. The online approach facilitated a larger pool of students for discussions and through this, new information about other islands was easily learnt. This approach can be described as effective, especially because it removed any physical boundaries and made it more convenient. The program was very enlightening as I was not fully aware of the Caribbean’s full and detailed history and its civilization to this day prior to doing this course.  It was an educational journey in understanding the struggles that our ancestors faced and challenges they would have overcome for history to take the course that it did. I intend fully to uphold all principles, values and traditions on their behalf. This course has fueled my enthusiasm to further edify myself about the true history of the Caribbean region, and therefore, sensitize as many people as I can while embarking on said journey. This course has made me feel proud to identify with Caribbean identity and I intend to continue doing so.

]]> 2017-04-21 01:16:06 UTC https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167400515 Artifact #1 amyjosankar1 https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167400678 Date Taken: 1st April, 2017.
Description: Image of Mr. Frank Supersad displaying classical instrument such as, hand drum, dantal and the organ. ]]> 2017-04-21 01:17:47 UTC https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167400678 Artifact #1 amyjosankar1 https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167407501 Date Recorded: 9th April, 2017.
Description: Voice recording with Mr. Harry Ramlochan of Cedar Hill Village of a short discussion on the meanings of Phagwa. ]]> 2017-04-21 02:33:28 UTC https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167407501 Artifact #2 amyjosankar1 https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167407703 Date Taken:  Sunday March 12th 2017.
Description: Short clip of the phagwa experience in my community. ]]> 2017-04-21 02:36:31 UTC https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167407703 Artifact #1: Article amyjosankar1 https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167408013 Date Visited: April 5th, 2017.
Description: Article from the Miami Herald describing the current situation in Haiti with respect to the after effects of Hurricane Mathew.]]> 2017-04-21 02:40:42 UTC https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167408013 Artifact #2 amyjosankar1 https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167408395 Date Taken:  1st April, 2017.
Description: Image of multiple doubles sheds that are located near to each other in Debe, Trinidad.]]> 2017-04-21 02:44:22 UTC https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167408395 Artifact #3 amyjosankar1 https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167408682 Date Visited: March 25th, 2017.
Description : Article from Guardian Newspaper which reflects on the 100 year anniversary of the abolition of indetureship]]> 2017-04-21 02:47:32 UTC https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167408682 Artifact #1 amyjosankar1 https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167410507 Date Taken:  19th April, 2017.
Description: Image of the notes i made throughout the course so that I will be able to reflect on the information that I have learnt.]]> 2017-04-21 03:13:28 UTC https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167410507 BIBLIOGRAPHY amyjosankar1 https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167467156 1) Burton, Roxanne E. "Globalisation and Cultural Identity in Caribbean Society:The Jamaican Case." UWI Journals, n.d. Web. 6th Apr. 2017.
2)"Professor Samaroo: Indentured workers made Caribbean a better place." Professor Samaroo: Indentured workers made Caribbean a better place | The Trinidad Guardian Newspaper. Guardian Trinidad and Tobago, 30 May 2012. Web. 8th Apr. 2017.
3) Singh, Sherry-Ann. "THE EXPERIENCE OF INDIAN INDENTURE IN TRINIDAD: LIVING CONDITIONS ON THE ESTATES." CARIBBEAN ATLAS. The Caribbean Atlas Project, 2013. Web. 5th Apr. 2017.
4) "The Impact of the Haitian Revolution." Haiti Legacy Project. N.p., 8th June 2014. Web. 6th Apr. 2017.
5) Ramlochan, Harry. Personal Interview. 9th, April, 2017.]]> 2017-04-21 12:23:57 UTC https://padlet.com/amyjosankar1/oqyk4aiqzw27/wish/167467156