This portfolio reflects my opinion of social issues in the Caribbean, my personal views on them, and my journey of learning in this course through the semester. Studying Caribbean Civilization, I have gain knowledge on how past Caribbean events still play a key role in our society today. I gain knowledge as to where I came from, proudly strengthen my cultural identity, knowing the reasons for our region’s demographic diversity. I how to greater accept and work with persons from different geographical location, ethnic groups, and also accept their culture, religion, and beliefs. Each reflection in this portfolio represent an objective, therefore it will be structured accordingly. 

First to mention, an issue of regional importance, this was determined by listening the local news and current affairs in Trinidad and Tobago. The issues of beginning back religion education in schools. I will also provide commentary on this issue. In addition, the topic of festival and music were selected to relate to a current and specific occurrence in the region. Thirdly, my experience, feelings, and opinions about the course throughout the semester will be shared in a reflective essay.

 In light of these reflections, this portfolio seeks to identity the prominent social issues in the Caribbean with specific focus placed on our Caribbean cultural identity, and my own thoughts on the social issues in relation to topics of importance to Caribbean Civilization.    

"Bwoy dead like stray dog 

(Boyy) You a punk, a yuh troat mi ago slash

Mi rival strap on pon mi back

Cra-cra crack yuh skull like calabash

Have yuh eva buss a man throat wit a hatchet

Man show yuh riffle, yuh neva fire dem (ha ha)

Go suck yuh madda dog

Yuh nun bad like unruly

(Ayyyyy) so mi liff up every gun weh mi have

Fi go kill dem slowly (kill dem slowlyyyy)"

It is my belief that these songs influence youths to enter the underworld due to its endorsement and glorification by their musical heroes, in their search for identity, see the example of the badman as the only way to gain recognition. “have yuh eva buss a man throat with a hatchet”. 

Personally, I believe that Jamaica popularity on music today should be used to positively influence the music of church, state, and entertainment, as the nation gains confidence in its own culture. It should also be used to convey messages within the family, and establish or maintain communication with as manifested in all creation, and in reflection of our African ancestors. 

3 Today Carnival is not what it was in the nineteenth century, now it is gender focus with such headlines as “Carnival Is Woman” or “Reign of Carnival Women” has become popular fare (Garth L. Green). Guardian newspaper reported that Carnival have been fixated on the female image. The festival quality and description is now being used globally to refer to the Carnival women as sharply, sensual, and flirtatious. The title “Carnival Is Woman” has proved that most citizens want to abandon our traditional Carnival culture, hence the topic “Carnival is Male” will never prevail because of the masculinity portrayed in the traditional characters.

In this course I have learned and believed Trinidad and Tobago Carnival brings together people of geographical and intercultural diversity. Carnival is ought to be a mix of cultural expressions, reflecting African, European, and Asian influences and not focused on gender stereotyping, words such as, “beautiful and shapely African and Indian women”. However, in my view women should not publicly celebrate their femaleness in coquettish, display their bodies, neither conduct sex act performance in skimpy costumes. These acts are disturbing to the audience in Port-of-Spain and at homes via local channel live broadcast. 

In addition, this disgust stems from women’s social roles as mothers and wives respectively. 3 “Women are the cradle of civilization and bedrock of family life, thus their public behaviour should be in keeping with her socially prescribed symbolic roles (Garth L. Green)”.  

2.      Kuss, Malena. Music in Latin America and the Caribbean: an encyclopedic history. Austin, TX: U of Texas Press, 2007. Print.

3.      Green, Garth L., and Philip W. Scher. Trinidad carnival: the cultural politics of a transnational festival. Bloomington: Indiana U Press, 2007. Print.

.   "Dancehall, hip hop, and criminality." Daily Express. N.p., 18 Apr. 2013. Web. 21 Apr. 2017.

·         "Mr Garcia going down wrong road." Daily Express. N.p., 14 Sept. 2015. Web. 21 Apr. 2017.

·         "All schools will teach about all religions." Daily Express. N.p., 03 Apr. 2011. Web. 21 Apr. 2017. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/All_schools_will_teach_about_all_religions-119161184.html 

·         YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2017.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=popcaan+stray+dog+lyrics 

·         http://sta.uwi.edu/

·         https://casas.bbcollab.com/site/external/launch/meeting.jnlp?sid=2010102&username=&password=M.14B248777677CE95C8B487F6B6F338 

·         Catholic School Days   

·         http://www.largeup.com/2013/06/25/just-one-new-friend-watch-popcaans-unruly-rave-video/  

·         https://genius.com/Bob-marley-and-the-wailers-no-woman-no-cry-lyrics 

·         http://www.discovertnt.com/articles/Trinidad/The-Birth-Evolution-of-Trinidad-Carnival/109/3/32#axzz4erkUDhmT