This year in Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Festival, the famous power soca monarch artist Machel Montano released a remix of Calypso Queen Rose song titled ' Leave Me Alone featuring Manu Chao'. This song was a beautiful collaboration of the two types of genres used in Caribbean music; Soca and Calypso. From the learning artifact mentioned above, i was able to identify the beginnings of calypso music from the recordings of The Mighty Sparrow Song 'Slave'. It was used as a form of expression by slaves to chant and express their feelings because it was the only way the slave master would listen. Today, calypso music is still prevalent and used as a form of cultural expression as well as soca music. 

In Trinidad and Tobago, there are many issues debating calypso music as a 'pure' form of culture and soca music as a diluted form. This song answers many of these debates and proves that culture is never static and always evolving along time. Soca music like calypso music can be used to express one's feelings.The significance behind this remix is to demonstrate unity of the older generation ( Calypso Rose; Calypso music) coming together with the new generation ( Machel Montano; soca music) to celebrate the same culture of carnival. Two different genres merging to give the same cultural meaning; the enjoyment of carnival as it seen as one of the Caribbean region biggest festival.This remix proudly represents Caribbean people and what makes them stand out from the rest of the world. Hope you enjoy as well!!

    Upon completion of Unit two (2), my understanding of my geographical environment; the island of Saint Lucia has truly been an eye opener. From this artifact, i was aware that the Caribbean region was divided into two groups; The Greater Antilles and the Lesser Antilles.Saint Lucia was grouped as one of the Lesser Antilles which consists of the Windward Islands and Leeward Islands. Saint Lucia, Dominica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada were all considered to be Windward islands. In addition, Saint Lucia like many islands were formed from tectonic pates and their heat from squeezing together produced volcanoes. That is why many islands contain a volcano. Saint Lucia is the only place in the world which consists of a 'drive-in' volcano. Apart from the 'drive-in' volcano, Saint Lucia was awarded a World's Heritage site in 2005  for it's majestic feature of the twin Pitions; Gro Pition and Petit Pition. A picture of the Pitions can be seen above. These features have contributed to the island being voted number one #1 for wedding destination in the region.

    Before this unit, I did not fully understand the geology and geography of the Caribbean. The learning artifact has made me understand the physical layout of my island Saint Lucia and many others. From the squeezing of the tectonic plates which produce volcanoes, i understand now why the geographical layout of Saint Lucia is very mountainous.This feature has helped the island to withstand the destruction of hurricane winds. FOUN1101 has truly broaden my knowledge and made me more appreciative of my island natural geographic form.

    Unemployment has been a regional problem to the Caribbean region from since the nineteenth century. As stated in the artifact, the International Labour Organization (ILO) is predicting that unemployment rate will rise to 8.4 percent this year.The discontent of this  regional problem has contributed to many persons migrating to first world countries to obtain decent job opportunities. As a student studying Caribbean Civilization, i was able to conclude the cause of this high unemployment affecting the region. After reading the unit on  Caribbean 'Chattel' Slavery,  i  found out that many of the enslaved slaves were skilled producers in agriculture, crafts, mineral processing and animal processing. Today, Caribbean islands mainly focus on the Tourism Industry  rather than Agriculture because they believe it provides better economic stability. I will have to disagree because many unemployed persons are not academically advance but rather technically. This should be an indicator for Caribbean communities to improve their agriculture industry by providing factories that focus on manufacturing and exporting local produce. Also, by providing small business opportunities training for locally talented persons. In Saint Lucia as of October 2013, the island has started a BUY LOCAL Campaign, which has supported local artists business and decrease unemployment rate in the island. Other islands can follow this trend to help eliminate unemployment in the region. 

    My perspective on this course before studying it was totally wrong. I thought this course focus on the development of Caribbean life in today's society. I had no clue that the course primarily focus on the past Caribbean history and the early beginnings of Caribbean culture. As a student in the Caribbean region, i grew up thinking that the Caribs and Arawak were the first settlements.  Upon reading unit two (2) on the Indigenous Settlers- the First Peoples, i was blown away to find out that it wasn't them. In fact, it was the Paleo-Indians who arrived about 5,000 B.C., then followed by the Meso- Indians and Lastly the Neo -Indians where the  Caribs and Arawaks originated. In addition from the learning artifact stated above, i found out the correct terms to use were Tainos ( Not Arawaks) and Kalingoes ( Not Caribs). At the point, i realized that many of what was taught in my primary school years were not correct.
FOUN1101 has also allowed my understanding of different types of civilization better. Growing up, i believe that the Kalingoes were uncivilized because of the what i read from historians. They were never uncivilized, it was only their way of living that were different to the Spaniards bias perception of what civilization should be. In all, this course has made me more appreciative of Caribbean music and culture, understanding my geographical environment better and relating a problem of regional importance to the course itself.