https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi Examining Religion, Race, Gender and Sexuality en-us 2019-11-28 23:19:20 UTC 2019-11-29 22:23:43 UTC hello@padlet.com suriahlyder https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417617961 Race is can be conceptualized when one group of people is distinctly different from another and can be socially, historically or culturally constructed. The Caribbean today is shaped by racial diversity which emerged mainly through enslavement, indentureship and colonialism. The Caribbean can be considered a rainbow region as it implies there are many races who live harmoniously among each other and is something we as Caribbean people pride ourselves in. However there is great levels of racial tension in Caribbean society today. The racial composition within the Caribbean space is heavily influenced by The Plantation society where there is a large population of Blacks and Indians and a small minority of whites at the top which explains the reason for the racial tension in Caribbean society.  In fact racial discrimination is one of the most under reported forms of discrimination but does not mean that it does not persist in the Caribbean despite the mixture of races. In Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in particular there is great tension among those of African and Indian descent. This is mainly seen in the political culture of these countries predominately during the election period. Furthermore the Afro-Caribbean are still discriminated by those of European decent when it comes to accessing certain jobs.  Therefore despite being considered a ‘melting pot’, there is still racial intolerance among the various races within the Caribbean space. 

]]> 2019-11-29 00:35:01 UTC https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417617961 suriahlyder https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417618825 Religion in the Caribbean region has always been used as a means of colonization and conquest. Thus religion played a significant role in the lives of Caribbean people as it influenced their morals and values. It also played a major role in enslavement, indentureship and colonialism. This led to the rise of syncretic religions, that is the blending of religions mainly African religions with Christianity. Despite having influenced morals and values of Caribbean people, it can be said that there is some level of intolerance when it pertains to religion. The Caribbean today has some element of religious freedom, however this was not always the case. For instance in 1917 the Spiritual Baptist was banned as their style of worship  was perceived as threat to the colonial norm. For the colonists, the African influence on the religion was not in tune with the Christian practices of the colonists. Thus it can be said there was a level of mistrust for the Spiritual baptist due to the religion being perceived as unacceptable at the time. The Spiritual baptist were able to fight for their religious freedom and were given the opportunity to practice their religion freely. ]]> 2019-11-29 00:41:56 UTC https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417618825 suriahlyder https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417836301 Furthermore, in today's society there is still some level of intolerance among various religions.In Haiti, those who practice Vodou are of the view that they do not enjoy the same religious freedom as compared to their Christian counterparts. Despite being society becoming tolerant towards the religion, there is still some aspect of unacceptability for the religion as it is not seen adherent to Christianity. Also despite being a predominant religion, Rastafarians in Jamaica also face some level of intolerance. They face difficulty in obtaining jobs due to their hairstyle (dreadlocks) and the use of marijuana which was considered to be illegal in religious practices. Therefore throughout the Caribbean, there is most certainly a level of intolerance and mistrust amongst the various religions. However we do see instance where there is acceptance. For example in Trinidad and Tobago, almost every religion is celebrated with the granting of a religious holiday. As such the level of intolerance is minimized. ]]> 2019-11-29 19:30:33 UTC https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417836301 suriahlyder https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417837014 2019-11-29 19:34:55 UTC https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417837014 suriahlyder https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417842227 Gender can be described as the social, cultural, emotional and psychological construct of masculinity and femininity.   Thus gender roles can be considered as the behaviours and activities that are appropriate for a male or female. The Caribbean region today remains highly patriarchal and thus mistrust among genders persist. For instance women face occupational segregation in the work place. According to a Caribbean development report, women tend to receive lower wages than their male counterparts. As a result females have a lower labour force participation rate. Despite making strides within the education system, females still do not have the same opportunity for top position jobs as compared to the males. Thus leading to a high level of poverty for females and along with a high level of dependency. Gender based violence is also on the rise with the Caribbean space. Males are predominantly the perpetrators of these crimes with women and young girls becoming victims. However today we also see reports of gender based violence with young men and boys. As such it can be said that there is some level of mistrust between the genders. There have been progress in ensuring that the level of mistrust is reduced. Females are now breaking the glass ceiling and obtaining jobs for what was once perceived as impossible. For example the appointment of Trinidad and Tobago’s first female President in 2018. Also there have been more awareness and education to understand and try to prevent gender based violence within the region. 


]]> 2019-11-29 20:12:02 UTC https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417842227 suriahlyder https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417854030 One can say there is a high level of intolerance when it comes to sexuality within the Caribbean today. In the majority of Caribbean countries any union through the LGBT community is an illegal act and is punishable by law. In 2006 Jamaica was labelled as one of the most homophobic places due to the high levels of violence against the LGBT community. Despite trying to ‘humanize’ the community, they still face discrimination in Jamaica to this day. However efforts are being made to reduce this discrimination. Today more groups are coming out in support for the community and to assist in putting an end to the intolerance they face. As in the case of Jamaica where the J-FLAG organisation was created to be a voice for those who experienced discrimination. In Trinidad and Tobago amendments were made to the buggery law to include consenting adults of the LGBT community. Therefore even though there is still a level of intolerance towards the LGBT community, efforts for acceptance are being made. ]]> 2019-11-29 21:52:24 UTC https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417854030 suriahlyder https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417855059 2019-11-29 22:02:22 UTC https://padlet.com/suriahlyder/ybwz3mfi53bi/wish/417855059