M.G. Smith is a Jamaican born poet and social anthropologist, who argued that the division in the plural society was along ethnic lines where individuals “mix but do not combine.” M.G Smith’s work was originally created for Grenada but was seen applicable to many of the colonial societies off the Caribbean. He argues that the various ethnic groups have their own family systems language, religion, economies but not political system. He states that the various ethnic groups exist politically under the dominion of an external power which was the colonial power. At present we can see examples of this “race war” or division even in the case of parliament of Trinidad and Tobago where the major political parties have an ethic division. In an article in the Trinidad and Tobago’s, “Newsday” newspaper dated April 21st 2011, highlights the United National Congress chairman Jack Warner accusing the People's National Movement of discrimination of person of East Indian descent. He pointed out that the PNM failed to place east Indians in traditionally safe seats for general elections.  Another example is the stereotypical relationship between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago which was highlighted when a Minister of Government from Trinidad and Tobago was “patted down” regardless of her diplomatic status.

References

Bagoo, Andre. "No Indian PNM MP's" Newsday.co.tt. N.p., 2017. Web. 6 July 2017.

Taitt, Ria. "Fuad: T&T Minister 'Patted Down' By Jamaica Immigration." Trinidad Express. N.p., 2017. Web. 6 July 2017.

Smith, Michael Garfield. The plural society in the British West Indies. Univ of California Press, 1974.

According to political psychologist Christopher A. D. Charles skin bleaching in Jamaica suffers from physiological scars that lingered from colonial days. As a result skin bleaching is predominantly done based on self-hate and not simply low self-esteem. An example of this is identified in Jamaica by the Reggae dancehall artist “Vybz Kartel.” According to a telephone interview via “Hot  97” radio station in Jamaica, he states that his reason for skin bleaching was due to his personality and character of doing the unexpected. Jamaica predominantly comprises of people of African descent. In Trinidad and Tobago, Bleaching of private part seems to be more active than whole body skin bleaching. In an article published by the guardian newspaper states that it’s a mental decision that some people make in order to satisfy their partners. These practices can indeed cause cancer due to cancer causing agents of mercury and hydroquinone. This identifies that people rather look and feel better about themselves rather than focusing on their health.

References

Charles, Christopher A. D. "Skin Bleaching, Self-Hate, And Black Identity In Jamaica." Journal of Black Studies 33.6 (2003): 711-728. Web.

 

Cipha Sounds. Vybz Kartel Discusses Bleaching His Skin On Hot 97. 2011. Web. 8 July 2017.

Hassanali, Shaliza. "Bleaching Private Parts A Hot Trend." The Trinidad Guardian Newspaper. N.p., 2017. Web. 8 July 2017.

In Trinidad and Tobago, Calypso music has shaped the nation by providing a way to express the social conscience in a humorous manner by using it as a tool to address the issues of the nation. This also stems from colonial days when enslaved people could not have directly speak out and mock their captivators. Today, calypso has developed into Soul and Calypso, SOCA which is the upbeat, vibrant form of the genre. This gives Trinidad and Tobago an iconic and distinctive recognition in that its music is able to unify diverse cultures in Trinidad and Tobago as evident in the carnival season. 

References

"Carnival In Trinidad - Trinidad & Tobago - The True Caribbean - Trinidad & Tobago - The True Caribbean." Gotrinidadandtobago.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 8 July 2017.

Cooper, Carolyn. Noises in the blood: Orality, gender, and the “vulgar” body of Jamaican popular culture. Duke University Press, 1995.

Felmine, Kevon. "Lady Saw Brings ‘Down The House’ At Club Maracas." The Trinidad Guardian Newspaper. N.p., 2017. Web. 8 July 2017. 

 

This course has given an in-depth understanding of slavery that was not previously understood. Slaves were sold in West Africa due to tension from rival tribes and fear of the Europeans rather than racism. An enslaved person in Africa had rights and privileges and could climb the social ladder and transcend different classes of society. Slavery also did not originate in Africa as some of us were previously taught. 

Racism and stereotyping still affects modern day societies o the Caribbean and this stemmed from decades of physiological, emotional and physical abuse that still affect some of us today. Also the diverse culture and experiences of various ethnic groups provide a rigid more tolerant and vibrant society in so much that the Caribbean is well known for its music and fun living lifestyle.  The course also gave me a better understanding of the work of brilliant Caribbean scientist and professors that contributed to the understanding ad true identity of the Caribbean.  Some of them are Sir Ivan van Sertima, Dr. Selwyn Cudjoe and M.G. Smith.

 

This course helped students understand their identity and gave them a sense of pride and purpose for living out a Caribbean lifestyle. It reshaped our understanding of how we are taught to view ourselves. Previously, our education system in the Caribbean patterned that of the Europeans and thy had their own bias and misconception of the Caribbean people that depicted them as inferior and this was reflected in their scholarly articles that was used to write books and manuals that was used to educate Caribbean nationals. As such this course gave us a better appreciation of our own Caribbean education systems and the manner by which we learnt. Our clothing and fashion usually patterns that of the Europeans, who experience winter. The Caribbean is of a tropical climate, and as such having on intense clothing is neither suitable nor healthy for Caribbean people. 

This course gave a high appreciation of the history of the Caribbean and its civilization. As such this course is an integral part of every Caribbean national and should be taught at the lower stages of education such as primary schools.