Comments on: One Caribbean; Many Identities…

By: Chris S

Chris S — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 04:26:13 +0000

This is a very interesting and hopeful article. I know it’s been a while since anyone commented but it would seem to me that one of the main reasons for the current hinderance towards true integration is that those who do feel strongly about integration and do truly feel West Indian are themselves too divided…divided physically (in the various Caribbean countries and overseas in places like the USA and UK) and divided in their efforts. As Geoffrey Philip said “When we are united, we are unstoppable.” I remember reading once in, I think it was the Jamaica Observer, some commentator citing figures from a UWI study wherein something like 32% supported the idea of Jamaica federating with the other CARICOM countries and 30% being against the idea, but somehow the commentator managed to read this as being a majority against federation. Even if only 32% of Jamaicans supported it, that should be a firm base from which to convince the presumably 28% that had answered neither “yes” nor “no” and to convince some of the 30% who were opposed. If persons such as Philip and Don Mitchell could work together and try to use the power of citizen media (as suggested by Georgia Popplewell) to inform broader public opinion and encourage inter-island travel (using the example of Francis Wade who came to realize we are all truly one family) then this might go a long way to breaking down the artificial barriers that have been setup in our minds. What do you all think? (I sure hope people have been checking the “notify me” box so I can get responses)

P.S. If this reply does generate some spark of interest perhaps those interested could exchange emails through Karel McIntosh (since as the poster she would presumably be able to see all the email addresses of the the respondents). Not sure what Karel’s position is on the matter though, since her article never stated so one way or the other. Sorry for the long response Karel, I hope you can post it all.

P.P.S. Note that the idea of working together for the greater good is probably what is needed now to lift our cricket out of the doldrums – a broad collective effort on the part of every West Indian fan to help put in place the things needed to put WI back on top.

By: Karel - Caribbean Public Relations

Karel - Caribbean Public Relations — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:28:32 +0000

Glad to have been of some assistance Bethel.

By: Bethel

Bethel — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 04:34:43 +0000

Thanks this was very helpful. One can’t very easily find such information I am currently doing Caribbean Studies (which I think is a great subject) and I am doing research for a 1500 word essay. Thanks again.

By: Caribbean PR Blog Changes Web Address - Cliverton Still Red-Faced Over Standing Up Pretty Girl « Barbados Free Press

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 06:08:57 +0000

[...] A few weeks ago Karel sent an email to Cliverton asking him to participate in an article she was researching for Global Voices: One Caribbean: Many Identities. [...]

By: Jodiperry

Jodiperry — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:38:20 +0000

nicholas: Do you have an image file of the federations’s flag and a text of the anthem? Please send me a link if you do.

By: Donna Ann Wilson

Donna Ann Wilson — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:07:15 +0000

Geoffrey Philip has nailed the distinction between West Indian and Caribbean on the head. Spot on.

Insecurity leads to infighting regardless of your country of birth. Generally, the Caribbean is treated as an almost invisible area with no voice. Hence the strong minded intelligent people of the Caribbean feel a need to be acknowledged.

Unfortunately the temptation to turn to national divisions, plays to the perceptions planted and maintained by the very people that ignore the Caribbean.

There is beauty in the differences in the Caribbean nations. Look over your shoulders and you’ll notice it.

By: Dennis Jones

Dennis Jones — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:14:38 +0000

You may want to see views I offered on my blog http://caribbeancomment.wordpress.com/. I think we are not universally comfortable with regionalism, and the kind of reactions that intra-regional mergers create suggest that nationalism is still a major hurdle in moving the Caribbean forward.

By: Solana Larsen

Solana Larsen — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 20:30:04 +0000

Hey! What about Puerto Rico?

By: Georgia Popplewell

Georgia Popplewell — Thu, 31 May 2007 23:17:09 +0000

An interesting question arising out of this – especially considering that this is Global Voices – is how (whether?) the power of citizen media could be harnessed to help turn the region into a more unified space.

By: Karel Mc Intosh

Karel Mc Intosh — Thu, 31 May 2007 18:54:03 +0000

Nicholas, thanks for that. I knew Castagne penned the anthem, but didn’t remember it was for the W.I. Federation. Back to those social studies books.

By: Nicholas Laughlin

Nicholas Laughlin — Thu, 31 May 2007 15:34:59 +0000

“a country that is coming into existence. It does not yet have a flag or a national anthem”

Actually, the Federation of the West Indies (c. 1958-62) did have its own flag–a rising sun set against a field of blue with wavy white lines–and Patrick Castagne composed an anthem (never actually adopted) which later became, with some changes to the lyrics, the national anthem of Trinidad and Tobago.