The social science professor, Dr. Tennyson Joseph, and the Master April Louis, represented the UWI Cave Hill Campus at the XI International Conference on Caribbean Studies, sponsored by the Norman Girvan Chair of the University of Havana on December 8 of 2017, celebrating the 45th Anniversary of diplomatic and cooperation relations between Cuba and the Community of Caribbean States (CARICOM).The presentations of both academics were selected to be translated into Spanish and published by the University of Havana, as recognition of their political and professional relevance. (Read more)
"A Story of Two Independence: Conceptions of Cuba and the Caribbean on the Use and Practice of Sovereignty" is the title of the lecture given by Dr. Tennyson Joseph.This paper proposes to examine the different trajectories in the independence experience of Cuba against that of the English-Speaking Caribbean. It seeks to understand why Cuba has been able to develop a conception and practice of sovereignty and self-determination that is markedly different from that of the English-Speaking Caribbean.Thus, whilst Cuba has been able to use its sovereign authority to engage in robust international relations, to undertake significant levels of internal reform, to determine for itself its internal priorities, and to avoid the domination of global multi-lateral institutions like the world bank, the English-speaking Caribbean, have adhered to a notion of sovereignty which has emphasized limits on their actions, their dependence on external powers for policy direction, and one which has imbued with notions of incapacity rather than possibility for independent action.Whilst some explanation for the differences in sovereign outlook may be sought in the different historical moments in which Cuba and the Caribbean embarked upon independence, and the different methods through which independence was achieved, the question still remains of why these differences continue to persist in the present. The paper seeks to map the differences between Caribbean and Cuban expressions of independent statehood across a number of themes such as military defence, social policy, and international relations; to provide explanations for the differences in sovereign expression and to argue for the English-Speaking Caribbean to adopt a notion of sovereignty and independence which brings it closer to the Cuban experience.
In the other hand, the purpose of the lecture entitled “Raceless Nations?: Examining the treatment of Race and Nation by José Martí and Eric Williams in the Era of Political Independence”, by Master April Louis, is to contextualise the role of race in the development of nationalism in the works of José Martí and Eric Williams within the nation-building processes of Cuba and Trinidad and Tobago respectively. This is done by examining texts and speeches in which they espouse their plans for the nascent independent state, in addition to analysing secondary sources of literature on the topic. A historical analysis of the independence movements shows that race was a major obstacle to producing a homogenous national identity both in 19th Century in Cuba and 20th Century in Trinidad. The existence of a national identity was an integral aspect in the conversion of these colonies to viable nation-states and politico-economic units. The paper explains how both pro-independence approaches the reconciliation of race and nation within their respective nations and delve into the implications it would have on race relations and the development of nationalism. For Martí who died in 1895, before Cuban independence was achieved, the paper investigates the legacy of his racial ideas up to 1906. In the case of Williams, who became the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, the paper examines the implications of his racial perspective up until his death and consequent end of his tenure in 1981. In so doing, it demonstrates the role of independence in the struggle for racial and social equality within Caribbean nation-states.