Strictly Facts: A Guide to Caribbean History and Culture Alexandria Miller

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Join us for a riveting discussion with Dr. Shani Roper, Curator at the University of West Indies Museum, as we celebrate a monumental event—the homecoming of the Jamaican Giant Galliwasp from Scotland, an emblem of natural heritage that's been away since the 1850s. The stirring tale of this lizard's return is not only a first in the repatriation of natural history specimens to the Caribbean region but also a testament to the collaborative spirit between international institutions.

Embracing the complexities of international diplomacy and reparations, we recount the behind-the-scenes efforts that paved the way for the Giant Galliwasp's return. Dr. Roper and I dissect everything from the meticulous negotiations and logistics involving the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) conventions to the detailed protocols that ensured the specimen's safe journey back to the Natural History Museum of Jamaica. The impact of this successful transfer extends beyond the mere physical possession—it's a powerful acknowledgement of Caribbean heritage, shaping policies and legal frameworks essential for the preservation of historical narratives.

Weaving the social history of the galliwasp into our discussion, Dr. Roper showcases a creature steeped in the folklore & collective memory of Jamaica. The episode also casts a wider net on the topic of artifact repatriation, considering the roles of diasporic communities and the necessary steps Caribbean nations must take to protect and honor their repatriated cultural property. As we celebrate this significant chapter in Jamaica's story, we invite listeners to reflect on the broader implications of this homecoming for our shared global history.

Shani Roper is Curator of the UWI Museum and has worked for twenty years in the museum sector in Jamaica. She is also Co-President of Museums Association of the Caribbean and holds a PhD (Rice University) in Caribbean history with a foc
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Joined by Mr. Kevin Farmer of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, we explore identity, cultural preservation, and the journey of Caribbean museums from colonial-era institutions to centers that shape national consciousness and safeguard heritage. Mr. Farmer's insights illuminate the evolution of Caribbean museums, spotlighting their crucial role in giving voice to marginalized communities and confronting complex histories within their walls. We capture the essence of a collective awakening, when cultural policies and spaces like the National Art Gallery in Jamaica emerge, nurturing local talent and innovation, as well as national journeys to define identity through cultural institutions. We also tackle global resonance, the repatriation of artifacts, to discuss the wider challenges of decolonizing archaeology. From this episode, gain a richer appreciation for the power of museums in both reflecting and shaping our collective memory and identity.

Kevin Farmer is currently Deputy Director of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society (BMHS). As Deputy Director of the Barbados Museum, he has the responsibility for museum exhibition programming and capital campaign fundraising. He holds a Master’s degree in History (Heritage Studies) from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados, and has lectured in Archaeology at the Department of History at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and taught at the UWI Cave Hill in their MA Heritage Studies program.   

A member of the Barbados World Heritage Committee, he was site manager for the property Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, and is currently site manager for the Newton Enslaved Burial Ground. Mr. Farmer is co-editor of the publication entitled:  Pre-colonial and Post-Colonial Contact Archaeology in Barbados (2019); Plantation to Nation: Caribbean Museums and National Identity(2012) along with articles written on cultural resource management, hist
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Join us as we journey through the linguistic heritage of Saint Lucia with Soir Smith, a passionate St. Lucian Kwéyòl advocate, guiding us through the colorful landscape of French-based creole languages that flourish across the Caribbean. These tongues, far from just a derivative of French, are rich embodiments of culture, history, and identity. We unravel these histories woven from the threads of African, European, and Indigenous Caribbean peoples, challenging the notion that Creole is merely "broken French." Together, we celebrate the unique complexities of these languages, reflecting resilience in the face of colonization.

Our exploration deepens as we traverse the grammar and verb usage of St. Lucian Creole, uncovering how it is distinguished from its French roots. We dissect the verb 'to be,' marvel at the absence of silent letters, and ponder the historical weight carried by speaking Creole. Smith shares her journey, weaving personal tales and the profound motivation behind her mission to author a book on St. Lucian Creole. This episode isn't just a discussion; it's an homage to a language that represents freedom and unyielding ancestral bonds throughs linguistic liberation

As a passionate advocate for language and culture, Soir Smith has dedicated her life to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Saint Lucian kwéyòl. With a deep love for writing, Smith has recently accomplished a significant milestone by completing her first book, a comprehensive guide to learning the language of Saint Lucian kwéyòl. An Introduction to Kwéyòl Sent Lisi serves as a testament to her commitment to preserving the essence of St. Lucian cultural identity. By providing a comprehensive guide, Smith aims to empower individuals to embrace and celebrate their unique linguistic heritage. Smith also actively engages with the community by offering kwéyò
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Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

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The Caribbean is a region of a myriad of languages, Caribbean sign languages included. In this episode, we’re joined by Caribbean sign language scholar Kris M Ali to discuss the diversity of sign languages, from the shores of Jamaica to the Bay Islands. It's not just about communication; it's a tapestry of identity, history, and resiliency. We uncover the challenges faced by lesser-known sign languages and the potential harm of a one-size-fits-all approach to language policy. Our conversation traverses the cultural significance behind these languages, the vibrant activism of local communities that has sparked change, the battles for legal recognition, and the power these languages hold in fostering rights for the Deaf community. Join us for our first discussion and stay tuned for Part II coming soon. Be sure to check out the transcript of this episode here. 

Kris Ali is a PhD candidate in the department of linguistics at University of California Santa Barbara. Her research interests are broadly Caribbean languages, language documentation and description, social and linguistic justice for Caribbean people, decolonial theory, queer and trans linguistics and sign language linguistics. She uses collaborative and community-based research methods, is interested in indigenous research methodologies and follows the Caribbean tradition of liberatory linguistics in which she was trained during her first two degrees at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. She is a trained Trinidad and Tobago Sign Language interpreter. Home for her is Trinidad and Tobago. Learn more about Kris on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn.


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Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

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There are stories we typically don't tell during Women's History Month, one of whihc is the narrative of Judith Phillip (1760-1848), an enslaver from Grenada whose family's dominion over Carriacou and Petit Martinique tells a story not just of land and wealth but race and colonial allegiances against the backdrop of the transatlantic slave trade. This episode discusses the intricacies of Caribbean history, weaving the personal story of a mixed-race family into the broader fabric of 18th-century Caribbean society.

Join Strictly Facts as we uncover how Judith's French baker father and her mother, an enslaved woman, rose to prominence to own plantations and amass a fortune. We'll explore the societal structures that allowed their family to thrive in an era of oppression and how their legacy challenges our understanding of Caribbean history and power at the time. In this final episode for Women's History Month, we share the tale of inheritance, power, and the complexity of free mixed-race individuals during a time when such narratives are rarely told. 


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Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media

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As we weave through Women's History Month and International Women's Day, the  patchwork of Caribbean women's literature takes center stage. With scholar Dr. Warren Harding, we celebrate the novels and poetry that carve out a space for the stories of Caribbean women. Our conversation turns the pages of history, culture, and activism, as Dr. Harding shares the profound influence of storytellers like Miss Lou and his own family's narratives on his Jamaican heritage and academic focus.

Caribbean women's voices unfold in our discussion on the role of these writers in painting a nuanced portrait of their communities, both at home and in the diaspora. We acknowledge the diversity within these stories, showcasing how they lay the groundwork for dialogues on marginalization and resistance. Trailblazers like Makeda Silvera and Merle Hodge are brought into the spotlight, illuminating their significant contributions to the literature that serves as a beacon for revolutionary thought.

The final thread of our episode examines the profound impact of Silvera on the writing and publishing industry through Sister Vision Press. We traverse the landscape of narratives that intersect with race, gender, and citizenship, celebrating how these stories from Michelle Cliff to Edwidge Danticat enrich our literary horizons. This episode is a testament to the transformative power of Caribbean literature and a heartfelt invitation to embrace these compelling voices in their own exploration of the written word.

*Noted Correction: Sister Vision Press was founded in 1985.

Dr. Warren Harding is an Assistant Professor of English, General Literature and Rhetoric at Binghamton University.  His work engages practices of reading, Black feminist literary and cultural criticism, and literary fieldwork in contemporary Caribbean and Afro-diasporic literary cultures. In his first monograph, tentatively titled Migratory Reading: Black Caribbean Women and th
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Rate the Show Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform Share this episode with someone who loves Caribbean history and culture Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode Share the episode on social media and tag us Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education Produced by Breadfruit Media