August 18, 2025 • 58 mins
In a world where interdisciplinary approaches are increasingly celebrated, Queen Mother Dr. ChenziRa Davis Kahina, affectionately known as Dr. Chen, stands as a beacon of cultural synthesis and creative expression. A modern renaissance woman, Dr. Chen wears many hats: Griot, Educator, Creative Artivist, Communications Technologist, Ordained Priestess, Author, Cultural Heritage Researcher, Global Visionary, Holistic Naturopathic Therapist, Mother, and Grandmother. Her multifaceted identity reflects her commitment to promoting culture, healing, arts, technology, and spirituality (CHATS4LIFE) as interwoven threads that enrich life. A Vision for the Future Dr. ChenziRa's work is grounded in actionable deliverables—collaborating with diverse thought leaders to bring about meaningful change. Her ongoing projects, such as the AST Speaks Media initiative and hosting the DaCrew Podcast, continue to build her legacy. Looking ahead, she remains committed to expanding her brand and is eager to share her insights through interviews and public engagements. A Legacy of Education and Cultural Advocacy Dr. ChenziRa's educational journey is illustrious, having graced the halls of prestigious universities such as Rutgers and Pepperdine, and being a fellow at UC San Diego. Her academic pursuits are complemented by global research that informs her teachings and productions. As the inaugural director of the Virgin Islands Caribbean Cultural Center and an assistant professor at the University of the Virgin Islands, Dr. Chen has been pivotal in fostering cultural awareness and preservation. Her work with AyAy Maroon Sanctuary and the Maroons in the Caribbean Americas, along with the ethnodocumentary "Queens of the Virgins," are testaments to her dedication to cultural heritage.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Of us speaks building a new legacy here in the
Diva Crew podcast Vive and it's a wonderful opportunity for
us to highlight a variety of activities and programs that
are taking place around the globe. I am really honored
and privileged to be able to share.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
I could do the long.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Biography of but I think for the purposes of what
we're going to be speaking about as truth as power,
we'd like to just put out to the listening and
viewing audience that this day of August seventeenth is a
very significant day and history of African people, revolutionary people,
(00:52):
Pan Africanists, persons, African fundamentalist persons, and the wider global
community as it marks the anniversary of the birth of
the Honorable Marcus Messiah Garvey. And we just would like
persons to take a moment of reflection, a moment of silence,
(01:15):
a moment of pause, and a moment of race, just
in honor of this great, great African leader. And we
can speak throughout tonight's broadcasts and tific absolum quotations that
come from the Honorable Marcus Messiah Garvey, founder of the
(01:38):
Universal Negro Improvement Association, African Communities League in nineteen fourteen
and the Post the lead alongside other members of the
UNIAACL of the significant convention hosted in Madison Square Garden
(02:03):
in New York City in nineteen twenty during the month
of Alvers through which several different significant observances, commemorations, even
the decree of Negro People of the World came through
those conventions. So there wasn't just a conference, it wasn't
just a seminal, definitely not just a workshop, but it
(02:26):
was an actual strategic.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Plan for a government for the Universal Negro Improvement Association
African Communities.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
League, which by definition every African doing work in our
communities that are uplifting our communities are part of the
African Communities League, just as the point of information. So
with that being said, I would like to introduce and welcome.
She's not a stranger to media and I'm definitely not
(02:58):
a stranger to bringing true the power, and that is
none other than my loved sister queen and scholar, doctor
Rhoda Aarondell.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
How are you doing, sister.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Great good evening to you to your listeners viewers around
the world. I am I'm doing great. Thank you so
much as you. You know, I entered this new phase
and I'm among some of the greatest in terms of grandmotherhood.
So it's it's like having a new chime all over again, exactly.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
That's what's on my mind a lot these days.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Yea, and many congratulations, many blessed congratulations.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
We're grateful that the journey went well for your daughter
and her beloved husband.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
And we're very grateful to know that in the midst
of all of the shroud of secrecy because you want
to protect that mess, that you have joined our sacred
queen random its circle, that's man, and we welcome you
and with open arms and a lot of support and
(04:07):
a lot of a lot of energy because we know
what requires a significant amount of energy to hold that
sacred space. And I'm always excited when we get an
opportunity to speak, because you know you have done a
significant amount of work, you know, through your work, you know,
coming out of Croissant being raised in Saint Martin and
(04:28):
highlighting that in Saint Martin's splowly to the Virgin Islands,
or out designed that these are Caribbean territories that remain colonized.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
In the case of Saint.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Martin by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic
of France, and in the case of the Virgin Islands,
by the government of the United States of America. But
I also black person to just be very clear that
you know, you bring to this conversation, this conversation which
is a very significant one as we're honoring, yes, the
work of the illustrious lead off Marcus Massad Garving, but
(05:03):
also those women and men that surrounded him and supported
him to habit where the U n i A still
exists in twenty twenty five. So I just relacked persons
to just know, you know that in addition to you
having credentials and degrees in linguistics and we can you know,
we want to put out that shout out Syracuse, you know,
(05:26):
and a pre law diploma from the University of the Netherland,
Antilles and Curasow in addition to a master's in administration
through the University of the Virgin Islands.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
You beyond.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Right and you know, and then securing your PhD in
English Linguistics with a very special advised area in your
discipline of Caribbean languages from the University of Puerto Frico Previdas.
I think it's important for persons to know that you
also have served as an elected minister, so the first
(06:02):
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs in Saint Martin.
I think it's really important to know that, and that
that was through the ud up DP coalition. Yes, and
I'll let you speak more to that as we also,
you know you've published work, you know, your groundbreaking work
(06:24):
on language, culture and Identity in Saint Martin, published in
twenty fourteen, speaks volumes and is essential read for persons
that are understanding, desire to understand I should say language, linguistics, communication, identity,
ethics as well as culture. I also think that you know,
(06:47):
we're hearing that we're waiting for this next manuscript around
how to get a world class education from Saint Martin.
I had to tip my crown for a second. I said,
we's in, you know, just just putting it out there
because you know, being in all of these different places
(07:07):
and just and currently being our immediate past president of
the Caribbean Studies Association and having a very successful CSA
conference in June of this year that brought together hundreds
of scholars from around the world around significant themes linked
to reparatory justice, reparation, et cetera, you know, self.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Intermination and more.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
And being able to blend that with the efforts and
the again another significant convening of the Saint Martin Book Paer,
you know, and having that connection with the house and
the HESSI publishers and one SXM and all of the
other phenomenal creatives and artivists out of Saint Martin and
the wider Caribbean and the world, you know, convening in
(07:55):
Saint Martin.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
In the midst of all of this.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
You also teach and serve as a professor at Howard University.
So I just wanted people to know that just having
you make time to join us here this evening, especially
at the beginning of the semesters, we both shared that issue.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
We're very grateful, fir Oh.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
That was awesome.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
First of all, let me just thank you again and
your team for this opportunity. It is when you started
listing these things that I'm reminded because you, like I,
we're so busy, Like I always ask like, where do
you get the time? Right, and we're so busy doing
the work that we do. Is when I heard you
mentioned I was like, oh, my goodness, I forgot about that,
(08:39):
you know, because you're busy working. So I want to
thank you for the breather, for the opportunity to do this,
but also to reflect. And then as you were speaking,
I was thinking, how do we tie this back into
what we are doing this evening. We're talking about honoring
the legacy of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, but also
knowing that that has been the thing that has, you know,
(09:02):
influenced our work and our drive to do the things
that we're doing. When you think back of all the
work that we're doing, it comes back to the basic
principles that were coming out of the teachings of Marcus Garvey.
So I'm glad, you know, for this opportunity, and I'm
looking forward to our discussion. It was that me was
(09:26):
that frozen? Can you ladies hear me?
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (09:31):
Can you hear me?
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Still?
Speaker 4 (09:32):
It says offline? Who's offline? I'm not offline? Can you
hear me?
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (09:38):
I'm not sure what happened there. It could be you,
it could be me.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
So you keep it going whenever it happens, It's okay.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Yeah, Because yeah, we also have a little substandard kind
of internet connectivity here at times. Okay, I'm not sure
if it's here.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
But that's been involved in the VERSIONALI so please moving
forward from that conversation of honoring Garby.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
Okay, what was that?
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Okay, it's saying offline, but yeah, I'm not sure if
you can hear me, and I want to say thanks,
and it's funny or maybe not how sometimes these things happen.
Speaker 4 (10:32):
But you know what I am going to do. I
am going to try something else. Yeah, can you still
hear me?
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Yes, you keep going because you're already because I wasn't
too sure because I was I was thinking maybe I
should go to my computer where I know my data
is a little more stable based on my AT and
T account. But if this works, then I'll just stay here.
And yeah, yes, I see now I'm here. Can you
(11:12):
hear me? Is that is that the chin there?
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Okay?
Speaker 3 (11:22):
I'm gonna try also to see what happens from my
cell phone because I think my cell phone allows me to.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Be able to continue the conversation.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
Mm hmm, I'm hearing you, queen, We're not kay? Oh yeah,
I'm getting feedback because I think I will I'll switch devices.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
We're not not.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
Can you can you hear me?
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Wrong?
Speaker 1 (12:18):
Discussions that are happening in the globe, you know, so
whether it's the yeah, the Besani International and the Black
Star African Network. Yes, I hear you. Well, I was
just giving keep going okay, okay, I can hear you
(12:41):
when we can see your eyes. Okay, So the challenge okay,
she's switching it around. We can hear you now, h Okay, Yes,
(13:03):
I'm here because we can hear you, and I can
see that you came into the platform.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
But I.
Speaker 5 (13:27):
Okay, okay, are you able to see she has an opened.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Okay, okay, no words?
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Yeah, well no, I am making sure that she can
have you inside of the platform. I don't have the
I don't have the ability to do. Okay, whoa And
now she's gone, okay, I'm gonna because I'm not sure
my concern let me hear you speak please.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Yeah. The challenge that I have is from where I am.
I am. I can hear you, but you're not in
the studio, so I have to.
Speaker 6 (14:54):
Oh, okay, we'll buy that nowherees no whereas well, let's
speak when I'm speak, you go ahead and speak when
you go ahead, please, you go ahead and speak.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
No, I'm not hearing you. Dog. Oh yeah, okay, got you, Hey,
I got it. I'm back right.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
So let's move to the next part.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Because so viewers and listeners were very appreciative that you
were so patient with some of our technological issues here.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Just think of it as the whorld win.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
So there's a lot that's taking place, and this is
also happening on.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
The eve of the forthcoming Characteresta X five XV fifteen
being hosted in Barbados Center, is going to be a
host of energy. It'll be a serious whirlwind, a serious
k bona energy in terms of dance being to film,
(15:55):
visual arts, performative arts, literature, culinary arts. I'm sure I'm
missing out quite a few things because there's gonna be
some big conversations, big conversations. I'm gonna keep saying that,
big conversations and a lot of observances of different activities
and educational opportunities that actually blend together for the wider
(16:19):
Caribbean spaces.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
I think it's important for persons to just be aware.
Speaker 1 (16:23):
If you don't know what Carafesta is, we're encouraging you
to dot net and just again c A R I
F E S t A dot net and you'll be
able to get a good breathe, breather of exactly what
Carafesta is the focus for this international Caribbean rounded Caribbean
(16:47):
celebratory space. As I said, visual arts, music, theater, dance, film, fashion.
Make sure I don't forget that part fashion. I'm gonna
say that again. You go see some series, the Grand Market,
the literary arts. There's a significant you know, a big
conversations symposia and a host of different concerts, a youth
(17:10):
village and so much more. And I just want to
put the extra plug. I see already at Saint Martin
bringing a delegation. Yes, so definitely congratulations to the people
of Saint Martin. We're looking forward to all of the
(17:30):
creatives and all of the scholars, including yourself, that are
going to be participatory in Cairo Festa fifteen August twenty
second to third first in one of the Caribbean's newest.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
Republics.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Yeah, so I'm excited about So that's why I just
want you know, so please speak freely in regard to
some of the things that are happening in Saint Martin.
You know, how does that relate to African fundamentalism? And
I always start with.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
What would Marcus start?
Speaker 4 (18:05):
You know, that's very interesting.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
I was, I've been told about the delegation that Saint
Martins sending. I will privy to some of the information
because again everybody, and I think it's like every other
Caribbean territory, we talk about budgetary constraints, et cetera, et cetera.
So when I when I saw the delegation that was
being put together with discussions with having talked to the
(18:28):
head of the Culture department, my understanding is that, you know,
we try to represent as broad as spectrum as possible
to make sure that Saint Martin is fully represented on
the stage in terms of its its artistic repertoire, because
we have quite a number of talented people here from
(18:51):
across all genres. And when I saw the delegation that
was that that is on its way there, I said, Okay,
they it's a younger delegation, but the intention seems to
have been to cover the spectrum right, So for me,
that is going to be for us the work that
we do that is going to be so important. Number
one day, younger and number two, they are able to
(19:16):
exchange because they will also be sharing what they can do,
but they will be learning a lot from our Caribbean
brothers and sisters. And as often happens in these colonial spaces,
like in the Virgin Islands, like in put Ariquent, some
of these places, when we engage with the wider Caribbean,
we realize that, you know, there's some things that are
(19:36):
very different and there are other things that are very
much alike. And I'm looking forward to see what that
translates into how we see.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Ourselves at Saint MARTINEUS. So that's one.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Right, Yes, we're artists, et cetera, but we're colonized artists
in Saint Martin. Our artists are in a colonial space,
still colonize. And when we're looking at a platform like
carry F, we're talking about the full potential of the Caribbean.
What does it mean when you live in a colonized
space and how does that influence the conversations that you
(20:12):
are having with a Caribbean peer.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
So that's one. And then on the side.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
Of the discussions, the heavier stuff where there will be
discussions about decolonization, et cetera. One s exam a one
Saint Martin. Our organization has been invited and we will
be participating in those conversations as well. You know, how
do we in Sint Martin today move forward as we
(20:41):
are seeking our a decolonized space. We want to have
our Caribbean fully decolonized and.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
What is our role?
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Because we keep getting invited and we're part of these discussions,
but the question is what are we going to actively
do to make it happen?
Speaker 6 (20:59):
Right?
Speaker 3 (21:00):
Yes, how do we not as individuals, not as not
just engels and organizations, but how do we influence the
government or sort of urge or nudge the government to
also move towards that goal right of a decolonized space.
So that's a lot of what I'm looking forward to
in the discussion with car with carrifesta.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
Beautiful and this is something that allows for and again
I encourage persons that are not familiar to go to
Carafesta dot net and that way you can see a
range of not only what's happening. So it's not just
festivities and party and so for even if that's a
portion of it, but it's showing authentically how culture serves
(21:46):
as culture and heritage and literacy, and all of the
creatives actually becomes this and a quote. The Caribbean Festival
of Arts Carafesta has assumed a pre eminent place among
the elements that define and give expression to the uniqueness
of our Caribbean reality. Like other significant institutions such as Cricket,
(22:10):
CX and Caracom Caribbean Community that symbolize a Caribbean commonalty,
the festival reinforces our unity amidst our splendid diversity. Carafesta,
which has been hailed as the inspirational exchange of creative flows,
has its foundations in the staging of the first Caribbean
(22:32):
Festival of Arts and San Juan, Puerto Rico in nineteen
fifty two. This event sparked enthusiasm across the region for
celebrating the excellence of Caribbean artistry. The creation of the
West Indian Federation Indies Federation was marked by the staging
of a festival in Trinidad through the auspices of the
(22:53):
extramural department of the then University College of the West
Indies which is now University the University of the West Indies.
This celebratory spirit infused the artistic community of the region,
and it was at a regional gathering of artists in
Guyana in nineteen seventy that the idea of a Grand
(23:15):
Caribbean Festival was conceived unquote. And I think it's important
to just know some of that history. So when you
go to that Karafesta dot net website, please look at
the about just to get a snippet that's like a
photos picture of what were some of the foundational pieces,
and it gives more information of what transpired, you know,
(23:35):
in the sixties leading up to nineteen seventy and then
having this first festival of arts in Guyana in nineteen
seventy two and the rest is history. So keeping in
mind that what's happening is linked to these types of
things and it has expanded, so persons know that there
are these big conversations on issues that affect this region.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
And for the.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
Persons in the back of the room, anything that happens
in the Caribbean impacts not only the North and South
Americas everybody in between, but the entire globe. I just
need that to sink in and you need to simmer
(24:18):
on that song.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Yes, most of.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
Us are, you know, I hope where persons are hearing
and understanding, and I say not just understand, but from
the inside, get that comprehension that these spaces that we're referencing,
and specifically the spaces in which doctor Rode Arundel and
myself reside, there's still colonies in two thousand and twenty five,
(24:45):
even though entities like the United Nations since the nineteen
fifties have created and had general assemblies with very specific resolutions.
Were there to be no more colonial territorial spaces on
(25:09):
the entire earth, that's all one of the ninety three
plus countries, but there still are.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Yeah, yeah, And I think we are all duty bound
to try to change that.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
Right.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
Like you said, I'm with you on you know, the party,
and we love a good party as Caribbean people. We
love good literature and poetry and performances, et cetera.
Speaker 4 (25:35):
We really have to talk.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
About this part of our our celebration as a people,
as Caribbean people, but also how it affects and how
it's connected to what's happening in the world.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
Connected.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
You can't disconnect us from what's happening in the rest
of the world, you know.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
Correct, And I really would be remiss if I didn't
identify that. You know, we have had your off and
if through one s exam and through the Caribbean Pan
African Network and other formations in the region. While our
respective spaces, territorial spaces do not have sovereignty and independence yet,
(26:20):
it's through these civil society networks, these non governmental networks
and our partnerships with governmental networks that we are able
to share our narratives and our quest for decolonization, our
quest for self determination, our self for a different type
of It may not be independence immediately for some, but
(26:42):
there needs to be some type of what people like
to call pre association or some type of social governance
that provides for that quest towards independence in regard to
the lives, the livelihood the land.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
I'm going to keep coming back to that one.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
The land and the vision and the desires and needs
of the people in Saint Martin, in Puerto Rico, in
the Virgin Islands, you know, and we can go on Guam,
Samoa and then so I think it's important to know
that it's not only the US and France or the
(27:27):
never Never speaking of you know, there's things that are
still held in territorial colonial spaces from Spain, Portugal. I mean,
this is not you know the UK, you know the British,
and we'll notice that these are the same entities that
have reaped wealth beyond measure m hmm from even the
(27:52):
enslavement experienced process more accurately, the human trafficking of Africans
from the continent all twelve square moths into these spaces
on the other side of the Atlantic, as well as
moving these bodies into other parts of the globe. So
that's why I always highlight when we're speaking of Caribbean
(28:15):
themes and Caribbean civilization and Caribbean upliftment and artistry and artivism.
I like that term artivism because our artists in these
spaces have to be activists at the same time. M
and so you know, so and yourself included. Because a
(28:35):
number of things that were done in the recent CSA
conference of twenty twenty five, as well as the Saint
Martin book fair and all of the different in the
manner in which things were done on the entire isle
of Saint Martin, So there was one Saint Martin authentically
wasn't the north side, in the south side, It wasn't
(28:57):
the Dutch and French. It was one Saint Martin. That's
to a lev vibe. I think that was really what
you cross really powerfully and I would love for you
to share, you know, how do you bring that into
into places like the characteristic vibration as well as how
(29:17):
do you bring that into your classroom when you're teaching
or how do you do that because I didn't even
mention that, but please share. You know, you have a
radio broadcaster to do weekly as well. I think it's
for people to know some details about that how they
can contact you as well, so that you know, persons
know how to follow up. So this isn't a one
and done type piece.
Speaker 3 (29:40):
Now that's a very interesting question because just today I
was asked by someone and this is someone in their
forties right, who said, you know, can you help me?
This is a young person, younger person who was asked
basically like who are USA might and people? And they
were asked this question by someone in the United States
(30:01):
and he said to me, well, I want to ask
you this, how do we come to this conversation of
the division of the island. And then also if I
were to say to someone that I'm Africa Caribbean is
it correct now. I thought that was interesting that I say,
Martin person is asking me. And this is because when
you live in these colonial spaces, this, this idea of
(30:22):
identity becomes front and center. Who exactly are you and
how do you represent yourself and how do you identify
So one of the things that we as one s
Exmoor one Saint Martin as a group, try to stick
to because our association is founded on the principle that
(30:44):
Saint Martin people are one people, which is something that
we didn't have to make up.
Speaker 4 (30:49):
It was there.
Speaker 3 (30:50):
Even before the actual acceptance of the partitioning of the
island between the French and the Dutch and sixteen forty
eight that with these different administrations that had been in
charge or in control of the rock at different times,
that the people, certainly among themselves, remain one right. And
(31:11):
when you think of the African ancestors, they were deemed property,
so they weren't even considered humans, and their use, if
I may use the word use, but the utilization of
their labor. Didn't they want a boundaries so you could
pick them up and put them to work in salt
pans that were administered by a Dutch colonial state or
(31:36):
French colonial state, or when the British were here, when
the Spanish real there. So it didn't matter to them
because these these were property, but they could be used
and they referred to it as free movement of goods,
meaning the African ancestors. So from that point we begin
our work in one.
Speaker 4 (31:56):
Sexem one Saint Martin. That in spite of because what we've.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Seen in the last and I may they're saying the
last thirty years, for certain last twenty years or so,
is that you people use the word recolonization, but I
tend to not say read because they never left. But
what you do see is the stronger effort for doing
(32:21):
more of the Dutch and the French presence.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
Because on that, yes, you need to reel and come
again with that one, the recolonization real and.
Speaker 3 (32:36):
Yeah, you can't read something that never ended, right, it's
been there. They never stopped the colonization of our islands.
Speaker 2 (32:46):
Right, they have a whole onto the crown.
Speaker 3 (32:48):
Yeah, because they're using that language. Right, they're using that
language or neo colonialism, and it's nothing new about what's happening.
It's the same continuous, you know activity. But what they
literally they had abandoned us, and we were quite grateful.
But with that abandonment and with the focus on William
(33:09):
Stutt as the center for the Dutch, Ambasstare in Guadeloupe
as the center for the French, we in Saint Martin
pretty much left on our own. Even though they were
they listed us as Netherlands, Antilles and French West Indies,
the focus was not on the same Martin people and
their development.
Speaker 4 (33:31):
So what has happened is that the people on their
own went about doing their own thing and their administration.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
You know, big influence of American tourism, in North American
tourism as far as Canada, etc. So the island starts
to flourish again, and then you see this big narrative about.
Speaker 4 (33:48):
French and Dutch and how much Dutch.
Speaker 3 (33:51):
Is missing and more of Dutch days and more of
Dutch and education and more, because there seems to be
a tendency to reclaim the space even though they've never left,
but they are reclaiming it in the name of France
and the Netherlands. And that's what we are up against
as one as exam. We are trying to remind not
just our indigenous people who know this. But our visitors,
(34:14):
the newcomers, the ones who are coming with the new
Dutch passport and the new French passport, who do not
have this history, this connection to the ancestral lineage. Right,
The people were always one. They're usually coming from places
like Suriname, the Netherlands, from the other Caribbean territories where
(34:35):
we switched over to English's language of instructions. They are
coming from Jamaica and Guyana, so they are our Saint
Martine's but they are the newcomers, and they now tend
to affiliate with the Netherlands or France versus Saint Martin,
but not all of them. But that's the narrative that
you're Dutch, you carry a Dutch passport, you live on
(34:57):
the Dutch side and you can't on the friend side.
And if you're French, you know what loop is more,
you know, endemic rather than so we we're up against that,
and so our aim is to remind the Saint Martin
people and all our visitors that we are first and
foremost Saint Martin people. We are one people, and that's
(35:19):
how we spread the word right. And so we've had
to fight for the correct spelling of our name, for example,
in using our language, which is which is the English language?
And to what extent is that different from the territory
that is occupied by the Dutch and how what that means.
(35:40):
This is an ongoing conversation, but it's starting to catch on,
as you mentioned, through our radio programming, our articles or
social media posts, et cetera, that at least the awareness
is out there that the spellings represent different things, that
this is when we are making reference to a specific
(36:01):
territory versus when we are referring to the entire island
and the entire and the entire people. But not everyone
accepts it. So it's an ongoing struggle, but we are
determined and we are now hoping that with these new
conversations as you were you you saw, with this conversation
(36:22):
of slavery and slavery past and Dutch funding, et cetera,
that we do not get left out of that country
because that that narrative is intended to erase. This is
what we are talking about, right, you know, in the
Dutch Kingdom. This is what happened and this is how
it may be. We can talk about it as a
(36:42):
Dutch family, but we want to move on and we
are in one Saint Martina is saying, hold up, we
can talk about these things, but our moving on is
not in a shared future with the Kingdom of the
Netherlands or with the Republic of France. Our shared future
is in the Caribbean and how do we get to
(37:04):
become more integrated in the Caribbean family. So that's the
work that we're doing, that's how we're pushing the conversation.
Speaker 1 (37:13):
And it's being And thank you so much for giving
us that eloquent, yet sequential and developmental understanding of how
that's what is intended and what is being done, and
why some of the disingenuous efforts of the respective sovereigns,
whether they're in the Netherlands, the US, the UK, or wherever, France,
(37:38):
et cetera, that there is a very clear ideological frame
of reference and a very clear form of implementation and
organization to make sure that that reparations platform, that reparations
framework and those repreatoral justice initiatives are one and the same,
(38:01):
and that persons are really clear on You can't speak
for us and then tell us that it's a neo
this or a recolonization that or past this or past that,
because if it was in the past, then it would
have been healed, it would have been resolved, there would
have been equitable distribution of the wealth based on their
(38:21):
not being an equitable distribution of the wealth from the
time that you were raping and pillaging and committing genocidal
terrorism against humanity in the form of our ancestors.
Speaker 2 (38:33):
And see we are able.
Speaker 1 (38:34):
To say these things in a very diplomatic I think
that was a nice version of how it could be
said versus how it can be like slash and burn
and what is happening. Especially with our young people, they're
still framing a more clear understanding of how not to
just go into a rage space.
Speaker 2 (38:57):
When they hear that really happened.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
They did what you know, and then that little energy
you know, and we're working our best not to lose
that warrior energy, not to lose that warrior spirit, because
that's essential to move certain things forward. You don't just
that's you know, you start to spark of the revolution anywhere.
It's just able to be able to share this information,
(39:23):
have proper educational engagement. That's why when we see entities,
governments that we will not name that want to block
and remove and reconfigure historical truths or delete them and
make it institutionally appropriate for there to be lies told
(39:45):
on what were the foundational cornerstones of the development of
a respective nation that is quite sovereign and placing its
talents and fangs around the globe. That's why you have
person since rising up the way that they are in
different parts of the world. That's why we're seeing young
(40:05):
people rise up. And it's a powerful type of a conversation.
And I see that through the lens of the work
that wanted to extem has done within the CARA com
Reparations Commission, along with the work of the Caribbean Kind
African Network again as members within the CARA comb Preparations Commission,
(40:27):
that there are a number of big conversations that are
again part of the Caribbean Festival Tarafesta fifteen and Barbados.
You know of which representatives yourself, myself included, have been
invited to engage. I think it's important that persons know
that these are the types of initiatives that are ongoing.
(40:53):
And see some people like to think that an initiative
just started, but ongoing are not just not just projects
but these are actually institutions that have teeth and have
actionable deliverables that are tied to our respective spaces, lands, people, institutions, persons.
Speaker 2 (41:18):
And much much more.
Speaker 1 (41:20):
And what we're beginning to highlight in the format of
some of our activities is to be able to place.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
You know.
Speaker 1 (41:28):
So it may be we may say something in a
lecture that would come across very harsh and.
Speaker 2 (41:35):
Oh my god, how did that happen? Versus you hear
it in a song. Then it comes to us when
somebody says.
Speaker 1 (41:42):
Queen marry, Queen marry, where you're going to bun just
past the mattrash rights and house where we're going to
bun when we sing it. And that's just one of
the examples, I mean, as many others, and I know
(42:03):
it's going to be a c mm hmm interchangeable vibrations
and expertise from youth all the way to well seasoned
artists that are going to be sharing. Again, these conversations
are going to happen in chat and language, and they're
(42:26):
going to happen through all these other mediums with creative arts.
And then it's going to be a lot of fellowship
where persons are going to have these even bigger conversations
we pray on just in the marketplace and just in
the villages, and just as coming to know one another
and to bring a oneness when we speak of this
(42:48):
oneness in the Caribbean civilization spaces. So I'm looking forward
to that and that for me, and you could concur
if you agree, is the essence of some of the
quest for African unity through the lens of the Universal
Negro Improvement Association.
Speaker 2 (43:06):
And of course it's not the same.
Speaker 1 (43:08):
You know, the term Negro was used in nineteen fourteen,
and a lot of people have issues with that.
Speaker 2 (43:13):
But I always.
Speaker 1 (43:14):
Encouraged persons, I said, but to know that there is
an entity, and I always put it in that same frame,
even people like Madam C. J. Walker was a financier
for the U and I A conventions in New.
Speaker 2 (43:29):
York, right, people, I to be wells M.
Speaker 1 (43:34):
H Man, you know so great and I think you
and many others that you know come in and out.
I mean, there's this recent publication I was going to
put my hands on by doctor Natanya Duncan, who you
know shared her work at the CSA conference, who has
been sharing her work. It's wonderful phenomenal publication on Efficient
(43:56):
Womanhood the Women of the un i A and by
doctor Natanya Duncan, who is the director of Africana Studies
at Queen's College in New York. I think it's important
for persons to know that there are publications like that
that are also paired with other activities happening in communities,
(44:19):
whether it's Saturday, you know, send copa Saturday programs, you know,
spearheaded by young sisters not so young anymore, like.
Speaker 2 (44:31):
You know Dara.
Speaker 1 (44:32):
Beniva Cooper, who is a professional community communication specialists right
coming out of the Virgent Islands and doing her work,
you know, throughout the region. I think it's important to
know that there are a number of organizational entities that
are doing this type of work to tell these truths
through different lenses and different platforms and different media frameworks,
(44:56):
so we can actually stop having a repeat of the
mistruths that are customarily shared with our people.
Speaker 4 (45:06):
Right.
Speaker 1 (45:07):
One of the things we're you know, one of the
things we're dealing with here in the Virgin Islands of
the United States, and that's been an issue. Well, it
doesn't matter if we say USBI us Virgin Islands or
if we put Virgin Islands first the last and I
said it does you do I said, legally, it's the
Virgin Islands of the United States, according to the original
(45:28):
Organic Act in nineteen you know when they did the
transfer and purchase in the nineteen seventeen I mean, it
was very clear.
Speaker 2 (45:37):
They didn't call it US anything.
Speaker 1 (45:39):
They called it the Right Islands of the United States,
which would really translate into Virgin Islands US if we
chose to do right. But there's person for I guess
tourists reasons and to just make it more palatable that
are comfortable putting the colonizer first and not thinking that
(45:59):
that matters, very similar to what Santa Claus looks like.
Speaker 3 (46:06):
Well, what they what they try here is this thing
called Caribbean Netherlands. You know what the heck is that right?
And we go like, no, there's no Caribbean Netherlands. The
adjective describing the Netherlands is Caribbean. Caribban is Caribbean, Netherlands
is Netherlands. But what they try to do is name
(46:29):
these islands like Stacia and Bonaire and and save up
Caribbean Netherlands. And that's again something that that we fight
against how do you mean it doesn't matter? It does
matter because one is a description of a thing and
the other thing says, this is what the identity looks like.
And we're telling we're telling you that we're Caribbean people.
Speaker 4 (46:48):
We're not. This is not the Netherlands.
Speaker 1 (46:49):
Netherlands is in Europe, right, And I think that's important
because that's come many times, even when I'm making reference
to our neighboring Aisle. Here of the quote Britain Virgin Islands,
we just say Virgin Islands, and we tend to say
Virgin Islands, and then people get a little bit, what
do you mean United Virgin Islands?
Speaker 2 (47:06):
They're different, And I'm like, pass almost.
Speaker 1 (47:09):
Hot bloodline, family line, cross a piece of water topic
between Tortola and Saint John and Saint and so I mean,
even though there's a Brazilian different little Virgin Islands in between,
we tend the Virgin Islands and then you have to
figure out which one is it Gotta Jules van Dyke,
(47:29):
Virgin Gorda, Tortola, Wata Islands, Saint John's Sat Growing Thomas,
whichever islands. Yeah, and then we know there at the
time that they would try to speak of in Puerto
Rico and Cole and vies as the Spanish Virgin Islands.
Wow even I'm just saying, so we really are moving
(47:55):
in twenty twenty five, you know through these types of
you know, whether it's Carafesta, whether it's whether it's through
care com Reparations Commission, whether it's to be an African
Network one ESSEXM And I'm saying all these names so
people know that there are formations that are more than
just us. There their rtities, you know, whether it's to
(48:15):
the Universal Negro Improvement Associateation, African Communities League RC twenty
or any formation of the u ni A because there
are there are many across the globe.
Speaker 2 (48:28):
Yeah, I think it's the person.
Speaker 1 (48:31):
You know, whether it's the All African People's Revolutionary Party,
the All African Women's Revolutionary Union, we consider you know,
the afric Descendants Tribal Council in Costa Rica, right, whether
it's through the Six Region diesquorco BECUS. There's like so
many formations and I'm not naming all. I'm just saying
the ones that that keep resonating. You know, this Emancipation
(48:51):
Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago that is consistently doing
things around these types of discussions. I just think it's
amazing that we're going to be able to have this
conversation forwards coming and of course the African Union an
air com gathering that's going to be happening in adis
(49:13):
Abab in the beginning of September, and that there are
representatives from our Caribbean spaces that are going to be
participatory as well. And even if it's not those of
us in our immediate circle, they are going to be
persons that are going to be going with content inpute
those of us in the wider circle. So we're always
encouraging persons to email. You know, I will give some
(49:36):
of that shortly because we have a few more minutes.
Speaker 2 (49:38):
I'd like to leave no dog.
Speaker 3 (49:40):
You know, you made a good point yes to Two
days ago, I was shopping, minding my business and there
is a local guy, musician, leader of a band.
Speaker 4 (49:49):
He walks up to me.
Speaker 3 (49:50):
He said, you know what, I'm an anesthesiologist, right, that's
what he does professionally. And he says, all my life
I've concentrated on music and anesthesiology, right, that's what I do, right,
he said, But now that I'm in this age. He's
about our age. He's a little older and I am
a year or two. And he said, now that I'm
in this age, I'm reading a lot more, but I'm
(50:11):
paying attention to what's happening with Africa and the Caribbean.
And I want to encourage you guys to keep doing
the work that you do, et cetera. And the reason
I brought this up when because I went to school
with this young man. He went to and adlast did
his studies, and again we meet on the party floor,
we dance.
Speaker 4 (50:28):
That's an awesome man, et cetera.
Speaker 3 (50:30):
But the fact that in his sixties now he's saying
to me, I'm reading more, I'm understanding more of Africa.
Speaker 4 (50:38):
I'm seeing more. He came back at some point and
talked to me about.
Speaker 3 (50:42):
You know, we should talk about food that we eat,
whether we're importing it from the right places. Should we
get a direct link to Africa? What can we do?
How can we change the quality of the food that
we are bringing in. So there's all of this, and
I'm so grateful that what you just raised. It may
not be you and I individual be personally, but more
of our people are starting to see and to appreciate
(51:05):
the work, the engagement, the connection, and it's for lack
of exposure, lack of access, lack of knowledge, et cetera.
But you're seeing it once it's available, or they become
a lot more aware of what else is there other
than the colonial narrative, then they're more inclined to say, Okay,
(51:26):
this doesn't look like right, this looks this is a
better fit for me. So hearing you say that, I'm thinking,
that's exactly what it's about when we do.
Speaker 2 (51:34):
This work exactly.
Speaker 1 (51:36):
So that's why we're excited about what's coming forward in
these next iterations, you know, these next free ways, days, months,
et cetera. And we encourage persons please give a please
please give the call letter us for persons to listen
to your broadcast that's done by one SECTEM on SOS
Radio and Saint Martin.
Speaker 3 (51:54):
Please okay, we have on we have on two well,
there are three programs that are linked each other, but
they're all part of the same work. But one of
six m's actual program is on my eighty eight point
three FM, and that's on Saturdays from five to seven
pm every Saturday. And then we partner with like you
(52:16):
mentioned SOOS Radio and in particular Culture conscious Lyrics Foundation,
which is hosted by Suja Ref on SOS Radio, and
he does a program on Saturday at twelve on SOOS
Radio which is ninety nine point five FM, and then
he does something I can remember the name of the
(52:38):
exact program on Monday at six pm on the same
radio station. And then the one that Fabian and I
do on Sundays from one to two pm on one
of two point seven FM, which is PJD two Radio,
and the name of.
Speaker 2 (52:54):
The programs one O two or one O seven one O.
Speaker 3 (52:58):
Two point seven F and it's called Culture Time and
it literally does talk only about culture, things about culture
and how these things relate, you know, to culture.
Speaker 4 (53:10):
And that's from one to two on Sundays.
Speaker 2 (53:12):
So when we do.
Speaker 1 (53:13):
Email me, is there an email I can put in
a chat for people that wanted to get more information.
Speaker 3 (53:19):
On us, You could use my email because then I
could if they do that, I could spread them out
to the exact ones because I can't remember Susha as email.
Speaker 2 (53:27):
There, no problem, no problem. I just wanted to know
that we had that.
Speaker 1 (53:31):
Thank you, I mean, and I'm grateful because sometimes we
do not have all of the time and platforms in
this space to get that information. So I will I
will put that in there just so persons can know.
Speaker 2 (53:46):
To reach out.
Speaker 1 (53:47):
You can also contact our Speaks so that I email
out to everybody Right this second, I'll just say you
can contact you know, link with us Speaks and we
will get you the information.
Speaker 2 (54:00):
You know.
Speaker 1 (54:01):
That way you can keep something you won't have to
go through another ten thousand emails. Yes, ma'am right, very grateful,
So thank you. I mean again, you see how fast
that time went.
Speaker 4 (54:14):
I can't believe it to them, like is that is it? Really?
Speaker 2 (54:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (54:17):
And that was with us just having you know, just
an opportunity to share. I know that there's some things
you can straighten out inside of the YouTube page where
this is posted.
Speaker 2 (54:27):
But I want to thank you.
Speaker 1 (54:28):
Again, Sister Queen, Thank you mother doctor Roda Arundel of
one essexem as well as a representative of the CRC
coming through the Care com Reparations Commission and other organizations,
for just your representation, your candidness with sharing some updates
(54:50):
on what's taking place in our beloved sister island of St.
Speaker 2 (54:53):
Martin, home of some of.
Speaker 1 (54:55):
My grand parents and want to make sure I say
make sure, I'll say Martin right and sharing on behalf
of the care com initiatives that are coming forward, really
making sure that we can show that support and for
all of the scholars artivists that are going to be
(55:18):
participatory in Carafesta fifteen and Barbados from August twenty second
through the search first and even in between. You know,
there's a lot of things happening in pre meetings and
preconvenience and pre celebrations as well as post activities, and
just we encourage persons to keep tuning in here on
our Speaks, building a how legazine when we get an opportunity.
(55:40):
We will be resuming our regular first and third Thursday
at eight pm starting September, and so we're just encouraging
persons to just keep an ear to the ground, keep
your eyes, keep moving high, keep your crown solid, and
just remember the culture Hells Humanity Land is our foundation,
is spiritual harm and unifies us.
Speaker 2 (56:00):
So we encourage you to keep supporting US Speaks.
Speaker 1 (56:03):
If you need more information, you can email us at
ast speaks at gmail dot com or just look for
US Speaks inside of YouTube as well as Facebook as
well as Instagram, or just put your information in the
chat here on the Crew podcast make sure you subscribe
(56:23):
because that way, by subscriving with the Crew Podcasts, you'll
be able to see a wide array of broadcasts that
are being done by some powerful, powerful communicators, broadcasters, podcasters,
and much more.
Speaker 2 (56:38):
So. We thank you again and again and again. And
all I.
Speaker 1 (56:43):
Would close with would be to say hotep and just
stay free and be safe. And if you have worldwinds
in the area, just remember Marcus Garby said, look me
in the world when m and we just as one god,
one to aim one destiny because our victory is certain.
(57:03):
Have a blessed evening, many blessings.
Speaker 4 (57:07):
Have a good one. See you and your your audience,
see you.
Speaker 2 (57:10):
Soon, see you soon. Blessings, blessings.
Speaker 4 (57:15):
Bye Doctor Angelo.
Speaker 6 (57:23):
Yah h
Speaker 2 (57:30):
Mm hmmm.
Of us speaks building a new legacy here in the
Diva Crew podcast Vive and it's a wonderful opportunity for
us to highlight a variety of activities and programs that
are taking place around the globe. I am really honored
and privileged to be able to share.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
I could do the long.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Biography of but I think for the purposes of what
we're going to be speaking about as truth as power,
we'd like to just put out to the listening and
viewing audience that this day of August seventeenth is a
very significant day and history of African people, revolutionary people,
(00:52):
Pan Africanists, persons, African fundamentalist persons, and the wider global
community as it marks the anniversary of the birth of
the Honorable Marcus Messiah Garvey. And we just would like
persons to take a moment of reflection, a moment of silence,
(01:15):
a moment of pause, and a moment of race, just
in honor of this great, great African leader. And we
can speak throughout tonight's broadcasts and tific absolum quotations that
come from the Honorable Marcus Messiah Garvey, founder of the
(01:38):
Universal Negro Improvement Association, African Communities League in nineteen fourteen
and the Post the lead alongside other members of the
UNIAACL of the significant convention hosted in Madison Square Garden
(02:03):
in New York City in nineteen twenty during the month
of Alvers through which several different significant observances, commemorations, even
the decree of Negro People of the World came through
those conventions. So there wasn't just a conference, it wasn't
just a seminal, definitely not just a workshop, but it
(02:26):
was an actual strategic.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Plan for a government for the Universal Negro Improvement Association
African Communities.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
League, which by definition every African doing work in our
communities that are uplifting our communities are part of the
African Communities League, just as the point of information. So
with that being said, I would like to introduce and welcome.
She's not a stranger to media and I'm definitely not
(02:58):
a stranger to bringing true the power, and that is
none other than my loved sister queen and scholar, doctor
Rhoda Aarondell.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
How are you doing, sister.
Speaker 3 (03:09):
Great good evening to you to your listeners viewers around
the world. I am I'm doing great. Thank you so
much as you. You know, I entered this new phase
and I'm among some of the greatest in terms of grandmotherhood.
So it's it's like having a new chime all over again, exactly.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
That's what's on my mind a lot these days.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Yea, and many congratulations, many blessed congratulations.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
We're grateful that the journey went well for your daughter
and her beloved husband.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
And we're very grateful to know that in the midst
of all of the shroud of secrecy because you want
to protect that mess, that you have joined our sacred
queen random its circle, that's man, and we welcome you
and with open arms and a lot of support and
(04:07):
a lot of a lot of energy because we know
what requires a significant amount of energy to hold that
sacred space. And I'm always excited when we get an
opportunity to speak, because you know you have done a
significant amount of work, you know, through your work, you know,
coming out of Croissant being raised in Saint Martin and
(04:28):
highlighting that in Saint Martin's splowly to the Virgin Islands,
or out designed that these are Caribbean territories that remain colonized.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
In the case of Saint.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Martin by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic
of France, and in the case of the Virgin Islands,
by the government of the United States of America. But
I also black person to just be very clear that
you know, you bring to this conversation, this conversation which
is a very significant one as we're honoring, yes, the
work of the illustrious lead off Marcus Massad Garving, but
(05:03):
also those women and men that surrounded him and supported
him to habit where the U n i A still
exists in twenty twenty five. So I just relacked persons
to just know, you know that in addition to you
having credentials and degrees in linguistics and we can you know,
we want to put out that shout out Syracuse, you know,
(05:26):
and a pre law diploma from the University of the Netherland,
Antilles and Curasow in addition to a master's in administration
through the University of the Virgin Islands.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
You beyond.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Right and you know, and then securing your PhD in
English Linguistics with a very special advised area in your
discipline of Caribbean languages from the University of Puerto Frico Previdas.
I think it's important for persons to know that you
also have served as an elected minister, so the first
(06:02):
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs in Saint Martin.
I think it's really important to know that, and that
that was through the ud up DP coalition. Yes, and
I'll let you speak more to that as we also,
you know you've published work, you know, your groundbreaking work
(06:24):
on language, culture and Identity in Saint Martin, published in
twenty fourteen, speaks volumes and is essential read for persons
that are understanding, desire to understand I should say language, linguistics, communication, identity,
ethics as well as culture. I also think that you know,
(06:47):
we're hearing that we're waiting for this next manuscript around
how to get a world class education from Saint Martin.
I had to tip my crown for a second. I said,
we's in, you know, just just putting it out there
because you know, being in all of these different places
(07:07):
and just and currently being our immediate past president of
the Caribbean Studies Association and having a very successful CSA
conference in June of this year that brought together hundreds
of scholars from around the world around significant themes linked
to reparatory justice, reparation, et cetera, you know, self.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Intermination and more.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
And being able to blend that with the efforts and
the again another significant convening of the Saint Martin Book Paer,
you know, and having that connection with the house and
the HESSI publishers and one SXM and all of the
other phenomenal creatives and artivists out of Saint Martin and
the wider Caribbean and the world, you know, convening in
(07:55):
Saint Martin.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
In the midst of all of this.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
You also teach and serve as a professor at Howard University.
So I just wanted people to know that just having
you make time to join us here this evening, especially
at the beginning of the semesters, we both shared that issue.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
We're very grateful, fir Oh.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
That was awesome.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
First of all, let me just thank you again and
your team for this opportunity. It is when you started
listing these things that I'm reminded because you, like I,
we're so busy, Like I always ask like, where do
you get the time? Right, and we're so busy doing
the work that we do. Is when I heard you
mentioned I was like, oh, my goodness, I forgot about that,
(08:39):
you know, because you're busy working. So I want to
thank you for the breather, for the opportunity to do this,
but also to reflect. And then as you were speaking,
I was thinking, how do we tie this back into
what we are doing this evening. We're talking about honoring
the legacy of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, but also
knowing that that has been the thing that has, you know,
(09:02):
influenced our work and our drive to do the things
that we're doing. When you think back of all the
work that we're doing, it comes back to the basic
principles that were coming out of the teachings of Marcus Garvey.
So I'm glad, you know, for this opportunity, and I'm
looking forward to our discussion. It was that me was
(09:26):
that frozen? Can you ladies hear me?
Speaker 2 (09:30):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (09:31):
Can you hear me?
Speaker 3 (09:31):
Still?
Speaker 4 (09:32):
It says offline? Who's offline? I'm not offline? Can you
hear me?
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Oh?
Speaker 4 (09:38):
I'm not sure what happened there. It could be you,
it could be me.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
So you keep it going whenever it happens, It's okay.
Speaker 3 (09:46):
Yeah, Because yeah, we also have a little substandard kind
of internet connectivity here at times. Okay, I'm not sure
if it's here.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
But that's been involved in the VERSIONALI so please moving
forward from that conversation of honoring Garby.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
Okay, what was that?
Speaker 3 (10:18):
Okay, it's saying offline, but yeah, I'm not sure if
you can hear me, and I want to say thanks,
and it's funny or maybe not how sometimes these things happen.
Speaker 4 (10:32):
But you know what I am going to do. I
am going to try something else. Yeah, can you still
hear me?
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Yes, you keep going because you're already because I wasn't
too sure because I was I was thinking maybe I
should go to my computer where I know my data
is a little more stable based on my AT and
T account. But if this works, then I'll just stay here.
And yeah, yes, I see now I'm here. Can you
(11:12):
hear me? Is that is that the chin there?
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Okay?
Speaker 3 (11:22):
I'm gonna try also to see what happens from my
cell phone because I think my cell phone allows me to.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Be able to continue the conversation.
Speaker 3 (11:33):
Mm hmm, I'm hearing you, queen, We're not kay? Oh yeah,
I'm getting feedback because I think I will I'll switch devices.
Speaker 2 (11:52):
We're not not.
Speaker 4 (11:57):
Can you can you hear me?
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Wrong?
Speaker 1 (12:18):
Discussions that are happening in the globe, you know, so
whether it's the yeah, the Besani International and the Black
Star African Network. Yes, I hear you. Well, I was
just giving keep going okay, okay, I can hear you
(12:41):
when we can see your eyes. Okay, So the challenge okay,
she's switching it around. We can hear you now, h Okay, Yes,
(13:03):
I'm here because we can hear you, and I can
see that you came into the platform.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
But I.
Speaker 5 (13:27):
Okay, okay, are you able to see she has an opened.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Okay, okay, no words?
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Yeah, well no, I am making sure that she can
have you inside of the platform. I don't have the
I don't have the ability to do. Okay, whoa And
now she's gone, okay, I'm gonna because I'm not sure
my concern let me hear you speak please.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Yeah. The challenge that I have is from where I am.
I am. I can hear you, but you're not in
the studio, so I have to.
Speaker 6 (14:54):
Oh, okay, we'll buy that nowherees no whereas well, let's
speak when I'm speak, you go ahead and speak when
you go ahead, please, you go ahead and speak.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
No, I'm not hearing you. Dog. Oh yeah, okay, got you, Hey,
I got it. I'm back right.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
So let's move to the next part.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Because so viewers and listeners were very appreciative that you
were so patient with some of our technological issues here.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Just think of it as the whorld win.
Speaker 4 (15:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
So there's a lot that's taking place, and this is
also happening on.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
The eve of the forthcoming Characteresta X five XV fifteen
being hosted in Barbados Center, is going to be a
host of energy. It'll be a serious whirlwind, a serious
k bona energy in terms of dance being to film,
(15:55):
visual arts, performative arts, literature, culinary arts. I'm sure I'm
missing out quite a few things because there's gonna be
some big conversations, big conversations. I'm gonna keep saying that,
big conversations and a lot of observances of different activities
and educational opportunities that actually blend together for the wider
(16:19):
Caribbean spaces.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
I think it's important for persons to just be aware.
Speaker 1 (16:23):
If you don't know what Carafesta is, we're encouraging you
to dot net and just again c A R I
F E S t A dot net and you'll be
able to get a good breathe, breather of exactly what
Carafesta is the focus for this international Caribbean rounded Caribbean
(16:47):
celebratory space. As I said, visual arts, music, theater, dance, film, fashion.
Make sure I don't forget that part fashion. I'm gonna
say that again. You go see some series, the Grand Market,
the literary arts. There's a significant you know, a big
conversations symposia and a host of different concerts, a youth
(17:10):
village and so much more. And I just want to
put the extra plug. I see already at Saint Martin
bringing a delegation. Yes, so definitely congratulations to the people
of Saint Martin. We're looking forward to all of the
(17:30):
creatives and all of the scholars, including yourself, that are
going to be participatory in Cairo Festa fifteen August twenty
second to third first in one of the Caribbean's newest.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
Republics.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Yeah, so I'm excited about So that's why I just
want you know, so please speak freely in regard to
some of the things that are happening in Saint Martin.
You know, how does that relate to African fundamentalism? And
I always start with.
Speaker 2 (18:01):
What would Marcus start?
Speaker 4 (18:05):
You know, that's very interesting.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
I was, I've been told about the delegation that Saint
Martins sending. I will privy to some of the information
because again everybody, and I think it's like every other
Caribbean territory, we talk about budgetary constraints, et cetera, et cetera.
So when I when I saw the delegation that was
being put together with discussions with having talked to the
(18:28):
head of the Culture department, my understanding is that, you know,
we try to represent as broad as spectrum as possible
to make sure that Saint Martin is fully represented on
the stage in terms of its its artistic repertoire, because
we have quite a number of talented people here from
(18:51):
across all genres. And when I saw the delegation that
was that that is on its way there, I said, Okay,
they it's a younger delegation, but the intention seems to
have been to cover the spectrum right, So for me,
that is going to be for us the work that
we do that is going to be so important. Number
one day, younger and number two, they are able to
(19:16):
exchange because they will also be sharing what they can do,
but they will be learning a lot from our Caribbean
brothers and sisters. And as often happens in these colonial spaces,
like in the Virgin Islands, like in put Ariquent, some
of these places, when we engage with the wider Caribbean,
we realize that, you know, there's some things that are
(19:36):
very different and there are other things that are very
much alike. And I'm looking forward to see what that
translates into how we see.
Speaker 4 (19:46):
Ourselves at Saint MARTINEUS. So that's one.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Right, Yes, we're artists, et cetera, but we're colonized artists
in Saint Martin. Our artists are in a colonial space,
still colonize. And when we're looking at a platform like
carry F, we're talking about the full potential of the Caribbean.
What does it mean when you live in a colonized
space and how does that influence the conversations that you
(20:12):
are having with a Caribbean peer.
Speaker 4 (20:14):
So that's one. And then on the side.
Speaker 3 (20:18):
Of the discussions, the heavier stuff where there will be
discussions about decolonization, et cetera. One s exam a one
Saint Martin. Our organization has been invited and we will
be participating in those conversations as well. You know, how
do we in Sint Martin today move forward as we
(20:41):
are seeking our a decolonized space. We want to have
our Caribbean fully decolonized and.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
What is our role?
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Because we keep getting invited and we're part of these discussions,
but the question is what are we going to actively
do to make it happen?
Speaker 6 (20:59):
Right?
Speaker 3 (21:00):
Yes, how do we not as individuals, not as not
just engels and organizations, but how do we influence the
government or sort of urge or nudge the government to
also move towards that goal right of a decolonized space.
So that's a lot of what I'm looking forward to
in the discussion with car with carrifesta.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
Beautiful and this is something that allows for and again
I encourage persons that are not familiar to go to
Carafesta dot net and that way you can see a
range of not only what's happening. So it's not just
festivities and party and so for even if that's a
portion of it, but it's showing authentically how culture serves
(21:46):
as culture and heritage and literacy, and all of the
creatives actually becomes this and a quote. The Caribbean Festival
of Arts Carafesta has assumed a pre eminent place among
the elements that define and give expression to the uniqueness
of our Caribbean reality. Like other significant institutions such as Cricket,
(22:10):
CX and Caracom Caribbean Community that symbolize a Caribbean commonalty,
the festival reinforces our unity amidst our splendid diversity. Carafesta,
which has been hailed as the inspirational exchange of creative flows,
has its foundations in the staging of the first Caribbean
(22:32):
Festival of Arts and San Juan, Puerto Rico in nineteen
fifty two. This event sparked enthusiasm across the region for
celebrating the excellence of Caribbean artistry. The creation of the
West Indian Federation Indies Federation was marked by the staging
of a festival in Trinidad through the auspices of the
(22:53):
extramural department of the then University College of the West
Indies which is now University the University of the West Indies.
This celebratory spirit infused the artistic community of the region,
and it was at a regional gathering of artists in
Guyana in nineteen seventy that the idea of a Grand
(23:15):
Caribbean Festival was conceived unquote. And I think it's important
to just know some of that history. So when you
go to that Karafesta dot net website, please look at
the about just to get a snippet that's like a
photos picture of what were some of the foundational pieces,
and it gives more information of what transpired, you know,
(23:35):
in the sixties leading up to nineteen seventy and then
having this first festival of arts in Guyana in nineteen
seventy two and the rest is history. So keeping in
mind that what's happening is linked to these types of
things and it has expanded, so persons know that there
are these big conversations on issues that affect this region.
Speaker 2 (23:57):
And for the.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
Persons in the back of the room, anything that happens
in the Caribbean impacts not only the North and South
Americas everybody in between, but the entire globe. I just
need that to sink in and you need to simmer
(24:18):
on that song.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Yes, most of.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
Us are, you know, I hope where persons are hearing
and understanding, and I say not just understand, but from
the inside, get that comprehension that these spaces that we're referencing,
and specifically the spaces in which doctor Rode Arundel and
myself reside, there's still colonies in two thousand and twenty five,
(24:45):
even though entities like the United Nations since the nineteen
fifties have created and had general assemblies with very specific resolutions.
Were there to be no more colonial territorial spaces on
(25:09):
the entire earth, that's all one of the ninety three
plus countries, but there still are.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Yeah, yeah, And I think we are all duty bound
to try to change that.
Speaker 2 (25:24):
Right.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
Like you said, I'm with you on you know, the party,
and we love a good party as Caribbean people. We
love good literature and poetry and performances, et cetera.
Speaker 4 (25:35):
We really have to talk.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
About this part of our our celebration as a people,
as Caribbean people, but also how it affects and how
it's connected to what's happening in the world.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
Connected.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
You can't disconnect us from what's happening in the rest
of the world, you know.
Speaker 1 (25:53):
Correct, And I really would be remiss if I didn't
identify that. You know, we have had your off and
if through one s exam and through the Caribbean Pan
African Network and other formations in the region. While our
respective spaces, territorial spaces do not have sovereignty and independence yet,
(26:20):
it's through these civil society networks, these non governmental networks
and our partnerships with governmental networks that we are able
to share our narratives and our quest for decolonization, our
quest for self determination, our self for a different type
of It may not be independence immediately for some, but
(26:42):
there needs to be some type of what people like
to call pre association or some type of social governance
that provides for that quest towards independence in regard to
the lives, the livelihood the land.
Speaker 2 (27:05):
I'm going to keep coming back to that one.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
The land and the vision and the desires and needs
of the people in Saint Martin, in Puerto Rico, in
the Virgin Islands, you know, and we can go on Guam,
Samoa and then so I think it's important to know
that it's not only the US and France or the
(27:27):
never Never speaking of you know, there's things that are
still held in territorial colonial spaces from Spain, Portugal. I mean,
this is not you know the UK, you know the British,
and we'll notice that these are the same entities that
have reaped wealth beyond measure m hmm from even the
(27:52):
enslavement experienced process more accurately, the human trafficking of Africans
from the continent all twelve square moths into these spaces
on the other side of the Atlantic, as well as
moving these bodies into other parts of the globe. So
that's why I always highlight when we're speaking of Caribbean
(28:15):
themes and Caribbean civilization and Caribbean upliftment and artistry and artivism.
I like that term artivism because our artists in these
spaces have to be activists at the same time. M
and so you know, so and yourself included. Because a
(28:35):
number of things that were done in the recent CSA
conference of twenty twenty five, as well as the Saint
Martin book fair and all of the different in the
manner in which things were done on the entire isle
of Saint Martin, So there was one Saint Martin authentically
wasn't the north side, in the south side, It wasn't
(28:57):
the Dutch and French. It was one Saint Martin. That's
to a lev vibe. I think that was really what
you cross really powerfully and I would love for you
to share, you know, how do you bring that into
into places like the characteristic vibration as well as how
(29:17):
do you bring that into your classroom when you're teaching
or how do you do that because I didn't even
mention that, but please share. You know, you have a
radio broadcaster to do weekly as well. I think it's
for people to know some details about that how they
can contact you as well, so that you know, persons
know how to follow up. So this isn't a one
and done type piece.
Speaker 3 (29:40):
Now that's a very interesting question because just today I
was asked by someone and this is someone in their
forties right, who said, you know, can you help me?
This is a young person, younger person who was asked
basically like who are USA might and people? And they
were asked this question by someone in the United States
(30:01):
and he said to me, well, I want to ask
you this, how do we come to this conversation of
the division of the island. And then also if I
were to say to someone that I'm Africa Caribbean is
it correct now. I thought that was interesting that I say,
Martin person is asking me. And this is because when
you live in these colonial spaces, this, this idea of
(30:22):
identity becomes front and center. Who exactly are you and
how do you represent yourself and how do you identify
So one of the things that we as one s
Exmoor one Saint Martin as a group, try to stick
to because our association is founded on the principle that
(30:44):
Saint Martin people are one people, which is something that
we didn't have to make up.
Speaker 4 (30:49):
It was there.
Speaker 3 (30:50):
Even before the actual acceptance of the partitioning of the
island between the French and the Dutch and sixteen forty
eight that with these different administrations that had been in
charge or in control of the rock at different times,
that the people, certainly among themselves, remain one right. And
(31:11):
when you think of the African ancestors, they were deemed property,
so they weren't even considered humans, and their use, if
I may use the word use, but the utilization of
their labor. Didn't they want a boundaries so you could
pick them up and put them to work in salt
pans that were administered by a Dutch colonial state or
(31:36):
French colonial state, or when the British were here, when
the Spanish real there. So it didn't matter to them
because these these were property, but they could be used
and they referred to it as free movement of goods,
meaning the African ancestors. So from that point we begin
our work in one.
Speaker 4 (31:56):
Sexem one Saint Martin. That in spite of because what we've.
Speaker 3 (32:00):
Seen in the last and I may they're saying the
last thirty years, for certain last twenty years or so,
is that you people use the word recolonization, but I
tend to not say read because they never left. But
what you do see is the stronger effort for doing
(32:21):
more of the Dutch and the French presence.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
Because on that, yes, you need to reel and come
again with that one, the recolonization real and.
Speaker 3 (32:36):
Yeah, you can't read something that never ended, right, it's
been there. They never stopped the colonization of our islands.
Speaker 2 (32:46):
Right, they have a whole onto the crown.
Speaker 3 (32:48):
Yeah, because they're using that language. Right, they're using that
language or neo colonialism, and it's nothing new about what's happening.
It's the same continuous, you know activity. But what they
literally they had abandoned us, and we were quite grateful.
But with that abandonment and with the focus on William
(33:09):
Stutt as the center for the Dutch, Ambasstare in Guadeloupe
as the center for the French, we in Saint Martin
pretty much left on our own. Even though they were
they listed us as Netherlands, Antilles and French West Indies,
the focus was not on the same Martin people and
their development.
Speaker 4 (33:31):
So what has happened is that the people on their
own went about doing their own thing and their administration.
Speaker 3 (33:37):
You know, big influence of American tourism, in North American
tourism as far as Canada, etc. So the island starts
to flourish again, and then you see this big narrative about.
Speaker 4 (33:48):
French and Dutch and how much Dutch.
Speaker 3 (33:51):
Is missing and more of Dutch days and more of
Dutch and education and more, because there seems to be
a tendency to reclaim the space even though they've never left,
but they are reclaiming it in the name of France
and the Netherlands. And that's what we are up against
as one as exam. We are trying to remind not
just our indigenous people who know this. But our visitors,
(34:14):
the newcomers, the ones who are coming with the new
Dutch passport and the new French passport, who do not
have this history, this connection to the ancestral lineage. Right,
The people were always one. They're usually coming from places
like Suriname, the Netherlands, from the other Caribbean territories where
(34:35):
we switched over to English's language of instructions. They are
coming from Jamaica and Guyana, so they are our Saint
Martine's but they are the newcomers, and they now tend
to affiliate with the Netherlands or France versus Saint Martin,
but not all of them. But that's the narrative that
you're Dutch, you carry a Dutch passport, you live on
(34:57):
the Dutch side and you can't on the friend side.
And if you're French, you know what loop is more,
you know, endemic rather than so we we're up against that,
and so our aim is to remind the Saint Martin
people and all our visitors that we are first and
foremost Saint Martin people. We are one people, and that's
(35:19):
how we spread the word right. And so we've had
to fight for the correct spelling of our name, for example,
in using our language, which is which is the English language?
And to what extent is that different from the territory
that is occupied by the Dutch and how what that means.
(35:40):
This is an ongoing conversation, but it's starting to catch on,
as you mentioned, through our radio programming, our articles or
social media posts, et cetera, that at least the awareness
is out there that the spellings represent different things, that
this is when we are making reference to a specific
(36:01):
territory versus when we are referring to the entire island
and the entire and the entire people. But not everyone
accepts it. So it's an ongoing struggle, but we are
determined and we are now hoping that with these new
conversations as you were you you saw, with this conversation
(36:22):
of slavery and slavery past and Dutch funding, et cetera,
that we do not get left out of that country
because that that narrative is intended to erase. This is
what we are talking about, right, you know, in the
Dutch Kingdom. This is what happened and this is how
it may be. We can talk about it as a
(36:42):
Dutch family, but we want to move on and we
are in one Saint Martina is saying, hold up, we
can talk about these things, but our moving on is
not in a shared future with the Kingdom of the
Netherlands or with the Republic of France. Our shared future
is in the Caribbean and how do we get to
(37:04):
become more integrated in the Caribbean family. So that's the
work that we're doing, that's how we're pushing the conversation.
Speaker 1 (37:13):
And it's being And thank you so much for giving
us that eloquent, yet sequential and developmental understanding of how
that's what is intended and what is being done, and
why some of the disingenuous efforts of the respective sovereigns,
whether they're in the Netherlands, the US, the UK, or wherever, France,
(37:38):
et cetera, that there is a very clear ideological frame
of reference and a very clear form of implementation and
organization to make sure that that reparations platform, that reparations
framework and those repreatoral justice initiatives are one and the same,
(38:01):
and that persons are really clear on You can't speak
for us and then tell us that it's a neo
this or a recolonization that or past this or past that,
because if it was in the past, then it would
have been healed, it would have been resolved, there would
have been equitable distribution of the wealth based on their
(38:21):
not being an equitable distribution of the wealth from the
time that you were raping and pillaging and committing genocidal
terrorism against humanity in the form of our ancestors.
Speaker 2 (38:33):
And see we are able.
Speaker 1 (38:34):
To say these things in a very diplomatic I think
that was a nice version of how it could be
said versus how it can be like slash and burn
and what is happening. Especially with our young people, they're
still framing a more clear understanding of how not to
just go into a rage space.
Speaker 2 (38:57):
When they hear that really happened.
Speaker 1 (39:00):
They did what you know, and then that little energy
you know, and we're working our best not to lose
that warrior energy, not to lose that warrior spirit, because
that's essential to move certain things forward. You don't just
that's you know, you start to spark of the revolution anywhere.
It's just able to be able to share this information,
(39:23):
have proper educational engagement. That's why when we see entities,
governments that we will not name that want to block
and remove and reconfigure historical truths or delete them and
make it institutionally appropriate for there to be lies told
(39:45):
on what were the foundational cornerstones of the development of
a respective nation that is quite sovereign and placing its
talents and fangs around the globe. That's why you have
person since rising up the way that they are in
different parts of the world. That's why we're seeing young
(40:05):
people rise up. And it's a powerful type of a conversation.
And I see that through the lens of the work
that wanted to extem has done within the CARA com
Reparations Commission, along with the work of the Caribbean Kind
African Network again as members within the CARA comb Preparations Commission,
(40:27):
that there are a number of big conversations that are
again part of the Caribbean Festival Tarafesta fifteen and Barbados.
You know of which representatives yourself, myself included, have been
invited to engage. I think it's important that persons know
that these are the types of initiatives that are ongoing.
(40:53):
And see some people like to think that an initiative
just started, but ongoing are not just not just projects
but these are actually institutions that have teeth and have
actionable deliverables that are tied to our respective spaces, lands, people, institutions, persons.
Speaker 2 (41:18):
And much much more.
Speaker 1 (41:20):
And what we're beginning to highlight in the format of
some of our activities is to be able to place.
Speaker 2 (41:28):
You know.
Speaker 1 (41:28):
So it may be we may say something in a
lecture that would come across very harsh and.
Speaker 2 (41:35):
Oh my god, how did that happen? Versus you hear
it in a song. Then it comes to us when
somebody says.
Speaker 1 (41:42):
Queen marry, Queen marry, where you're going to bun just
past the mattrash rights and house where we're going to
bun when we sing it. And that's just one of
the examples, I mean, as many others, and I know
(42:03):
it's going to be a c mm hmm interchangeable vibrations
and expertise from youth all the way to well seasoned
artists that are going to be sharing. Again, these conversations
are going to happen in chat and language, and they're
(42:26):
going to happen through all these other mediums with creative arts.
And then it's going to be a lot of fellowship
where persons are going to have these even bigger conversations
we pray on just in the marketplace and just in
the villages, and just as coming to know one another
and to bring a oneness when we speak of this
(42:48):
oneness in the Caribbean civilization spaces. So I'm looking forward
to that and that for me, and you could concur
if you agree, is the essence of some of the
quest for African unity through the lens of the Universal
Negro Improvement Association.
Speaker 2 (43:06):
And of course it's not the same.
Speaker 1 (43:08):
You know, the term Negro was used in nineteen fourteen,
and a lot of people have issues with that.
Speaker 2 (43:13):
But I always.
Speaker 1 (43:14):
Encouraged persons, I said, but to know that there is
an entity, and I always put it in that same frame,
even people like Madam C. J. Walker was a financier
for the U and I A conventions in New.
Speaker 2 (43:29):
York, right, people, I to be wells M.
Speaker 1 (43:34):
H Man, you know so great and I think you
and many others that you know come in and out.
I mean, there's this recent publication I was going to
put my hands on by doctor Natanya Duncan, who you
know shared her work at the CSA conference, who has
been sharing her work. It's wonderful phenomenal publication on Efficient
(43:56):
Womanhood the Women of the un i A and by
doctor Natanya Duncan, who is the director of Africana Studies
at Queen's College in New York. I think it's important
for persons to know that there are publications like that
that are also paired with other activities happening in communities,
(44:19):
whether it's Saturday, you know, send copa Saturday programs, you know,
spearheaded by young sisters not so young anymore, like.
Speaker 2 (44:31):
You know Dara.
Speaker 1 (44:32):
Beniva Cooper, who is a professional community communication specialists right
coming out of the Virgent Islands and doing her work,
you know, throughout the region. I think it's important to
know that there are a number of organizational entities that
are doing this type of work to tell these truths
through different lenses and different platforms and different media frameworks,
(44:56):
so we can actually stop having a repeat of the
mistruths that are customarily shared with our people.
Speaker 4 (45:06):
Right.
Speaker 1 (45:07):
One of the things we're you know, one of the
things we're dealing with here in the Virgin Islands of
the United States, and that's been an issue. Well, it
doesn't matter if we say USBI us Virgin Islands or
if we put Virgin Islands first the last and I
said it does you do I said, legally, it's the
Virgin Islands of the United States, according to the original
(45:28):
Organic Act in nineteen you know when they did the
transfer and purchase in the nineteen seventeen I mean, it
was very clear.
Speaker 2 (45:37):
They didn't call it US anything.
Speaker 1 (45:39):
They called it the Right Islands of the United States,
which would really translate into Virgin Islands US if we
chose to do right. But there's person for I guess
tourists reasons and to just make it more palatable that
are comfortable putting the colonizer first and not thinking that
(45:59):
that matters, very similar to what Santa Claus looks like.
Speaker 3 (46:06):
Well, what they what they try here is this thing
called Caribbean Netherlands. You know what the heck is that right?
And we go like, no, there's no Caribbean Netherlands. The
adjective describing the Netherlands is Caribbean. Caribban is Caribbean, Netherlands
is Netherlands. But what they try to do is name
(46:29):
these islands like Stacia and Bonaire and and save up
Caribbean Netherlands. And that's again something that that we fight
against how do you mean it doesn't matter? It does
matter because one is a description of a thing and
the other thing says, this is what the identity looks like.
And we're telling we're telling you that we're Caribbean people.
Speaker 4 (46:48):
We're not. This is not the Netherlands.
Speaker 1 (46:49):
Netherlands is in Europe, right, And I think that's important
because that's come many times, even when I'm making reference
to our neighboring Aisle. Here of the quote Britain Virgin Islands,
we just say Virgin Islands, and we tend to say
Virgin Islands, and then people get a little bit, what
do you mean United Virgin Islands?
Speaker 2 (47:06):
They're different, And I'm like, pass almost.
Speaker 1 (47:09):
Hot bloodline, family line, cross a piece of water topic
between Tortola and Saint John and Saint and so I mean,
even though there's a Brazilian different little Virgin Islands in between,
we tend the Virgin Islands and then you have to
figure out which one is it Gotta Jules van Dyke,
(47:29):
Virgin Gorda, Tortola, Wata Islands, Saint John's Sat Growing Thomas,
whichever islands. Yeah, and then we know there at the
time that they would try to speak of in Puerto
Rico and Cole and vies as the Spanish Virgin Islands.
Wow even I'm just saying, so we really are moving
(47:55):
in twenty twenty five, you know through these types of
you know, whether it's Carafesta, whether it's whether it's through
care com Reparations Commission, whether it's to be an African
Network one ESSEXM And I'm saying all these names so
people know that there are formations that are more than
just us. There their rtities, you know, whether it's to
(48:15):
the Universal Negro Improvement Associateation, African Communities League RC twenty
or any formation of the u ni A because there
are there are many across the globe.
Speaker 2 (48:28):
Yeah, I think it's the person.
Speaker 1 (48:31):
You know, whether it's the All African People's Revolutionary Party,
the All African Women's Revolutionary Union, we consider you know,
the afric Descendants Tribal Council in Costa Rica, right, whether
it's through the Six Region diesquorco BECUS. There's like so
many formations and I'm not naming all. I'm just saying
the ones that that keep resonating. You know, this Emancipation
(48:51):
Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago that is consistently doing
things around these types of discussions. I just think it's
amazing that we're going to be able to have this
conversation forwards coming and of course the African Union an
air com gathering that's going to be happening in adis
(49:13):
Abab in the beginning of September, and that there are
representatives from our Caribbean spaces that are going to be
participatory as well. And even if it's not those of
us in our immediate circle, they are going to be
persons that are going to be going with content inpute
those of us in the wider circle. So we're always
encouraging persons to email. You know, I will give some
(49:36):
of that shortly because we have a few more minutes.
Speaker 2 (49:38):
I'd like to leave no dog.
Speaker 3 (49:40):
You know, you made a good point yes to Two
days ago, I was shopping, minding my business and there
is a local guy, musician, leader of a band.
Speaker 4 (49:49):
He walks up to me.
Speaker 3 (49:50):
He said, you know what, I'm an anesthesiologist, right, that's
what he does professionally. And he says, all my life
I've concentrated on music and anesthesiology, right, that's what I do, right,
he said, But now that I'm in this age. He's
about our age. He's a little older and I am
a year or two. And he said, now that I'm
in this age, I'm reading a lot more, but I'm
(50:11):
paying attention to what's happening with Africa and the Caribbean.
And I want to encourage you guys to keep doing
the work that you do, et cetera. And the reason
I brought this up when because I went to school
with this young man. He went to and adlast did
his studies, and again we meet on the party floor,
we dance.
Speaker 4 (50:28):
That's an awesome man, et cetera.
Speaker 3 (50:30):
But the fact that in his sixties now he's saying
to me, I'm reading more, I'm understanding more of Africa.
Speaker 4 (50:38):
I'm seeing more. He came back at some point and
talked to me about.
Speaker 3 (50:42):
You know, we should talk about food that we eat,
whether we're importing it from the right places. Should we
get a direct link to Africa? What can we do?
How can we change the quality of the food that
we are bringing in. So there's all of this, and
I'm so grateful that what you just raised. It may
not be you and I individual be personally, but more
of our people are starting to see and to appreciate
(51:05):
the work, the engagement, the connection, and it's for lack
of exposure, lack of access, lack of knowledge, et cetera.
But you're seeing it once it's available, or they become
a lot more aware of what else is there other
than the colonial narrative, then they're more inclined to say, Okay,
(51:26):
this doesn't look like right, this looks this is a
better fit for me. So hearing you say that, I'm thinking,
that's exactly what it's about when we do.
Speaker 2 (51:34):
This work exactly.
Speaker 1 (51:36):
So that's why we're excited about what's coming forward in
these next iterations, you know, these next free ways, days, months,
et cetera. And we encourage persons please give a please
please give the call letter us for persons to listen
to your broadcast that's done by one SECTEM on SOS
Radio and Saint Martin.
Speaker 3 (51:54):
Please okay, we have on we have on two well,
there are three programs that are linked each other, but
they're all part of the same work. But one of
six m's actual program is on my eighty eight point
three FM, and that's on Saturdays from five to seven
pm every Saturday. And then we partner with like you
(52:16):
mentioned SOOS Radio and in particular Culture conscious Lyrics Foundation,
which is hosted by Suja Ref on SOS Radio, and
he does a program on Saturday at twelve on SOOS
Radio which is ninety nine point five FM, and then
he does something I can remember the name of the
(52:38):
exact program on Monday at six pm on the same
radio station. And then the one that Fabian and I
do on Sundays from one to two pm on one
of two point seven FM, which is PJD two Radio,
and the name of.
Speaker 2 (52:54):
The programs one O two or one O seven one O.
Speaker 3 (52:58):
Two point seven F and it's called Culture Time and
it literally does talk only about culture, things about culture
and how these things relate, you know, to culture.
Speaker 4 (53:10):
And that's from one to two on Sundays.
Speaker 2 (53:12):
So when we do.
Speaker 1 (53:13):
Email me, is there an email I can put in
a chat for people that wanted to get more information.
Speaker 3 (53:19):
On us, You could use my email because then I
could if they do that, I could spread them out
to the exact ones because I can't remember Susha as email.
Speaker 2 (53:27):
There, no problem, no problem. I just wanted to know
that we had that.
Speaker 1 (53:31):
Thank you, I mean, and I'm grateful because sometimes we
do not have all of the time and platforms in
this space to get that information. So I will I
will put that in there just so persons can know.
Speaker 2 (53:46):
To reach out.
Speaker 1 (53:47):
You can also contact our Speaks so that I email
out to everybody Right this second, I'll just say you
can contact you know, link with us Speaks and we
will get you the information.
Speaker 2 (54:00):
You know.
Speaker 1 (54:01):
That way you can keep something you won't have to
go through another ten thousand emails. Yes, ma'am right, very grateful,
So thank you. I mean again, you see how fast
that time went.
Speaker 4 (54:14):
I can't believe it to them, like is that is it? Really?
Speaker 2 (54:17):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (54:17):
And that was with us just having you know, just
an opportunity to share. I know that there's some things
you can straighten out inside of the YouTube page where
this is posted.
Speaker 2 (54:27):
But I want to thank you.
Speaker 1 (54:28):
Again, Sister Queen, Thank you mother doctor Roda Arundel of
one essexem as well as a representative of the CRC
coming through the Care com Reparations Commission and other organizations,
for just your representation, your candidness with sharing some updates
(54:50):
on what's taking place in our beloved sister island of St.
Speaker 2 (54:53):
Martin, home of some of.
Speaker 1 (54:55):
My grand parents and want to make sure I say
make sure, I'll say Martin right and sharing on behalf
of the care com initiatives that are coming forward, really
making sure that we can show that support and for
all of the scholars artivists that are going to be
(55:18):
participatory in Carafesta fifteen and Barbados from August twenty second
through the search first and even in between. You know,
there's a lot of things happening in pre meetings and
preconvenience and pre celebrations as well as post activities, and
just we encourage persons to keep tuning in here on
our Speaks, building a how legazine when we get an opportunity.
(55:40):
We will be resuming our regular first and third Thursday
at eight pm starting September, and so we're just encouraging
persons to just keep an ear to the ground, keep
your eyes, keep moving high, keep your crown solid, and
just remember the culture Hells Humanity Land is our foundation,
is spiritual harm and unifies us.
Speaker 2 (56:00):
So we encourage you to keep supporting US Speaks.
Speaker 1 (56:03):
If you need more information, you can email us at
ast speaks at gmail dot com or just look for
US Speaks inside of YouTube as well as Facebook as
well as Instagram, or just put your information in the
chat here on the Crew podcast make sure you subscribe
(56:23):
because that way, by subscriving with the Crew Podcasts, you'll
be able to see a wide array of broadcasts that
are being done by some powerful, powerful communicators, broadcasters, podcasters,
and much more.
Speaker 2 (56:38):
So. We thank you again and again and again. And
all I.
Speaker 1 (56:43):
Would close with would be to say hotep and just
stay free and be safe. And if you have worldwinds
in the area, just remember Marcus Garby said, look me
in the world when m and we just as one god,
one to aim one destiny because our victory is certain.
(57:03):
Have a blessed evening, many blessings.
Speaker 4 (57:07):
Have a good one. See you and your your audience,
see you.
Speaker 2 (57:10):
Soon, see you soon. Blessings, blessings.
Speaker 4 (57:15):
Bye Doctor Angelo.
Speaker 6 (57:23):
Yah h
Speaker 2 (57:30):
Mm hmmm.
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