Independence, colonial relics and monuments in the Caribbean

UWI History Department launches new book: Independence, Colonial Heritage and Monuments in the Caribbean

Historians Dr Jerome Tillexinger and Dr Alison Ramsay, co-editors of the University of the West Indies St Augustine’s History Department’s latest publication, Independence, Colonial Relics and Monuments in the Caribbean, proudly present the book.

St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. August 29, 2024 – As Trinidad and Tobago prepares to mark its 62nd Independence Day on August 31 and celebrate African Liberation Day on August 1, the University of the West Indies (UWI) St Augustine’s History Department explores the meaning of freedom, self-government and independence in their recently launched book, Independence, colonial relics and monuments in the Caribbean.

Edited by Dr Allison Ramsay and Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, the publication was described by Dr Debbie Mc Collin, Acting Head of the Department of History, as an extension of the discourse around the Black Lives Matter movement. She said that as historians, the Department recognised its responsibility to contextualise the stories of resistance, labour and social protest by enslaved Africans in the 19th and 20th centuries and the Black Power movement of the 1970s. The book helps to understand these phenomena, as Dr Mc Collin noted, “The Black Lives Matter movement has led to further questioning of our self-image in public spaces and calls for the removal and destruction of colonial monuments; it has raised questions about the visible and invisible traumas inflicted on all groups by our colonial history.”

Senior lecturer Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh is adamant that the history of the Caribbean must be accurately portrayed. He warns that clearing away the relics of colonial history to create a new beginning is both complex and controversial because even if these relics are cleared, the relevant history (both good and bad) may still exist. Dr. Teelucksingh says we must learn from the past because “we live in an era filled with words like “cancel culture,” “wokeness” and “political correctness.” We are at a historical moment that will shape the future.”

Lecturer and co-editor Dr Allison Ramsay shared a similar sentiment, noting that history is shaped by patterns of injustice, inequality and strategies of resistance. She suggested that Caribbean students should be rooted in our history, especially at the primary and secondary levels. Dr Ramsay assured that “Independence, colonial relics and monuments in the Caribbean It is an interesting read for a wide range of readers and those interested in various aspects of history, heritage studies, cultural studies, Caribbean studies, post-colonial studies, etc. ” It is also a useful resource for higher education, CSEC and CAPE students.

Ms. Sian Albert, a secondary school teacher and author of the chapter, “Hindu Survival: The Case of the Sea Temple, Triveni Temple and Brother Road Hindu Temple,” stressed the importance of providing the public, especially Caribbean youth, with easily accessible information to learn about local history, communities and monuments. She highlighted the many unsung heroes who sacrificed their lives for these monuments. “As a young student, I always found it difficult to find established literature on my community and the villages surrounding it, so I used this chapter to fill that gap,” Ms. Albert said.

Independence, colonial relics and monuments in the Caribbean Contains contributions from experienced, mid-term, and recent scholars from Barbados, Curacao, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago, who reference these regions as well as other areas of our region.

Conclusion

Notes to Editors

Photo Captions

Historians Dr Jerome Teelucksingh and Dr Allison Ramsay, co-editor of the recent book Independence, Colonial Relics and Monuments from the Department of History at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, stand alongside authors who have contributed to chapters of the book.

About the University of the West Indies

University of the West Indies The University of the West Indies (UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier institution of higher education. It is one of only two regional universities in the world, with five campuses in the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. The University of the West Indies is consistently ranked among the world’s best universities by the most prestigious ranking agencies. Times Higher Education (THE).

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