Multicultural Review

Multicultural Review

            In early 2010, people around the world were inundated with images from the earthquake that devastated Haiti.  Unlike the usual tourism commercials that are seen from Caribbean that contain reggae music and travelers enjoying themselves on a beautiful sandy beach, this event pointed to a Caribbean nation in need of what many Americans considered basic resources.  For many Americans, this was their first glimpse of a nation that was already a victim of the downfall that resulted from decades of political turmoil.

The islands that comprise the Caribbean consist of multiple ethnicities, races and cultures.  Various political and historical factors have led to certain cultures facing discrimination from others.  This multicultural review sets out to provide one with insight into the cultures of the Caribbean islands largely populated by black people, particularly Jamaica and Haiti.  Through the eyes of history, literature and entertainment, one can begin to create an understanding of these cultures.  Particularly, this review contains literary pieces that focus on certain periods in Haiti and Jamaica’s past which effects the nations are still struggling with today.

This collection would suit any person who has an interest in learning about black people in the Caribbean, whether a scholar or traveler.

LITERATURE

James, Marlon. The Book of Night Women.  New York: Riverhead Books, 2009.

The Book of Night Women draws the reader into the tale of an orphaned young slave girl coming of age in an environment filled with violence and tension.

Narrated in Jamaican Patois, the novel is set in 19^th century Jamaica where Lilith is a young slave on the Montpelier Plantation.  With a tendency towards violence, she catches the attention of the Night Women, a group of slave women planning a multi-plantation revolt to kill all the white people on the island.  Homer, the leader of the slaves, recruits her to become a part of this group. 

This decision results in conflict and tension among the group of women.  Initially, it is the young woman’s bond with Homer that irritates the other women.  Her violence is both feared and revered among the women in the group who perceive her to possibly be the group’s strongest asset.  Yet, eventually, it is Lilith’s affection for the plantation’s manager and desire for his affection that concerns the group.  Such a thing could lead to Lilith becoming the Night Women’s greatest weakness. 

The Night Women are not Lilith’s only concern as she grows and matures on the plantation.  Having moved into the “big house”, she finds herself navigating the politics of working on an plantation.  And the plantation is filled with them as slaves are categorized into house, field, and Johnny Jumper and whites themselves are categorized not just into the roles of owners and overseers, but even Creole, French, British and Irish. She also finds that she shares similar physical features with others in the group which leads the dark-skinned girl with the green eyes to question her own paternity. 

In telling Lilith’s story, James utilizes such a vivid imagery that some passages may take hours to get through as he describes them in gruesome detail, particularly scenes where the slaves are beaten and brutalized .  Nevertheless, a reader will find themselves enduring these pages as one can’t help but want to know what happens next.  A rollercoaster of emotions can be expected with this literary insight into the world of slavery in the West Indies. 

Vieux-Charvet, Marie.  Love, Anger, Madness: A Haitian Trilogy.  New York: Modern Library, 2009.

Love, Anger, Madness: A Haitian Trilogy consists of three stories focused on race, class and gender in 1960s Haiti when government regimes were the norm.  For this reason, fear of political and military leaders is an underlying theme in all three novellas.  Originally published in 1968, this marks the first time that the work has been translated into English.

            In “Love”, Haitian-born Vieux-Charvet tells the story of Claire.  She is the oldest of the three Clamont sisters who live together.  Nevertheless, her dark complexion and single status has the rest of her family treating her as a subordinate in Haiti’s caste-like system.  Initially, she is primarily concerned with the matters of the household including her sisters’ relationships and an attraction for her brother-in-law.  However, readers will see Claire’s growth as she takes on a greater interest in the social and political affairs affecting her country.  She becomes somewhat of a rebellious activist. 

            “Anger” is the tale of a middle-class family who are landowners.  In telling this story, Vieux-Charvet opts to identify the family members by their roles first and as the plot unfolds, each member is given their own name.  This device gives a sense that Vieux-Charvet wanted to ensure readers captured the very patriarchal structure of Haitian families.  One day, the family finds military men are squatters on their property.  As this is a time of fear of the military, this discovery leads the family into a series of events that negatively affects each family member emotionally.

            Probably the most complex of the three is “Mad” which takes you into the deranged mind of a young poet named Renee.  Renee traps himself inside of his home for eight days with no food.  During this time, his mind wanders through various thoughts focused on race and religion while he addresses his fear of the regime.  In his monologues, he expresses that race and religion play heavily into the political affairs at the time.  And it is Rene’s fear of Haiti’s political situation which stifles his ability to create.

            This book creates a very graphic portrayal of the political turmoil that Haiti was enduring in the 1960s under the Duvalier regime.  Not only that, it tells three stories of characters from different backgrounds all living with the same fears.  With its vivid imagery and vibrant characters, it should provide insight to anyone interested in the political climate during the period the book covers.

           

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

Zacair, Phillippe.  Haiti and the Haitian Diaspora in the Wider Caribbean.  Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida, 2010.

As one of the typically darker hued populations of the Caribbean, Haitians have seen their fair share of racial and ethnic discrimination globally.

In this work, scholars, historians, and sociologists, among others, seek to demonstrate that Haitians often deal with these issues much closer to home, within the Caribbean.  In the preface, Zacair, a native of Guadeloupe, recalls his own childhood memory of his mother’s negative and violent reactions to a group of Haitians in a carnival parade as part of the motivation for this recent collection of essays. In recent years, Haitians have migrated to other nations within the Caribbean in an effort to improve their lives and are finding themselves the recipients of much prejudice.  Through essays, the writers explore the perception and treatment of this often maligned group. 

Throughout the book, the essayists largely focus on Haitians who have migrated to Guadeloupe, French Guiana, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.  Topics covered in the book include marginality and subjectivity, anti-Haitian violence, healthcare rights, kinships, and refugee rights.

Yet, it is at the end that the book becomes its most riveting where various testimonies are offered.  In “Congratulations! You Don’t Look Haitian: How and When Does One Look Haitian?”, Haitian American Cecile Accilen notes how after 20 years in the United States, she is often offended by the “compliment” that she does not resemble the people of her native land.  She contends that such a compliment stems from the United States’ perception that Haiti is nothing but a land of poverty and political unrest.  Accilen continues to note that media is largely to blame for such a perception of Haitians as “boat people”, but also adds that a similar sentiment is shared throughout the nations of the Caribbean.  Testimonies are also given by Haitian domestic servants living in French Guiana, a Guyanese partner of a Haitian immigrant, and the president of the Haiti-Jamaica Society.

            This book provides great insight into the treatment of a group that is often relegated to a blurb or paragraph in many books, particularly in America.  Also, it also offers an understanding of some of the many ways Haitians are marginalized in the world.

REFERENCE

Hillman, Richard S. & D’Agostino, Thomas J.  Understanding the Contemporary Caribbean, Second Edition.  Boulder, CO: Rienner; Kingston: Randle, 2009.

The Caribbean contains a multitude of cultures, religions, economies, and environments.  No one island is exactly like the next, but many share characteristics and histories that unify them.  This book aims to explain all that through a series of essays by various social science scholars with updated events and themes.

            Instead of looking at the Caribbean as a place of individual nations, the book’s 13 chapters focus on topics that unify its cultures and locales.  Topics covered include geography, economies, international relations, environment, ecology, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender, religion, literature, diaspora and trends.  By opting to focus on concepts instead of the individual nations of the Caribbean, the book’s authors manage to give almost equal attention to each across the board.

            One area where the book lacks is providing equal treatment to the subject areas covered.  Politics and religion were given special attention as the chapters are considerably longer than the others and the authors delved into the intricacies of each within the confines of the different nations.  Yet, a section on ethnicity, race, class, and nationality across the Caribbean only amounts to one page with a generic explanation attempting to cover the entire week.

As a visual work, the editors aimed to graphically and visually display the concepts they were trying to convey.  The work offers statistics and maps that simplify such concepts as gross domestic product and poverty, migration, and natural disasters among others.  Furthermore, sprinkled throughout the book are pictures from all over the Caribbean that extend far beyond the beach and water often seen in tourism advertisements.

            This work provides an adequate introduction to the Caribbean to those interested in it for scholarly purposes or even visiting purposes and provides a general view of this region of the world. 

BIOGRAPHY

Steckles, Garry. Bob Marley: A Life.  Northampton, MA: Interlink Books, 2009

            Bob Marley was prolific musician who has been written about many times due to his innovation and influence in the world of reggae music. 

            In this recent attempt to tackle the life of a revolutionary music legend, the Steckles, a journalist who writes about Caribbean music, takes a chronological approach.  It begins with Marley’s rural childhood growing up in a village in Saint Anna Parish and flows easily until his death from cancer in Jamaica.  In between, the reader gets a sense of a man who yearned to be heard once he stepped foot in Kingston.  Steckles successfully notes the musical highlights in Marley’s life though, at times, it feels like a discography.  The book also chronicles his journal as a Rastafarian and his political beliefs that often overflowed into his music.

            Throughout the book, Steckles examines many of Marley’s relationships both personal and professional.  When speaking of his relationships with others in the music industry, the reader sees a man who had a difficulty working well with others.   This is especially evident when the author provides details on his relationships with fellow Wailers Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh, producer Lee Perry and producer Clement Dodd. 

            While Steckles appeared willing to look at Marley’s relationships, he tended to steer away from a highly analytical approach.  For an artist who wore his politics and religion on his sleeve, the author veered away from looking at his motivations or flaws.  Several phrases in the book indicate that the author primarily knows how to be highly complimentary of Marley.

            If one is looking for a concise book filled with facts about Marley’s life, this is a recommended read.  The book showcases a versatile man who became known as one of the most politically-driven music icons of all time. 

Scholarly Review 3

“For recruitment, the use of personal contacts, aggressive advertisement of the profession and LIS programs, and targeted recruitment are also frequently suggested.  Targeted recruitment is related to the use of strategies effective to particular ethnic minority group, which requires a good understanding of the group.”

Kim, K., & Sin, S.J. (2008). Increasing ethnic diversity in LIS: Strategies suggested by librarians of color.  The Library Quarterly, 78(2), 153-177.

At the time that I decided to pursue my graduate education in LIS after working for years as a newspaper reporter, there were many questions from those with whom I had shared my decision.  The first one was normally “What do you do with a degree in that?”  Then, once explained, the inevitable question/statement was “You need a Master’s degree for that?”  Many assumed that those working in libraries were either volunteers or people who had not received a degree.  Admittedly, these questions and comments often came from individuals who could be characterized as educated African Americans.  Reasons that could be given for this lack of awareness include a lack of exposure to the profession as well as a lack of a representation of minorities in the profession.

            This article aimed to address that lack of minority representation in LIS.  The researchers sought out an ethnically diverse sample of librarians in an effort to identify effective strategies for the recruitment and retention of ethnic minorities in the profession.  Some strategies that the article highlights include advertising in ethnic media, financial aid, and recruiting trips to historically black institutions.  It also points to the need for diversity in faculty and library staff, role models and mentors.

Interestingly enough, the article mentions efforts being made in such fields as social work, journalism and nursing to increase minority representation.  Having worked in journalism and attaining a journalism degree from a historically black university, these efforts were highly visible from that profession’s standpoint at Howard University.  Many times, those working in the journalism field not only served as lecturers and guest speakers, but they also encouraged networking with them and their colleagues as well as kept students abreast of internships offered in the field.  Sometimes, professionals offered tours of their workplaces to gain a greater understanding of their workplaces.  Furthermore, various graduate schools recruited for their top-notch journalism schools there.

            It should be noted that Howard University was home to a journalism department while it had no library and information science department or school.  Nevertheless, it was located in the same city as Catholic University which has an ALA-accredited library science program and it is located near the University of Maryland which also has a program.  However, between the years 2000 and 2004 when I attended, there is no remembrance of those schools recruiting at the many graduate school fairs that were held on the Howard University campus. 

            The article mentions that the closing of Clark-Atlanta University’s library science school in 2005 would create more difficulty in recruiting minorities.  Clark-Atlanta University was one of the last historically black higher education institutions to offer such a program.  North Carolina Central University is currently the only historically black university with an ALA-accredited LIS program.  Nevertheless, the U.S. Department of Education categorizes more than 90 four-year institutions as historically black colleges or universities (U.S. Department of Education, 2010).  Considering that LIS is often pursued as a second-career choice, it would benefit librarians to venture onto these campuses.  LIS programs often embrace students with undergraduate degrees in other areas.  Therefore, the lack of LIS programs at these institutions should not be a deterrent.  If LIS professionals participated more in career programs and graduate school recruitment activities at these institutions, it would likely increase an awareness of the profession and its degree programs and could result in a greater number of African Americans being attracted to the profession.

U.S. Department of Education.  (2010, January 14). List of HBCUS.  Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/list/whhbcu/edlite-list.html

Social Bookmark 4: Asian-Nation

Asian-Nation is a Web site that focuses on the culture, background and experiences of Asian Americans.  As the brainchild of C.N. Le, a Vietnamese American sociologist and professor, Asian-Nation presents a comprehensive and concise view into the world of more than 10 different Asian ethnicities as they exist in the United States.  Using information from the U.S. Census and various studies, Le provides insights into topics pertinent to Asian Americans such as spirituality, cuisine and sex.  The Web site also focuses on specific historic milestones significant to Asian Americans including the 1865 Immigration Act.  For librarians serving diverse populations, this Web site could be a tool to assist with school assignments and even point to some programming needs for this demographic.  

Social Bookmark 3: Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion

The Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion is a Detroit-based non-profit organization focusing on civil rights.  Through its Web site, the organization showcases its consulting and collaborative work in regards to cultural competency, interfaith communication, community change and youth programs.  The organization’s Web site also makes an effort to highlight articles newsworthy to various cultures in Michigan with an emphasis on racial disparities. It also provides lists of resources on such topics as structural racism, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered issues, community change and training for diversity. For librarians in Michigan as well as across the nation, the organization’s Web site offers a plethora of resources that could broaden one’s understanding of multiculturalism and diversity as well as an opportunity for collaboration.

http://roundtableofmi.org/joomla/

Scholarly Review #2

“Cultural knowledge is also developed through personal encounters with members from diverse groups.”

Overall, P.M. (2009). Cultural competence: A conceptual framework for library and information science professionals. Library Quarterly, 79 (2) 175-204.

In this article on cultural competence, the author points out the need for the librarians to learn about other cultures through interactions.  Though those studying library science may make a point to research other cultures through various materials, there is much to be said for personal contact.  Often, it is through meeting members of different cultures when stereotypes are shattered and questions can be answered.

                Though the diversity of the population continues to increase, there are those who maintain a fairly homogenous network when it comes to their social, and sometimes professional, interactions.  This does not just hold true for members of the majority culture, but minority members engage in this activity as well.  A report by the American Library Association (2006) indicated that minorities make up 11 percent of the librarian workforce compared to 25 percent of the U.S. population.  This data indicates that the chance of mingling professionally with people from different cultural backgrounds is unlikely in a lot of libraries even if the patron population is very diverse.  Therefore, librarians must make an effort to embrace others from different cultures.

Though it may go beyond the call of duty for many librarians, participation in local cultural organizations could provide a formal network that leads to the beginning of true cultural understanding.  Many times, librarians may find themselves encountering an organization with similar goals and objectives.  That, in turn, could lead to fruitful, effective partnerships that could truly benefit not only that particular culture, but the community as a whole.  For instance, the librarian could conduct presentations on the library’s services to the organizations.  Another example is the organization providing input whenever the library creates programming to insure that it is as inclusive as possible. 

However, it should be noted that an immeasurable education could also be derived from cultivating relationships with members of various cultural communities who hold no titles, particularly patrons.  In cities large and small, there are often “local historians” of diverse backgrounds who are typically older natives to the area and open to imparting their wisdom on history and social customs.   However, as generation gaps widen through the use of technology and the changing of ideologies, it is also beneficial to make a point to interact with younger people in cultural groups as well.  Such informal relationships with persons from other cultures, from my experience, often provide the most candid lessons that cannot be found in any textbook.  However, these relationships usually require an investment of one’s time and a willingness to share one’s similar experiences with community members and patrons.  This is needed to build trust as once similarities are determined then it becomes easier to discuss differences.  However, once established, the relationship can prove important into gaining a deeper comprehension of other cultures.  At times, these interactions may also lead to unpleasant findings of perceptions of the minority culture as well as the majority culture.  This frank discussion also allows librarians to have a confidant which they can ask questions.  However, they can also be productive and provide insight into needed programs which may have yet to be studied or considered.

Library service goes beyond the walls of the structure which houses the materials and the services.  Whether it is an academic library or a public library, libraries serve communities growing in diversity.  This can be a challenge, but it can also provide an opportunity for librarians to dialogue with community members and better their services.  It could also introduce members of other cultures to the profession that is librarianship which could possibly lead to an interest in the profession.  Reaching out to the various factions in a community displays a library’s true commitment to diversity and access to all.

American Library Association.  (2006).  Diversity Counts. Retrieved from  http://www.ala.org/ala/diversity/spectrum / spectrum.htm

Social Bookmark 2: Arab American and Chaldean Council

The Arab American Chaldean Council’s web site highlights various resources available to those of Arabic and Chaldean descent residing in the metropolitan Detroit area.  The web site places emphasis on the organization’s programs, resources, career opportunities and news relevant to the Arab American and Chaldean communities.  The council’s programming focuses on behavioral needs, employment and training, community outreach, social services, youth services and public health.  In addition, the web site offers local information about Arabic and Chaldean cultures suitable for both youth and adults.  For a public librarian who aims to target this population, the web site provides insight into the needs of this segment of the population.  Such insight could lead to more relevant programming, materials and services being offered by a library.    

www.myacc.org

Scholarly Review 1

“Although awareness of the pervasiveness and longevity of the inequities in library service, and of the structures and practices that perpetuate them can be disheartening for prospective information professionals, it is essential that they recognize these realities.”

Abdullahi, I.  (2007). Diversity and intercultural issues in library and information science (LIS) education.  New Library World, 108(9/10), 453-459.

Last November, I was observing a library in the metropolitan Detroit area for one of my first classes in the LIS program.  While sitting on a stool near the back of the reference desk, an African-American man approached the desk with a question.  At the time, there were two Caucasian librarians sitting at their respective computers, but neither one was helping anyone.  Oddly enough, this man went out of his way to call my attention to ask for assistance about information related to obtaining a GED.  In my position, all I could do was refer him to the librarians sitting at the desk who later questioned his actions.

            According to the Detroit Literacy Coalition(2008), 47 percent of the Detroit population is functionally illiterate and it is widely known that most of Detroit’s population is African-American.  According to the most recent report from the National Center for Education Statistics(2010), Detroit’s dropout rate was more than 24 percent after the school year ending in 2007.  Some of them see the library as another institution that has a potential for failing them.  Sometimes to lessen the expected blow, a patron with this type of background feels there is a greater understanding when dealing with someone who shares similar characteristic.  Or they feel that opening themselves up to someone of the majority culture could possibly lead to condescension. And one cannot forget that Detroit’s “white flight” during the 1970s had a great impact on the African Americans in the area and left many thinking that integration was not wanted by the majority culture.

            However, knowledge of such a background should not lead one to expect or assume every interaction with a person of a certain culture will result similarly.  Every individual is influenced by various demographic, geographic and associative factors (Chao & Moon, 2005).  For instance, considering the U.S. fought the Civil War over slavery, some African Americans could be under the assumption that they should expect every White person in the South to be a racist or descendents of racists.  And they could think the exact opposite for the North.  However, both assumptions would be wrong as many Americans like to migrate to different parts of the country.

            In the end, any library professional, particularly those in public libraries, should be knowledgeable of the history and dynamics of the locality where he or she works.  And he or she should acknowledge it because it may have an effect on individual interactions with patrons.  In turn, that could affect customer service practices within a certain library.  However, that knowledge should lead to awareness of possible reactions and outcomes, not assumptions and expectations.

Chao, G. T., & Moon, H. (2005). The cultural mosaic: A metatheory for understanding the complexity of culture. Journal of Applied Psychology, 90(6), 1128–1140.

Detroit Literacy Coalition. (2008). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved September 17, 2010, from: http://www.detroitliteracy.org/faq.htm

National Center for Education Statistics. (2010).  Characteristics of the 100 largest public elementary and secondary school districts in the United States: 2007-2008. Retrieved September 19, 2010, from: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2010/100largest/tables/ table_a12.asp