in 1994 I made the most radical decision of my life
of my life
of my life just as software was becoming this
just as software was becoming this
just as software was becoming this essential component to global corporate
essential component to global corporate
essential component to global corporate structures I decided to sell my software
structures I decided to sell my software
structures I decided to sell my software training business and moved to rural
training business and moved to rural
training business and moved to rural Jamaica it wasn’t long before I
Jamaica it wasn’t long before I
Jamaica it wasn’t long before I recognized that all of the altered
recognized that all of the altered
recognized that all of the altered realities that I had established in my
realities that I had established in my
realities that I had established in my head of what I thought that it would be
head of what I thought that it would be
head of what I thought that it would be like to live in the Caribbean it wasn’t
like to live in the Caribbean it wasn’t
like to live in the Caribbean it wasn’t long before I recognized that all of
long before I recognized that all of
long before I recognized that all of those were not only shattered but they
those were not only shattered but they
those were not only shattered but they were completely false
were completely false
were completely false an example of that is that I remember
an example of that is that I remember
an example of that is that I remember the day that I landed in Montego Bay
the day that I landed in Montego Bay
the day that I landed in Montego Bay with four suitcases getting ready to
with four suitcases getting ready to
with four suitcases getting ready to travel in a van up into the mountains of
travel in a van up into the mountains of
travel in a van up into the mountains of st. Anne which was about two and a half
st. Anne which was about two and a half
st. Anne which was about two and a half hours away and every couple of miles
hours away and every couple of miles
hours away and every couple of miles that I would drive my levels of anxiety
that I would drive my levels of anxiety
that I would drive my levels of anxiety just continued to spike and spike in
just continued to spike and spike in
just continued to spike and spike in spike because I recognized there was a
spike because I recognized there was a
spike because I recognized there was a suitcase that belonged to me to the
suitcase that belonged to me to the
suitcase that belonged to me to the right and every article of clothing that
right and every article of clothing that
right and every article of clothing that I had purchased in that suitcase was
I had purchased in that suitcase was
I had purchased in that suitcase was based on those altered realities and
based on those altered realities and
based on those altered realities and made me think this is what this is what
made me think this is what this is what
made me think this is what this is what I’m gonna wear to make me look like I
I’m gonna wear to make me look like I
I’m gonna wear to make me look like I fit in this is what I’m gonna wear to
fit in this is what I’m gonna wear to
fit in this is what I’m gonna wear to make it look like I’m part of the
make it look like I’m part of the
make it look like I’m part of the community and I was recognizing that not
community and I was recognizing that not
community and I was recognizing that not one article of clothing in there was
one article of clothing in there was
one article of clothing in there was gonna make me look like I fit in as a
gonna make me look like I fit in as a
gonna make me look like I fit in as a matter of fact every article of clothing
matter of fact every article of clothing
matter of fact every article of clothing was going to make me look like a fool or
was going to make me look like a fool or
was going to make me look like a fool or a tourist and so as those days begin to
a tourist and so as those days begin to
a tourist and so as those days begin to progress I also encountered and
progress I also encountered and
progress I also encountered and discovered the one of the greatest
discovered the one of the greatest
discovered the one of the greatest treasures of my entire life a treasure
treasures of my entire life a treasure
treasures of my entire life a treasure that would be so profound to me that
that would be so profound to me that
that would be so profound to me that this treasure would completely
this treasure would completely
this treasure would completely reconstitute the lenses of life my
reconstitute the lenses of life my
reconstitute the lenses of life my perspectives the way that the way that I
perspectives the way that the way that I
perspectives the way that the way that I dress life in an invasion ship in a lot
dress life in an invasion ship in a lot
dress life in an invasion ship in a lot of other things and in that treasure I
of other things and in that treasure I
of other things and in that treasure I have to tell you was what was not in a
have to tell you was what was not in a
have to tell you was what was not in a treasure chest buried at the bottom of
treasure chest buried at the bottom of
treasure chest buried at the bottom of the sea under some
the sea under some
the sea under some quarrel head that treasure there was no
quarrel head that treasure there was no
quarrel head that treasure there was no map that was tacked to my wall when I
map that was tacked to my wall when I
map that was tacked to my wall when I arrived at the schools telling me that
arrived at the schools telling me that
arrived at the schools telling me that how to navigate navigate cockpit country
how to navigate navigate cockpit country
how to navigate navigate cockpit country and looked at the cross palm trees and
and looked at the cross palm trees and
and looked at the cross palm trees and underneath the cross palm trees I would
underneath the cross palm trees I would
underneath the cross palm trees I would find a chest buried with gold and silver
find a chest buried with gold and silver
find a chest buried with gold and silver because this treasure that I had found
because this treasure that I had found
because this treasure that I had found was worth more than all of the gold and
was worth more than all of the gold and
was worth more than all of the gold and silver on the planet this treasure that
silver on the planet this treasure that
silver on the planet this treasure that I had found not only reconstituted my
I had found not only reconstituted my
I had found not only reconstituted my lenses but but this treasure that I had
lenses but but this treasure that I had
lenses but but this treasure that I had found became such a strong source of
found became such a strong source of
found became such a strong source of motivation for me to move forward in an
motivation for me to move forward in an
motivation for me to move forward in an embrace this treasure this beautiful
embrace this treasure this beautiful
embrace this treasure this beautiful treasure that I had found and this
treasure that I had found and this
treasure that I had found and this treasure this treasure is a culture and
treasure this treasure is a culture and
treasure this treasure is a culture and that treasure that culture is the West
that treasure that culture is the West
that treasure that culture is the West Indian culture you see what I found was
what what I discovered was this I
what what I discovered was this I discovered the most creative relational
discovered the most creative relational
discovered the most creative relational passionate culture I’d ever discovered
passionate culture I’d ever discovered
passionate culture I’d ever discovered in my entire life and as the day’s begin
in my entire life and as the day’s begin
in my entire life and as the day’s begin to unfold and and I begin to recognize
to unfold and and I begin to recognize
to unfold and and I begin to recognize the motivations and the depth of the
the motivations and the depth of the
the motivations and the depth of the creativity and begin to understand the
creativity and begin to understand the
creativity and begin to understand the value that was placed on relationship
value that was placed on relationship
value that was placed on relationship and in the mandate that was deep inside
and in the mandate that was deep inside
and in the mandate that was deep inside the source of passion it not only
the source of passion it not only
the source of passion it not only inspired me but it opened my eyes to
inspired me but it opened my eyes to
inspired me but it opened my eyes to things that I had never seen before
things that I had never seen before
things that I had never seen before because from being an American and
because from being an American and
because from being an American and growing up in America in America we’re
growing up in America in America we’re
growing up in America in America we’re number one at everything we were number
number one at everything we were number
number one at everything we were number one at creativity and passion and in
one at creativity and passion and in
one at creativity and passion and in relationship and and all of a sudden
relationship and and all of a sudden
relationship and and all of a sudden those altered states of reality were
those altered states of reality were
those altered states of reality were also shattered with the reality that I
also shattered with the reality that I
also shattered with the reality that I was living in but it also did not take
was living in but it also did not take
was living in but it also did not take me long to discover that woven tightly
me long to discover that woven tightly
me long to discover that woven tightly woven into this extraordinarily
woven into this extraordinarily
woven into this extraordinarily beautiful fabric of culture was a thread
beautiful fabric of culture was a thread
beautiful fabric of culture was a thread that was that was encapsulating the
that was that was encapsulating the
that was that was encapsulating the culture and in some way bonding the
culture and in some way bonding the
culture and in some way bonding the culture and serving as a little bit of a
culture and serving as a little bit of a
culture and serving as a little bit of a suppressive
suppressive
suppressive agent to the culture in keeping this
agent to the culture in keeping this
agent to the culture in keeping this this extraordinary creative passionate
this extraordinary creative passionate
this extraordinary creative passionate relational culture from reaching the
relational culture from reaching the
relational culture from reaching the place that it deserved to be fruitful
place that it deserved to be fruitful
place that it deserved to be fruitful from from keeping it from fully
from from keeping it from fully
from from keeping it from fully recognizing its truest its widest its
recognizing its truest its widest its
recognizing its truest its widest its broadest identity and in that thread
broadest identity and in that thread
broadest identity and in that thread that thread was the threat of crisis of
that thread was the threat of crisis of
that thread was the threat of crisis of social economic crisis and I have to
social economic crisis and I have to
social economic crisis and I have to tell you that nowhere no matter where I
tell you that nowhere no matter where I
tell you that nowhere no matter where I traveled in Jamaica
traveled in Jamaica
traveled in Jamaica I saw the existence of that thread I
I saw the existence of that thread I
I saw the existence of that thread I remember one day I was driving to
remember one day I was driving to
remember one day I was driving to Kingston to for a meeting and I stopped
Kingston to for a meeting and I stopped
Kingston to for a meeting and I stopped in a town just before you get to
in a town just before you get to
in a town just before you get to Kingston called Spanish town and there
Kingston called Spanish town and there
Kingston called Spanish town and there was a there’s a Burger King there and
was a there’s a Burger King there and
was a there’s a Burger King there and just as I was about to walk into the
just as I was about to walk into the
just as I was about to walk into the Burger King there was a handsome young
Burger King there was a handsome young
Burger King there was a handsome young man maybe 10 11 years old that was
man maybe 10 11 years old that was
man maybe 10 11 years old that was standing at the door when and I arrived
standing at the door when and I arrived
standing at the door when and I arrived and he went to open the door and and I
and he went to open the door and and I
and he went to open the door and and I thought he was just being hospitable and
thought he was just being hospitable and
thought he was just being hospitable and right soon as I was about to walk in the
right soon as I was about to walk in the
right soon as I was about to walk in the door he stuck his hand right here in my
door he stuck his hand right here in my
door he stuck his hand right here in my my stomach and he poked a knife or right
my stomach and he poked a knife or right
my stomach and he poked a knife or right in my side he said whitey give me your
in my side he said whitey give me your
in my side he said whitey give me your money white teeth and so I grabbed a
money white teeth and so I grabbed a
money white teeth and so I grabbed a knife I closed it up took him inside and
knife I closed it up took him inside and
knife I closed it up took him inside and bought him a burger but but as I sat
bought him a burger but but as I sat
bought him a burger but but as I sat there with this young man and having a
there with this young man and having a
there with this young man and having a conversation with this young man I could
conversation with this young man I could
conversation with this young man I could not help but ask myself the same
not help but ask myself the same
not help but ask myself the same question that I had been asking for the
question that I had been asking for the
question that I had been asking for the first several years I had been in
first several years I had been in
first several years I had been in Jamaica why is this happening to this
Jamaica why is this happening to this
Jamaica why is this happening to this extraordinary creative beautiful
extraordinary creative beautiful
extraordinary creative beautiful passionate treasure of culture I
passionate treasure of culture I
passionate treasure of culture I couldn’t understand it you know so I
couldn’t understand it you know so I
couldn’t understand it you know so I begin to notice this this thread of
begin to notice this this thread of
begin to notice this this thread of socio-economic crisis in the beautiful
socio-economic crisis in the beautiful
socio-economic crisis in the beautiful blue mountains up above Kingston in the
blue mountains up above Kingston in the
blue mountains up above Kingston in the coffee district and and I noticed it as
coffee district and and I noticed it as
coffee district and and I noticed it as I walked the streets and in New Kingston
I walked the streets and in New Kingston
I walked the streets and in New Kingston and I I noticed it in the cool
and I I noticed it in the cool
and I I noticed it in the cool temperatures of Mandeville and on the
temperatures of Mandeville and on the
temperatures of Mandeville and on the cliffs Rick’s Cafe at Negril and in the
cliffs Rick’s Cafe at Negril and in the
cliffs Rick’s Cafe at Negril and in the beautiful beaches and in Dunn’s River
beautiful beaches and in Dunn’s River
beautiful beaches and in Dunn’s River Falls in in in Ocho Rios but I also
Falls in in in Ocho Rios but I also
Falls in in in Ocho Rios but I also noticed it in the hills and the
noticed it in the hills and the
noticed it in the hills and the mountains in the rural country where I
mountains in the rural country where I
mountains in the rural country where I live up in Jamaica I mean up in st. Anne
live up in Jamaica I mean up in st. Anne
live up in Jamaica I mean up in st. Anne and that that
and that that
and that that crisis that thread became a strong
crisis that thread became a strong
crisis that thread became a strong burden and then as I had the opportunity
burden and then as I had the opportunity
burden and then as I had the opportunity to many years later to move over here
to many years later to move over here
to many years later to move over here into Tortola
into Tortola
into Tortola I saw that same thread when I walked to
I saw that same thread when I walked to
I saw that same thread when I walked to the ice cream shop in Purcell and then
the ice cream shop in Purcell and then
the ice cream shop in Purcell and then when I moved to st. John and I lived in
when I moved to st. John and I lived in
when I moved to st. John and I lived in st. John for over a decade I I could
st. John for over a decade I I could
st. John for over a decade I I could walk anywhere in Cruz Bay and I saw that
walk anywhere in Cruz Bay and I saw that
walk anywhere in Cruz Bay and I saw that same thread and then as I got the
same thread and then as I got the
same thread and then as I got the opportunity to travel around the greater
opportunity to travel around the greater
opportunity to travel around the greater Caribbean I I saw that same thread in
Caribbean I I saw that same thread in
Caribbean I I saw that same thread in Trinidad I saw it in Barbados and I saw
Trinidad I saw it in Barbados and I saw
Trinidad I saw it in Barbados and I saw it in st. Lucia I saw it in st. Kitts I
it in st. Lucia I saw it in st. Kitts I
it in st. Lucia I saw it in st. Kitts I saw it in Nevis I I saw it Antigua I
saw it in Nevis I I saw it Antigua I
saw it in Nevis I I saw it Antigua I even saw it in little Anguilla then I
even saw it in little Anguilla then I
even saw it in little Anguilla then I had the opportunity to travel to one of
had the opportunity to travel to one of
had the opportunity to travel to one of the most romantic and beautiful cities
the most romantic and beautiful cities
the most romantic and beautiful cities in the world that’s in the Caribbean in
in the world that’s in the Caribbean in
in the world that’s in the Caribbean in Old San Juan and I saw that same thread
Old San Juan and I saw that same thread
Old San Juan and I saw that same thread even in the Spanish carbon in that
even in the Spanish carbon in that
even in the Spanish carbon in that thread recognizing how that thread had
thread recognizing how that thread had
thread recognizing how that thread had become such a strong impediment to this
become such a strong impediment to this
become such a strong impediment to this beautiful treasure that I had discovered
beautiful treasure that I had discovered
beautiful treasure that I had discovered motivated me to make another radical
motivated me to make another radical
motivated me to make another radical decision and that radical decision was I
decision and that radical decision was I
decision and that radical decision was I wanted to know who sewed this thread
wanted to know who sewed this thread
wanted to know who sewed this thread into this fabric I wanted to know why
into this fabric I wanted to know why
into this fabric I wanted to know why this thread was in this fabric and I
this thread was in this fabric and I
this thread was in this fabric and I wanted to know how we could extract this
wanted to know how we could extract this
wanted to know how we could extract this thread from this fabric so I looked
thread from this fabric so I looked
thread from this fabric so I looked around for a ph.d program that would
around for a ph.d program that would
around for a ph.d program that would allow me to do spend four years of doing
allow me to do spend four years of doing
allow me to do spend four years of doing one thing analyzing that thread I wanted
one thing analyzing that thread I wanted
one thing analyzing that thread I wanted to analyze the texture of it I wanted to
to analyze the texture of it I wanted to
to analyze the texture of it I wanted to understand the imperfections the perfo
understand the imperfections the perfo
understand the imperfections the perfo perfections whatever may be there I
perfections whatever may be there I
perfections whatever may be there I wanted to know everything I could know
wanted to know everything I could know
wanted to know everything I could know about that thread and I found that
about that thread and I found that
about that thread and I found that school and in Prescott Arizona in
school and in Prescott Arizona in
school and in Prescott Arizona in Prescott College that allowed me to to
Prescott College that allowed me to to
Prescott College that allowed me to to go back and forth for four years as I
go back and forth for four years as I
go back and forth for four years as I lived in st. John and this is where I
lived in st. John and this is where I
lived in st. John and this is where I began and this is where this story
began and this is where this story
began and this is where this story really takes on the meat beyond my
really takes on the meat beyond my
really takes on the meat beyond my opinion because I think it’s important
opinion because I think it’s important
opinion because I think it’s important to recognize I wanted to I wanted to
to recognize I wanted to I wanted to
to recognize I wanted to I wanted to identify these things beyond my opinion
identify these things beyond my opinion
identify these things beyond my opinion because all of you that recognized that
because all of you that recognized that
because all of you that recognized that live in the Caribbean there’s one thing
live in the Caribbean there’s one thing
live in the Caribbean there’s one thing we’re not short on in the Caribbean and
we’re not short on in the Caribbean and
we’re not short on in the Caribbean and that is opinion we have plenty of
that is opinion we have plenty of
that is opinion we have plenty of opinion and so as I engaged to this this
opinion and so as I engaged to this this
opinion and so as I engaged to this this program of understanding it I wanted to
program of understanding it I wanted to
program of understanding it I wanted to begin by understanding the lens of
begin by understanding the lens of
begin by understanding the lens of perspective of people that lived outside
perspective of people that lived outside
perspective of people that lived outside of the Caribbean how do you view the
of the Caribbean how do you view the
of the Caribbean how do you view the Caribbean because my view was already
Caribbean because my view was already
Caribbean because my view was already tainted my view had already been you
tainted my view had already been you
tainted my view had already been you know developed and constructed by living
know developed and constructed by living
know developed and constructed by living in the Caribbean for 20 years and so I
in the Caribbean for 20 years and so I
in the Caribbean for 20 years and so I asked a 10 question survey that was
asked a 10 question survey that was
asked a 10 question survey that was administered to about 300 people and the
administered to about 300 people and the
administered to about 300 people and the first question said this the first
first question said this the first
first question said this the first question said if you had one word that
question said if you had one word that
question said if you had one word that you believed that you could use that
you believed that you could use that
you believed that you could use that would sum up the Caribbean what would
would sum up the Caribbean what would
would sum up the Caribbean what would that one word be 94 percent of the
that one word be 94 percent of the
that one word be 94 percent of the people that responded responded with the
people that responded responded with the
people that responded responded with the same term do you have any idea what that
same term do you have any idea what that
same term do you have any idea what that might be
might be
might be paradise and by the way I know it’s only
paradise and by the way I know it’s only
paradise and by the way I know it’s only 6% but you want to hear what the second
6% but you want to hear what the second
6% but you want to hear what the second most given answer was ganja so 94
most given answer was ganja so 94
most given answer was ganja so 94 percent responded paradise and that
percent responded paradise and that
percent responded paradise and that opened the door for this phenomenon of a
opened the door for this phenomenon of a
opened the door for this phenomenon of a really confusion to me because I also
really confusion to me because I also
really confusion to me because I also discovered that the IMF says that
discovered that the IMF says that
discovered that the IMF says that between the years 1960 in 2000 no region
between the years 1960 in 2000 no region
between the years 1960 in 2000 no region in the world has had a higher migration
in the world has had a higher migration
in the world has had a higher migration rate away from the region than the
rate away from the region than the
rate away from the region than the Caribbean and from 2000 and 2010 the
Caribbean and from 2000 and 2010 the
Caribbean and from 2000 and 2010 the Caribbean migration were rate away from
Caribbean migration were rate away from
Caribbean migration were rate away from the region is only second to Asia and
the region is only second to Asia and
the region is only second to Asia and the reason that I found that a little
the reason that I found that a little
the reason that I found that a little bit confusing is because the world use
bit confusing is because the world use
bit confusing is because the world use the Caribbean is paradise but what the
the Caribbean is paradise but what the
the Caribbean is paradise but what the real data tells us is that those that
real data tells us is that those that
real data tells us is that those that live in the Caribbean are not
live in the Caribbean are not
live in the Caribbean are not necessarily recognizing the Caribbean or
necessarily recognizing the Caribbean or
necessarily recognizing the Caribbean or defining the Caribbean is paradise and
defining the Caribbean is paradise and
defining the Caribbean is paradise and so I took those that information and in
so I took those that information and in
so I took those that information and in a number and I wanted to know is there a
a number and I wanted to know is there a
a number and I wanted to know is there a relationship between people leaving
relationship between people leaving
relationship between people leaving paradise people leaving the Caribbean
paradise people leaving the Caribbean
paradise people leaving the Caribbean and this thread this thread of
and this thread this thread of
and this thread this thread of socio-economic crisis that I witnessed
socio-economic crisis that I witnessed
socio-economic crisis that I witnessed and observed everywhere in the Caribbean
and observed everywhere in the Caribbean
and observed everywhere in the Caribbean and if that was the case what is
and if that was the case what is
and if that was the case what is the point of connectivity there can we
the point of connectivity there can we
the point of connectivity there can we understand if there is a relationship
understand if there is a relationship
understand if there is a relationship but also can we understand this point of
but also can we understand this point of
but also can we understand this point of connectivity because this point of
connectivity because this point of
connectivity because this point of connectivity may be the very thing that
connectivity may be the very thing that
connectivity may be the very thing that opens up the pathway that allows us to
opens up the pathway that allows us to
opens up the pathway that allows us to extract this thread from this
extract this thread from this
extract this thread from this extraordinary culture and so in order to
extraordinary culture and so in order to
extraordinary culture and so in order to understand that I recognize that I could
understand that I recognize that I could
understand that I recognize that I could not work horizontally and look into a
not work horizontally and look into a
not work horizontally and look into a social ill and and find the solution
social ill and and find the solution
social ill and and find the solution there I had to look back to the root
there I had to look back to the root
there I had to look back to the root because the only way the only way to
because the only way the only way to
because the only way the only way to discover and solve and be a participant
discover and solve and be a participant
discover and solve and be a participant in the solution is to go to the root
in the solution is to go to the root
in the solution is to go to the root because the root produces the plant and
because the root produces the plant and
because the root produces the plant and so in order to go to the root
so in order to go to the root
so in order to go to the root I had to engage in a fairly lengthy
I had to engage in a fairly lengthy
I had to engage in a fairly lengthy year-long historical analysis of the
year-long historical analysis of the
year-long historical analysis of the Caribbean and this is what I found and
Caribbean and this is what I found and
Caribbean and this is what I found and many of you know the history of the
many of you know the history of the
many of you know the history of the Caribbean and but this is what I
Caribbean and but this is what I
Caribbean and but this is what I discovered when Christopher Columbus
discovered when Christopher Columbus
discovered when Christopher Columbus first stepped foot in the Caribbean if
first stepped foot in the Caribbean if
first stepped foot in the Caribbean if you’ve seen his journals they say this
you’ve seen his journals they say this
you’ve seen his journals they say this I’m gonna paraphrase cuz I don’t speak
I’m gonna paraphrase cuz I don’t speak
I’m gonna paraphrase cuz I don’t speak Spanish but the first sentence says this
Spanish but the first sentence says this
Spanish but the first sentence says this we have just encountered the most gentle
we have just encountered the most gentle
we have just encountered the most gentle hospitable people in all of our journey
hospitable people in all of our journey
hospitable people in all of our journey the third sentence says this but we do
the third sentence says this but we do
the third sentence says this but we do not observe any iron which means that
not observe any iron which means that
not observe any iron which means that they will be easy to conquer speaking
they will be easy to conquer speaking
they will be easy to conquer speaking specifically about the indigenous people
specifically about the indigenous people
specifically about the indigenous people and most historians believe there were
and most historians believe there were
and most historians believe there were up to 12 million indigenous people
up to 12 million indigenous people
up to 12 million indigenous people living in the Caribbean when Christopher
living in the Caribbean when Christopher
living in the Caribbean when Christopher Columbus lived here arrived here
Columbus lived here arrived here
Columbus lived here arrived here Tainos airlocks and curbs but many of
Tainos airlocks and curbs but many of
Tainos airlocks and curbs but many of you also know that when in a hundred and
you also know that when in a hundred and
you also know that when in a hundred and 20 year period those 12 million
20 year period those 12 million
20 year period those 12 million indigenous people had vanished
indigenous people had vanished
indigenous people had vanished not because they escaped which there was
not because they escaped which there was
not because they escaped which there was a certain sector of the population that
a certain sector of the population that
a certain sector of the population that did escape because they had been
did escape because they had been
did escape because they had been strategically here’s a hard word
strategically here’s a hard word
strategically here’s a hard word exterminated genocide actually genocide
exterminated genocide actually genocide
exterminated genocide actually genocide like the world has never known and
like the world has never known and
like the world has never known and that’s why many Caribbean people
that’s why many Caribbean people
that’s why many Caribbean people especially in Hispaniola Dominican
especially in Hispaniola Dominican
especially in Hispaniola Dominican Republic in those regions Puerto Rico
Republic in those regions Puerto Rico
Republic in those regions Puerto Rico all then that when they think are they
all then that when they think are they
all then that when they think are they here of Christopher Columbus Christopher
here of Christopher Columbus Christopher
here of Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus has looked through the same
Columbus has looked through the same
Columbus has looked through the same lenses as Adolf Hitler is
lenses as Adolf Hitler is
lenses as Adolf Hitler is worse there’s still many pockets of
worse there’s still many pockets of
worse there’s still many pockets of culture in the Dominican Republic to say
culture in the Dominican Republic to say
culture in the Dominican Republic to say the name Christopher Columbus he’s a
the name Christopher Columbus he’s a
the name Christopher Columbus he’s a curse upon yourself and a curse upon
curse upon yourself and a curse upon
curse upon yourself and a curse upon your family but when they recognize the
your family but when they recognize the
your family but when they recognize the indigenous cultures would not
indigenous cultures would not
indigenous cultures would not participate in their development of a
participate in their development of a
participate in their development of a profit center because that’s what the
profit center because that’s what the
profit center because that’s what the Spanish the English the British and the
Spanish the English the British and the
Spanish the English the British and the Dutch had were developing the Caribbean
Dutch had were developing the Caribbean
Dutch had were developing the Caribbean to be was specifically a profit Center
to be was specifically a profit Center
to be was specifically a profit Center and they really not realize that they
and they really not realize that they
and they really not realize that they would not participate in this but they
would not participate in this but they
would not participate in this but they also recognized and forgive my sarcasm
also recognized and forgive my sarcasm
also recognized and forgive my sarcasm but they also recognize that that Lucy
but they also recognize that that Lucy
but they also recognize that that Lucy needed a spoon of sugar in her tea in
needed a spoon of sugar in her tea in
needed a spoon of sugar in her tea in London on Saturday morning in the only
London on Saturday morning in the only
London on Saturday morning in the only way it was going to be produced was
way it was going to be produced was
way it was going to be produced was produced right here in the Caribbean but
produced right here in the Caribbean but
produced right here in the Caribbean but the problem was they did not have a
the problem was they did not have a
the problem was they did not have a labor force to make that happen
labor force to make that happen
labor force to make that happen so they needed to develop they needed to
so they needed to develop they needed to
so they needed to develop they needed to manufacture a labor force and and many
manufacture a labor force and and many
manufacture a labor force and and many of you know that when they went to
of you know that when they went to
of you know that when they went to manufacture a labor force they went to
manufacture a labor force they went to
manufacture a labor force they went to West the west coast of Africa and
West the west coast of Africa and
West the west coast of Africa and inhumane deplorable method extracted
inhumane deplorable method extracted
inhumane deplorable method extracted people not just from their homes but
people not just from their homes but
people not just from their homes but from their communities and they brought
from their communities and they brought
from their communities and they brought them to the Caribbean however what the
them to the Caribbean however what the
them to the Caribbean however what the historical analysis tells us is this
historical analysis tells us is this
historical analysis tells us is this because of because the the colonial
because of because the the colonial
because of because the the colonial powers had been here for a while and
powers had been here for a while and
powers had been here for a while and they recognized the climate the
they recognized the climate the
they recognized the climate the environment the soil and they knew how
environment the soil and they knew how
environment the soil and they knew how to grew that grow things they no longer
to grew that grow things they no longer
to grew that grow things they no longer needed the knowledge that they needed
needed the knowledge that they needed
needed the knowledge that they needed from the indigenous people so all they
from the indigenous people so all they
from the indigenous people so all they wanted the manufacture labor force for
wanted the manufacture labor force for
wanted the manufacture labor force for us is for their muscles and so in their
us is for their muscles and so in their
us is for their muscles and so in their mind their strategy was this in order to
mind their strategy was this in order to
mind their strategy was this in order to function and operate our businesses at
function and operate our businesses at
function and operate our businesses at the highest level of productivity and
the highest level of productivity and
the highest level of productivity and efficiency one of the things that we
efficiency one of the things that we
efficiency one of the things that we have to do is we have to have a labor
have to do is we have to have a labor
have to do is we have to have a labor force that that only will use their
force that that only will use their
force that that only will use their muscles because we recognize we have to
muscles because we recognize we have to
muscles because we recognize we have to extract certain things from the culture
extract certain things from the culture
extract certain things from the culture to to put them in this place of a high
to to put them in this place of a high
to to put them in this place of a high level of productivity and efficiency and
level of productivity and efficiency and
level of productivity and efficiency and here are the four things that all the
here are the four things that all the
here are the four things that all the colonial powers sought to strategically
colonial powers sought to strategically
colonial powers sought to strategically and intentionally extract from the
and intentionally extract from the
and intentionally extract from the culture in order to produce a labor
culture in order to produce a labor
culture in order to produce a labor force that would only be used for their
force that would only be used for their
force that would only be used for their muscles the first one was heritage we
muscles the first one was heritage we
muscles the first one was heritage we want to remove from you we don’t want
want to remove from you we don’t want
want to remove from you we don’t want you to have any memory of where you’re
you to have any memory of where you’re
you to have any memory of where you’re from
from
from the second one was imagination and then
the second one was imagination and then
the second one was imagination and then it went to creativity in innovation and
it went to creativity in innovation and
it went to creativity in innovation and the colonial powers thought that it
the colonial powers thought that it
the colonial powers thought that it would take two two maybe three
would take two two maybe three
would take two two maybe three generations to extract that from the
generations to extract that from the
generations to extract that from the culture so the culture would just
culture so the culture would just
culture so the culture would just basically be robots going through the
basically be robots going through the
basically be robots going through the motions as they told him to do and as
motions as they told him to do and as
motions as they told him to do and as the time went by they recognized that
the time went by they recognized that
the time went by they recognized that when there was a little bit of
when there was a little bit of
when there was a little bit of resistance the deplorable inhumane
resistance the deplorable inhumane
resistance the deplorable inhumane behavior begin to elevate because they
behavior begin to elevate because they
behavior begin to elevate because they were wrong they were wrong they were
were wrong they were wrong they were
were wrong they were wrong they were wrong in thinking they could extract
wrong in thinking they could extract
wrong in thinking they could extract heritage imagination creativity and
heritage imagination creativity and
heritage imagination creativity and innovation they were wrong and in order
innovation they were wrong and in order
innovation they were wrong and in order to prove themselves right the deplorable
to prove themselves right the deplorable
to prove themselves right the deplorable begin to escalate in in the way that we
begin to escalate in in the way that we
begin to escalate in in the way that we know that they were wrong is is the
know that they were wrong is is the
know that they were wrong is is the analysis of the resistance movements all
analysis of the resistance movements all
analysis of the resistance movements all across the Caribbean
across the Caribbean
across the Caribbean whether it be the Maroons in Jamaica
whether it be the Maroons in Jamaica
whether it be the Maroons in Jamaica Samuel Sharpe down in Dominica whether
Samuel Sharpe down in Dominica whether
Samuel Sharpe down in Dominica whether it be Toussaint in Haiti or a lot of
it be Toussaint in Haiti or a lot of
it be Toussaint in Haiti or a lot of people don’t even recognize 20 minutes
people don’t even recognize 20 minutes
people don’t even recognize 20 minutes are probably a 20 minute boat ride from
are probably a 20 minute boat ride from
are probably a 20 minute boat ride from where I stand on this stage right now on
where I stand on this stage right now on
where I stand on this stage right now on the East End of st. John most historians
the East End of st. John most historians
the East End of st. John most historians believe was one of the most deadly
believe was one of the most deadly
believe was one of the most deadly dangerous in most strategic resistance
dangerous in most strategic resistance
dangerous in most strategic resistance movement in the history of all
movement in the history of all
movement in the history of all colonialism in 1733 and that resistance
colonialism in 1733 and that resistance
colonialism in 1733 and that resistance movement will move from st. John to
movement will move from st. John to
movement will move from st. John to right here in Tortola and eventually
right here in Tortola and eventually
right here in Tortola and eventually made its way even into st. Thomas but
made its way even into st. Thomas but
made its way even into st. Thomas but what were the people resisting were they
what were the people resisting were they
what were the people resisting were they resisting deplorable inhumane behavior
resisting deplorable inhumane behavior
resisting deplorable inhumane behavior that no human being on the planet should
that no human being on the planet should
that no human being on the planet should ever have to suffer through absolutely
ever have to suffer through absolutely
ever have to suffer through absolutely but if we only look at the resistance
but if we only look at the resistance
but if we only look at the resistance movement through the eyes of behavior we
movement through the eyes of behavior we
movement through the eyes of behavior we have missed the most important thing
have missed the most important thing
have missed the most important thing about the resistance movement because no
about the resistance movement because no
about the resistance movement because no matter what resistance movement you’ve
matter what resistance movement you’ve
matter what resistance movement you’ve used analyze and study you hear the
used analyze and study you hear the
used analyze and study you hear the people saying these things you brought
people saying these things you brought
people saying these things you brought us here this is our home now we know
us here this is our home now we know
us here this is our home now we know that you want to operate at the highest
that you want to operate at the highest
that you want to operate at the highest level of productivity and efficiency
level of productivity and efficiency
level of productivity and efficiency however
however
however did you not when you when you extracted
did you not when you when you extracted
did you not when you when you extracted us from our homes in our communities
us from our homes in our communities
us from our homes in our communities back there did you not recognize the art
back there did you not recognize the art
back there did you not recognize the art that you saw back there did you not
that you saw back there did you not
that you saw back there did you not recognize or did you not hear the music
recognize or did you not hear the music
recognize or did you not hear the music when you extracted us did you not see
when you extracted us did you not see
when you extracted us did you not see the structures in the innovation and the
the structures in the innovation and the
the structures in the innovation and the technology did you right not recognize
technology did you right not recognize
technology did you right not recognize the piece of which you encountered us on
the piece of which you encountered us on
the piece of which you encountered us on did you not recognize the totality of
did you not recognize the totality of
did you not recognize the totality of who we are and how far we had progressed
who we are and how far we had progressed
who we are and how far we had progressed as a culture did you not recognize those
as a culture did you not recognize those
as a culture did you not recognize those things and so as the resistance
things and so as the resistance
things and so as the resistance movements continue to move out and move
movements continue to move out and move
movements continue to move out and move forward and leaders begin to stand up
forward and leaders begin to stand up
forward and leaders begin to stand up their voice their voice became we did
their voice their voice became we did
their voice their voice became we did this back there we can also do this here
this back there we can also do this here
this back there we can also do this here but our voice is not being heard and so
but our voice is not being heard and so
but our voice is not being heard and so the resistance movements or just as much
the resistance movements or just as much
the resistance movements or just as much about deplorable behavior is they were
about deplorable behavior is they were
about deplorable behavior is they were about the suppression of voice now I
about the suppression of voice now I
about the suppression of voice now I want to stop right there and draw a
want to stop right there and draw a
want to stop right there and draw a bridge to where we are because we’ve
bridge to where we are because we’ve
bridge to where we are because we’ve answered the question of who sewed this
answered the question of who sewed this
answered the question of who sewed this thread into this beautiful fabric this
thread into this beautiful fabric this
thread into this beautiful fabric this extraordinary fabric colonial powers of
extraordinary fabric colonial powers of
extraordinary fabric colonial powers of be why because they needed a profit why
be why because they needed a profit why
be why because they needed a profit why was it there for a profit and so as we
was it there for a profit and so as we
was it there for a profit and so as we move forward and recognize why it’s
move forward and recognize why it’s
move forward and recognize why it’s there in the existence is there how do
there in the existence is there how do
there in the existence is there how do we extract this from this
we extract this from this
we extract this from this extraordinarily beautiful fabric and
extraordinarily beautiful fabric and
extraordinarily beautiful fabric and well that begins by identifying drawing
well that begins by identifying drawing
well that begins by identifying drawing a bridge and understand that point of
a bridge and understand that point of
a bridge and understand that point of connectivity and in this this is a hard
connectivity and in this this is a hard
connectivity and in this this is a hard point I want to say to you but but after
point I want to say to you but but after
point I want to say to you but but after after sitting down and qualitatively
after sitting down and qualitatively
after sitting down and qualitatively interviewing many hundreds of people in
interviewing many hundreds of people in
interviewing many hundreds of people in the Caribbean about about everyday life
the Caribbean about about everyday life
the Caribbean about about everyday life I want to know what everyday life is I
I want to know what everyday life is I
I want to know what everyday life is I want to know what the thoughts of the
want to know what the thoughts of the
want to know what the thoughts of the day I want to know about the
day I want to know about the
day I want to know about the opportunities I want to know about the
opportunities I want to know about the
opportunities I want to know about the hardships I want to understand the
hardships I want to understand the
hardships I want to understand the barriers I I want to understand the open
barriers I I want to understand the open
barriers I I want to understand the open doors I want to understand the family
doors I want to understand the family
doors I want to understand the family component I want to understand the
component I want to understand the
component I want to understand the culture and because I need more than
culture and because I need more than
culture and because I need more than just my opinion and what I discovered
just my opinion and what I discovered
just my opinion and what I discovered was this in a nutshell that today’s
was this in a nutshell that today’s
was this in a nutshell that today’s migration out of the Caribbean
migration out of the Caribbean
migration out of the Caribbean shares a common component of yesterday’s
shares a common component of yesterday’s
shares a common component of yesterday’s resistance movement our people being
resistance movement our people being
resistance movement our people being violently treated and inhumane
violently treated and inhumane
violently treated and inhumane deplorable behavior no they’re not are
deplorable behavior no they’re not are
deplorable behavior no they’re not are they picking up weapons in resisting no
they picking up weapons in resisting no
they picking up weapons in resisting no so what are what are people using to
so what are what are people using to
so what are what are people using to resist in migrate away from the
resist in migrate away from the
resist in migrate away from the Caribbean their feet they’re using their
Caribbean their feet they’re using their
Caribbean their feet they’re using their feet their feet is the weapon the feet
feet their feet is the weapon the feet
feet their feet is the weapon the feet of the culture is the weapon as the
of the culture is the weapon as the
of the culture is the weapon as the culture continues to migrate to the
culture continues to migrate to the
culture continues to migrate to the United States and to Canada into Western
United States and to Canada into Western
United States and to Canada into Western Europe and as people continue to use
Europe and as people continue to use
Europe and as people continue to use their feet to migrate it’s important to
their feet to migrate it’s important to
their feet to migrate it’s important to know it and I have I’ve tracked a lot of
know it and I have I’ve tracked a lot of
know it and I have I’ve tracked a lot of people that that have migrated away but
people that that have migrated away but
people that that have migrated away but but it’s also important to know why
but it’s also important to know why
but it’s also important to know why they’re migrating away and why they’re
they’re migrating away and why they’re
they’re migrating away and why they’re using their feet and here is the number
using their feet and here is the number
using their feet and here is the number one answer of what people told me why
one answer of what people told me why
one answer of what people told me why are you leaving the carbon or why would
are you leaving the carbon or why would
are you leaving the carbon or why would you leave the Caribbean here’s the
you leave the Caribbean here’s the
you leave the Caribbean here’s the number one answer anybody have any idea
number one answer anybody have any idea
number one answer anybody have any idea by the way self growth self growth
by the way self growth self growth
by the way self growth self growth people recognized they have innovative
people recognized they have innovative
people recognized they have innovative ideas of value that can not only benefit
ideas of value that can not only benefit
ideas of value that can not only benefit them as an individual them as a family
them as an individual them as a family
them as an individual them as a family as a culture and maybe even as a region
as a culture and maybe even as a region
as a culture and maybe even as a region and a lot of people don’t realize
and a lot of people don’t realize
and a lot of people don’t realize there’s 40 million people that live in
there’s 40 million people that live in
there’s 40 million people that live in the Caribbean we have innovative ideas
the Caribbean we have innovative ideas
the Caribbean we have innovative ideas of value but I look around and the
of value but I look around and the
of value but I look around and the opportunities are the environments to be
opportunities are the environments to be
opportunities are the environments to be able to develop those innovative ideas
able to develop those innovative ideas
able to develop those innovative ideas of value are scarce
of value are scarce
of value are scarce where are the environments and what
where are the environments and what
where are the environments and what people continue to tell me was that even
people continue to tell me was that even
people continue to tell me was that even when there are environments the
when there are environments the
when there are environments the environments don’t have sufficient or
environments don’t have sufficient or
environments don’t have sufficient or adequate tools for us to develop the
adequate tools for us to develop the
adequate tools for us to develop the things that we know that we can develop
things that we know that we can develop
things that we know that we can develop and if there are environments and we do
and if there are environments and we do
and if there are environments and we do have tools what we’re finding it very
have tools what we’re finding it very
have tools what we’re finding it very difficult to find instruction that will
difficult to find instruction that will
difficult to find instruction that will allow us to be able to develop the
allow us to be able to develop the
allow us to be able to develop the things we have here and here’s the
things we have here and here’s the
things we have here and here’s the fourth one that came out of the research
fourth one that came out of the research
fourth one that came out of the research and this was just about unanimous of
and this was just about unanimous of
and this was just about unanimous of everyone I spoke with if you had the
everyone I spoke with if you had the
everyone I spoke with if you had the environment if you have the tool
environment if you have the tool
environment if you have the tool and you had the instruction would there
and you had the instruction would there
and you had the instruction would there still be an impediment and almost every
still be an impediment and almost every
still be an impediment and almost every single person that I interviewed said
single person that I interviewed said
single person that I interviewed said absolutely there was no wavering in it
absolutely there was no wavering in it
absolutely there was no wavering in it and the question then became why and the
and the question then became why and the
and the question then became why and the answer was we feel like our local
answer was we feel like our local
answer was we feel like our local governments had made it so difficult for
governments had made it so difficult for
governments had made it so difficult for us to implement our innovative ideas of
us to implement our innovative ideas of
us to implement our innovative ideas of value that the walls are so high that it
value that the walls are so high that it
value that the walls are so high that it becomes a source of impediment for us to
becomes a source of impediment for us to
becomes a source of impediment for us to be able to implement our innovation in
be able to implement our innovation in
be able to implement our innovation in the land that we care about I think that
the land that we care about I think that
the land that we care about I think that every one of us in this room recognized
every one of us in this room recognized
every one of us in this room recognized I hope and I think you do recognize
I hope and I think you do recognize
I hope and I think you do recognize another another facet of the culture and
another another facet of the culture and
another another facet of the culture and what I hope you recognize is that the
what I hope you recognize is that the
what I hope you recognize is that the West Indian culture to me may be the
West Indian culture to me may be the
West Indian culture to me may be the most patriotic culture on the planet no
most patriotic culture on the planet no
most patriotic culture on the planet no matter whether you’re driving in Toronto
matter whether you’re driving in Toronto
matter whether you’re driving in Toronto or you’re walking through London or
or you’re walking through London or
or you’re walking through London or you’re driving in Atlanta you are going
you’re driving in Atlanta you are going
you’re driving in Atlanta you are going to see the carbon whether it be a
to see the carbon whether it be a
to see the carbon whether it be a headrest whether it be a flag whether it
headrest whether it be a flag whether it
headrest whether it be a flag whether it be dreadlocks what whether it be
be dreadlocks what whether it be
be dreadlocks what whether it be whatever painted on a car or whatever it
whatever painted on a car or whatever it
whatever painted on a car or whatever it may be people care about where they come
may be people care about where they come
may be people care about where they come from in the Caribbean but the reality is
from in the Caribbean but the reality is
from in the Caribbean but the reality is is today that many West Indians are
is today that many West Indians are
is today that many West Indians are developing significant innovation in
developing significant innovation in
developing significant innovation in technology in America Canada and England
technology in America Canada and England
technology in America Canada and England and that innovation in technology those
and that innovation in technology those
and that innovation in technology those ideas of innovative value are not
ideas of innovative value are not
ideas of innovative value are not benefiting the place that they love the
benefiting the place that they love the
benefiting the place that they love the most they’re benefiting America Canada
most they’re benefiting America Canada
most they’re benefiting America Canada and England and so I said all of that to
and England and so I said all of that to
and England and so I said all of that to say this to you I believe this
say this to you I believe this
say this to you I believe this extraordinary treasure of West Indian
extraordinary treasure of West Indian
extraordinary treasure of West Indian culture creative relational passionate I
culture creative relational passionate I
culture creative relational passionate I believe this thread that has been
believe this thread that has been
believe this thread that has been unmerited ly sewn into this fabric can
unmerited ly sewn into this fabric can
unmerited ly sewn into this fabric can be extracted I believe that even though
be extracted I believe that even though
be extracted I believe that even though we we find ourselves and throughout the
we we find ourselves and throughout the
we we find ourselves and throughout the Caribbean in a place of achievement I I
Caribbean in a place of achievement I I
Caribbean in a place of achievement I I don’t believe the level of achievement
don’t believe the level of achievement
don’t believe the level of achievement based on my research is anywhere close
based on my research is anywhere close
based on my research is anywhere close to what it could be
and so in order to extract this
and so in order to extract this environment in this thread from this
environment in this thread from this
environment in this thread from this fabric we have to be intentional about
fabric we have to be intentional about
fabric we have to be intentional about developing environments for innovative
developing environments for innovative
developing environments for innovative innovative ideas of values for people to
innovative ideas of values for people to
innovative ideas of values for people to for people to develop what they have in
for people to develop what they have in
for people to develop what they have in their minds their hearts we also have to
their minds their hearts we also have to
their minds their hearts we also have to provide the best of tools the best of
provide the best of tools the best of
provide the best of tools the best of instruction and we have to reduce the
instruction and we have to reduce the
instruction and we have to reduce the barriers that impede the implementation
barriers that impede the implementation
barriers that impede the implementation of those things in all of our cultures
of those things in all of our cultures
of those things in all of our cultures in order to elevate the whole herd a lot
in order to elevate the whole herd a lot
in order to elevate the whole herd a lot of things about that today but I also
of things about that today but I also
of things about that today but I also want to say to you that my research
want to say to you that my research
want to say to you that my research explicitly tells me this ideas that are
explicitly tells me this ideas that are
explicitly tells me this ideas that are being birthed in the Caribbean are
being birthed in the Caribbean are
being birthed in the Caribbean are migrating abroad in benefitting abroad
migrating abroad in benefitting abroad
migrating abroad in benefitting abroad and I want to have close with this
and I want to have close with this
and I want to have close with this question I want to stop that two years
question I want to stop that two years
question I want to stop that two years ago I started to create the elevat–
ago I started to create the elevat–
ago I started to create the elevat– foundation for just that to develop
foundation for just that to develop
foundation for just that to develop environments provide the best of tools
environments provide the best of tools
environments provide the best of tools provide the best of instruction work
provide the best of instruction work
provide the best of instruction work with the local municipalities to lower
with the local municipalities to lower
with the local municipalities to lower some of those barriers and as we
some of those barriers and as we
some of those barriers and as we continue to move forward and develop
continue to move forward and develop
continue to move forward and develop those things around the Caribbean I want
those things around the Caribbean I want
those things around the Caribbean I want to say we can’t do enough but when we
to say we can’t do enough but when we
to say we can’t do enough but when we collectively come together and we
collectively come together and we
collectively come together and we recognize this is an issue and we’re
recognize this is an issue and we’re
recognize this is an issue and we’re losing something that belongs to us an
losing something that belongs to us an
losing something that belongs to us an identity that belongs to us
identity that belongs to us
identity that belongs to us I believe that collectively we can do
I believe that collectively we can do
I believe that collectively we can do great things and so I’ll close with this
great things and so I’ll close with this
great things and so I’ll close with this question who is with me thank you
question who is with me thank you
question who is with me thank you [Applause]
”
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