Title: Caribbean Cultural Identity: The case of Jamaica: an essay in cultural dynamics
Author: Rex Nettleford
Reviewed by: Billy Hall
IN A SUBTLE way, this book is an indictment against all who would not give equal validity to a study of culture in the Anglophone Caribbean.
If the assumption holds that understanding the Caribbean is critical for those who are interested in changing the Caribbean, then study of the cultural perspective ought to be a priority for leaders likely to make a greater or better contribution to change in this region.
Therefore, this book seems both relevant and timely, for in an age of globalisation it is imperative that cultural identity is understood, so that cultural change can be better articulated and better implemented.
Caribbean Cultural Identity was first published in 1978, when Caribbean social life was in ferment. New ideological thought and action began then to penetrate the region.
IDEOLOGICAL CHALLENGE
The ideological challenge hit the Anglophone Caribbean like a hurricane, generating a new vocabulary. Vogue words having to do with the Marxist analysis of society mushroomed on the University of the West Indies (UWI) campuses proletariat, bourgeoisie, socialism, democratic socialism, people's cooperative socialism, scientific socialism, etc.
'Socialism' was the root word of the new ideology vocabulary, and the three prongs of the imperialistic fork identified were politics, economics, and culture, or as the author in his inimical way terms it 'the triple threat combination'.
Not surprisingly then, the issues of those turbulent times revolved unequally around political independence, economic self-sufficiency, and cultural identity, the neglected third prong.
The intellectual blindness was painful and patent. Yet, any careful analysis would show that in any situation of fundamental social change, the cultural aspect is critical, and it is to this point the author makes forcefully when he reminds persuasively that it is culture that "determines the timbre of the ideological thrust of many who advocate change in the region".
Therefore, driven by his deeper insight into social reality, generally, and particularly of the Caribbean, the author questioned seriously the adequacy of the Marxist analysis for Caribbean people.
Consequently, he proceeded courageously, against the ideological winds of the 1970s, and put his views in writing producing what has proved to be an enduring work, Caribbean Cultural Identity.
PERSUASIVE BUT NOT POLEMICAL
The classic scholar that he is, Professor Nettleford exercised his intellectual rigor against certain popular notions or certain possible conclusions, even some unpleasant. Undaunted, he pressed his analysis in full measure.
Of course, having imbibed the writings of Caribbean intellectuals of highest quality, such as, M. G. Smith, Elsa Goveia, and C.L. R. James, to name a few, he went ahead and posited his views without rancor.
Not surprisingly then, although the work espouses a cause, it is persuasive but not polemical. His position is based on inclusion rather than exclusion.
He says "Caribbean society is sufficiently dynamic to attract such controversial reflections. He writes as a rationalist rather than a dogmatist, and so he is not interested in taking sides, but in permitting all views to contend.
Ultimately though, he is interested in the triumph of the majority view, and in this regard he quotes approvingly the late Right Excellent Norman Manley who declared insightfully in 1938, "the mass of the population are the real people and those who will not unite with them on all fundamental matters are the real aliens in the land".
This book, then, is a finely textured cultural work that constantly forces the reader to perceive self and nation, as well as region, challenging to a decision of either belonging or being an alien in the native land/region.
So passionate is he about his cultural conviction that as he climaxes his thoughts in his final chapter, entitled Cultural Action and Social Change, he makes this sweeping and dogmatic assertion: "I would contend that the only politician who can expect to be taken seriously in a society like ours is one who not only displays demagogic prowess and skill in electoral combat but also possesses the artistic and cultural sensibilities that will enable him or her to grasp the deeper issues of our society and face them squarely even at the risk of losing power at the polls If he is unable to do this he has no right attempting to lead any nation in the region at this time."
By those criteria, which Caribbean politician qualifies to lead any nation in the region at this time?
Certainly, while his strong assertions could do much to generate interesting discussions, readers would have found his analytic contribution an enhancement of his book.
WHERE IS JAMAICA?
Perhaps too, more could have been said about other Caribbean countries, since the words of the main title draw attention to the wider region, even though Jamaica is presented as a case study. One just wonders how much would have been lost if 'Jamaica' had been substituted for 'Caribbean'?
Jamaica is the focus, and strongly so. For example, all of the approximately 50 photographs in the book relate to Jamaica, even more particularly culture from the perspective of the performing arts.
That fact also raises the question of whether a chapter dealing with a definition of culture would not have helped some new readers considerably.
A fly in the ointment might be useful to note. The issue seems small to Jamaicans, but in 'sister' territories the perception is strong that among Commonwealth Caribbean countries, Jamaicans have the tendency to identify themselves to be apart or to be loftier from their Caribbean counterparts.
Therefore, it is unfortunate that although the author in his new introduction wrote correctly, as to "Jamaica and the rest of the Commonwealth Caribbean", and to "Jamaica and the wider region", the rest of the republished work did not get that particularly careful attention.
Regrettably then, on page one, and again on page 138, he opens the body of a chapter with the reference "Jamaica and the Caribbean". So, where is Jamaica?
But on the whole, this is a book of finely textured, cultural mirroring, in process engaging philosophically, informing historically and revealing sociologically. Also, throughout the work, many names are called and that provides a fillip of at least documentary value.
In this age of visual emphasis in public communication, the lack of color photographs is disappointing. Not to mention the absence of a photograph of the author, and photographs of the cultural mix of the people of the region, who seem so crucial to the substance of the book.
On the whole, the book fills a void in intellectual literature, offering a perspective much neglected, which the author contends persuasively is too fundamental to be given indifferent or inadequate treatment.
Therefore, there is a sense in which this book calls all and sundry to make cultural issues have an equally valid place and priority for leaders in Caribbean society.
Publishers: Ian Randle Publishers, Kingston/Miami First edition 1978/Second Edition 2003
