Jan 15th Blog by Bri and Marc

 Hey y'all, what's up?? 

    Today was a pretty chill day all things considered. It was a nice calm day to try and relax a little before school really picks back up. Everyone kinda did their own things whether it was doing the readings for class, catching up on sleep, or just simply watching a show. Later on, Aleema sent a text in the group chat letting us know that she was about to make some muffins, and those muffins have got to be some of the best. The fluffiness of the inside combined with the crisp outside really brought out the banana-chocolate flavor combo. A big plus side was that there was definitely enough to share with the class so everyone got a chance to taste it before class started and we all had to focus.

    The conversation was quite interesting, but in the interest of time, here's a quick synopsis. Women from Africa and India who were brought into Trinidad to work the plantations replaced Native women who had been coerced through the patriarchy imposed by Spanish colonization. In the 1800s, the slave code attempted to allow slaves to achieve "independence" on provision grounds where they would be allowed to grow their own food and otherwise self-sustain themselves. This was primarily influenced because the masters wanted an increase in the fertility of slave women, but dire conditions dissuaded childbearing. When the trade in slaves became illegal, plantations learned it was cheaper to buy slaves than it was to breed them. Whereas European women were viewed as wives and mothers, African women were depicted as not only careless mothers but simply beasts of burden working in the fields. They were even considered to be women because, at the time, being a woman meant you were to be a mother. This was a double standard that further solidified the lowly position of enslaved women. Marriage was not extended to the slaves, and some refused to get married since it did not fit their lives. Slaves rebelled, though the women's participation in these revolutions was not documented. Indian laborers began to replace African slaves partly because of a shortage of labor. However, another reason was to control wages. This led to tensions, including violence against women, as men struggled to support families with measly wages. The plantation system forced Indian families to adjust, and this quick change caused Indian men to feel pressured. This pressure was released in violent ways by Indian men who felt as if other men were trying to seduce "their women" away from them. The whole system created complicated dynamics of gender, race, and class that shaped women's roles and resistance.

    This was a very interesting discussion because it showed the Indian perspective and how their experience in more ways than one differed from the African experience. On a different note though, a highlight of the day was chilling on the steps with Knobby who is like the unofficial dorm hall's mascot.

Anyways, thanks so much for tuning in!!!

See ya, Marc and Bri 🇹🇹