Introduction: “The Unexpected Caribbean” Part II

When conceptualizing “The Unexpected Caribbean” special issue for the journal of Women, Gender, and Families Color, we, as editors, sought to contest many stereotypical visualizations Caribbean its diasporas highlight some unexpected counternarratives innovations in representation that appear literature, arts, society. Focusing on women, gender, families allowed us consider how women—typically disempowered by restrictions colonial patriarchal systems which they have lived—have risen forefront making change their communities cultures. We strove emphasize numerous roles contributions women circum-Caribbean—both past present—and a variety configurations gender issues pertaining family wrestle with notions “Otherness,” regardless time or space.We therefore called essays countered neo/colonial conscriptions destination tourists; region needing “saving” foreign business investors, missionaries, environmental groups, other types not-for-profit organizations; site consumption extraction laborers (including sex workers), natural resources, As we argued introduction spring 2021 issue, far from being exotic isolated islands suitable only vacation locales spaces dire poverty where disasters epidemiological crises repeatedly strike, societies long been realms incredible intellectual artistic production political resistance. The articles gathered first testify fact: novelist Apricot Irving, who spent years her childhood Haiti daughter contested superior aid-worker inferior, victimized aid-recipient an essay transcribed keynote address at Symposium held October 2018. Art curator Grace Ali illuminates artists Guyana—many them invisible rest world even Guyanese nationals—have challenged negative images country work captured empowerment, joy, collaborative energies. JoAnna Poblete complicates women's agency leadership limning history Fireburn Queens St. Croix, led labor revolts against Danes 1878; she interpolated acts resistance range taken contemporary Crucian women—both protest petroleum industry establishment maintenance support larger communities. Yumi Pak also focuses investigates depiction Chinese indentured servants Pagoda (1998), African Jamaican Patricia Powell; Pak's contribution explores “queerness” terms race, upending conventional motherhood, fatherhood, family, nation. Rigid constructions nationhood were tackled Odile Ferly well: defies scholarly trends homing antagonisms between Dominican Republic Haiti—and particularly spurning Haitians Dominicans—to interrogate symbolic role Dominicanness Haitian literary imaginary.At 2018 symposium, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria had recently demolished island Dominica, Maarten/St. Martin, Barbuda devastated Puerto Rico. Those climatic events brought waves im/migrants U.S. mainland Caribbean. News reports social media circulated stories about (white) American these newly arrived “foreigners,” especially those Rico, but, was noted symposium participants, thousands Ricans travelling back forth continental United States decades, given Rico's status territory. For Part I Caribbean,” Jessica Adams expanded conference presentation stress complexity economic relationship States, contextualizing disasters, imperialism, concepts home grapples legal cases property rights. II, seek extend conversation research group scholars explore factors contributing successful integration Rican migrants living mainland. Like Adams, authors Alessandra Rosa, Rebecca Blackwell, Elizabeth Aranda use trauma significant marker work, citing migration patterns pre- post- this devastating season. Connections can readily be made migratory immigrants States. instance, Census Bureau figures indicate numbers increased considerably after 2010 earthquake, approximately 419,000 2000 587,000 (Olsen-Medina Batalova 2020). (Those are sure increase deadly earthquake August 14, 2021, followed closely Tropical Storm Grace.) Aranda's piece gives one better tools predict connections “home”—both robust already established areas like Miami, New York City, Boston, Washington, DC—might able sustain themselves.Before turning fuller description selected want articulate our awareness all contributors double women. Although not completely surprising, hoped greater sexual diversity collection. What imbalance makes clear is that, although much progress has field studies, people Caribbean, word still connotes “womanhood” strict male–female binary. optimistic future scholarship will continue pursue resolving gap.Several male did submit promising abstracts but COVID-19 crisis destroyed travel plans over world. pandemic kept near-standstill fifteen months, impacting ways adequately covered Global North. Different territories responded differently catastrophe, each based own resources infrastructures. While shown great attempts curb spread virus, more survived reacting locally rather than globally, using indigenous knowledge (that is, produced space) relying community-based efforts instead formal state assistance. In government slow act, expressed need come together together. notion Men anpil, chay pa lou (With hands, load lighter) frequently applied supported sustained another settings, often privileging communal individual “rights” discourse witnessed parts One set suggests overall, number deaths fairly low (CAREST 2021); devastation caused primarily effects tourist industry, virus itself.Because economies depend heavily sector survival, halt threatens livelihoods very lives so subjects, heads-of-household struggle make ends meet. This case dollars both informal (hair beading braiding, beachside souvenir sales, recreational drugs, on). Early pandemic, “[I]t impossible notice local agro-food producers food activists responding insecurity. From moment on, agroecological initiatives key understanding security accessibility food, healthy safe procure” (Tavárez, Quijano, Pacheco 2020, 10). conversations rebuilding must include familiar innovative strategies economy, well educational environments.At January international Association Women Writers Scholars (ACWWS) Annual Conference, panel impact responses highlighted call action. Colleagues disciplines shared personal observations community initial stages ongoing effects. Barbados Trinidad Tobago implemented exceptionally tight lockdowns March 2020; compliance former considered noteworthy light nation's moniker “Little England” retention Queen II head independence Britain 1966. lack mobility treatment following Hurricane Maria. places limited supplies, inadequate infrastructure, instability, such Haiti, citizens resorted traditional pharmacopeia, employing medicinal plants ginger, aloe, clove treat coronavirus symptoms. Similarly, farmers initiated small-scale stations nonperishable goods pickup, enabling consumers turn away high-risk supermarkets “pre-packaged, store-bought, non-seasonal non-sustainable food” 10)—items high demand available when demands drove market. Jorge Lefevre Tavárez, Gabriela Dana Muñiz perceived “rich convergence activism feminist movement. Not organizations profoundly concerned calling insecurity urgent battle inequality” (2020, 10).The oxygen respirators—and currently, vaccines—mean host different solutions into play healthcare. At writing introduction, 0.3 percent immunizations around administered 29 most impoverished nations. Many sites across counting World Health Organization's (WHO) COVAX program access growing increasingly alarmed early months countries North purchased large doses, leaving developing nations vulnerable unable compete global vaccination Some started India, Cuba, China vaccines. To date, Republic, Barbados, Lucia, Dominica received Astra Zeneca doses India free charge, spiking threaten shift playing once again. Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin—all French territories—have immunization campaigns facilitated government. Cuba states it final phase clinical trials develop vaccines vaccinate whole end 2021. Interestingly enough, Havana vaccine attraction, visitors get immunized if Cuba's capital city vacation. inequities distribution raise important access, privilege, power, positionality neocolonial neoliberal fearful current resulted spike kidnapping profit, physical COVID-19.During ACWWS particular attention paid crucial helping care others during crisis. Worldwide, leaders health outcomes leaders. However, rise gender-based violence real concern impacts children, families. several participants noted, however, virtual conferences issues, including own, do typically garner engagement politicians, primary-school educators, health-care professionals, working class. Finding bring constituents socioeconomic class lines remains priority.While analyzes varied volume, two poets—one English-speaking Spanish-speaking Caribbean—to perspectives. moments uncertainty, grief, anger while witnessing died writer Olive Senior chose mind creativity observation, tracking “the way unfolded language preoccupations changing response” (2021, vii). She posted series poems Twitter Facebook May through September 2020 type abecedarian, letter alphabet, considering physical, mental, disease what revealed society culture. three inclusion hoping express woman's experiences Above all, used poetry connect collectively readers. preface published collection, Pandemic Poems: First Wave (2021), notes, regard sharing purely endeavor. . keeping myself engaged falling depression, soon realized inside loop bound me readers, whom told waited poem day helped going through. (viii)“M Mask” evokes Carnival traditions region, readers remember archipelago's populations, cultural practices, endurance solitude lockdown, fight loved ones—all countering stereotypes happy-go-lucky life sea.M MaskMasqueraders know protective power masksassumed Carnivals year placate spirit Death,embody supernatural.Now, Death here. Masks everyone streetwear.Except theatre: No wild carnivalesque disorder. Nosummoning supernatural. Here mask-wearers offer silentintercessions rooms, Lifein choreographed routines: calm, concentration, skill,compassion, order.Only masks off reveal traces:the daily imprinted faces. (4)On surface, “G Green News” asks benefits lockdown perspective. Deeper consideration poet's heritage, leads think paradox sustainability Cruise ships forms activity cause havoc might waters air clear, lessened amount waste unrecycled recyclables landfills, prompted residents return home-grown foods costly imports, decimation tourism severe economies.G NewsSomewhere, brief timein collective pause,we bluer skies,purer water, cleaner airand friendlier bees.A rootswith window gardening,backyard plantingand soaring sales seeds.Know every cuttingyou put ground,every seed you dig in,feels little tickleon skin Mother Earthleaving smilingand wanting more. (54)Senior's “V Vaccine” articulates connection pandemics racism extrajudicial Black subjects. Protests police exclusive North; disparities policing legacies colonialism flourishing region.V VaccineHow quickly upstagedby insidious injection hateinto black body gone viral.Boots groundand no etiquette required.Unless there rigorous commitmentto eradicating poisonous infectionno counteract onewill ever found. (44)The poem's title resonates hear life-saving poor countries’ access.Xavier Valcárcel, student University contributed “3:06 a.m.” (translation Don E. Walicek), compellingly conveys anxieties plaguing young isolation lockdown: 3:06 a.m.3:06 a.m.Las pencas de la palmaThe stalks palmque es horizonte en ventanathat horizon windowarrastran inquietas sus sombrasrestlessly drag shadowspor las paredes del desvelo.through walls sleeplessness.Sonando su fugaSounding escapelos carros avenidathe cars avenueburlan el toque queda;dismiss curfew;igual turbinasas turbinesde los aviones insomnesof insomniac airplanesvibrando techos.making roofs rumble.La oscuridad ladraThe darkness barksmientras mi perra sueñawhile my dog dreamsentre cuello y escápula.between neck scapula.El trabajo, deber, sangreWork, duty, bloodvuelan con cabeza que vuelafly swirlsa vórtices como murciélago.into vortices bat.A ojos abiertos, inmóvil resto cuerpoEyes open, immobileintento, sin parpadearI try, without blinkingpensar lo duerme.to doesn’t sleep.¿Una camaA beda qué velocidad va través universo?what’s velocity traverses universe?The speaker, sleep 3 morning, expresses loneliness dutifully obey island. Notably, absent scene: cars, drivers, “escape” streets “dismiss curfew”; “insomniac airplanes,” passengers, pass overhead. Desperate find others, speaker tries imagine anyone—anything—else awake share conscious moment. haunting moving; simultaneously gestures toward privileges class, age, and, perhaps, gender—a position allows needed write unhindered crowded accommodations constant childcare responsibilities.The pressures household duties contemporary, working-class explored Sabine Lamour “Between Intersectionality Coloniality: Rereading Figure Poto-Mitan Woman Haiti.” ponders meaning complex poto-mitan, “central pillar,” figure historical contexts, revealing embedded structures slave society, postslavery moment, present-day feminization poverty. Rather celebrating poto-mitan woman emblematic female strength argues construction cannot separated plantation history, understood lenses coloniality intersectionality distinct endure.Three volume arts. “‘Lioness Order’: Reggae Revival Speak,” Alexandria Miller examines reggae music industry—“unexpected” relative absence mid- late twentieth century. Analyzing lyrics videos Janine “Jah9” Cunningham Kelissa [McDonald], historicizes evolution singers altered rhetoric positions culture, largely male-dominated, Sarah Clunis Yoruba masquerade tradition, spirits deceased ancestors intercede living, conjunction colorful tapestries artist Ebony Patterson. Passing: Evocative Worlds Patterson's Dancehall Egúngún” textile installation pieces, highlighting intersections visibility, death. extends interpretations urban dancehall scene Kingston, Jamaica, insightfully connecting adornment clothing culture Jonkonnu celebrations Egúngún masking West Africa. “Elena: Running Dance Other Defects Colonial Santo Domingo (1771–73),” Lissette Acosta Corniel takes journey story Elena, enslaved now known Republic. Piecing Elena's challenges conventions historiography privilege written documents. Employing Ann Stoler, Stephanie Camp, Michele McKinley, Michel-Rolph Trouillot, urges recognize limitations listen unspoken details silenced voices provide new kind source. Parsing recorded “flaws”—attempting flee, dancing, stealing allegedly trying abort pregnancies—from posits “property,” interprets embodied “a roar archive, allowing ‘speak’ actions.” flights evoke home.Home addressed “‘¿Nuestro nuevo hogar?’: Examining Migration Conceptions Home, Place-Making, Belonging” aforementioned Aranda, contribute sciences Latinx interviewing migrated Florida span decades. Speaking longtime fled hurricanes 2017 focusing emotions essential yet neglected part migrant experience, perceptions home, location one's identity fostered freely expressed, place comfort security, aid inhibit sense belonging environments. And “San Andres, Herstory, Writing History Margins,” Laura Lopez Martinez archipelago San Andrés Providencia, Colombian Sea coast Nicaragua neglected—both within Colombia Engaging 1987 novel Herstory Keshia Howard-Livingston, narrates nineteenth- twentieth-century histories perspectives, questions national Colombia, exploring tensions archipelago. demonstrates fiction anticolonial, antimasculinist project challenging official incomplete exclude marginalized Through exploration Howard-Livingston's considers depictions quotidian experiences, traumatic encounters, character's search slavery intrinsically tied demarcating boundaries extending expected borders beyond geographies.“The thus invites embrace wide explorations herstory participation oil art. engage raised I, disputing “Other” outside whether Othering results region's peoples cultures, politics neocolonialism, conflicts, overly narrow definitions womanhood motherhood. page, approaching topic diasporic spaces, disciplines, points view. hope enjoy “conversation” take up here research.