Celebrating Caribbean culture and resistance inspired by Rihanna

A B U S S Y L L

Created & Curated by @TerahJay ⠠⠗⠊⠓⠁ ⠝⠝⠁⠂ ⠞⠓⠁⠝⠅ ⠽⠕⠥ ⠋⠕⠗ ⠑⠧⠑⠗⠽ ⠞⠓⠊⠝⠛ ⠲ ⠠⠇⠕⠧⠑ y a J h a r e T -

. s a y ⠽⠕⠥ w l a u o y e v o L

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n ⠁⠇⠺⠁⠽ i h t y r e v e r o f u o y k ⠎⠂ n a h t a n n a h i R ⠠⠞⠑⠗⠁ ⠓⠠⠚⠁⠽ ⠲ MUST BE

LOVE

ON THE BRAIN That resistance to conformity, that resistance to needing and pleasing and placating the global marketplace is absolutely very much situated within her context. Anti is actively telling you, song after song, that it's not trying to fit Heather D. Russell

On January 28th 2017 Rihanna celebrated her one-year anniversarih, aptly titled ANTiversary. Her highly anticipated 8th studio album was a work of art that upon its release, shifted the course of her craft and career. The eclectic, raw, emotional, album was molecule shifting for Rihanna as well as her fanbase the Rihanna Navy.

Rihanna states: "I had no idea how it would be recieved, neither was that something I considered. I just wanted to make a body of work that felt right." In many ways ANTi was not about finding herself as an artist, it was more about creating and re-creating herself as a complete person. Someone unafraid, someone boundless. In her process she trusted the way the music made her feel.

As a Black woman from Barbados it is important to situate her life, career, and way of knowing within a specific Caribbean context. Indeed, Rihanna represents one part of the great vastness of the Black Diaspora and her cultural impact and relevance is undeniable. My introduction to Rihanna came on the heels of an assignment I was given as an undergraduate student, through my 'Intro to Caribbean Literature' class. I was tasked to select a Black person from the Caribbean and write about them by making connections to the experiences unearthed in the literature. It was then that I gained a true appreciation of 'Black' as diaspora and embraced the fullness of Rihanna, her unique identity, and her art.

The ANTi album in many ways is an homage to not only Rihanna's Caribbean roots, but also a rich history and tradition of a particular type of resistance, birthed out of Caribbean, with roots that connect back to West Africa. As I have experienced the album I recalled the brilliant stories, music, and art that I engaged through my undergrad courses, creating a more holistic ANTi experience for me.

I wanted to share that experience with Rihanna fans and fans of the ANTi album. From that, I decided to create the ANTi Syllabus: a curated list of books, film, music, and general information that has been instrumental in my introduction to, and appreciation for Caribbean art, culture, and life. I have also included resources that I have yet to read or engaged, as I intend to continue learning in this area. Join me.

This syllabus is in no way comprehensive and is simply meant as a starting place for those wishing to engage in learning about Caribbean culture through resources that I have personally appreciated engaging. In the same manner I do not identify as a caribbean person and am open to feedback and critique of this syllabus. Things to Note Portions of this syllabus is organized by island. The art listed in each island could have been created by someone who is from that country or the art addresses the country where it is placed. Authors of books and articles are listed in bold, films just list the film title. Songs named will also list artists. This is a living and breathing document! If you have suggestions for additions, changes, problematizations, or general feedback please connect with me! Dedication

To Dr. Viola Newton, thank you for taking me under your wing & showing me the importance of the Black diaspora. Thank you for sharing your love for the Caribbean and your home of St. Thomas. Thank you for teaching me to sing and love calypso. I love you endelssly.

To Rihanna, thank you for that moment. I wont soon forget it. You are a wonder to behold and I am glad to have such a phenomenal example of what it means to be unapologetically yourselt. You are everything to me. ANTi-Everything Barbados 1966

Film

A Hand Full of Dirt Egress Payday Two Smart Papa Machete Vigilante - The Crossing Soucouyant Auntie

Authors/Books

Edward Brathwaite Austin Clarke The Arrivants The Survivors of the Crossing Amongst Thistles and Thorns Karen Lord The Meeting Point Redemption in Indigo The Polished Hoe

Cecil Foster George Lamming Dry Bone Memories In the Castle of My Skin The Emigrants Of Age and Innocence Bachata Dominican Republic 1844 Classic Songs

Hector Acosta – Me Voy Einllo – “Te Buscaria” Aventura – “Mi Corazoncito” Yoskar Sarante – “No Tengo Suerte En El Amor” Angel Y Khriz – “Carita De Angel” Monchy & Alexandra “No Es Una Novela” Alex Bueno – “Agar rense de las Mano” Daniel Moncion – “Decidi” Erick Escobar – “Secretro de Amor” Domenic Marte – “Yo Me Equivoca”

Artists

Carlos Y Alejandra Romeo Santos Yoskar Sarante Zacarias Ferreira Prince Royce Elvis Martinez Luis Vargas Toby Love Hector ‘El Torito’ Frank Reyes Acosta Xtreme Raulin Rodriquez Bachata Heightz Aventura Juan Luis Guerra Joe Veras he said me haffi he see me do mi

W O R K

And so me put in o N

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t c e s e r

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e c v o e m e Jamaica u

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1962 l l t i t e r W i n ? g e Film i n m

t f r e l o

The Harder They Come m r e

Smile Orange v N e e Rockers u v o e y r Countryman l l a l i n Better Mus' Come d W ,

, T g h n e i l y r

a c Books/Authors d o u y l d a

Michelle Cliff n w e n v No Telephone to Heaven e w r o

s y t o Patricia Powell p m

s m The Pagoda g e n i

h n t o

Alvin Bennett o n d o

God the Stonebreaker o n t o t

o n g o

I I know you try to, I come in riding on a pale white horse Reggae 1960's

Early Artists Classic Songs

Bob Marley Desmond Dekker and the Aces Peter Tosh Isrealites Bunny Wailer Lee "Scratch" Perry Peter Tosh The Abyssinians Legalize It The Mighty Diamonds Toots and the Maytals Toots and Maytals Pressure Drop Burning Spear The Ethiopians Eric Donaldson Desmond Dekker Cherry Oh Baby Jimmy Cliff The Abyssianians Satta Massagana

Jimmy Cliff Many Rivers to Cross Bob Marley One Love/People Get Ready The Melodians Rivers of Babylon Johnny Nash I Can See Clearly Now Burning Spear Marcus Garvey Photo edit by: TerahJay Sometime I sit an wonder long, True, true. Dere's somet'ing sure is goin wrong; True, true. De time is surly getting bad - It's nough to mek a feller mad I r'ally now am feeling sad: True, true.

We never know Vat's gwine to be; True, true. De time dat's comin we can't see; True, true. If we could see de distant day, W'en we bin use to draw we pay We wouldn't squander it away; True, true.

Dis time no stan' like befo' time. True, true. We country now is not so fine; True, true. De days done by dat we done spen, Dere was nough money bout to len' An dere was good an gne'rous frien'. True, true.

Time change fo true wid everyt'ing; True, true. An dere's some awful change it bring; True, true. De motar cars an t'ings we meet, W'en we go out upon de street Is nough to wreck yo narve complete: True, true.

James Martinez Antigua 1981

Film Author The Sweetest Mango Jamaica Kincaid The Skin Annie John | A Small Place The Autobiography of My Mother Mr. Potter

Martinique Author Film Patrick Chamoiseau Sugar Cane Alley Texaco Le Bonheur d'Elza Chronicle of the Seven Sorrows School Days

Trinidad & Tobago 1962 Film Authors/Books Pressure God Loves the Fighter Shani Mootoo Cereus Blooms at Night Calypso Classic Artists Elizabeth Nuñez Beckett Propspero's Daughter Bunji Garland Calypso Rose Michael Anthony Dane Gulston The Year in San Fernando David Rudder Faye Ann Classic Calypso Songs Leon Coldero Machel Montano Harry Belafonte - Banana Boat Song Mighty Sparrow Lord Invader - Rum & Coca Cola Shadow P Mighty Sparrow - Jean & Dinah 3Canal Lord Kitchener - Bee's Melody Calypso Rose - Fire in Me Wire Roaring Lion - Mary Ann Mighty Spoiler - Trinidad is My Land Arrow - Hot Hot Hot Alison Hinds - Ragamuffin

k o o t I d is n h A HEART when

I pulled out that gun Bruce St. John

Yuh t'ink we foolish? WISDOM We gine ban south Africa an invite the U.S.A We gine kill apartheid an lick up black power; Ashe cyann play nor sobers needuh.

Springbok keep yuh wine we gine tek Yankee aid Pay fuh get um Buy dem tings Keem Sam producin

Keep'e people wukkin An let' 'e help 'eself Yuh t'ink we foolish, t'ink we foolish?

Lef our Rhodeisian an bring in Canadian Sell dem de beaches we kin tek to de hills T'ink we foolish?

Industry fuh so Hotel like eas Doan min' de squeeze when dey tek to the breeze We kin cut an contrive T'ink we is fools nuh. Evah fool got'e sense, T'ink we foolish? Haiti 1804

Authors/Books Compas Artists

Edwidge Danticat (Kompa) The Farming of Bones Brother, I'm Dying Nemours Jean-Baptiste Breath, Eyes, Memory Carimi We Are Ugly, But We Are Here Exile One (Essay) Les Frères Dèjean Gramacks Renè Despestre La Perfecta The Festival of the Greasy Pole T-Vice Tabou Combo Sweet Micky System Band Magnum Band Musical Genres Volo Volo de Boston

Mini-jazz Rock Kreyòl Mizik rasin Zouk Rap Kreyòl The Bahamas 1964

Film - Children of God Guyana 1966

Book Grace Nichols The Fat Black Lady's Poems Grenada 1974

Book Merle Collins Lady in a Boat

Documentaries

Life and Det Generation Revolution

Grace Nichols OMEN

I require an omen, a signal I kyan not work this craft on my own strength alligator teeth and feathers old root and powders I kyan not work this craft this magic black on my own strength Dahomney lurking in my shadows Yoruba lurking in my shadows Ashanti lurking in my shadows I am confused I lust for guidance ROBYN FENTY RIHANNA 1988

Articles/Essays

The Prosperity Gospel of Rihanna Pitchfork.com Doreen St. Felix

Anti-Everything: The Culture of Resistance Behind Rihanna's Latest Album NPR Anti-Popstar: How Rihanna Became a Legacy Act at 28 Huffington Post

Whose Rihanna: Diasporic Citizenship and The Economies of Crossing Over Heather D. Russell

Chapters

Baddest-Bajan, Wickedest World-Gurl Westbury Writes Back: Rihanna Reclaimed Rihanna as a Global Icon and Caribbean Threshold Figure International Identity: Rihanna and the Barbados Music Industry "What's My Name?": Reading Rihanna's Autobiographical Acts She Dances on the Holodeck From "F Love" to "He Is the One"? Rihanna, Chris Brown and the Danger of Traumatic Bonding Rihanna and Bajan Respectability Rihanna: Diaspora Citizen, Bajan Daughter, Global Superstar THE RIHANNA FILES

During 2017 I will write a total of 8 essays examining the life and career of Rihanna titled: The Rihanna Files. These essays will explore her Caribbean heritage as well as the cultural relevance and impact of her art. The first essay has been completed:

Didn't They Tell You I Was a Savage?: The Language of Physical Violcence in Rihanna's Art.

These essays can be found on my Medium page (@TerahJay) and on my blog: AseiSlay.com DISCOGRAPHY

Music of the Sun - Def Jam Recordings, 2005 A Girl Like Me - Def Jam Recordings, 2006 Good Girl Gone Bad - Def Jam Recordings 2007 Rated R - Def Jam Recordings 2009 Loud - Def Jam Redordings 2010 Talk That Talk - Def Jam/Roc Nation, 2011 Unapologetic - Def Jam/Roc Nation, 2012 ANTi - Westbury Road/Roc Nation, 2016 Resistance

Brian Meeks Narratives on Resistance: Jamaica, Trinidad, The Caribbean

Selwyn R. Cudjoe Resistance and Caribean Literature

Oral Thomas Biblical Resistance Hermeneutics within a Caribbean Context

Deborah Wei Resistance in Paradise: Rethinking 100 years of U.S. Involvement in the Caribbean and the Pacific

Hilary McD. Beckles Kalingo (Carib) Resistance to European Colonisation of the Caribbean Culture & Politics

Gabrielle Hosein & Jane Parpart Negotiating Gender, Policy and Politics in the Caribbean

Panique Hume & Aaron Kamugisha Caribbean Popular Culture: Power, Politics and Performance

Teresita Martinez-Vergne & Franklin W. Knights Contemporary Caribbean Cultures & Societies in a Global Context

Brian Meeks Critical Interventions in Caribbean Politics and Theory

Curwen Best The Politics of Caribbean Cyberculture

Angelique V. Nixon Resisting Paradise: Tourism, Diaspora, and Sexuality in Caribbean Culture Faith & Spirituality Nathaniel Samuel Murrell Afro-Caribbean Religions: An Introduction to Their Historical, Cultural, and Sacred Traditions

Patrick Taylor The Encyclopedia of Caribbean Religions Nation Dance: Religion, Identity and Cultural Difference in the Caribbean

Noel Leo Erskine Decolonizing theology: A Caribbean Perspective History Stephan Palmié The Caribbean: A History of the Region and It’s Peoples

D. A. Dunkley Readings in Caribbean History and Culture

Joshua Jelly-Shapiro Island People: The Caribbean and the World GOT TO DO

THINGS MY OWN

WAY DARLIN

For questions and references visit AseiSlay.com