‘Multiple Caribbeans’ explores international relationships

The undeniable but sometimes subtle relationship between a people’s past and their culture will be explored this year at the university.

Specifically, Caribbean cultures, politics and relations with other nations will be under discussion in “Multiple Caribbeans,” sponsored by the Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies program. Events will continue through next summer.

Scarano says this “year of the Caribbean” will prove a case study in how colonized people are able to assemble and define new and vibrant cultures.

“In the Caribbean we witness how Europeans shaped certain colonial societies and cultures in the European image, using ‘raw material’ from all over the world,” he says. “In bringing people from all continents to work for them under harsh conditions, colonizers unwittingly created an array of wonderfully inventive new people. Thanks to our ‘Multiple Caribbeans’ programs, students and the public will have an opportunity to appreciate these acts of creation and enjoy the results.”

Highlights include:

• Randall Robinson lecture and mini-symposium, Dec. 4-5. Some descendants of slaves would like to see the government pay damages for their ancestors’ suffering. Robinson will outline the perspective as part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Distinguished Lecture series Tuesday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. in the Wisconsin Union Theater. His free public presentation requires tickets from the Wisconsin Union Box Office, (608) 262-2201.
• A daylong symposium on the issue of reparations will be held Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 5 at the Law School. Panelists will include Stan Woodard, Midwest Director of Reparations, Chicago Ald. Bobby Rush and others.
• An international conference, “Multiple Caribbeans,” will examine displacement and identity from the standpoint of many disciplines. Organizers say the history of displacement from regions of origin to the Caribbean, and outward from there, has molded the ways in which identities of Caribbeans, or people with ancestral roots in the region, have been created, expressed and defended. The conference also will feature scholars from around the world; events will take place Thursday-Saturday, April 25-27, at Union South, 227 N. Randall Ave.
• “Building Bridges with the Caribbean” will be the theme of a special summer series coordinated by LACIS. Renowned percussionist and UW–Madison artist-in-residence John Santos will present a course for K-12 teachers. LACIS director and professor of history Francisco Scarano will teach a course on Caribbean history.

Other activities include films from and about the Caribbean, music and art presentations, lectures, guest appearances and more.

For more information, call (608) 262-2811.