Minister Fernandez and Renowned Antiguan Writer Jamaica Kincaid Engage in Profound Dialogue on History, Culture, and Identity

Wow! One of my literary heroes. The first woman to tell the world about the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY in Antigua; whether it be the state of housing stock or politics.

Her award winning books include:

‘Annie John’, ‘My Garden’ Among Flowers’, and my personal favourite, ‘A Small Place’. Recommended 👍🏾

We should immediately change the name of the Princess Margaret School (who, by the way, was a drunk and philanderess) to Jamaica Kincaid, who has way more merit than Margaret. Fact!

75 years young and a true Antiguan icon … you go Ms Kincaid.

In the days of bird rule and abuse Jamaica Kincaid onliest associates of intellectual prowess was the late Tim Hector who would feature her writing in his paper, the ALP declared her personal non grata for tell the truth about the socioeconomics condition that Antiguans and Barbudans were living under the bird oppressive dynasty.

Jamaica keep far away from the labor party government!
You hear me.
Lionel Hurst always talking real bad about you.
Never have nothing good to say.
U have been warned🤔

Persona non grata

Show Dominica🇩🇲some love too!
She fu Dasheen in dey too!

Yes! Yeah! Right? When tourism and culture are mentioned, the same breath, as they pertain to Caribbean people and their [varying] yet so very similar cultures, a double edged sword is forged.
On one side of the blade, tourism, while it has brought progress (for some, not all), on its other edge, it has a very powerful undercurrent which has eroded the same cultures which it is intended, to support.

Some of these discussions, must be centred around the tourism model which is used in the Caribbean, in comparison to Europe. Although, tourism plays a significant role in many European Nations Economy, their CULTURES have remained, the same where the Tourism Industry met them. So much so, that several popular destinations in Europe have begun to restrict and resist the growth, of the industry, since, as far as they are concerned, it’s destroying their “way of life!”

The Caribbean model of Tourism built mostly on rum, sun, mo_rum, sea, nuff_rum, sand, #Rum_Fu_Daze! And, let’s not forget the other pharmaceuticals aka drugs. (It’s not by mistake, that they had to change the business model for Big Pharma from #DRUG_STORE to PHARMACY).

The tourism model in the Caribbean must begin to redefine, as Max Fernandez is alluding to, what actually is its/their [genuine] culture, balance it/them with tourism. The challenge here is, unlike many EUROPEAN, SOUTH AMERICAN, ASIAN CULTURES Caribbean Cultures are fairly new, they are a blend of other cultures and the transient nature due to economic hardships and migration have to be properly addressed.
A fine example, is our own beloved Antigua and Barbuda where the cry’s can heard louder and louder and louder;
“Antigua no belong to Antiguans, no moh!”
In thirty years BARBUDANS will be living this same reality.

Kulcha…
…habits, become Norms!
…norms, become A Way Of Life!
…a way of life, defines A People!
…a people, defines a KULCHA! CHA!

Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏾Garrat_Bastard

Vere C. Edwards

Agree with Brix we should change it but there are better options in terms of names eg Vincent Benjamin or Christopher O’Marde

I’m surprised by her amenable approach to the minister of tourism. I used to admire her until she began badmouthing her country to the world, because of an issue with late brother. I didn’t see the need to share your personal views in a negative light about your country in a global stage knowing fully well that back been, you had influence in the literary world.
I would not suggest naming any edifice in her honor, especially with a first name as hers.
I wish her well since I’m assuming that she now has a change of heart about her country of birth to which she once said she would never return.

If she is so concerned about names reflecting who we are as a people she can start by changing her nickname from Jamaican Kincaid to Antiguan Kincaid…just saying…

Surely I recon the impact she impressed on my consciousness as being from : A Small Place, Antigua: to fuse my introspection, while I was still striving during my time in New York City innards; with survival my only claim from fortitude and, intrigue to trudge forward on, even through adverse adversity, with spasms of remote memories culled from her offering in “A Small Place or, Lucy ” to reminisce in me a voice that filled the void of she too as being from from a “Small Place” called Antigua: as I muse a warm and welcome applaud to. Ms.Jamaica Kincaid. Antigua’s Own…..

Jamaica Kincaid’s voice is invaluable in discussions about Antigua’s past and present, and it’s commendable that Minister Fernandez is taking part in this dialogue. That said, while conversations are a great start, real progress comes from action—hopefully, this exchange will lead to concrete steps in education, literature promotion, and cultural preservation rather than just intellectual discussion.

It would be even more impactful if dialogues like this led to tangible policy changes that promote cultural education and historical awareness at all levels.

Hatchets become buried as we get old.

In response to an earlier comment about using the term ‘Jamaica’ in commemorating Ms Kincaid’s literary achievements. In fact, I agree.

How about renaming the Princess Margaret School to the ‘Kincaid Academy’, recognising high achievements in education?

A change of name is long overdue.

Antiguans celebrating Antiguans sounds good to me …

Where is this…did this meeting happen here in Antigua? It would be an absolute pleasure to meet her.

Speaking, #truth_to_facts will always have opposing forces, grabbing with both the truth, and the facts from their [perspective(s)].

Regardless, as to how this lady, given the name Elaine Cynthia Potter Richardson and then choose Jamaica Kincaid, as she advanced and immersed her being in the world of literature are irrelevant, to the #facts and the #truths which come through in her body of literary works.
Yes, some of her works are allegorical, while others are cultural viewed, lived and processed, by her. She is entitled, as a HUEman.

The issue at hand, for the Nation is not centered around Jamaica Kincaid and her literary works, the issue at hand is how is the Nation balancing its main industry with its very fluid culture.

Facts…

(i)…there’s a clash, at the common ground, #da_beach where Culture and Tourism meet. Me goh call, dis wan yah #BEACH_ACCESS_BASHMENT!

(ii)…outside of the well guarded, Cruise Tourists, there is little interaction of any cultural significance between TOURISM and the CULTURE. Yes, there are currency exchanges, as business is done, but does not make for a better culture, as crimes, greed, selfishness increases. U cyan hide de truth, wen it rite, innah U face; unless, U ah lib, one life innah de dark clazit or, U smell lakkah rose water, dung harbour, ah grin lakkah #roast_dawg, and a bouse, 🙇🏿‍♂️WELCOME TO ANTIGUA, MASSAH!
U want wan taxi? U want wan donkey_cart ride?

(iii)…if CULTURE is one of the driving force behind the TOURISM INDUSTRY, then there would be no need for metal detectors at some of our learning institutions for our youths. The tourists would not be driving by heaps of trash, and loose trash that look like a mini tornado at the slight gust of wind.
The tourists would have the option and pleasure, of attending a live Theatrical performance depicting our CULTURE, at a school or two.

Again, regardless as to what anyone thinks of Jamaica Kincaid, Max Fernandez has recognized and realized the symbiotic relationship between CULTURE and TOURISM. They are indelibly linked, and if our fast morphing culture due to new [habits] are not addressed, causing the gap between that and Tourism to widen, #CURFEWS on tweens and teens, lack of accountability in the public sector will be the least of future generations problems, not Jamaica Kincaid’s.

…habits, becomes Norms!
…norms, become A Way Of Life!
…a way of life, defines A People!
…a people, defines a CULTURE!
…this culture will predicate!
…‘dis yah KULCHA! CHA!
…shall inevitably dictate!
…the directions, said PEOPLE take!
…for, as time is left; in, its own wake!
…#nothing! As in #no #thing
…’tis, the only thing
…which happens by mistake!
…all other’s are by design!
..,with a dash of destiny
…and, a branch of default!

Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏾Garrat_Bastard

Vere C. Edwards

This old heffa badmouth Wadadli and now want to meet with Antigua people?? Ship she libba to Jamaica……since that’s her adopted name and the country she prefers.

Not all impressed, never have been, with this character who like so many other writers , past present, narrated their tales of woe to whomsoever would listen, and in the process secures sufficient sympathy and support from “bleeding hearts” around the world ( and there are still so many). People tge worlds lub ugly, aa we say here Antigua. So that once this Character thankfully made out of Antigua, she put her “skills” to work..
First a name change that would resonate with her new white world. That’s how she arrived with her new name Jamaica Kincaid . At the time of arrival in new found land, very little was known by the same ignorant foster families who took her in about the Caribbean, except of course on Jaimaica. Hence the name “Jamaica Kincaid”
Today there abounds a plethora of stories in our literary world.
– I was denied access to an education of any kind because of race.
– My mother who fathered me (An ode to C/bean mother’s especially)
– My father raped me throughout my childhood
_ I was burdened with raising my siblings
erc. , etc., etc.
Jamaica Kinkaid no worse and plenty better than many of counterparts in Antigua and Barbuda. or indeed in many of the post emancipated territories she now calls home. I trust that, having aged, she can properly define political scandals ad corruption. Antiguans and Barbudans are strange people. We condemn those around us that took us out of the harsh realities of “Jamaica'” world through blood sweat and tears’ while idolize those governments and people who have the most corrupt regimes and societies in today’s world. Those of us who did not take flight then, nor sought to destroy our homeland through, what I consider to be spineless accusations, do NOT honor or respect ” JAMAICA” ‘and caution the powers be and/or those to come, not to forget Jamaca’s legacy to the State and people of Antigua and Barbuda.

All of you sound so dunce in these comments. Especially the raggedy Dave Ray.

Ms Potter/Kincaid you couldn’t find something better than that old, stretched out house dress to put on?

@Fashionista 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

All the money she made from badmouthing Antigua and that’s the best frock she have. Guess it’s true that MONEY CAN’T BUY CLASS!!!!