Excerpts of Caribbean Thought 3 2026: Caribbean Thought, Dependency, Revolution and Sovereignty P.2

Excerpts of Caribbean Thought 3 2026: Caribbean Thought, Dependency, Revolution and Sovereignty P.2

Part 2: In today’s lecture, students were asked to define the Caribbean and their place within it. The class began exploring questions of identity, heritage, belonging, and the meaning of Caribbean existence within the modern world system. Students reflected on their own heritage while examining the idea that the Caribbean itself may be an invention shaped by colonialism, imperialism, and external power structures.The lecture questioned whether the Caribbean is truly independent given its economic dependence, reliance on aid, and the continued challenges to its sovereignty within the postcolonial order. The Professor argued that life is fundamentally about people and human relationships, yet life is also shaped by structures of power and by what societies make of themselves. Within this framework, the Caribbean’s position in the global order has often been constructed to maintain the region in a position of servitude, dependency, and vulnerability.Students explored the ideas of Mutabaruka, particularly his statement that “God is a creation of man.” The Professor discussed this position as emerging from the colonial experience and from the imposition of European religious traditions upon Indigenous and African peoples as though they possessed no spiritual systems of their own. This led to broader discussions about colonization, faith, spirituality, and the psychological effects of colonial domination.The class also examined the continued divisions within the Caribbean and questioned whether Caribbean unity may provide a path forward. Responding to a student’s question about solutions, the Professor connected the discussion to the work of Ama Mazama and the Afrocentric paradigm, arguing that one of the Caribbean’s major problems is the dominance of Western frameworks and ideas that cloud the minds of colonized peoples. The lecture emphasized the need to reconceptualize Caribbean thought and identity outside of inherited colonial assumptions.The Professor, Rev. Renaldo McKenzie, argued that Caribbean peoples have always possessed a roadmap toward development and liberation, but have often privileged European models, institutions, and values instead. At the same time, local elites and institutional powers within the Caribbean have historically acted to preserve the existing order and prevent transformative regional change.The lecture concluded by emphasizing that these structures are strategic and that Caribbean peoples must themselves become strategic in determining how to truly free themselves, grow, and develop. The Professor pointed to Cuba as an example of a nation that attempted to pursue its own path despite international pressures and economic punishment. While this choice affected Cuba’s wealth and development, the argument was made that Cuba sought to preserve dignity, sovereignty, and an alternative vision of life rather than fully surrendering itself to external powers and global capitalism.This is an excerpt of the full Lecture made available for The Neoliberal Round. The Lectures are held at Jamaica Theological SeminaryThis is published by The Neoliberal Corporation. The text for the class is Neoliberalism by Renaldo McKenzieVisit JTS at https://jts.edu.jmVisit The Neoliberal at https://theneoliberal.com

Excerpts of Caribbean Thought, Dependency, Revolution and Sovereignty Part 1

Part 1A: In today’s lecture, students were asked to define the Caribbean and their place within it. The class began exploring questions of identity, heritage, belonging, and the meaning of Caribbean existence within the modern world system. Students reflected on their own heritage while examining the idea that the Caribbean itself may be an invention shaped by colonialism, imperialism, and external power structures.The lecture questioned whether the Caribbean is truly independent given its economic dependence, reliance on aid, and the continued challenges to its sovereignty within the postcolonial order. The Professor argued that life is fundamentally about people and human relationships, yet life is also shaped by structures of power and by what societies make of themselves. Within this framework, the Caribbean’s position in the global order has often been constructed to maintain the region in a position of servitude, dependency, and vulnerability.Students explored the ideas of Mutabaruka, particularly his statement that “God is a creation of man.” The Professor discussed this position as emerging from the colonial experience and from the imposition of European religious traditions upon Indigenous and African peoples as though they possessed no spiritual systems of their own. This led to broader discussions about colonization, faith, spirituality, and the psychological effects of colonial domination.The class also examined the continued divisions within the Caribbean and questioned whether Caribbean unity may provide a path forward. Responding to a student’s question about solutions, the Professor connected the discussion to the work of Ama Mazama and the Afrocentric paradigm, arguing that one of the Caribbean’s major problems is the dominance of Western frameworks and ideas that cloud the minds of colonized peoples. The lecture emphasized the need to reconceptualize Caribbean thought and identity outside of inherited colonial assumptions.The Professor, Rev. Renaldo McKenzie, argued that Caribbean peoples have always possessed a roadmap toward development and liberation, but have often privileged European models, institutions, and values instead. At the same time, local elites and institutional powers within the Caribbean have historically acted to preserve the existing order and prevent transformative regional change.The lecture concluded by emphasizing that these structures are strategic and that Caribbean peoples must themselves become strategic in determining how to truly free themselves, grow, and develop. The Professor pointed to Cuba as an example of a nation that attempted to pursue its own path despite international pressures and economic punishment. While this choice affected Cuba’s wealth and development, the argument was made that Cuba sought to preserve dignity, sovereignty, and an alternative vision of life rather than fully surrendering itself to external powers and global capitalism.This is an excerpt of the full Lecture made available for The Neoliberal Round  @RenaldoMckenzie  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCPGWxe0zZYguCmGMdEmkhiw] YouTube Channel  @YouTube  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCBR8-60-B28hp2BmDPdntcQ] The Lectures are held  @jtsintersection  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC867xC0UofwCSw7SFbCumGQ] This is published by The Neoliberal Corporation. The text for the class is Neoliberalism by Renaldo McKenzieVisit JTS at https://jts.edu.jmVisit The Neoliberal at https://theneoliberal.com

The Pulse With Ricardo and Renaldo McKenzie: Sports

It’s approaching June 14th. It’s not only Flag Day or Odunde Festival, but also the birthday of twin brothers Ricardo and Renaldo, hosts of The Neoliberal Round series, The Pulse. Today, they sat down and discussed: 1. June 14th and June 19th 2. Sports: The conversations were deep and powerful. The twins engaged in intense debate that listeners will fully enjoy on this episode of The Neoliberal Round – The Pulse, with Ricardo and Renaldo discussing sports, culture, legacy, and the moments shaping our time. This is a production of The Neoliberal Round by Renaldo McKenzie. Subscribe on any streaming platform and find us at: https://anchor.fm/theneoliberal [https://anchor.fm/theneoliberal] Visit: https://theneoliberal.com [https://theneoliberal.com] https://renaldocmckenzie.com [https://renaldocmckenzie.com] Email us at: info@theneoliberal.com [info@theneoliberal.com] Donate to us: https://donate.stripe.com/7sYcN48uybAA2OEb9V93y06

Faith, Healing and Prayer, Featuring Bishop Lipton McKenzie

"Time with God is wealth". That's according to Bishop Lipton McKenzie who had a conversation with me about the power of prayer and shared a testimony about a woman in his church who blind and whose sight was restored. Bishop McKenzie is the Pastor of the National Church of God, Washington Park Florida. This is a production of The Neoliberal Round, part of The Neoliberal Corporation. Visit us at https://theneoliberal.com and Https://renaldocmckenzie.com Donate to us at: https://donate.stripe.com/7sYcN48uybAA2OEb9V93y06

Life is What You Make It or Allow Others To Make Of It For You

I have written and come to a realization, which has become a motif of sorts for me. Perhaps “motif” is not the perfect word, but it returns again and again. Nevertheless, I have written and come to the realization that life is about people and how people relate to one another. Yet life is what you make it, or allow others to make of it for you. I have come to discover that reality. Kierkegaard once said, “Once you label me, you negate me.” Hmmm? This is a profound point. This echoes true then, that life is about people and how people relate, yet life is what you make it or allow others to make of it for you. We are talking about the dynamics of it. Yet we are caught in a dynamic. The life that we have created is one that involves a dynamic—a dynamic that affects the relationship that exists between people based on one’s position. Yes. But nevertheless, life—and so therefore, it becomes true then—that life is about people and how people relate. Yet life is what you make it, or make of it, or allow others to make of it for you. So the dynamic that you are in is a creative space. Yes? By who? By people themselves, who continue to make something of life that God has given us. God has given us life to make something of it. Life is to be lived. But how it is lived—you can either... you can either live it, or live in it, or live the life others want you to live. And I said, life is about people and how people relate. Yeah. Life is what you make it. What you make it. Or life is what you make it, or allow others to make of it for you. Others. I mean, I want to be a thermostat, not a thermometer. What about you? Rev. Renaldo C. McKenzie is the Author of the Neoliberalism Book Series. Book 1: Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty and Resistance, 2021 Book 2: Neoliberal Globalization Reconsidered, Neo-Capitalism and The Death of Nations (Out in 2026) Visit us at Https://theneoliberal.com, https://renaldocmckenzie.com