The NeoLiberal Round

Caribbean Thought 2026 Lecture Series: Welcome and Introduction

1 h 11 min · 13. maj 2026
episode Caribbean Thought 2026 Lecture Series: Welcome and Introduction cover

Beskrivelse

Welcome, everyone, to the 2026 series of lectures in Caribbean Thought at the Jamaica Theological Seminary. Rev. Renaldo McKenzie, the Lecturer, introduces students to the course. The Course is held at Jamaica Theological Seminary via Zoom for students enrolled in a four-year degree program. Students join the course from the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada. Prof. Renaldo begins: "Today, we embark on a critical journey by asking an important question: What is Caribbean Thought? Caribbean Thought is a philosophical inquiry into the Caribbean—our identity, our history, our consciousness, and our place in the world. It explores the intellectual, historical, political, cultural, and spiritual currents that have shaped the Caribbean experience and continue to influence our societies today. “The slaves who worked on the plantations and in the factories of San Domingo were a docile and faithful people... of a fine physique and good disposition.” — C. L. R. James, Activity Watch the YouTube Excerpt: (C. L. R. James interview on his book "Black Jacobins" (1970), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUnO8lfoVBk&list=PL7mFlc_qQAIOi9XZUOQ4Rh7FtCrzlKd_h&index=21&t=4s) That quote opens the door beautifully into discussing how colonial narratives often portrayed Africans as inferior while simultaneously depending entirely on their labor, intelligence, organization, and humanity. This is because our history speaks from a position of oppression rather than a position of victory. One that is not “afrocentric” or of a certain paradigm (Mazama, 2021). So, where do we begin this inquiry? First, we must recognize that perspective shapes thought. The way we see the world influences the conclusions we draw about history, culture, power, and ourselves. Example we may speak of Theories and "mythoforms" - patterns by which we organize thoughts and experiences, and we have inherited patterns and forms that are far removed from our centers. Therefore, this inquiry requires us to think critically, to develop a paradigm that speaks to our experiences (one that is Afrocentric) and to explore key concepts such as Afrocentrism, Eurocentrism, postcolonialism, nationalism, colonialism, and decolonization. We must develop a paradigm that speaks to our experiences as Caribbean people rather than merely inheriting frameworks imposed upon us. As postcolonial subjects, we must also cultivate a healthy skepticism. History has often been bastardized to serve the interests and ideologies of colonizers. We must therefore question dominant narratives and ask difficult questions. Do we begin Caribbean history with Christopher Columbus as the “discoverer” or founder of the Caribbean? We know that the Taíno peoples were already here. We also encounter evidence and arguments suggesting African influence and contact long before European domination. If so, what does this say about Africans as sailors, navigators, and participants in global exchange? We also learn that Europeans gained knowledge through interactions and trade with Africans before eventually dominating and underdeveloping Africa while reconstructing its history through colonial lenses. This distortion of history demands reimagining and reconsideration. Thus, we must begin with a paradigm that centers our thinking, our experiences, and our perspectives as Caribbean people. Only then can we meaningfully engage Caribbean Thought—not as passive recipients of history, but as active interpreters of our own reality. Is there a paradigm for the study of Caribbean Thought.... Rev. Renaldo McKenzie is the Author of Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty and Resistance and the upcoming book, Neoliberal Globalization Reconsidered, Neo-Capitalism and the Death of Nations. Renaldo completed his Master of Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania and has been engaged in doctoral work at Georgetown and Temple Universities. Renaldo is President of The Neoliberal Corporation. https://theneoliberal.com

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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

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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

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