Excerpts of Caribbean Thought Lecture 3 Part 2: Dependency, Revolution and Sovereignty

Excerpts of Caribbean Thought Lecture 3 Part 2: Dependency, Revolution and Sovereignty

This is an excerpt to Caribbean Thought facilitated by Rev. Renaldo McKenzie, Professor at Jamaica Theological Seminary and Creator and Host of The Neoliberal Round Podcast, President of The Neoliberal Corporation and Author of Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income INequality, Poverty and Resistance. Renaldo graduated with two masters from The University of Pennsylvania and publishing a second book Neoliberal Globalization Reconsidered. This Lecture is not the full Lecture but is an excerpt of some relevant discussion on Caribbean Independence and explores whether the Caribbean is truly independent and the strategy that maintains colonialism, and the power dynamic in the world that places black and brown people at the bottom. Students are come from all over the Americas and is facilitated via the zoom platform. Subscribe for free on ay stream. Find your stream at https://anchor.fm/theneoliberal. Visit us at https://theneoliberal.com or https://renaldocmckenzie.com Visit Jamaica Theological Seminary⁩  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC867xC0UofwCSw7SFbCumGQ] https://jts.edu.jm Call The Neoliberal at 445-260-9198 Email us at info@theneoliberal.com Donate to us https://donate.stripe.com/7sYcN48uybAA2OEb9V93y06

The 575th Tribe: The Lumbee Recognition, Indigenous Identity, and the Urban Indian Heritage Society

After more than a century of advocacy and decades of federal struggle, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has been officially recognized as America's 575th federally recognized American Indian tribe. In this important episode of The Neoliberal Round Podcast, host Renaldo McKenzie is joined by Phoenix Moon and Dr. Nolan Fontaine to discuss the historic passage of the Lumbee Act (S.107), the significance of federal recognition, and the role the Urban Indian Heritage Society played in supporting Indigenous advocacy and visibility. The conversation explores the Lumbee people's long journey from state recognition in 1885 to federal recognition in 2025, their history as the "People of the Dark Water," and broader questions surrounding Indigenous identity in America. The guests also discuss the work of the Urban Indian Heritage Society, Indigenous education, cultural preservation, reclassification efforts, and the ongoing debate over identity, ancestry, and belonging. Are African Americans, Black Americans, Indigenous Americans, or some combination of these identities? How do history, genealogy, race, and politics shape the way we understand ourselves? This episode tackles these challenging questions while examining the intersections of Native American and African American history. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on history, identity, recognition, and the continuing struggle for Indigenous visibility in America. Hosted by Renaldo McKenzie A production of The Neoliberal Corporation [https://theneoliberal.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] and The Neoliberal Round Podcast. Visit: * The Neoliberal Corporation [https://theneoliberal.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Renaldo McKenzie Official Website [https://renaldocmckenzie.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Subscribe to The Neoliberal Round Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

STREET VIBES PULSE OF THE STREET MAPPLEWOOD MALL PHILLY - CHECKING OUT MARGO'S CREATIVE DESIGNS

Street Vibes: Pulse of the Street is back on The Neoliberal Round this summer! In this episode, Renaldo McKenzie vibes with Margo at the African American Herbal Store in Maplewood Mall, Germantown, Philadelphia. Margo is a dynamic creator offering African herbs, scents, clothing, textiles, and all things holistic and African. The experience was powerful. The moment you walk in, the space breathes catharsis, therapy, peace, and culture. Margo is indomitable, pleasant, radiant, and welcoming, with a beautiful smile and a spirit that makes the room feel like home. Joining Renaldo on this Street Vibe is Benjamin Graves, a local Philadelphian who helped facilitate the discussion. Street Vibes is a production of The Neoliberal Round Podcast by Renaldo McKenzie and The Neoliberal Corporation. Visit: https://theneoliberal.com [https://theneoliberal.com] or https://renaldocmckenzie.com [https://renaldocmckenzie.com]

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