Mixing—whether referred to as mestizaje; callaloo; hybridity; creolization; or multiculturalism—is a foundational cultural trope in Caribbean and Latin American societies. Historically entwined with colonial; anticolonial; and democratic ideologies; ideas about mixing are powerful forces in the ways identities are interpreted and evaluated. As Aisha Khan shows in this ethnography; they reveal the tension that exists between identity as a source of equality and identity as an instrument through which social and cultural hierarchies are reinforced. Focusing on the Indian diaspora in the Caribbean; Khan examines this paradox as it is expressed in key dimensions of Hindu and Muslim cultural history and social relationships in southern Trinidad. In vivid detail; she describes how disempowered communities create livable conditions for themselves while participating in a broader culture that both celebrates and denies difference.Khan combines ethnographic research she conducted in Trinidad over the course of a decade with extensive archival research to explore how Hindu and Muslim Indo-Trinidadians interpret authority; generational tensions; and the transformations of Indian culture in the Caribbean through metaphors of mixing. She demonstrates how ambivalence about the desirability of a callaloo nation—a multicultural society—is manifest around practices and issues; including rituals; labor; intermarriage; and class mobility. Khan maintains that metaphors of mixing are pervasive and worth paying attention to: the assumptions and concerns they communicate are key to unraveling who Indo-Trinidadians imagine themselves to be and how identities such as race and religion shape and are shaped by the politics of multiculturalism.
#198063 in Books Bulfinch 2003-01Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.33 x .88 x 8.33l; 1.83 #File Name: 0821228420160 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent teaching tool!By Kindle CustomerI was spured to purchase this because I had seen a portion of the video in a class I am currently taking. I had actually gon in search of the DVD and literally stumble across this companion book. I highly recommend students and lovers of history in general both watch the original HBO special and read this book. We are so unaware of the sheer dichotomy of life experience within the slave existence; and it is something every American needs to understand.Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This Is Required ReadingBy Steve VranaI purchased this companion novel to the HBO documentary "Unchained Memories" (which I also own) after the latter made such an impact on me. I use them both in the high school classroom as reference materials for our study of slavery before we read Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." [My core novel is Julius Lester's "To Be a Slave."]"Unchained Memories" is broken into eight thematic chapters: 1. Slave Auctions 2. Work 3. Family 4. Living Conditions 5. Abuse 6. Special Occasions 7. The Runaway 8. EmancipationIn addition to numerous excerpts from the Federal Writers' Projects interviews; there are numerous illustrations and photos (including many of the former slaves excerpted in this book). Seeing actual photos of these ex-slaves (taken at the time of the interviews in the late 1930s) adds a personal connection to their stories.While the HBO film utilized dramatic readings; the words of these former slaves are so powerful they grip the reader from beginning to end. This is a powerful book and at 160 pages; a quick read. One you will never forget.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Unchained Memories; Love was alive and well for a black amn and woman!By Rebecca J. WrightI was doing a Black History program on 'Black Love'; we needed to verify that there were personal accounts of actual weddings; marriages; and deep family ties for that period of time. I had ordred a copy of this book when it aired on TV; but lost it. It was a great asset for this program. We have all been misled to think that there were no family example for black people during this aweful time; but we found that love ran very; very deep; with hope for finding families and unite with them. It was wonderful. I have talked with other black people that had no idea of this relationship during slavery. Many thought the examples of black love was always so negative; as if Dr. Cartright's research was actually true. Shame on them!. Every living creature created by God has a simblance of heartfelt love or commitment for at least a little while.
