Through My Eyes, In My Words:

West Indian Identities

Taught by John T. McCartney, professor of government and law, and Samuel A. Hay, visiting professor of government and law

Alexandra Gerry of Hopewell, N.J., is a double major in psychology and anthropology and sociology. Last summer she took a new six-week Lafayette course in London, Ethical & Social Issues in Health Care in the U.K. and the U.S., including an internship at Rhodes Farm Clinic, Mill Hill, which treats patients with eating disorders. She volunteers in the Landis Community Outreach Center’s Big Brother Big Sister program at the Boys and Girls Club of Easton and is a member of the field hockey club.

By Alexandra Gerry ’06

The trip to Nassau started with a bang! We arrived on the night of the Junkanoo New Year’s Eve festival. The sounds of drums and cowbells on Bay Street lasted from sundown until about three in the afternoon the following day. The wonderful costumes and floats danced through the streets adding brightness and flavor. Bahamians of all ages took part in the Junkanoo festival, which has turned into a competition for best theme and dance. The festival happens twice a year, the day after Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Our trip was especially lucky because due to bad weather the Christmas parade had been postponed, and we were able to experience it. Seeing what Junkanoo meant to the Bahamian people made the experience unforgettable.

While in the Bahamas we learned a great deal about the Bahamian culture, not just the one that is perceived by tourists. Professor McCartney took us on tours of the island where we were able to see his childhood neighborhood, meet the Anglican bishop, and see the elite parts of New Providence. Due to Professor McCartney’s many connections we were welcomed into some Bahamian households for receptions. Large amounts of generosity were shown to us by the local people. We were also given the amazing opportunity to interact with many prominent Bahamians such as the poets Patrick Rahmming and Robert Johnson and Senator Tanya McCartney.

The class was divided into two sections. The first section was taught by Professor McCartney and centered on the politics of the West Indies. We focused a great deal on the corruption in the Bahamian government today. Professor Hay taught the literature section of the class. The poems, plays, short stories, and novels that we read and analyzed truly provided an insight into what it means to be Bahamian, or better yet, West Indian. Much of the native Caribbean culture evolved from the slaves and their West African roots, this was portrayed in every piece that we worked with.

We had free time to enjoy Nassau after class. Many times we ventured to the beach at Paradise Island, where the Atlantis resort is located. One day we took a five-hour sailing cruise that allowed us to snorkel off the boat. The beautiful blue water and white sand and the amazing culture of the Bahamas will truly be remembered by everyone who took the course.