Centering Woman: Gender Discourses in Caribbean Slave Society

by Hilary McD. Beckles

The racial character of the anti-colonial discourse in the Caribbean had the effect of removing from centre stage the essential maleness of the targeted colonial historiography. This text focuses attention on women's location at the centre of a male-managed colonial world that simultaneously sought their otherness through objectified forms of discourse.

Genres: History

211 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Sir Hilary McDonald Beckles KA (born 11 August 1955) is a Barbadian historian, he is the current vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI) and chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Committee.

Educated at the University of Hull in England, Beckles began his academic career at UWI, and was granted a personal professorship at the age of 37, becoming the youngest in the university's history. He was named pro-vice-chancellor and chairman of UWI's Board for Undergraduate Studies in 1998, and in 2002 was named principal of the university's Cave Hill campus. Although his focus has mainly been on Afro-Caribbean history, especially the economic and social impacts of colonialism and the Atlantic slave trade, Beckles has also had a longstanding involvement with West Indian cricket, and has previously served on the board of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Reviews

[Neil Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably above my academic level, this one. But, interesting to read about women's experiences during those times.

[jPhx · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique view of the effect of slavery from women's point of view, one that is rarely put forward.