The chattel slavery of Africans for over 500 years serves as one of the saddest commentaries on man’s inhumanity to man. The level of cruelty was incomparable to anything recorded in modern history. That protracted and intensive atrocities of slavery have had a lingering effect.
As cruel and painful as chattel slavery was, only a worse form of slavery could exceed it. The slavery that captures the mind and incarcerates the motivation, perception, aspiration and identity in a web of anti-self images, is crueler than the shackles on the wrists and ankles. Mental slavery generates a personal and collective self-destruction.
The slavery that feeds on the psychology, invading the soul of man, destroying his loyalties to him and establishing allegiance to forces that destroy him, is an even worse form of capture.
Slavery constituted a severe psychological and social shock to the minds of Africans. This shock was so destructive to natural life processes that the current generation, though we are five to six generations removed from the actual experiences of slavery, still carry the scars of this experiences in both our social and mental lives. Problems, which persist in our lives, clearly have their roots in slavery.
It is unbelievable that, in this 21st. century, we are facilitating the invasion of fast food multinationals into the Nature Isle. The fast food franchises are totally incompatible with the notion of ‘eat what we grow and grow what we eat’. Preservatives, saturated fats, salt are the major harmful ingredients in those fast foods, which cause many complications in the human body. It includes heart diseases, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Dominicans, especially the youths, are in high risk of getting obese nowadays from eating too much fast ‘junk’ food. Increase in eating fast foods cannot be the way to go for healthy living in Dominica.
High cost of living is taking its toll. People’s standard of living has declined considerably. The chains around the minds have made people more fearful, passive and subdued. Policies of a new economic slavery are readily accepted.
Failure to inform, to communicate with the masses and involve the population’s participation in identifying and implementing strategies for economic development will spell disaster for the Nature Isle. Paulo Freire, renowned Brazilian educator, warned in his book, ‘Pedagogy of the Oppressed,’ that to substitute monologues, slogans, and communiqués for dialogue is to try to liberate the oppressed with the instruments of domestication.
The prejudices of some of the dominant class include a lack of confidence in the people’s ability to think, to want and to know. So they run the risk of falling into a type of generosity as harmful as that of the oppressors.
A powerful propaganda machine still seeks to ensnare the mind, after which the body is a willing zombie. We must not fail to grasp this reality.
The abominable acts committed during slavery and the slave trade, should remind us to continue resisting all forms of slavery. The need to reject the Crown colony political culture of Massa, authoritarianism and paranoid dismissal of all criticisms is more urgent now.
The positive lyrical contents of our Cadencelypso and Calypso songs have not meaningfully impacted our thinking and consciences. Our good moral and ethical values have been thrown out of the window. Sissy Caudeiron, who sang decades ago, ‘Pas Kite Yo Pwen Domnik Hord Nou, (Don’t let them take Dominica from us) must be turning in her grave.
C.L.R. James summed it up succinctly long ago when he pointed out that as Christopher Columbus set foot on West Indian soil for the first time, he first thanked God and then inquired urgently after gold. History accounts that colonialists gave Kalinago and Africans bibles with one hand and grabbed their land with the other. The Columbus mission continues. ‘EMANCIPATE YOURSELF FROM MENTAL SLAVERY,’ sang Bob Marley. He also prophesised, ‘They continue to kill our prophets, while we stand aside and look.’
physical slavery nothing comparable but lucky the chains was removed.
Worst is the slavery of the mind,mental slavery,one which each individual has to fight for his own freedom.prevelant amongst us today,just listen to the nation station,ZERO independent thinking.
political slavery of the mind. when !when! will we learn?
@FED UP DOMINICAN: I agree with you, whites were not responsible for slavery, it was their own brothers who sold them out of greed. (Look at the movie Amistad from which the pic is taken)
Secondly even today we continue to behave like crabs in a barrel, working much harder at keeping each other down as oppose to excelling and improving our lives. Take a look at the Syrians the all seem to thrive together. The chines are committed to helping each other. Their indians (Trini) stand up for their own no matter what.
Do not forget as much as the fast ‘junk’ food may be convenient, high cholesterol is a silent killer.
We are in the last days, people of the soil be alert and take heed, the mass production of the chemical foods coming to the nature isle is to shorten ourlives. Wake up and be alert spritually, if we Dominicans do not appreciate what GOD has given us through NATURE it will be taken away from us by natural disasters. I can see it coming. I AM A WOMAN OF THE SOIL.
1 day we shall be FREE..!!!…the struggle continues but the heart is fixed on a brighter day!
Using slavery to validate a fast food discussion is not cutting it.
Mental slavery in DA is a far bigger problem than who owns the Villas ..Bubbles or Skerrit… Nero fiddled while Rome burned and now most Dominicans are fiddling while Dominica burns.
Mostly all the systems and beliefs in play in DA are what the master allowed and indoctrinated most to follow.
But Emancipation from mental slavery is the true challenge. Uplifting one another and unifying to enable all of us to progress as a nation should be the goal of every adult Domincan.
@irving: They only blur out breasts if it belongs to a white woman!
Firstly, I agree with the author of the article that these ‘junk’ foods has health implications, however, I do not see the link between this and slavery. There are fast food places both in North America and Europe.
Secondly, those the article reminds the nation that it’s people are still mentally enslaved, he failed to provide realistic answers to dealing with this issue. Vague economic propositions, and slangs by past persons do not meaningfully solve the problems.
@ VALDA,YOU ARE LOOKING AT CREATION.BLESS.
Ok lets all blame the white man for slavery and fast food.
Slavery was NOT started by the white man. It was started from tribal hatred by the black man.
Whites saw it as a easy way to make money and once slaves were transported around the
world, they saw it as way of control and cheap labour.. The tribal leaders would capture the vulnerable and sell them. Shocked, so you should be. Rubbish I hear you say. Well have you read books such as Blaze, Drum, Jubal, Mandingo, or even seen Alex Hayleys’ Roots.
We the black race are our worst enemies.
As for fast food/junk food, no one stands at the door and force us to go in. We do so because
we see it on TV/ in the papers (and our friends/relatives from abroad tell us about them) and we want some of that, because we want to be like everyone else. Lets not pretend that we dont know its bad for us, we know, but we convince ourselves that a little every now and then wont harm us.
Yes I eat Pizzas, KFC, Mackie Ds (MacDonalds),Burger King, but I do prefer natural foods.
No I am not over weight or obese nor do I suffer from High Blood Pressure and nor am I
Diabetic. I eat all of the above because I can. Its called freedom of choice.
Last bit of ranting for now, lets not call it mental slavery, but brain washing. And lets admit that brain washing is not just done by the elite, but by anyone with a stronger mind than those who are prepared to listern, those who have no goals of their own, but are prepared to follow.
Just two more thoughts. One, Dominica is the only country in the Caribbean that did not put up a leader from within the working class or labour movement as leader when universal adult suffrage came into being and two Dominica is one of very few countries in the Caribbean where the mullatoes successfully fought out the white. Not violently though. Figure out the rest.
I think that DNO should allow this sort of writing as seen here. That I think will be more stimulating to read. One thing though, a drunk man never admits he is drunk and if one is trapped mentally he cant admit it cause he doesn’t know he is.
It is not a question of blaming awhite man or a ‘neo’ white man. We in Dominica have a serious problem with accepting that we are being manipulated by what Marx called the super structure. we don’t really like darkskinned people. Just look at the comments posted about the 2011 queen contestants. The never ending reference to people we dont like as those little black boys.
I dont think it is really about black boys though I think it is about those black boys who dont sing from the hymn sheets of those in the superstructure.
Interesting article and some nice comments, but I like the thinking of “is That So”.
Everyone has the right to consume what he/she chooses. Anyone can purchase the rights to a franchise and then bring that franchise down to Dominica. It is then up to the consumers to buy or not buy. So don’t blame the system or the white man or the elite (or whatever name)… blame the people who continue to patronize those establishments. And even then, it is within their right to buy from wherever they choose. If you’re against fast food then convince your family and friends that the contents of the food are unhealthy to consume and then they should do the same. But it is impossible to do that on a country level. Why is that so? Because the same way they (America) want us to eat their food, we (Dominica) want them to consume our products (tourism, agriculture, etc).
That’s My2Sense… back with more later
Oh My God.. Black people are sceary!
@HumbleAfrican that is a pic from the movie “Amistad” and the guy in the middle is “DJimon Hinsu” married to Kimora Lee Simmons, who was previously married to Russel Simmons of the rap group RunDMC
@Administrator, why didn’t you censor this pic? the woman’s boobs are exposed
@Humble African: AMISTAD starring Djimon Hounsou and Anthony Hopkins
Um.. aren’t they supposed to blur out the breasts or something? i think it might offend some ppl.
My people, we are still in slavery! that is why Tony Asstaphan is allowed to tell us what do do after our the sucked the blood of our forefathers.
hey
desmond,
i think this pic you have is from a movie.. could you please give details of the name etc so that i can try to purchase… these movies on history have a special meaning to me..
would really appreciate the information
thanks in advance
humble african
@Is that so?: Did anyone blame the white man? I dont blame my parents or my government, why should I blame the white man. For what?, after having gone to school, gotten a job and paying bills… where does the white man come in?
The article is about a greater degree of consciousness and remaining rooted in our principles as a nation.
Ease up the food issue already. One would think that the poor man wrote against fast foods in Dominica, which was used as a mere example to expound on the theme of the article.
It’s just too much talking and blabbering. Selective eyes, selective thoughts.
I got work to do.
The appropriate ministries need to seriously monitor the quality of bulk foods coming in to DA. There are contaminants in and on the foods that may eventually lead to cancer in many people.
It is bad enough that there is overuse of chemicals in the farming industry as well as general population here. This plus the imports spell poor health for DA’s people.
Wake up Ministries of Agriculture, Trade and Health. It is up to you to ensure that there are safe guards in place to at least try to protect the population.
I endorse the title of the article and every thing articulated therein. I hope our people take heed especially with respect to their eating habits. Buy local eat local.
@Is that so?:
“Even God gave us the freedom of choice, while admonishing us of the consequences of rejecting his principles and precepts.” Isn’t this part of your response exactly what the good gentleman is doing? reconising that we have choices but speaking to the consequences of the choices we make.
hahahah…lol..boobs on dno…nice article..not like i read it. …get over slavery…it’s the past hate when people just keep repeating it…i come from my mum’s womb…i know the grand parents…that’s the furthest…if someone rape me…should i talk about it every anniversary
@hmmm: Too many of us become to melodramic about every issue and blame the ‘white man’ or ‘the system’ for all our ills. This too is a form of mental slavery, that we need to get out of. If you read my comments well, Sir, you would have noticed that I commended the gentleman for educating us, and indeed for all who continue to do so, BUT we all need not believe that we ‘know it all’ and that everything we say is sacrosanct. Eating too much dasheen and yams too lead to diabetes and other forms of non-communicable diseases. So it’s not just what you eat, but in what quantities, and how balanced our diet is.
We need to get rid of ALL FORMS of mental slevery, and that includes blaming everything that affects us on everyone else, BUT OURSELVES!!!!
OOOHHHHHHHHHHHH I LOVE THIS ARTICLE! IT IS A MASTERPIECE!!!
This is brief but a masterpiece. The continued consumption of all these foods which are high in cholesterol and other dangerous chemicals are killing us not just economically but physically. Some are arguing that we all live in a democratic society and are free to choose, however we all have to ask ourselves where does that fierce preference for the imported “slow poison” comes from? This is indeed very fundamental.
DESMOND MANY WOULD TRY TO SUHT YOU UP.BUT THE DRUMS OF FREEDOM IS SOUNDING IN DA.TAKE HEED.THE UPPER CLASS HAS ALREADY MADE THERE MOVE INTO THE POSITION OF SLAVE MASTER ,THEY DID NOT USE THE BIBLE THEY USED INTELLECT. YES WE WENT TO SCHOOL BUT WERE TREATED BADLY BY THOSE TEACHERS, BECAUSE OF OUR POOR PARENTAGE.WE GOT TO SCHOOL LATE EVERY DAY.WE MISS SCHOOL SO OFTEN.WE ARE WHAT YOU MADE US.I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SPEAKING TO THE LONE RASTA MAN WHO GRADUATED AT DSC,HE TOLD ME THAT HE WAS ACCUSED BY HIS TEACHER OF SMOKEING WEED ON THE DSC COMPOUND,HE COUNTER THAT BY PRODUCEING A BLOOD TEST TO THE TEACHER.THE UPPER CLASS IS A HINDRANCE TO THE MASSES .TAKE HEED THE DRUMS OF FREEDOM.
@Is that so?: We must stop believing that we HAVE TO adapt to change. It is a false belief and we ourselves should not be hopelessly giving in to change, however and whenever it comes.
How much development can we say that we have achieved after having all the resorts, automated systems when in our countries of 70 and 150 thousand people 30 thousand are unemployed because of the so called age of automation or because the reason for which the resorts were built has failed or was blown in another direction of more opportunity?
How much development can we say we have achieved when the hands and legs of our people are being amputated from diabetes or cancer because of the food of development?
We can adapt and upgrade but are very much in control as to how and how much we accept, implement and conform to. It is because of this very past that we should be conscious and wise enough to be perceptive and transform change and development into a context and form that best suits us and in the long run works to our benefit.
We are in control and should always remain in control of change and HOW we develop. Our independence and our history of poverty and chattel slavery demands it.
And besides, no one can force anyone to eat or wear anything, but the country, health groups and as our brother’s keeper should give advice and persistently encourage our people esp. the youth. Learn to appreciate a good word for what it is. Stop the negativity.
@ohyeayea: Only individuals have the power to free themselves. Governments represent the people. They try to give the mass what they want or else they are out. So if we the people change our desires ,our wants to something better the government would have no choice but to give the people what they ask for.
It is high time that we begin to educate ourselfs on this matter. Micheal Jackson. ( I talking to the man in the mirror.i am asking him to change his ways)
peace
we need to establish a system of sensor of the media received from the United states. I creates a constant illusion of reality. KFC ,Mcdonals and the rest which is to much mention are the new istruments they a using to colonise the caribbean islands. This high import bill our governments pay is due to the fact that our people prefer to buy foriegn foods instead of their own ,destorying the economical integrity of the caribbean region. Through local media and advertising we can portary a good image about ourselfs about our products and about our countries. Thats right OUR countries . For after 500 year of slavery our people have a right to every piece of land /sea in the region. We should be proud that most of our leaders have always been black unlike the united states where blacks of treated as second class citizens.
In conculsion Imagary reflexs(sometimes create) reality. Stop the negative images, advertisements , movies coming to our reality prevent it from breaking the harmony the our fathers have tried to create.
Hey Doc,
Absolutely excellent. i beg to differ slightly on one issue. yes we must continue to encourage our people to grow muchof what they consume. There is no denying the fact that our locally grown foods are more healthy than what we see coming. The education and awareness must continue and that is a challenge for all of us.
The other significant issue is that we cannot build a tourism industry without providing for the visitor. Yes the visitor should be encouraged to feast with us on our local foods. We will succedd to get a few, but the vast majority would prefer to eat that which they are accustomed to.
Well put together documentary, couldn’t have been better said…. HEY PEOPLE! RISE UP FROM YOUR SLEEP CAUSE RIGHT AROUND U GOT EVIL, PRETTY SMILEs AND CHARMS PLEASE DONT TRUST THEM, THEY COME JUST LIKE WEAVEL IN CORNMEAL, WE DON’T TRUST THE PRIME-MINSTER AND THE THINGS THAT HE REVEALS, THE OPPOSITION LEADER IS SUTTLE THROUGH HIS HEEL, MEDITATION FIRE JAH HEART AH WE SHIELD WHO CANT HEAR THEY GONNA FEEL!!
gjve thanks to know there are strong minds still keeping up the opperssion but many off us only JAH knows what will become
Hey Desmond, while I would like to agree with you about the ‘Eat what you grow, grow what you eat’ talk which has been preached by many (including the likes of North Korea et al), we must be practical and understand that in this the 21st century we have to adapt to change, and change is inevitable.
So while I commend you and others to continue to preach the benefits of eating local, we also must be conscious of the fact that we live in a democratic society where people are free to choose and denying them that right would only lead to the ‘authoritarianism’ attitude that you claim to be against where a small group forcibly instill their beliefs on the majority (again check North Korea for reference).
Even God gave us the freedom of choice, while admonishing us of the consequences of rejecting his principles and precepts.
I hope no offense is taken to my limited interjection, and no ‘paranoid dismissal of my criticism’ is undertaken.
A peaceful independence to you and to ALL Dominicans. Let us all learn to love and appreciate each other, notwithstanding our differences!!!!
Excellent words, lets all free ourselve from this Mental slavery.