SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT
Candidate’s Name: J’zara Adams, Kyla Claverie, Alexandra Charles, Abbigail Brooks
Candidate’s Registration Number:
Centre/School Name: Bishop Anstey High School East
Centre/School Number: 160195
Subject: Caribbean History
Topic: The Impacts of The Black Power Movement on Trinidadian Society
Teacher’s Name: Ms. Layne
Territory: Trinidad
Year of Examination: May/June 2023
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank God for giving us the determination, diligence and teamwork
needed to complete our SBA. As well as our school, parents and history teacher, Ms. Layne,
for providing us with help along the way.
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Table Of Contents
Acknowledgements.................................................................................................................................. i
Table Of Contents ................................................................................................................................... ii
Research Question .................................................................................................................................. 1
Rationale ................................................................................................................................................. 2
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3
The Impacts of The Black Power Movement on Trinidadian Society ..................................................... 4
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 7
Work Cited .............................................................................................................................................. 8
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Research Question
What were the effects of the Black Power Movement in Trinidad and Tobago between 1968
and 1985?
1
Rationale
This topic was chosen because race relations continue to be a challenge for modern
Trinidadian society., The researchers were therefore curious about effects of the Black Power
Revolution and the possible need to re look history as we seek to chart a way forward to
determine if the revolution was successful in accomplishing its objectives and if these successes
are still relevant today. Secondary sources such as journals, articles, and media articles and
clippings were the main sources of data. These sources were more easily accessible as the
history of the BPM is well documented while it would be difficult to obtain primary data.
2
Introduction
This research will investigate whether the Black Power Movement (BPM) had a
significant impact on the social, economic, political, and cultural landscape of Trinidad.
Emerging in the late 1960s, the BPM in Trinidad called for recognition of Trinidad’s African
heritage and culture, as well as for the economic and political empowerment for Black
Trinidadians. The movement faced significant opposition from the government, however, this
revolution helped pave the way for greater racial and social justice in Trinidad and Tobago.
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The Impacts of The Black Power Movement on Trinidadian Society
The BPM’s main objectives were Black Empowerment, Educational Reform, Economic
and Social Justice and Political Representation.SOURCE In order to gauge the fulfillment of
these goals, this research paper will investigate the impact the BPM had on these areas.
Prior to the BPM, Black held little actual political power in society as positions of power
continued to be dominated by whites and elites. After the BPM new political parties with a
spotlight on afro-Trinidadian issues and increased political consciousness arose such as
National Joint Action Committee (Austin,2017). Issues affecting the Afro-Trinidadian like
police brutality, political corruption, and racial inequality in politics were highlighted
(Quinn,2014) (Reddock,1977). Thirdly, the revolution encouraged marginalized black groups
to be more active and vocal in advocating for their rights and interests in political
spheres(Quin,2014)
The education systems lacked any content of black history and was only accessible to the
elites in society. The BPM affected the social aspect of the lives of Afro Trinidadians. It
encouraged a sense of Black Empowerment by eg and changes in the education system such as
the inclusion of Black History and Culture in the school syllabus which led to more knowledge
of Black People’s contributions to the Caribbean and Trinidad (Teelucksingh,2013)
(Reddock,1975).. It encouraged black people to assert their rights and demand social and
economic equity (Teelucksingh,2013). However, it also cause increased tension between Afro
and Indo-Trinidadians as the movement was seen as a direct threat to the status quo and there
was a fear it would lead to the marginalization of the East Indians (Teelucksingh,2013). As
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such while it gave black people the voice they needed to demand better treatment in society
and to be represented in the education system, it causes other ethnic groups to isolate them
further.
Culturally, the BPM was the catalyst for major innovation in Art, Music and Religion.
Afrocentric Art emerged as a product of the new interest in African culture and Heritage. Artists
like Leroy Clarke, Ras Akyem I Ramsay and Eddie Bowen used their work to celebrate Black
Identity and Pride (Newsday,2021). It also led to new music genres like soca and rapso as
artists started incorporating African Rhythms into their work (Loop News, 2020. Awareness
of African spirituality increased. As blacks began exploring religions such as Ifa and Orisha
(Newsday,2021). The Revolution’s Cultural reverberations is felt in Art, Music and Religions
practiced to this day.
The BPM highlighted the economic inequalities among the races in Trinidad and Tobago.
The government was forced to implement policies aimed at promoting economic development
and empowerment among the black population in the country. Such as “the establishment of
a number of community-based organizations that provided support to black businesses and
promoted self-reliance” example(Abdullah, 1981). There was also a move to Nationalize key
industries and resources such as oil and sugar, “We believe that nationalization is necessary if
we are to have control over our own economy and resources" ("NJAC"). This was considered
a shift in the power structure which challenged the dominance of the white and Indian elites
and highlighted the need for greater representation and participation of Afro-Trinidadians in
the economy. Overall, the BPM had a remarkable impact on the economic development in the
country with the implementation of Community-based Organizations, the Nationalization of
Key Industries and resources and a shift in the power structure of Trinidad and Tobago.
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In conclusion, the BPM did in fact achieve its objectives. It generated a sense of Black
Solidarity and renewed interest in Black culture and heritage, it paved the way for more AfroTrinidadian representation on the political stage, resulted in the inclusion of African culture
into the Caribbean and gave rise to organizations which helped blacks to obtain financial
sovereignty. The BPM had beneficial effects for POC1 in Trinidad for years to come.
1
POC-Person of Color; a person who is of a race other than white or who is of mixed race (MerriamWebster,2023)
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the Black Power Movement of 1970 played a monumental role in the
lives of Trinidadians both then and now. It represented the ability of citizens to rise and fight
for what they believe in. The Black Power Revolution was beneficial in many ways. It paved
the way for further nationalization of industries, improvements in the political and economic
representation of afro-Trinidadians, solidarity among Africans in Trinidad and a greater
appreciation and recognition for African culture and traditions. Without the Black Power
Movement, many POC Students would not have access to the opportunities they do presently.
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Work Cited
Teelucksingh, Jerome. "The Black Power Movement in Trinidad and Tobago." Caribbean
Quarterly, vol. 59, no. 2, 2013, pp. 1-21.
Quinn, Kate, editor. Black Power in the Caribbean. University of Georgia Press, 2014.
Reddock, Rhoda. "Education and Black Power in Trinidad and Tobago." Caribbean
Quarterly, vol. 21, no. 2, 1975, pp. 42-50.
"Leroy Clarke's Iconic Art." Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, 28 Feb. 2021,
www.newsday.co.tt/2021/02/28/leroy-clarkes-iconic-art/
"The Black Power Movement and Soca Music." Loop News, 14 Aug. 2020,
loopnewsbarbados.com/feature/black-power-movement-and-soca-music-52745
"Exploring Orisha Traditions in Trinidad and Tobago." Trinidad and Tobago Newsday, 21
Feb. 2021, www.newsday.co.tt/2021/02/21/exploring-orisha-traditions-in-trinidad-andtobago/.
Abdullah, David. From Black Power to People Power: The Political Economy of Trinidad
and Tobago, 1969-1981. The Press, University of the West Indies, 1997.
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National Joint Action Committee. "NJAC: Building a Revolutionary People's Economy."
1970. Reprinted in The Black Power Revolution in Trinidad: An Anthology of Documents,
edited by Selwyn Ryan, University of the West Indies Press, 1995, pp. 56-61.
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