Stepping Out: Peter Tosh and the Dynamics of Afro-Caribbean Existence
Caribbean Quarterly, Volume 58, No. 4 (December 2012)
26 Pages Posted: 3 Mar 2013 Last revised: 11 Apr 2013
Date Written: 2012
Abstract
This paper examines what we call the wordworks, or philosophical and spiritual teachings in the lyrics of Peter Tosh, as a lens through which to uncover spiritual dimensions of Afro-Caribbean existence that operate outside of the pervasive (neo) colonial status quo. Tosh, a Jamaican reggae musician, created his own language as a source of empowerment to construct an alternative and liberatory personhood and modality of being that challenged the prevailing colonial and neo-colonial hegemonic structures. The paper further repositions the significance of popular discourse and the contributions of the Spirit to articulating a Caribbean existence that moves beyond the European Enlightenment paradigm which continues to shape our intellectual discourse and movements.
Keywords: Peter Tosh, Afro-Caribbean existence, social justice, discrimination, spirituality, Caribbean intellectual tradition
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation