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

See all articles by Taitu Heron

Taitu Heron

University of the West Indies (Open Campus)

Yanique Hume

University of the West Indies (Saint Augustine)

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

Heron, Taitu and Hume, Yanique, Stepping Out: Peter Tosh and the Dynamics of Afro-Caribbean Existence (2012). Caribbean Quarterly, Volume 58, No. 4 (December 2012), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2227792

Taitu Heron (Contact Author)

University of the West Indies (Open Campus) ( email )

Open Campus Country Site
1 Pine East-West Boulevard
Bridgetown, St Michael 11000
Barbados

Yanique Hume

University of the West Indies (Saint Augustine) ( email )

St. Augustine
Cave Hill Campus
St Michael, 868
Jamaica

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