African Survival and Creativity

When and how did you first learn about the enslavement of African people (a/k/a slavery, the slave trade)?  I’ve known about slavery from a very young age. The truth is my family taught me about it as early as I can remember. My uncle is a professor and historian and has written books on slavery and colonialism, particularly in Barbados, so the subject has always been close to hand. 

How did that knowledge affect you at the time?  It has always given me a sense of power to know that I have ancestors who survived such atrocious events. Had they not survived, I would not be here. That’s the viewpoint that we were given within our family structure and that I grew up with.  

How does your knowledge and awareness of the history of the enslavement of African people affect you as an artist now?  How does it influence your work?  I’m always aware of the struggle of those who came before me so, no matter how difficult or challenging I find being creative in this environment, I am still able to push on knowing that the challenges are far less than what came before. My appreciation for what they have done for us I believe, is also echoed in my work when putting forward positive energies.  

How have you personally experienced enslavement as an artist?  How have you personally experienced Emancipation as an artist?  I don’t feel I’ve experienced enslavement as an artist, as my expression is my freedom. I am emancipated every time I create as I feel the creation comes from The Most High so when I dance, sing or write I feel truly free.  

How can we as artists uplift our people, i.e. people of African heritage?  How can we as artists liberate our people?  How can we as artists unify our people?  I believe through uplifting myself and my soul through my truth and positivity that it in turn I can uplift others. It is never a primary focus to purely uplift my cultural counterparts – my focus is to uplift people from all nations.  Being of African descent, my African nature is in everything I do explicitly.  I believe that inspiration can come in many forms and that, if I am successful in inspiring, I will also be successful in uplifting. To reiterate, I believe that by being true to myself I can inspire others to be true to themselves.  

I would use the art forms to remind the people of where they’ve come from. In song it would be conscious lyrics and traditional melodies (Reggae, African, Soca) and the equivalent in dance. Reminders and celebrations of our past journey serve to uplift us into our future.  

Caroline creates on paper, through song and with dance.  Up and coming – she has two books in the pipeline, and an album working with UK producers from London, Manchester and Birmingham. She has moved from a full time career as a youth worker, project coordinator and trainer to concentrate on her first love, art and creativity. Her Caribbean background and African roots underpin all her work and she has been acclaimed to be ‘fresh, new and truthful’.  She is driven by love and positivity.