THE EDITOR, Sir:
PLEASE ALLOW me to submit my defence on behalf of the University of the West Indies in light of arguments raised in the article entitled 'UWI neglecting African history', which appeared on May 26, 2003.
The article, which relates to one of the issues that emerged during the recently concluded Caribbean Community Tourism Conference, quoted Valerie Dixon as stating that the UWI was under-reporting and misrepresenting the African retentions in Jamaican history and
culture.
The matter of misrepresentation baffles me, since many have accused the UWI of being too Afrocentric. I am aware of many publications and research projects which have focused on the African retentions in Jamaican religions, language, foods, ethno-medicine, folklore, etc. And all or most of these have been approached with a view to representing them not from an American or European point of view, but from an Afro-Jamaican perspective. Hence, I do not understand the charge of misrepresentation.
On the point of under-representation, I think the problem is that most of the research already done has been produced for the academic community. So the research exists but in a language and style which is inaccessible to the public. We will need to see to the production of 'public-friendly' versions of research done so everyone can benefit.
Also, the University has an annual Research Day during which the various projects carried out by the institution are showcased. There is always room for further research and improvements though.
In a final attempt to defend the UWI, I need to remind Ms. Dixon that our country's economic situation makes corporate entities quite reluctant to 'donate' cash, plus, many are even more reluctant to fund researches in the Humanities since they do not always see any financial benefits to be had in that field.
I am sure if Ms. Dixon convinces a few companies to back her vision, there are many persons at UWI who would be more than happy to take up the challenge.
I am, etc.,
JOSEPH T. FARQUHARSON
jotifa@yahoo.com
Recent UWI Graduate
Sidney Sussex College
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, CB2 3HU
United Kingdom
