Rediscovering Our Roots: A Talk on Indentureship and Identity with Kyneata Joseph
In this compelling podcast episode, host Rajan Nazran welcomes Kyneata Joseph, an esteemed assistant professor of history at the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) in Trinidad and Tobago. Prepare for an engaging intellectual discussion as they delve into the intricate topic of indentured Indians, offering profound insights that are truly worth listening to.
Kyneata shares her reflections on the significance of identity, drawing upon a thought-provoking webinar she attended. She sheds light on her perspective regarding her Indian heritage and clarifies how the term “Indian” is understood in contemporary contexts. Exploring the misconceptions surrounding indentureship, she highlights the enduring impact of its brutality on the Indian community today.
Furthermore, she expresses her admiration for governments in St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Grenada, which recognise the power of diverse identities and actively celebrate the multicultural essence of the Caribbean. She also addresses the unfortunate lack of knowledge surrounding the Indian community and discusses the underlying reasons for this gap, including the absence of dedicated universities in the Caribbean that prioritise documenting indentured history.
Don’t miss out on this captivating podcast episode, where Kyneata Joseph delves into the multifaceted subjects of identity, indentureship, Indian heritage, and other intriguing topics that will captivate your interest.
Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.
Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran
Introduction music: (credit: https://freesound.org/people/N0IZ)
About Kyneata Joseph
Dr Terencia Kyneata Joseph is an Assistant Professor in History at the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) in Trinidad and Tobago. Within the History and Social Studies Department, she specialises in lecturing on subjects such as Caribbean, European, Gender History, and Ethnic Minorities. Her research focuses on St. Lucia, the wider Windward Islands, and topics encompassing Indians, children, gender, and environmental history.
Originally from St. Lucia, Dr Joseph relocated to Trinidad and Tobago to pursue her undergraduate degree in History at the University of the West Indies. She further pursued a Doctor of Philosophy in History, completing her studies and receiving her degree in 2008. Her doctoral thesis, titled ‘A History of Indian Indentured Labour: The Saint Lucia Experience, 1859 to 1903,’ showcases her expertise in the subject.
Beyond academia, Dr Joseph considers herself a creative individual and finds fulfilment in activities such as sewing and crafting, just as much as she does in front of a computer or the classroom.
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