Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.

Our history of migration spans across the world. Join us as we journey with Alya Harding, a community organizer and PhD student, who shares her heartfelt exploration of Sierra Leonean Creole/Krio culture and her personal quest to uncover her Trinidadian roots. We examine the historical migrations that have woven a diverse Creole culture, bringing together Africans, African Americans, and Afro-Caribbean individuals in Sierra Leone. Alya's narrative of growing up in post-civil war Sierra Leone, paired with her newfound connections to her Caribbean heritage, paints a vivid picture of identity and belonging within the African diaspora.

This episode offers a thoughtful reflection on the complex layers of Creole culture, as seen through the lens of "roots versus routes" by scholar Paul Gilroy. We discuss the spiritual connections that bind African and Caribbean people, bolstered by historical movements such as the Haitian Revolution. The conversation also critically examines the romanticized idea of "returning" to Africa. We challenge the commercialization and exclusivity of this concept, advocating for genuine engagement with local communities and learning from past social movements. Alya enriches the dialogue with her personal anecdotes, and together we explore the enduring quest for freedom within Black communities worldwide. Dive into these narratives and gain access to further resources on the Strictly Facts podcast website, as we continue to explore these essential themes in our ongoing series.

Alya Harding, is a community organiser based in East London, concerned with issues of gender-based violence, migration, and agency. Alya’s activism and academic pursuits are deeply influenced by her early childhood in post-civil war Sierra Leone, shaped by the resilience of her Krio heritage and the richness of creolised cultures. She is particularly drawn to storytelling as a means to explore the tensions between theory and practice, grounded in a feminist approach that reimagines identity and freedom at the intersections of race, gender, and empire. Alya’s PhD research through an intergenerational discourse seeks to explore feminised migratory survival modes through the family pathology of African female headed households across Britain. In particular, examining how these practices affect their children, especially how they have shaped their daughters’ views on identity, belonging and healing.

Support the show

Connect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website

Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!

Want to Support Strictly Facts?

• Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform
• Share this episode with someone or online and tag us
• Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode
• Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education

Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.

Have you ever considered how the people we associate with one Caribbean island might actually hail from another, and how these stories of migration shape identities? Join me as we uncover the intriguing tales of Caribbean icons and their unexpected island origins. This episode of Strictly Facts takes you on a journey through the intertwined histories of the Caribbean, starting with Grenadian leaders Sir Eric Gairy and Maurice Bishop, whose roots stretch to Aruba, and extending to cultural figures like Rita Marley and the Mighty Sparrow, who have left indelible marks across multiple islands.

Immerse yourself in narratives that reveal the profound interconnectedness of the Caribbean region. Discover how Jamaican theater stalwart Randolph Williams began his life in Panama, and learn about Trinidadian model Sintra Bronte's surprising rise to become the face of Jamaican tourism. These stories highlight the fluidity of Caribbean identity and the vibrant cultural tapestry woven from movements across the islands. Tune in for a riveting exploration that reshapes our understanding of heritage, migration, and cultural influence throughout the Caribbean.

Support the show

Connect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website

Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!

Want to Support Strictly Facts?

• Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform
• Share this episode with someone or online and tag us
• Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode
• Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education

Produced by Breadfruit Media

Send us a text message and tell us your thoughts.

What can Aruba teach us about cultural resilience and the quest for autonomy? Join Strictly Facts as we sit down with Dr. Gregory Richardson from the Instituto Pedagogico Arubano to unveil the intricate layers of Aruba's history and culture. Dr. Richardson, a notable educator and researcher, sheds light on how Aruba's unique status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, known as status aparte, was realized in 1986. Together, we explore the island's indigenous roots, colonial legacy from Spain, Britain, and the Netherlands, and the powerful role activism has played in shaping Aruba's identity today.

Our conversation takes a deeper look into the political and cultural dynamics that have defined Aruba and the wider Dutch Caribbean over the years. We discuss the island's linguistic diversity, where Dutch serves as the language of instruction, yet Papiamento and Spanish hold cultural significance. The 1970s brought waves of calls for autonomy, and we dissect Gilberto François "Betico" Cruz's crucial leadership in achieving Aruba's separate status. As we navigate through the 2010 restructuring of the Dutch Caribbean and the ongoing debate over independence, we draw parallels with the situation in Puerto Rico and reflect on the complex identities that emerge from these small island societies.

The episode crescendos with an exploration of Aruba's vibrant cultural expressions. Dr. Richardson helps us understand how the island's cultural practices are acts of autonomy, allowing Arubans to assert their identity beyond political boundaries. Experience the rich tapestry of Aruba's culture, where music and language are not just modes of expression but also tools of cultural assertion in this fascinating journey into Aruba's heart and soul.

Dr Gregory Richardson is an educator and researcher at the Instituto Pedagogico Arubano (Aruba), a part time lecturer at the University of Arub

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Connect with Strictly Facts - Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Website

Looking to read more about the topics covered in this episode? Subscribe to the newsletter at www.strictlyfactspod.com to get the Strictly Facts Syllabus to your email!

Want to Support Strictly Facts?

• Rate & Leave a Review on your favorite platform
• Share this episode with someone or online and tag us
• Send us a DM or voice note to have your thoughts featured on an upcoming episode
• Donate to help us continue empowering listeners with Caribbean history and education

Produced by Breadfruit Media