Dr Renée Landell
@Nay_Landell
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✝️ PhD. Humans & Nonhumans in Caribbean Neo-Slave Lit; Violence & Resistance |Lit Agent @sileloquies : @nurnberg_agency | @BeyondMarginsUK @BlackinArtsHums | 📧👇
United Kingdom
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Last Seen Profiles
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Enslaved African WOMEN who led revolutionary rebellions in the Caribbean but are less celebrated, forgotten and erased in history.
[Thread]
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⚠️TW: mention of suicide, violence & graphic images
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Not wordle, just another panel discussion I've been invited to participate in on "diversifying the curriculum" 🥴
⬜⬜⬜🟫⬜
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OK as a slavery scholar I have to chime in. Many historical sources substantiate her claim. Particularly regarding American plantations, laughter was seen as idling/laziness,as per racial stereotypes, often resulting in punishment. The term "laughing barrels" is said to derive..
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Had a Teams meeting with someone I once knew. Our last encounter was in a classroom. We had a racist teacher. 10+ years later she reaches out because she heard about me & wondered if we could collab., neither of us seemed to remember that we once knew each other, until...🧵
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They scream "STEM only" because they're aware that subjects that are powerfully designed to cause one to think critically & creatively (Arts & Humanities; social sciences) is a HUGE threat to oppressive powers. Don't be fooled to think they truly believe these degrees are useless
'Folks, too many of you are going university'
@Nigel_Farage
tells
@lewisUTBdenison
that university should be free, but only if you study science, technology, engineering, medicine or maths
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🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲 [thread]
Today is Emancipation Day in Jamaica, the day African slaves in British colonies received freedom from slavery.
So, here's yet another thread of vintage photos of Jamaica, this one highlights Jamaican joy! 🖤
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Before I log off...
🧵 A thread of UK orgs & institutions admitting that institutional racism does exist & how👇🏾
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According to Sky News she stood up 46 times. Forty-six.
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Glory to God, the Most High.
My PhD Thesis '"Wi Run Tings, Tings Nuh Run Wi": Black Humanity and the Nonhuman World in Anglophone Caribbean Neo-Slave Narratives, 1984-2020', Supervised by Dr
@DanielleCSands
& Dr Fabrizio de Donno, is done! Dr Landell soon come, next: Viva 🥲❤
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2 weeks on a ward now. Unbelievable diagnos(es). Doctors said no chance of me leaving to go to graduation. But for those who know my thesis title, you'll also know I was going to find a way.
Dr Renée Landell (by God's grace)
BA, MRes, PhD - thank you
@RoyalHolloway
/
@LLC_RHUL
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I hope we can collab together but if we don't, I'm grateful to God for the opportunity to say thank you. This is a testament to the words I always (!!!) say: 'I don't think it's possible to be self-made, we are not a whole picture, we are mosaics of all the people we encounter'
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After 10+ years I got to say thank you. To tell her how just a smile every time I walked in that class stopped me from giving up. I told her I got a 1st in BA, got an MA and PhD all in literature. That it was i part due to her being that a reason not to give up
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2 weeks later she announced her 'retirement' to the class. It felt like justice. I often wonder what would have happened if I didn't advocate and believe in myself, if i had gaslighted myself into believing I wasn't good enough & that she was right.
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I can't say whether thid may indeed be why many Black people run when laughing or even hit while laughing. But transgenerational trauma is real.
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from slavery. A barrel would be used by Black people whenever they felt to laugh. The laughing barrel was meant to restore the civility of the so-called 'primitive' nature of Blackness. Black laughter on some plantations was not permissible in public, only out of sight/unheard..
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Stained glass windows often involve mosiac as a technique, pieces of different shapes and colours, that make one whole. But with all of it, you only see the picture clearly when light shines through.
END.
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1 of the main reasons I didn't drop that Eng Lit A2 class, was because of that 1 Black girl who made the class bearable for me. When I left I felt this burden to find her one day and say thank you (years later I couldn't remember her face or full name).
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To PhD students who want a career in academia: 1 thing I'd greatly advise is pushing for some teaching at your institution.
I wish I pushed harder for this. I've got all the way to interview for 2 jobs & ultimately been unsuccessful bc of zero teaching hours ... 1/2
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Books to read: 'Laughing fit to Kill' by Glenda Carpio and 'Portraits of Resistance' by Jennifer Van Horn
and the article 'Mapping Black Movement, Containing Black Laughter' by C Dobbs.
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investigation. I strongly believed that she was downgrading all my assignments because my class-peer-graded assessments were A's but my homework was largely D's. My work was remarked by another teacher and came back as A's & A* against the criteria
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I did a talk ('Preserving Patois') recently & I was astonished how many Caribbean people didn't think they could regard patois as a language. I told them that they're bilingual/multilingual if they speak/understand British Eng & Patois/Caribbean creole & they were... 🤯
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"You were a huge reason I kept showing up to that awful class, with such awful students and that racist teacher". She had no idea how that teacher treated me in private or what she did to try to kill my love of literature. She seems delighted, emotional to hear this.
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People are still unaware that the term "uppity" originally related to Black people who "didn't know their place".
And that the 'cutesy' term "fuzzy-wuzzy" was used by British soldiers to mock the natural hairstyles of native African tribes, like the Beja peoples.
I was about to use the term “nitty gritty” but something told me hol up and lo behold…
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I PASSED MY PHD UPGRADE EXAM. Thank you God 😭🙏🏾🎉
Writing about racial trauma (slavery) as a Black woman is traumatising. I get asked ALL the time: 'how do you do it?' But, the 'why' keeps me going...and the 'why' led me here. This moment.
#AcademicChatter
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The Mammy stereotype.
Mammy is the cheerful and willing house-slave. This cheerfulness is depicted in films/novels, namely the main character
#AuntJemima
from 'Gone with the Wind.'
The Mammy was created to make people believe that slavery was good & the system benevolent.
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the very last minutes of the call.
This is a storytime about a wholesome full-circle moment!
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I've always had a rebel heart and mind. I'm Caribbean, it's in my blood. That also explains my research interests (see bio lol). I demanded a meeting with 'higher-ups', brought my parents in, only for that teacher to deny everything. I went back and demanded a private...
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I do racial justice and equity work with museums, galleries, universities and other orgs. Challenging and dismantling racist practices/objects/systems/curriculums etc.
@BeyondMarginsUK
- just to offer some context and background
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She looks shocked but so intrigued "Ohhh really?"
"Yes" - i tell her the story, she didn't even remember much because she said those years at college were a blur for her due to personal reasons. She didn't know the impact she had on me, that she had any impact at all.
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Back to say, I'll be 28 soon. In some ways, being an academic in UK higher education, I feel like 'the young Black girl' again but just bc there are few of us in my field. Just 2 days ago I spoke about the senior Black women academics who champion me, they remind me of *her* ❤️
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It didn't matter that I was younger than her. She embraced and championed me, and would let me know that she thinks I'm a brilliant thinker as I thought of (& told) her. I didn't feel lonely because she was there.
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The (mainstream) book I'm currently writing actually explores how stereotypes and the experience of slavery have altered common Black behaviours and attitudes (though particularly concerning the nonhuman world).
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We encounter good and bad people and they shape us in some way or another. In the podcast show I recently worked on, i emphasised this a lot, because it uses stained glass windows and talking points for contemporary issues...
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Couple weeks ago, I got a message on Instagram. [paraphrased] "I was at a work event and another museum sang your praises, I wonder if there's an opportunity for you to also work with us at [redacted] museum? If interested please send your email, I would love to discuss further"
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"I do not believe Blacks can advance" she said. She was of a much older generation, but I still did not quite expect her to ever say that to me. I met her gaze with utter shock, it was also slightly humorous to me (again, shock). I had no witnesses.
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BREFFU
~
Introducing my favourite female figure, largely invisible in history but remembered by her people. Breffu was an Akwamu leader of the 1733 insurrection on St. Jan (now known as St. John) in the Danish Caribbean. Breffu led the longest recorded rebellion in...
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I get asked this sooo often 😅.
So here's my TOP 7 apps for academic writing/researching/well-being (reviewed) 👇🏾✨
@AcademicChatter
#phdchat
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It's been 2/3 days this week where something has happened that's offered me an opportunity/reminder to give thanks! Gratitude is a must, not least to keep us humble, grounded and compassionate.
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The rest of the class very much excluded me and scoffed whenever I would answer questions that they couldn't. It was ok because every time we had that class the one other Black girl would pull out her chair for me.
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I understand why people thought her words were ridiculous. Slavery was so inhumane that some of the histories it contains seem unimaginable or far-fetched. I study these histories because there's still so much to learn, including about myself, how they can we "move on"?
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CARLOTA
~
Carlota Lucumí, also known as La Negra Carlota, was an African-born enslaved Cuban woman of Yoruba origin. Carlota was known as one of the leaders of the slave rebellion at the Triunvirato plantation in Matanzas, Cuba during the Year of the Lash in 1843-1844.
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Cameras go on and it's like all the memories immediately flooded back. I realised that she did remember me and I remembered her, but we couldn't quite pin it to a particular experience or time. We discuss potential collaboration, the meeting goes well.
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We're saying bye.
Impulsively i say "wait, I think i have a really important memory of you and it's correct I owe you so much gratitude"
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It's 2012, I got into the 6th form college I desired & was told that I needed to select 1 more subject. This was because I had the opportunity in my secondary school to complete an AS level early (alongside my GCSE's). It meant that I could take 5 subjects to Alevel
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I was too stunned to respond, so I let (?) her explain.
She spoke about how, in all her years, no "Blacks" ever did well in her class, and that she was vehemently against having me (an advanced) student in her class. It was unfair to the "others"
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"...& DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH?!"
Y'day, I passed my PhD viva 😭😩🥳🎉 Thesis:
#WiRunTings
!
Thank you to my examiners Dr Mike Niblett & Dr
@AbenaKJohn
for an incredibly thrilling discussion!
Dr Ren 😭😭🧡
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I was summoned to a 1:1 reprimandry meeting with my teacher for...doing well in her class???? I didn't know that at first, so I agreed and showed up.
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I was delighted a potential new client!
Weeks go by, and it seemed that finding a mutual time to have a meeting was like trying to stay warm while naked in Antarctica - I'm sure its possible haha, and today we proved it - we were both free yay!
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First week of sixth form, I start all my AS classes. It was also when i was introduced to my A2 Eng Lit class. The class did not welcome me at all. Majority white students who possibly didn't think it fair for a younger Black girl to be in their class. I saw 1 friendly face..
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Many resistance techniques on both American & Caribbean plantations (possibly other geographies too) involved taunting and making mockery of the enslaver, we garnered humour as resistance & survival. We now find community in comedic exchanges and a variety of humour styles
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Conversations are being had about the myth of the strong Black woman .
Caused me to think about James Marion-Sims, "the father of gynaecological surgery" who perfected his surgical techniques by operating w/o anesthesia on
enslaved Black women (1/3)
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Her tenacity and bravery to keep trying to get her voice heard (& the collective voice of Black women) is heartbreaking and yet inspiring.
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There's also so much I can say about how our expressions of laughter and styles of humour have historically been acts of resistance (& not just acts of forced obedience).
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and so do many Black people I know. Racism is alive. For some it's been fatal, others traumatising. 2012 actually seems so long ago, when I consider how prevalent I know and have experienced racism to be today. We could choose to ignore it or we can all do something about it
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AKUA
~
The story of Akua is greatly lost to legend. Whether completely true or not, its important this story is included. Akua, from the Ashanti, is regarded as the "Queen of Kingston." It is said that Akua was a healer/Obeah woman. As was/is common in certain parts of Africa...
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She now represents the 1 and 23. All members of the rebellion who together committed suicide as a final act of resistance against the true death (slavery). Today she is celebrated annually with a parade & a re-enactment of the insurrection.
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North American history. Originally from Ghana, Breffu was captured and sold to the slaver Pieter Krøyer in Coral Bay. Her and the Akwamu people killed him and his family, as well as the Van Stell family, burnt down houses and crops, & took control of most of St. John...
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But then something unthinkable— perhaps not to me now but definitely to me then—had happened.
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MARY, AGNUS & MATILDA
~
Nothing is better than a rebellious sisterhood. In 1878, another violent rebellion took place in the Danish Caribbean. The Rebellion on St. Croix, led by three women played a considerably active role leading this rebellion...
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NANNY of the Maroons
~
Seemingly the most popular rebel woman in Caribbean history is Nanny, though on a global she is still unheard of. Nanny was a leader of the Maroons at the beginning of the 18th century. She was an outstanding military leader who...
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You can study and study until they call you an "expert", but you'll never have more or even the same level of understanding than someone who has lived experience or is directly influenced. This isn't something that can be debated either.
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Today makes 1 month in hospital. Without saying too much, PhD students and academics PLEASE always always put your health first. Don't just recognise your unhealthy work and lifestyle habits, do something about them NOW! 🙏🏾
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I love the people who actually take time to read and understand an entire thread haha. Anyway, here's some screenshots of testimonies (oral histories) on this and some more info from critical writings on the subject 🙏🏾
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🥳My PhD thesis which explores human & nonhuman violence & resistance in Caribbean neo-slave narratives, is now available (open access) on my university's repository! Reworking to be published as a book, but feel free to read & cite the thesis 🥲🙏🏾
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I've received a few grants as a PhD student, but I'm most proud of the 2 I've been awarded now as an independent researcher 🥲!
Just won funding to do an event to launch my multi-sensory exhibition, a project that transforms Caribbean neo-slave poems into paintings & soundart🎉
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Bob Marley's children: SHARON, STEPHEN, CEDELLA and ZIGGY, Blue Mountain, Jamaica, 1980 © Lindsay Oliver Donald
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Even if Rochelle wasn't aware that she was replacing Candice, as a mixed race woman who doesn't fall into the statistic of BW who die in childbirth, why would she still accept the offer?? I actually can't see how this can be justified...
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I am the kind of historian who FIRMLY believes that oral history/testimonies are valid history. Most of the documentation on this speaks of testimonies, memories etc. which ironically before slavery Black people absolutely reverenced.
My grandmother born in 1926 told my dad that laughing barrels did in fact exist during her childhood
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Carlota was able to free Fermina and other slaves, and they then went into battle. Many died during the uprising, MANY slaves freed. Carlota died as her body was dragged by horses until lifeless and today a statue of Carlota stands over the Triumvirato sugar mill plantation.
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Wow didn't expect this to move so many of you! I'm so glad my story of the power of both kindness and, in turn, gratitude could remind us all that light always has victory over darkness. Some are shocked this happened so recently (2012), unfortunately I have more recent stories..
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She studied the use of herbs & spices in curing diseases & healing wounds & combined that with Obeah practices (otherwise regarded as Blsck magic/withcraft by the British). It is said that Akua created a hostel/hospital to treat sick black people who were denied medical...
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Unsure of source.
But a thread of rare vintage photos of every-day life in Jamaica before the 1900s.
(with captions) 📸
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The three women along with many other slaves burnt houses, sugar mills, fields, and stores on around 50 plantations!!! Over half the city of Frederiksted also burnt down and thus the rebellion is locally known as the 'Fireburn'...
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⚡They were rebels, fighters, radicals, revolutionaries, dreamers, activists, Black...women! ⚡
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I was afforded the opportunity to fly out to Michigan to visit the Jim Crow Museum (HIGHLY RECOMMEND) and to interview the curator.
I'm turning my footage into a documentary but here is Dr Pilgrim speaking about 'the smiling.'
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According to sources Carlota hatched an escape plan with Fermina, a fellow slave, but their plot was discovered when Fermina was captured & locked away. Carlota used a drum to urge others to join the rising. This "talking drum" was a secret & coded plan of attack...
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It's Women's History Month, & you already know I love talking about African women who led rebellions/uprisings in the Caribbean.
Marie Sainte Dédée Bazile was a giant figure of the Haitain Revolution 🔥🇭🇹 (1/...)
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Doing a PhD was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. At one point, I didn't believe I'd get to the viva but we made it & passed 😭🍊
#phdchat
@AcademicChatter
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I also make threads on rare Black history facts every/any month of the year not just Black History month.
You can check out some of my previous threads here 👉
"Missing Pieces"
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I've been writing and thinking about how preserving Jamaican patois is essential for protecting biodiversity in the Caribbean, specifically considering practices by enslaved people. I'm now in a rabbit hole, that has lights so that I see where to dig deeper.
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#AuntJemima
has been trending since yesterday, for the first time in my 1 year on Twitter! The Mammy stereotype is the chapter I am currently writing. I'll be back at 2:30pm to discuss postcolonialism & ecocriticism in Caribbean literature & my research on the Mammy.
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@HackneyAbbott
you didn't get to speak, but your commitment to trying did communicate a lot about this country. We stand with you, each time.
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White people will never know what it is like to live in a world that hates them, with that hate (ingrained in the fabric of global societies) shaping their livelihood. It's crazy think that people just get to live totally different realities to us.
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Attention on the grounds of their race. It is also believed that she is closely linked to the Tacky Rebellion of Port Maria, & instrumental in the leadership. The British feared her tenacity and powers greatly.
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There is a statue of the three "queens" on one main road in St. Croix called Queen Mary Highway.
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Nanny trained her maroon warriors in the art of guerilla warfare. It is also said that she was a great obeah woman and worked magic to protect her warriors from their British enemies. The British fought Nanny and her maroon troops from 1728 to 1734.
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was particularly important in the fierce fight with the British during the First Maroon War from 1720 to 1739. Although she has been immortalised in songs & legends, certain facts about Nanny (or “Granny Nanny”) have also been documented.
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The moment 🥲 my sister helping me out the wheelchair, getting across the stage, strangers standing for me, and closing out the ceremony ❤️
So many people messaged me about how well Prof
@RuthHemus
did with the title, and I agree 🇯🇲👏🏾
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Solidarity to all
@ucu
members today! As a student I understand that this strike is as much for me as it is for all staff. Better working conditions mean better student learning. We will not be pitied against each other.
#ucuRISING
#UCUstrike
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Reiterating that I never claimed the two are connected, I'm saying that laughter and humour were discouraged and in some cases were punishable offences on certain plantations for they were considered idling 🙏🏾
I can't say whether thid may indeed be why many Black people run when laughing or even hit while laughing. But transgenerational trauma is real.
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In 1739, another maroon leader, Cudjoe, signed a peace treaty with the British. Later, as a result of that treaty, Nanny & her maroons were granted land upon which to settle. The settlement that emerged on this land was dubbed New Nanny Town.
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@divanificent
PhD title: “We Run Tings, Tings Nuh Run We”: Rewriting Caribbean Bodies and the Environment in Anglophone Caribbean Literature
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On March 31, 1982 the Right Excellent Nanny of the Maroons was conferred the Order of the National Hero as per Government Notice 23 Jamaica Gazette along with Samuel Sharpe.
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@coffee_and_pi
I believe its just one of the reasons 'Black Joy' is regarded as a powerful form of resistance.
While happiness is based on circumstances, joy is a feeling in despite of circumstances.
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Saturday night dance at the tavern. Photograph by Wallace Kirkland. Jamaica, December 1952.
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To my competitive babes, reminder if you're pulling crackers today the trick is to hold your arm lower than the other person and don't pull too hard. You're welcome.
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