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A review by bahareads
The African Diaspora to the Bahamas by Keith L. Tinker
informative
reflective
5.0
June 2024
Keith Tinker makes a stab at contributing to the historiography. I wish Tinker engaged more with the literature at large, and more with primary sources. The book spans from when Africans first come to the colony to after Majority Rule. There was a lot of vital information in TAFOTB that needs to be explored more.
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Jan 2021
excerpt from the book
Keith Tinker makes a stab at contributing to the historiography. I wish Tinker engaged more with the literature at large, and more with primary sources. The book spans from when Africans first come to the colony to after Majority Rule. There was a lot of vital information in TAFOTB that needs to be explored more.
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Jan 2021
excerpt from the book
"Today, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is comprised of tens of thousands of persons of African descent, whose forefathers either voluntarily or forcibly migrated to the islands. Their story is an integral, but little known aspect of the global migration phenomenon commonly referred to as the "African Diaspora." The historic migratory paths taken were divergent, with some coming directly from Africa, while many others coming via European, inter-American and regional ports of destinations."
The African Diaspora to the Bahamas brings forth the topic of black migration to The Bahamas, willing or unwillingly. Starting from the beginning of the history of the Bahamas up to late 20th century, the reader will walk with Tinker as we explore how black migration has happened; Tinker focuses on geo-political and geo-economics to bring context to the work. I enjoyed Tinker's writing style and the research that went into it was obviously well done. The list of the endnotes had me eyeing it for future reads or sources to draw from for my own papers.
The layout of The African Diaspora to the Bahamas was not what I expected but enjoyable nonetheless. I learned about new things and people which is always enjoyable. the information that stood out to me the most was the stationing of the all-black Sixth West India Regiment in 1801 in Nassau, New Providence. The continuation of a black military presence, the white population, and the black population's reaction to them were all interesting pieces of information that provoked much thought into the personal feelings about the population at large and the Regiment. Much could be said about the topic covered and there is still much more research to be done.