Gender Exclusion And Labor Organization In Antigua - Book Report/Review Example

Gender Exclusion And Labor Organization In Antigua ‘No Women Jump out’ is a book written by C. Williams. There are many aspects brought out in the book. These ideas range from the themes depicted in the book to the values and the educative message. The book’s major aim was to bring out the history of the twentieth century labour that occurred in the British colony of Antigua and Barbuda. It brings out the information about the labour, and the class struggles that happened to be between the landowners and the peasants. This incidence happened before and also after the trades and labour unions were formed and legalized in the year 1940. With politics being among the themes in the book, the author depicted the political and racial dynamics of the British colonialism in the Eastern Caribbean. The racial disparities occurred between the colonial administrators, landowners and mill and factory owners. This happened as they tried to struggle with maintaining control over the black and coloured population in the changing world. The thesis in this book is that women are excluded in most important matters in the society (Williams, 77). The long history of the British Trades Union Congress (TUC) roles that were aimed at facilitating the end of colonialism is the most surprising and important thing in the book. Additionally, the role of women is another critical aspect of the book. This book showed the character of racial disparities where women were excluded on many issues. They were excluded from labour and trade unions. However, women worked as the key factors as labour organizers who led the protest of defiling employers. They did this by planning meetings and recruiting new union members. They were present in all areas in the fields, in the factories and worked as domestic workers in the urban areas. Their work was to be recruiters and also organizers, they were also entitled to carry lights for outdoor meetings. Their biggest role was to encourage and support their leaders and employers ( 90). According to this book, it is definitely true to say that women were despised and looked down upon. They were never given the chance of joining the union. Despite the fact that they worked hard, they were never recognized and given a chance to come up. It is always evident that women are hard working, but they are never recognized. “Behind every successful man, there is a woman,” this is evident for women in the Caribbean country the leaders and trade union leaders were supported and helped by women. That is why they were successful, but these women were never given a chance to be in the union (31). The book, ‘No women jump out’, portrays several themes. These themes include colonialism, racism, labour, leadership, politics and history. Colonialism is depicted where the British colonialists colonized the Eastern Caribbean. They exercised their power over them taking all their resources and introduced forced labour in the country. Racism is depicted where women are excluded from joining the union. Women are entitled to small and physical jobs. Despite their hard work, they did not “jump out”. However, their stories were forgotten and they were also overlooked. Labour is depicted in that there was forced labour that compelled women to work endlessly, but with meagre pay.. Women were also entitled to carry lights used for outside meetings. These women were also expected to support their leaders and employers (50). The book is both a political and historical book since it gives information on both politics and history. The book gives the history of the Caribbeans since the incidences in the book represents the happenings in the country. In the twentieth century, the Caribbean was full of such aspects as racism, colonialism and politics. It is a good book if one needs to refer to the history of the country in that century. The author has a sense of humour and other forms or writing such as the use of proverbs and repetition. The book is an argumentative book, and has a high sense of convincing power. However, the book is not meant for all people. Its main audience is people with interests in politics and history (32). It proves to be an informative source for history students. The book “No women jump out” can be related to the book ‘History of the Caribbean’ by Moya Pons since they bring out the same information. In the book, ‘History of the Caribbean’, the author highlights the history, context and the consequences of the key changes that represented the Caribbean between the Columbus initial landing and the great depression. On the other hand, in the book, ‘No women jump out’, the author explores the context and history of the Caribbean and the colonial aspect of the country. With this in mind, the two books have a common binding effect between them. This is because they explore the same themes. In the History of Caribbean, the author brings out the idea of slavery in the country while in the book, ‘No women jump out’, the author explores the issue of labour and its effects. The idea of slavery in the history of the Caribbean and labour in ‘no women jump out’ are aspects that make the books related. With the several episodes in the books, it is evident to point out that the two books depict the idea of politics, history and other themes just like colonialism and racism. This shows how the two books seem to borrow ideas from each other, hence they augment each other. Additionally, the two books explain the methods that some individuals used in fighting the issue of colonialism and racism that happened in the form of colour and gender inequality. The idea of racism, gender imbalance and discrimination is an aspect that should not have a place in the society. However, most women were discriminated despite the fact that they worked hard to be recognized. They deserved something better other than being discriminated like being in the union and given better jobs other than carrying lights to be used in outside meetings. Colonialism, racism and gender disparity were the issues affecting the country. Works cited Williams, Christolyn . No women jump out! gender exclusion, labour organization and political leadership in Antigua 1917-1970. Oxford: Peter Lang, 2013. Print. Read More