Overview

"This edited book, by Rosalina Díaz, represents a radical form of ethnography, as it presents the voices of academic scholars and scientists side by side with those of grassroots activists, native healers and community herbalists, in addressing issues of cultural and indigenous identity, agroecology, sustainability and self-determination in the Greater Antillean region of the Caribbean. ""In Decolonizing Paradise, Rosalina Díaz blends the voices of scientists with local healers and activists to explore a radical ethnography of plants and people in the Caribbean. Through their lived experiences in this crucially important bioregion, herbalists, brujas, and western-trained scientists resurrect and reveal indigenous and diasporic plant wisdom that has long been denigrated. This collection is an important ethnobotanical starting point for the colonized people of the Caribbean to redress centuries of cultural and environmental injustice."" —Robert Voeks, Author of The Ethnobotany of Eden: Rethinking the Jungle Medicine Narrative ""At a time when the world is intensely focused on finding solutions to complex and existential environmental issues, Decolonizing Paradise is an indispensable tool for those wanting to engage in collective action in the Caribbean. This timely anthology of scholars, scientists, farmers, grassroots activists and environmentalists provides both historical context and an agenda for the sustainable environmental future of the region, with a particular emphasis on Puerto Rico. Decolonizing Paradise will quickly become essential reading for those interested in the Caribbean’s environmental struggles, particularly as understood and analyzed by those who are currently in the trenches. Decolonizing Paradise also provides hope and inspiration for all those—students, policy makers, activists and scholars—who want to see change happen in the Caribbean."" —Felix V Matos Rodriguez, Chancellor of the City University of New York (CUNY), Author of Women and Urban Change in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1820–1868 ""Decolonizing Paradise is a must-read primer for anyone interested in an insider perspective of environmental stewardship in the Caribbean region, as told by the voices of those currently active in the movement. In recognizing the long-standing environmental conflicts, clashes and actions of local activists and community groups, this book rectifies historical omissions and misperceptions, and challenges the still prevailing narrative of inaction and dependence that has wrongly stigmatized this population for centuries."" —Alexis Massol-Gonzalez, Founding Director of Casa Pueblo of Adjuntas; Recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize (2002)"

Full Product Details

Author:   Shirley R. Steinberg ,  Rosalina Díaz
Publisher:   Peter Lang Publishing Inc
Imprint:   Peter Lang Publishing Inc
Edition:   New edition
Volume:   536
Weight:   0.566kg
ISBN:  

9781433195433

ISBN 10:   1433195437
Pages:   318
Publication Date:   09 February 2023
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations – Nelson Alvarez Febles : Foreword – Nelson Alvarez Febles : Prefacio – Acknowledgments – Agradecimientos – Rosalina Díaz : Introduction : A Radically Reimagined Ethnography of the Caribbean – Rosalina Díaz : Introducción : Una Etnografía del Caribe Radicalmente Reimaginada – Rosalina Díaz : From Borikén to Puerto Rico: Landscape Memory as Historical Narrative – Rosalina Díaz : De Borikén a Puerto Rico: La memoria del paisaje como narrative histórica – Gladys M. Nazario Muñiz : The Jíbaro Legacy: An Ethnobotanical Account of Traditional Plant Use in the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico – Gladys M. Nazario Muñiz : El Legado del Jíbaro un Relato Etnobotánico del Uso Tradicional de Plantas en la Cordillera Central de Puerto Rico – Arturo Massol Deyá : Casa Pueblo: Community Struggles for Social Development and Protection of Natural Resources – Arturo Massol Deyá : Casa Pueblo: Luchas Comunitarias por el Desarrollo Social y la Protección de los Recursos Naturales – Tara Rodríguez Besosa : Otra Cosa, Somos Otra Cosa – María Benedetti : Healing Paradise: A Grass Roots and Weeds Approach – María Benedetti : Sanando el Paraíso: Desde los Matojos, Desde las Raíces – Jorge Baracutei Estevez : Sacred Plants, Stones, and the Art of Dreaming – Jorge Baracutei Estevez : Plantas Sagradas, Piedras y el Arte de Soñar – Ina Vandebroek : Traveling Traditions: Dominican Ethnobotany in Service of Caring for the Community – Juliet Díaz : Ancestral Medicine and Magic of Cuba – Juliet Díaz : Medicina Ancestral y la Magia de Cuba – Gabriela Miranda-Diaz : A Vision for the Future – Gabriela Miranda-Diaz : Una Visión Para el Futuro – Rosalina Díaz : Afterword: Reflections on Practice – Rosalina Díaz/Peter Visscher : Appendix – Materia Medica: Plants and Remedies of the Caribbean – Contributors

Reviews

At a time when the world is intensely focused on finding solutions to complex and existential environmental issues, Decolonizing Paradise is an indispensable tool for those wanting to engage in collective action in the Caribbean. This timely anthology of scholars, scientists, farmers, grassroots activists and environmentalists provides both historical context and an agenda for the sustainable environmental future of the region, with a particular emphasis on Puerto Rico. Decolonizing Paradise will quickly become essential reading for those interested in the Caribbean's environmental struggles, particularly as understood and analyzed by those who are currently in the trenches. Decolonizing Paradise also provides hope and inspiration for all those-students, policy makers, activists, and scholars-who want to see change happen in the Caribbean. -Felix V Matos Rodriguez, Chancellor of the City University of New York (CUNY) In Decolonizing Paradise, Rosalina Diaz blends the voices of scientists with local healers and activists to explore a radical ethnography of plants and people in the Caribbean. Through their lived experiences in this crucially important bioregion, herbalists, brujas, and western-trained scientists resurrect and reveal indigenous and diasporic plant wisdom that has long been denigrated. This collection is an important ethnobotanical starting point for the colonized people of the Caribbean to redress centuries of cultural and environmental injustice. -Robert Voeks, Author of The Ethnobotany of Eden: Rethinking the Jungle Medicine Narrative Decolonizing Paradise is a must-read primer for anyone interested in an insider perspective of environmental stewardship in the Caribbean region, as told by the voices of those currently active in the movement. In recognizing the long-standing environmental conflicts, clashes and actions of local activists and community groups, this book rectifies historical omissions and misperceptions, and challenges the still prevailing narrative of inaction and dependence that has wrongly stigmatized this population for centuries. -Alexis Massol-Gonzalez, Founding Director of Casa Pueblo of Adjuntas; Recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize (2002)

In Decolonizing Paradise, Rosalina Diaz blends the voices of scientists with local healers and activists to explore a radical ethnography of plants and people in the Caribbean. Through their lived experiences in this crucially important bioregion, herbalists, brujas, and western-trained scientists resurrect and reveal indigenous and diasporic plant wisdom that has long been denigrated. This collection is an important ethnobotanical starting point for the colonized people of the Caribbean to redress centuries of cultural and environmental injustice. -Robert Voeks, Author of The Ethnobotany of Eden: Rethinking the Jungle Medicine Narrative Decolonizing Paradise is a must-read primer for anyone interested in an insider perspective of environmental stewardship in the Caribbean region, as told by the voices of those currently active in the movement. In recognizing the long-standing environmental conflicts, clashes and actions of local activists and community groups, this book rectifies historical omissions and misperceptions, and challenges the still prevailing narrative of inaction and dependence that has wrongly stigmatized this population for centuries. -Alexis Massol-Gonzalez, Founding Director of Casa Pueblo of Adjuntas; Recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize (2002) At a time when the world is intensely focused on finding solutions to complex and existential environmental issues, Decolonizing Paradise is an indispensable tool for those wanting to engage in collective action in the Caribbean. This timely anthology of scholars, scientists, farmers, grassroots activists and environmentalists provides both historical context and an agenda for the sustainable environmental future of the region, with a particular emphasis on Puerto Rico. Decolonizing Paradise will quickly become essential reading for those interested in the Caribbean's environmental struggles, particularly as understood and analyzed by those who are currently in the trenches. Decolonizing Paradise also provides hope and inspiration for all those-students, policy makers, activists and scholars-who want to see change happen in the Caribbean. -Felix V Matos Rodriguez, Chancellor of the City University of New York (CUNY), Author of Women and Urban Change in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1820-1868

Author Information

Rosalina Díaz earned her doctorate in urban education and anthropology from the CUNY Graduate Center. Currently, she is Associate Professor of Anthropology at Medgar Evers College, CUNY. She has published extensively on the subject of educational anthropology, gender, indigeneity and environmental justice and remains committed to the ongoing struggle for decolonization, self-determination and environmental sustainability in the Caribbean region.

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