Rex Nettleford, the Fall 1997 Messenger Lecturer, speaks in Kaufmann Auditorium of Goldwin Smith Hall, Oct. 1. Frank DiMeo/University Photography
Natural and social scientists know that omitting consideration of a key variable will void the results of an experiment. But economic development specialists often give no regard to the cultures of the societies they analyze and consequently fail to implement their proposals, according to a prominent Caribbean educator and authority on culture.
"Their plans are duly sabotaged by the beneficiaries of their planning," said Rex Nettleford, professor and vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica and Cornell's fall 1997 Messenger Lecturer.
Nettleford delivered three lectures exploring the theme "Cultural Identity and Development: A Caribbean Perspective" during his visit to Cornell Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.
Approaches that aim to increase a society's viability in the international marketplace must take into account pre-existing cultural patterns, he explained. Furthermore, the means of achieving modernization should summon the "creative energies" of a population, instill in it a sense of self-worth and provide it opportunities for upward social mobility.
With no apparent use of prepared notes, Nettleford emphasized the importance of individual attitudes in effecting social change and marshaled personal experiences to illustrate the rationale for this statement in his third address, Oct. 1, titled "Implications for Development."
Nettleford identified the cultural perceptions of agriculture and nutrition as central to the attainment of economic well-being. Jamaica, for example, imports large quantities of food on credit. It is not that the island country is incapable of producing enough food, but that too few Jamaicans are willing to perform agricultural work, which many see as a vestige of the erstwhile slave economy and believe is demeaning, he said. Besides this, the population seeks wide variety in its diet.
"Unless we are able to convince people to eat what is grown in Jamaica, the country is going to continue to buy food it can get by without, on credit it can't pay back," Nettleford said.
But altering Jamaicans' views will not be easy, he admitted, noting that widespread education might not prove to be the elixir for the problem. He once saw an academic colleague in a market purchasing apples, which are not grown on the island: "'Where are you going with those three bags of apples?' I asked. She put two back."
Ultimately, Nettleford said, economic development will be realized in the Caribbean with the establishment of an individual work ethic based on a sense of community ownership and shared responsibility. "People will work hard if they know what they're working for," he said.
Previously, Nettleford came to Cornell as a guest of the schools of Hotel Administration and Industrial and Labor Relations. In addition to presenting the public lectures and a talk at the Africana Studies and Research Center last week, Nettleford visited several classes and met with students and faculty.
"I can't remember a busier Messenger Lecturer," said Locksley Edmondson, professor of Africana studies.