SJC Students Produce Book on Black Cross Nurses
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6th June 2019
This afternoon the SJC History department made a public presentation of a unique student driven book about the Black Cross Nurses. Organized and managed by history teacher Delmer Tzib the book gives an overview of Marcus Garvey and his philosophy of black empowerment which had a great impact on early 20thcentury British Honduras.
As a branch of the UNIA, the Black Cross Nurses had a dual objective of promoting healthy practices and uplifting blacks in British Honduras. On one hand, they promoted a clean environment, taught about basic rules and procedures in personal care, and stimulated a change in living habits to prevent diseases and ensure a better health for the future. On the other hand, the nurses worked towards a social hygiene strategy to disprove racist denials of social worth and promote a racial uplift of primarily the poor blacks in Belize Town. Led by Vivian Seay, the nurses were respectable, hard working women that were able to devote many unpaid hours to improve the lives of blacks in British Honduras. Anne Mcpherson (2007) states: “they were sympathetic to the hardships caused by poverty, but Seay and her nurses never accepted it as an excuse for disrespect or disorder. This attitude exemplified the Garveyite and wider Creole middle-class commitment to native self-discipline and self-improvement” (pp 89-91).
The new book came about when a student Chris Garbutt from the class of 2E wrote a poem on the Black Cross Nurses. It was such a hit with the class, that the teacher Mr Tzib develop a set of lessons for the students to analyse the work of one of their own. They took two approaches of analysis, visual, though drawing and illustration and written, though critical thinking and personal insights.
This book project was produced in the context of the SJC History program which instituted the formal teaching of African and Maya history in first form and the teaching of liberation thinking in the context of Belizean history in second form. Now completing its sixth year the program is going through its first revision and evaluation to adjust to new technologies and approaches to students driven learning.
This afternoon the SJC History department made a public presentation of a unique student driven book about the Black Cross Nurses. Organized and managed by history teacher Delmer Tzib the book gives an overview of Marcus Garvey and his philosophy of black empowerment which had a great impact on early 20thcentury British Honduras.
As a branch of the UNIA, the Black Cross Nurses had a dual objective of promoting healthy practices and uplifting blacks in British Honduras. On one hand, they promoted a clean environment, taught about basic rules and procedures in personal care, and stimulated a change in living habits to prevent diseases and ensure a better health for the future. On the other hand, the nurses worked towards a social hygiene strategy to disprove racist denials of social worth and promote a racial uplift of primarily the poor blacks in Belize Town. Led by Vivian Seay, the nurses were respectable, hard working women that were able to devote many unpaid hours to improve the lives of blacks in British Honduras. Anne Mcpherson (2007) states: “they were sympathetic to the hardships caused by poverty, but Seay and her nurses never accepted it as an excuse for disrespect or disorder. This attitude exemplified the Garveyite and wider Creole middle-class commitment to native self-discipline and self-improvement” (pp 89-91).
The new book came about when a student Chris Garbutt from the class of 2E wrote a poem on the Black Cross Nurses. It was such a hit with the class, that the teacher Mr Tzib develop a set of lessons for the students to analyse the work of one of their own. They took two approaches of analysis, visual, though drawing and illustration and written, though critical thinking and personal insights.
This book project was produced in the context of the SJC History program which instituted the formal teaching of African and Maya history in first form and the teaching of liberation thinking in the context of Belizean history in second form. Now completing its sixth year the program is going through its first revision and evaluation to adjust to new technologies and approaches to students driven learning.
encounter with Lance Craig
Yesterday, the SJC History Club hosted its last encounter for the school year. And the Club could not have selected a more appropriate person, the brilliant Lance Craig, recent graduate and newly minted alumni in the Jesuit Tradition.
The room filled quickly with over fifty students to listen to a fellow youth who was billed on the PA system as a digital media thinker. Craig came prepared with a dynamic powerpoint and dug deep into the various multimedia platforms of youTUBE, video game sound tracks, audio editing with Sony Vegas, Meme Mash ups and other digital media manipulations.
It was a high octane symphony of youths talking technology with the energy of a press conference.
The room filled quickly with over fifty students to listen to a fellow youth who was billed on the PA system as a digital media thinker. Craig came prepared with a dynamic powerpoint and dug deep into the various multimedia platforms of youTUBE, video game sound tracks, audio editing with Sony Vegas, Meme Mash ups and other digital media manipulations.
It was a high octane symphony of youths talking technology with the energy of a press conference.
Trip to Poustinia
Saturday 24th May 2019
The students of the SJC History Club headed west just beyond Benque Viejo del Carmen on the Arenal Road to visit an enchanted forest of art called Poustinia, a russian word that means the desert of the soul. Below are some images from our visit along with a youTUBE video.
The students of the SJC History Club headed west just beyond Benque Viejo del Carmen on the Arenal Road to visit an enchanted forest of art called Poustinia, a russian word that means the desert of the soul. Below are some images from our visit along with a youTUBE video.
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encounter with pedro pablo rodriguez
There is something special about Pedro Pablo!
by yasser musa
4th April 2019
The last history club encounter for the academic year was set, our special guest would be the internationally respected Cuban intellectual and revolutionary thinker Pedro Pablo Rodríguez who is visiting Belize on the invitation of Sapna Budhrani, president of NICH.
The fact that he was coming to our little history club made the excitement all the more palpable. As the room slowly filled with students, a call came that there would be a slight delay due to traffic. However, the wait allowed for more anticipation to build and when the man from Havana arrived students lined up and started to cheer spontaneously like a rock star was entering the room.
It was pure hype as Pedro Pablo came into sight and stood in front of the young men in white and blue. He leaned over to me and said, “no girls!” He then turned to the art mural that the students had prepared featuring the two icons of Cuban and Belizean Independence, Jose Martí and George Price. He read the names of the students who made the art work and gave a salute to the crowd showing gratitude for such an act of intention and solidarity.
After Pedro Pablo spoke, a group of 3rd form students came forward led by Corbin Wallen. He read a letter to Pedro Pablo that they had collectively signed. One line that resonated across the room full of youths, “we want to thank you personally for taking the time to come and visit a group of teenage students who want to hear your revolutionary thoughts. On many occasions, we are taken for granted or marginalized from public and academic discussions but your visiting is a humbling show of love for humanity and progress.”
Pedro Pablo is the principal researcher at the Martí Studies Center in Havana, Cuba. At the end of the encounter one of our most outstanding History Club members Ismar Andrade gave a vote of thanks. Ismar had spent four years since first form in the front row of all our encounter. I could see joy in the eyes of our special guest.
Pedro Pablo came to Belize to trace the footsteps of Jose Martí, who spent time in then British Hondras in the 19th Century. And I know he felt the presence of Martí in our students, that spirit to never surrender, to live the fight for the people, for freedom and social justice.
by yasser musa
4th April 2019
The last history club encounter for the academic year was set, our special guest would be the internationally respected Cuban intellectual and revolutionary thinker Pedro Pablo Rodríguez who is visiting Belize on the invitation of Sapna Budhrani, president of NICH.
The fact that he was coming to our little history club made the excitement all the more palpable. As the room slowly filled with students, a call came that there would be a slight delay due to traffic. However, the wait allowed for more anticipation to build and when the man from Havana arrived students lined up and started to cheer spontaneously like a rock star was entering the room.
It was pure hype as Pedro Pablo came into sight and stood in front of the young men in white and blue. He leaned over to me and said, “no girls!” He then turned to the art mural that the students had prepared featuring the two icons of Cuban and Belizean Independence, Jose Martí and George Price. He read the names of the students who made the art work and gave a salute to the crowd showing gratitude for such an act of intention and solidarity.
After Pedro Pablo spoke, a group of 3rd form students came forward led by Corbin Wallen. He read a letter to Pedro Pablo that they had collectively signed. One line that resonated across the room full of youths, “we want to thank you personally for taking the time to come and visit a group of teenage students who want to hear your revolutionary thoughts. On many occasions, we are taken for granted or marginalized from public and academic discussions but your visiting is a humbling show of love for humanity and progress.”
Pedro Pablo is the principal researcher at the Martí Studies Center in Havana, Cuba. At the end of the encounter one of our most outstanding History Club members Ismar Andrade gave a vote of thanks. Ismar had spent four years since first form in the front row of all our encounter. I could see joy in the eyes of our special guest.
Pedro Pablo came to Belize to trace the footsteps of Jose Martí, who spent time in then British Hondras in the 19th Century. And I know he felt the presence of Martí in our students, that spirit to never surrender, to live the fight for the people, for freedom and social justice.
Encounter with 10 artists
Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator
by yasser musa
3rd April 2019
They arrived on the campus of Landivar, a swarm of visual artists. They shared time in the afternoon sun to scan our beautiful swamp. The SJC art centre, a modest space, for art education would soon become the battle ground, where internationally known and recognized artists would play ping pong with ideas. Each taking the stage to give a quick click zap of their work.
Ideas about how history intersects with art, how the incubator of thoughts and actions can be best harnessed when youth are involved in the essential questions, who am I? what do I want to be? Am I my sisters and brothers keeper?
The encounter today would be with our high school students and Rosie Gordon Wallace and Roy Wallace, founders of Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator, Adrienne Chadwick, Belizean/Canadian artist and DVCAI ICE 2019 program coordinator, Dr. Alix Pierre, professor of African Diaspora, World Languages and Literature at Spelman College, Atlanta, GA, Pierre Obando, Belizean artist and professor at State University of New York, Asser Saint Val, artist, Onajide Shabaka, artist Devora Perez, artist Carol-Anne McFarlane, artist Aisha Tandiwe Bell, artist, Izia Lee Lindsay, artist. Two artists could not make it, but their works were presented Kurt Nahar, artist and Rosa Naday Garmendia, artist.
It is a long list, but the record of their visit must be clearly stated. And as usual our students rose to the occasion of the moment. They clearly stated their gratitude and appreciation for the dynamic guests. And they engaged in a rich dialogue of concepts, both real and abstract.
We often try to catch a glimpse of how and when education unfolds its lush and liberating side, and I can say, as witness, I got a scan yesterday.
by yasser musa
3rd April 2019
They arrived on the campus of Landivar, a swarm of visual artists. They shared time in the afternoon sun to scan our beautiful swamp. The SJC art centre, a modest space, for art education would soon become the battle ground, where internationally known and recognized artists would play ping pong with ideas. Each taking the stage to give a quick click zap of their work.
Ideas about how history intersects with art, how the incubator of thoughts and actions can be best harnessed when youth are involved in the essential questions, who am I? what do I want to be? Am I my sisters and brothers keeper?
The encounter today would be with our high school students and Rosie Gordon Wallace and Roy Wallace, founders of Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator, Adrienne Chadwick, Belizean/Canadian artist and DVCAI ICE 2019 program coordinator, Dr. Alix Pierre, professor of African Diaspora, World Languages and Literature at Spelman College, Atlanta, GA, Pierre Obando, Belizean artist and professor at State University of New York, Asser Saint Val, artist, Onajide Shabaka, artist Devora Perez, artist Carol-Anne McFarlane, artist Aisha Tandiwe Bell, artist, Izia Lee Lindsay, artist. Two artists could not make it, but their works were presented Kurt Nahar, artist and Rosa Naday Garmendia, artist.
It is a long list, but the record of their visit must be clearly stated. And as usual our students rose to the occasion of the moment. They clearly stated their gratitude and appreciation for the dynamic guests. And they engaged in a rich dialogue of concepts, both real and abstract.
We often try to catch a glimpse of how and when education unfolds its lush and liberating side, and I can say, as witness, I got a scan yesterday.
encounter with timoteo mesh
Mesh Mash UP!
by Yasser Musa
27 March 2019
Timoteo Mesh arrives early for his encounter. He sits by the window, laptop in lap. I introduce myself. He is wearing a red Free Red Fawn shirt. I knew the name, but had to google it later to remember that Red Fawn Fallis is the 39 year old member of the Ogala Sioux tribe of North Dakota who was arrested by US authorities while protesting against the building of an oil pipeline through sacred Standing Rock Sioux lands.
Mesh kicked off his energized presentation with two sporting images. One of a FIFA football match and the other of an NBA game. He qualified both images as our fixation on the manufactured moment, a collective experience of gazing at public and media generated actions.
He then showed the students a video clip of Belizeans being displaced from their lands in the national interest. In the clip people’s homes were destroyed by the state and their forced eviction led to confrontation between police and the people.
Mesh engaged the students in a powerful dialogue about how authority establishes power through the projection of force and control. And what has become custom at the History Club, students lobbed question after question at the doctor of anthropology.
It was clear that Timoteo was in his element, in a battle of ideas, fielding each question with care and calm. If we had our eyes closed and just listened we would hear the early chants of the coming generation, aware, concerned and curious.
by Yasser Musa
27 March 2019
Timoteo Mesh arrives early for his encounter. He sits by the window, laptop in lap. I introduce myself. He is wearing a red Free Red Fawn shirt. I knew the name, but had to google it later to remember that Red Fawn Fallis is the 39 year old member of the Ogala Sioux tribe of North Dakota who was arrested by US authorities while protesting against the building of an oil pipeline through sacred Standing Rock Sioux lands.
Mesh kicked off his energized presentation with two sporting images. One of a FIFA football match and the other of an NBA game. He qualified both images as our fixation on the manufactured moment, a collective experience of gazing at public and media generated actions.
He then showed the students a video clip of Belizeans being displaced from their lands in the national interest. In the clip people’s homes were destroyed by the state and their forced eviction led to confrontation between police and the people.
Mesh engaged the students in a powerful dialogue about how authority establishes power through the projection of force and control. And what has become custom at the History Club, students lobbed question after question at the doctor of anthropology.
It was clear that Timoteo was in his element, in a battle of ideas, fielding each question with care and calm. If we had our eyes closed and just listened we would hear the early chants of the coming generation, aware, concerned and curious.
encounter with Musa Shaheed
The Room Turned Into Flames
by Delmer Tzib
The history club had an amazing experience with a talented, creative and engaging young Belizean drummer, Musa Shaheed. For a moment the art center (the setting) turned into an arena filled with the spirit of Africa. The sounds of the drums, clapping and energy ushered a festive feeling and a closer connection to the motherland. Africa was in the room, Musa Shaheed brought Africa to SJC.
The students sat totally transfixed by the energy and the charismatic way of teaching how to play drum. Everyone felt the power, the potency of Africa, the love for culture, the passion for “Africanness,” and the care for identity.
The room was lit with African vibes and my students were engulfed in the Creole and African culture. I had never experience this before, my students got carried away by the joyful spirit of home. As Maximus beat the drums energetically, Andre fine-tuned his base and Juan made musiical prowess’s with the Djembe. The room turned into flames, flames filled with genuine smiles, flames filled with curiosity and appreciation for the culture and Belize.
Thank you for taking us through this magnum experience Musa Shaheed! Blessings in your endeavor my brother! Keep passionately promoting your culture, we are all fighting the same fight!
by Delmer Tzib
The history club had an amazing experience with a talented, creative and engaging young Belizean drummer, Musa Shaheed. For a moment the art center (the setting) turned into an arena filled with the spirit of Africa. The sounds of the drums, clapping and energy ushered a festive feeling and a closer connection to the motherland. Africa was in the room, Musa Shaheed brought Africa to SJC.
The students sat totally transfixed by the energy and the charismatic way of teaching how to play drum. Everyone felt the power, the potency of Africa, the love for culture, the passion for “Africanness,” and the care for identity.
The room was lit with African vibes and my students were engulfed in the Creole and African culture. I had never experience this before, my students got carried away by the joyful spirit of home. As Maximus beat the drums energetically, Andre fine-tuned his base and Juan made musiical prowess’s with the Djembe. The room turned into flames, flames filled with genuine smiles, flames filled with curiosity and appreciation for the culture and Belize.
Thank you for taking us through this magnum experience Musa Shaheed! Blessings in your endeavor my brother! Keep passionately promoting your culture, we are all fighting the same fight!
encounter with chris cansino
The Curious Case of Chris Cansino
by yasser musa
13 March 2019
This evening the SJC History Club hosted its lastest encounter with young UB history student Chris Cansino.
There is an energy of youth that becomes amplified when they engage with each other. I could tell from the opening minutes of his presentation on the ICJ issue that Chris had the full attention and focus of the young history students.
Cansino's style of thinking is based on the power of curiosity, and an attitude of searching for a deeper understanding of issues no matter how complex they are. He rallied their minds in a unique millenial style, something I could detect as sincere and genuine.
He encouraged the students to think about what they are being fed by the media about this ICJ matter. By the time he had reached his tenth minute in the presentation the students were on the edge of their seats ready to ask questions.
And when the floor was opened a barage of questions came forward. Cansino had set the stage with his calm, and composed approach to discussion. Just last week the young political scientist Jordan Craig had done the same thing, engage the students in a process of provocative thinking.
The encounter ended with one last question from first former Maximus Scot, who had been peppering the space with questions from start to finish. Really it was as if they did not want young Cansino to leave.
Check that out!
by yasser musa
13 March 2019
This evening the SJC History Club hosted its lastest encounter with young UB history student Chris Cansino.
There is an energy of youth that becomes amplified when they engage with each other. I could tell from the opening minutes of his presentation on the ICJ issue that Chris had the full attention and focus of the young history students.
Cansino's style of thinking is based on the power of curiosity, and an attitude of searching for a deeper understanding of issues no matter how complex they are. He rallied their minds in a unique millenial style, something I could detect as sincere and genuine.
He encouraged the students to think about what they are being fed by the media about this ICJ matter. By the time he had reached his tenth minute in the presentation the students were on the edge of their seats ready to ask questions.
And when the floor was opened a barage of questions came forward. Cansino had set the stage with his calm, and composed approach to discussion. Just last week the young political scientist Jordan Craig had done the same thing, engage the students in a process of provocative thinking.
The encounter ended with one last question from first former Maximus Scot, who had been peppering the space with questions from start to finish. Really it was as if they did not want young Cansino to leave.
Check that out!
encounter with JORDAN CRAIG
7 March 2019
This evening the SJC History Club encounter was overflowing with students as they listened to Jordan Craig, advocate and political scientist. She gave an excellent presentation on the burning issue facing Belize today, the upcoming ICJ referendum on 10th April. After her talk students asked many questions.
This evening the SJC History Club encounter was overflowing with students as they listened to Jordan Craig, advocate and political scientist. She gave an excellent presentation on the burning issue facing Belize today, the upcoming ICJ referendum on 10th April. After her talk students asked many questions.
encounter with sylvia batty
13 February 2019
This evening the SJC History Club members hosted young archaeologist and researcher Sylvia Batty for an encounter about the first inhabitants in this land Belize, the paleo indians and the archaic peoples. Using material evidence like stone tools and a giant sloth bone found in Belize dating some 13,000 years ago Sylvia held her audience during and after her presentation when she fielded questions from the students.
This evening the SJC History Club members hosted young archaeologist and researcher Sylvia Batty for an encounter about the first inhabitants in this land Belize, the paleo indians and the archaic peoples. Using material evidence like stone tools and a giant sloth bone found in Belize dating some 13,000 years ago Sylvia held her audience during and after her presentation when she fielded questions from the students.
choose history
click on image below for VIDEO
...welcome to your online classroom
This is our 6th year of hosting a web portal for our students. It has three main characteristics. One, the NEWS /Home page featuring ongoing activities of our SJC History Club; two, teacher driven online classrooms with resources for students and three our entire curriculum and archive of the past five (5) years.
- History Department, St. John's College High School, Belize City, Belize
- History Department, St. John's College High School, Belize City, Belize
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San Lazaro
President of the SJC History Club Jason Cutkelvin presenting a gift to the Carillo family
16 December 2018
The SJC History Club visited the village of San Lazaro for their annual village festival. Our host Mr Hugo Carillo treated the group to a special tour of his living Maya museum in the backyard of his family home. He also arranged for the students to experience the ancient Maya ballgame Pok a Tok. The youths got a hands on experience of a family farm walking though corn fields, pass sugar cane, onions, beans and other foods vital to the legacy and survival of our people.
The SJC History Club visited the village of San Lazaro for their annual village festival. Our host Mr Hugo Carillo treated the group to a special tour of his living Maya museum in the backyard of his family home. He also arranged for the students to experience the ancient Maya ballgame Pok a Tok. The youths got a hands on experience of a family farm walking though corn fields, pass sugar cane, onions, beans and other foods vital to the legacy and survival of our people.
LITA HUNTER KROHN
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5 December 2018
The SJC Art and History Department announces an encounter with Lita Hunter Krohn writer, historian, cultural worker and former SJC History teacher. She will be our guest as her new book The Man Who Wore Khaki is officially released. The book is about the life and work of Alexander Albert Hunter better known as Sandy. Written by his daughter Lita, the book places Hunter in the context of an important moment in Belize’s history, our journey to self-government and eventually Independence. It highlights his eighteen years of service to Belize in the government of George Price. The book is also a powerful reflection by a daughter and the relationship with her father. Lita Hunter Krohn comes from the arena of education and culture. She taught history at St. John’s College from 1979 to 1989, and later at the Junior College. She also was an editor and long standing participant in the publication of Belizean Studies. In 2004 she co-edited with Froyla Tzalam a 2ndedition of Readings In Belizean History, a seminal work used for many years inside the classroom. Lita Hunter Krohn became director of Culture for Belize in 1989 and later served as director of NICH (Museum of Belize and Houses of Culture). |
PULU lightburn
10 October 2018 - Pulu Lightburn, basketball legend came to our History Club this evening for a most exciting and engaging encounter.
Joshua ARANA encounter
First encounter of the new academic year for the SJC History Club with world renowned Garifuna drummer Joshua Arana.He captivated the students with a deep presentation about Garifuna spirituality and worldview.
100 strong
At an SJC Club Fair held at the Art Centre on 26th September, exactly 100 students signed up to be part of the SJC History Club. This is an astonishing moment of energy and interest for a course that has traditionally been undervalued and neglected at the High School level.
Belize is an imagined community
Independence Day address to students by history teacher Delmer Tzib
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student centered + teacher driven
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Yasser Musa
Belizean Studies + Belizean History |
Delmer Tzib
Belizean Studies + Belizean History +Latin American/Central American History + Caribbean History |
Ryan Gamboa
Belizean Studies + Belizean History |
St. John's College is participating in the Belizean Studies Pilot project to implement the teaching of Belizean Studies at the High School level. We are part of 12 schools across Belize involved in this process. We are fully committed to this process of national development.
Click on yellow box below to view site
