Director’s Statement

I am Keisha Thompson, a psychologist by profession, and with great passion, the director of this documentary. Chinua Achebe once wrote, "Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter." This proverb has been my guiding force throughout my career as a psychologist and as the driving inspiration behind this project.

This documentary is an endeavor to tell a story that deviates from the traditional narratives that glorify the "hunters" of history. It is the story of my homeland, Trinidad & Tobago. It is the story of women who, with unwavering conviction and immense sacrifice, have paved the way for others in Trinidad & Tobago. This is the story of the women who played pivotal roles in the 1970 Black Power Revolution in Trinidad & Tobago.

The inception of this documentary project came during my extensive research on the events of 1970 in Trinidad & Tobago. It became apparent that a resounding silence enveloped this critical chapter in our nation's history. There was a scarcity of written accounts, and the events and their profound, lasting impact were conspicuously absent from the history curriculum.

In 2016, I embarked on a journey to Trinidad & Tobago to unravel this hidden history. During this time, I had the privilege of conducting interviews with approximately 15 individuals, and I amassed a trove of newspaper articles, letters to the editor, and other printed material pertaining to the events of 1970. My stay in Trinidad & Tobago led me to individuals who were not just associated with but were active members of the Black Nationalist organization, NJAC (National Joint Action Committee), which was a driving force behind the Black Power Revolution. NJAC adhered to the black nationalist ideology of the Garveyite movement of 1914 and beyond. However, the fact that women were instrumental within these spaces is a fact that has largely been marginalized in the annals of history. While some recognition has been given to the women who participated, it has often been incidental at best.

In January 2018, I returned to Trinidad & Tobago with the goal of creating this oral history project. The mission was clear: to shine a light on the remarkable women who played significant roles in the 1970 Black Power Revolution and to emphasize their enduring impact on Trinbagonian society. Armed with only a single DSLR camera and a lavalier microphone, I conducted nine video interviews in total. My interviewees included women who had been deeply involved in the movement, other participants, and two scholars with profound knowledge of the events.

This documentary also represents my earnest attempt to break through the barriers erected by the "Ivory Tower" of academia. My full-time occupation is that of a psychology professor, and my academic work, though valuable within the confines of scholarly circles, can sometimes feel distant from the lived experiences of people. I often ponder, "What is the significance of academia continually conversing with itself about the external world?" This documentary stands as my initial foray into dismantling this barrier, engaging with the world in which we all reside, and offering insights into our shared human experience.

In conclusion, "Unveiling the Unheard Voices: Women of the 1970 Black Power Revolution in Trinidad & Tobago" is a tribute to the resilience and fortitude of these women, an endeavor to amend the historical record, and an opening chapter in my personal journey to bridge the gap between academia and the broader world. It is my hope that this documentary will illuminate the unsung heroines of our history and inspire us all to explore the untold stories that shape our world.