Theology as Social Control: "How to Make a Negro Christian" - Book Analysis

 

Christian Slaves

 

Theology as Social Control: "How to Make a Negro Christian" - Book Analysis

 

How to Make a Negro Christian—most widely recognized in modern editions published by Afrocentric scholar Kamau Makesi-Tehuti—is an annotated compilation of 19th-century pro-slavery theological texts. Primary among these is the work of Dr. Rev. Charles Colcock Jones Sr. (1804–1863), a Presbyterian minister and plantation owner from Liberty County, Georgia, whose original landmark work was The Religious Instruction of the Negroes in the United States (1842).

The text serves as a historical case study in the deliberate use of Christian theology, catechisms, and biblical exegesis as tools of social control during American antebellum chattel slavery.

An Ode to Bush Medicine

 

 Bush Combo

 

 

An Ode to Bush Medicine

Across the cays where turquoise waters gleam,
Where island sunbeams spark a golden dream,
Beyond the walls of cities, sleek and new,
A timeless healing waits in fields of blue.

It whispers softly in the ocean breeze,
Among the coppice, pine, and gum elemi trees—
The sacred bush, the heritage and art
That pulse like lifeblood through a nation’s heart.

From Bimini down to Inagua’s shore,
Our grandmothers preserved this ancient lore,
A gentle pharmacy by nature grown,
Where every leaf and root was widely known.

Long before clinics rose upon the street,
Where herbal wisdom and devotion meet,
The remedy for fever, ache, or chill
Was gathered quiet from the native hill.

Da Bush is Ready

 

Da Bush is Ready

Photo: ©A. Derek Catalano

Another bush combo potion from Miss Ivy.

 

Cerasee

Aralia

Aloe

Cloves 

Mango

Guinea Hen Weed

 

Cures all ailments.

Can raise the dead too. 😉 

 

View another Bush Medicine Pot

 

The Good Ship Jesus

  The Jesus of Lübeck depicted in the Anthony Roll (1546). Source: Wikipedia

 

The Sovereign Vessel of Transatlantic Slavery: An Essay on the Jesus of Lübeck a.k.a. The Good Ship Jesus

The Jesus of Lübeck—popularly referred to as "The Good Ship Jesus"—holds a pivotal, sinister place in global maritime and imperial history. Constructed in the free Hanseatic port of Lübeck in the early 16th century, the vessel transitioned from a massive Baltic merchant carack to the flagship of King Henry VIII’s Royal Navy, and ultimately to the command ship of Sir John Hawkins during the birth of the English transatlantic slave trade.

Its journey embodies the transition of Western Europe from late-medieval feudal commerce to early modern mercantile imperialism, marking the inception of England's involvement in the human trafficking that defined the Atlantic world for centuries.

 

King Charles III

Royal Visit Sparks Heated Debate Over Apologies and Reparations for Transatlantic Slavery

 

As King Charles III prepares to arrive in Nassau, The Bahamas, for his royal visit on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, his presence has reignited a deeply polarising debate across the Caribbean: Should the British Monarchy apologize for its central role in the transatlantic slave trade, and should the United Kingdom pay financial or structural reparations to the descendants of enslaved Bahamians?

Buckingham Palace and British government officials have maintained that King Charles will not issue a formal apology nor commit to financial reparations during the visit. While the King has expressed "deep sorrow" for the "appalling atrocity of slavery," the formal refusal to go further has drawn sharp reactions from local activists, political leaders, and the CARICOM Reparations Commission.

Happy National Heroes Day Bahamas

 

What is a National Hero? A Comprehensive Exploration

 

Introduction

Throughout history, nations have celebrated the lives and legacies of individuals who have played pivotal roles in shaping their futures. These individuals, often called "national heroes," transcend ordinary achievements and become symbols of a nation’s values, culture, and identity. The title "national hero" is not given lightly; it is often reserved for those who have made significant contributions, whether in the realm of politics, military, culture, or human rights. But what exactly defines a national hero? This article delves into the criteria, historical significance, and the evolving role of national heroes in modern society. Read more>>

Wings Over the Waves: The Rise, Reign, and Tragic Fall of Chalk’s International Airlines

 

Chalk's Seaplane in Nassau Harbour

 

 

Wings Over the Waves: The Rise, Reign, and Tragic Fall of Chalk’s International Airlines

 

Introduction

 

Chalk’s International Airlines occupies a unique place in civil aviation history. Operating for nearly nine decades, Chalk’s was recognized for decades as the world’s oldest continuously operating airline. Connecting the coastal waters of South Florida to the Islands of The Bahamas—most notably Bimini—the airline built an enduring legacy on its fleet of amphibious seaplanes, water takeoffs, and romanticized, open-water routes.

From flying legendary figures like Ernest Hemingway and bootleggers carrying rum during Prohibition to accommodating generations of Bahamians and tourists, Chalk’s was a vital transportation lifeline. However, its historic journey ended abruptly in the mid-2000s due to fleet aging, neglected maintenance practices, and a catastrophic structural failure.

 

Black Seminoles of Red Bays, Andros

 

The Black Seminoles of Red Bays, Andros

 

Introduction: The Saltwater Underground Railroad

 

Hidden on the remote, wild northwestern coast of Andros Island lies Red Bays—the only historic human settlement situated on the western shore of the largest island in The Bahamas archipelago. Beyond its geographic isolation, Red Bays holds a singular place in Afro-Indigenous history: it is the end of the "Saltwater Underground Railroad."

While mainstream North American history often emphasizes freedom seekers traveling north toward Canada, hundreds of enslaved Africans and their Indigenous allies fled south into the Florida Everglades. Guided by courage and marine navigation, they risked a treacherous 150-mile voyage across the Gulf Stream to seek sanctuary in British territory. The community they founded in 1821 at Red Bays remains a living testament to Afro-Seminole resistance, self-determination, and cultural synthesis.

Villa Doyle: From Colonial Seat to The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas

The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas at Villa Doyle

 

Villa Doyle: From Colonial Seat to The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas

Perched atop a hill at the intersection of West and West Hill Streets in historic Nassau, Villa Doyle stands as one of the most significant architectural land markers in The Bahamas. Originally constructed during the American Civil War era as a symbol of colonial legal authority, the mansion evolved across more than a century of political, economic, and social shifts before falling into near-total decay. Restored through a visionary public initiative, Villa Doyle now serves as the home of The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB), transforming a site of colonial aristocracy into an inclusive space for national artistic expression.

Peanuts Taylor: King of the Drumbeat

 

Peanuts Taylor at the Drumbeat Club

 

Peanuts Taylor: King of the Drumbeat 

 

John Berkley “Peanuts” Taylor (June 20, 1935 – December 2024) stands as one of the most celebrated cultural icons, master percussionists, and show business pioneers in Bahamian history. Over a career that spanned seven decades, he elevated Goombay and Calypso music to international stages, appeared on global television broadcasts, and created a legendary nightlife experience through his landmark venue, The Drumbeat Club.

History of The Bahamas Mural

 

History of The Bahamas Mural, corner of Shirley St. and Elizabeth Ave. Nassau, Bahamas. Artist: Marco Mullings. View all photos.

 

Old Nassau

(Bahamas AI Image - ©A. Derek Catalano)

Download color and B&W images

 

Reclaiming Identity: The Liberated Africans of The Bahamas, Their Post-Emancipation Lives, and Enduring Contributions

The history of the modern Bahamas is deeply interwoven with the story of the Liberated Africans—a distinct population of men, women, and children who arrived in the archipelago not as enslaved plantation laborers, but as individuals intercepted at sea following the abolition of the British transatlantic slave trade. Between 1808 and 1860, thousands of Africans were rescued from illegal slave ships, brought to Bahamian shores, and placed into a complex transition space between theoretical freedom and systemic subjugation.

Despite facing institutional control, economic marginalization, and cultural suppression, the Liberated Africans rebuilt their lives, preserved their cultural heritage, and laid the sociocultural, economic, and political foundations of modern Bahamian society.

Western Esplanade Obelisk - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

The Western Esplanade Obelisk, Nassau, Bahamas: A Monument to Courage, Duty, and Sacrifice

 

Introduction

Along the historic waterfront of Nassau stands a modest yet profoundly meaningful monument that many residents and visitors pass without fully appreciating its significance. Located on the Western Esplanade, overlooking Nassau Harbour, the limestone obelisk commemorates one of the most tragic and heroic maritime rescue attempts in Bahamian history. It was erected in memory of five Bahamian men who lost their lives on February 26th, 1861 while courageously attempting to rescue two men aboard a pilot boat that had been overturned by a violent sea.

The monument serves as more than a memorial to five individuals. It is a tribute to the long maritime tradition of The Bahamas, to the dangers faced by those who work on the sea, and to the extraordinary courage displayed by ordinary Bahamians who willingly risked—and ultimately sacrificed—their own lives in an effort to save others.

To fully understand the significance of the Western Esplanade Obelisk, it is first necessary to understand the important roles of pilot boats and harbour pilots, whose work has been essential to the safe operation of Nassau Harbour for centuries.

 

"The Vision" - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Comprehensive Development Report: The Over-The-Hill Modernization & Revitalization Project

 

Executive Summary

 

The "Over-The-Hill" district is the historic and cultural heart of Nassau, Bahamas. Geographically bounded by Shirley Street to the north, Wulff Road to the south, Collins Avenue to the east, and Nassau Street to the west, this roughly two-square-mile zone encompasses Bain Town, Grant's Town, and parts of the surrounding inner-city neighborhoods.

While it is the birthplace of modern Bahamian politics, music (Junkanoo, Goombay), and identity, decades of infrastructural neglect, high economic informality, and systemic socioeconomic challenges necessitate a comprehensive intervention.

This report evaluates a multi-billion-dollar framework to fully modernize the district into a thriving, resilient, and structurally sound urban core while ensuring long-term Bahamian equity and heritage preservation.

 

Masonic Temple, Bay St., Nassau, Bahamas

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

The Brotherhood of the Square and Compass: An In-Depth Examination of Freemasonry

Freemasonry remains one of the most enduring, highly debated, and misunderstood fraternal organizations in human history. To some, it is a benign civic group dedicated to charity and personal self-improvement; to others, it represents a shadow network operating behind a veil of ancient rituals and allegorical secrets.

Echoes in the Wood: The Architecture, History, and Cultural Resilience of Harbour Island’s Loyalist Cottages

 

A classic example of late 18th-century Loyalist architecture in Dunmore Town.

Source: Remanz / Getty Images

 

Echoes in the Wood: The Architecture, History, and Cultural Resilience of Harbour Island’s Loyalist Cottages

Stepping onto the narrow, golf-cart-lined streets of Dunmore Town on Harbour Island is less a journey in distance than a profound shift in time. Beyond the world-renowned blush of its pink sand beaches lies a built environment that serves as a living repository of the late eighteenth century. The defining feature of this landscape is the collection of Loyalist Cottages—quaint, pastel-hued wooden structures that have withstood centuries of intense Atlantic hurricanes, economic shifts, and social transformations.

Far from mere picturesque backdrops for modern travelers, these cottages represent a brilliant architectural synthesis: the blending of New England maritime building traditions with the harsh, unforgiving realities of a subtropical climate. They stand today as structural testaments to a complex colonial migration and the enduring craftsmanship of the Bahamian people.

The Sweetest Hill in Nassau: How Mortimer Candies Crafted a Century of Bahamian History

 

Mortimer Candies, East St. Nassau, Bahamas

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

The Sweetest Hill in Nassau: How Mortimer Candies Crafted a Century of Bahamian History

 

If there is a single scent that defines the childhood nostalgia of generations of Bahamians, it is the sweet, sharp aroma of boiling peppermint wafting from the top of East Street Hill in Nassau.

Since 1928, Mortimer Candies has stood as a living monument to Bahamian resilience, culinary tradition, and entrepreneurship. Operating for nearly a century, it is one of the oldest black-owned manufacturing businesses in the country. To visit Mortimer Candies is not just to buy a bag of sweets; it is to step directly into a time capsule of "Over-the-Hill" Nassau history.

Historical Colonial Home

 

"Historical Colonial Home" -  ©A. Derek Catalano

Bay St., Nassau, Bahamas 

 

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The Portal of Nassau: History, Architecture, and Socio-Political Significance of Gregory’s Arch

 

"Gregory's Arch Poinciana" - ©A. Derek Catalano

Download  full size: 2575x1968

 

The Portal of Nassau: History, Architecture, and Socio-Political Significance of Gregory’s Arch

In the heart of downtown Nassau, New Providence, stands a quiet yet imposing limestone structure known as Gregory’s Arch. Erected in the mid-19th century, this historic stone archway spans Market Street, serving as a physical and symbolic gateway. To the casual visitor, it is an elegant piece of colonial infrastructure; to the student of Bahamian history, however, it represents a profound socio-economic and racial intersection.

Gregory's Arch is literally the line where the old, affluent, white colonial city of Nassau ends and the historic, working-class, Afro-Bahamian communities of "Over-the-Hill"—most notably Grant’s Town and Bain Town—begin.

Junkanoo Training

 

 

Music Makers Junkanoo practice and training on Joe Billy Park, Fowler St., Nassau, Bahamas. Keepin' it alive into the future.

 

Related article: Junkanoo: Securing Cultural Heritage Through Youth Engagement