What gets centred and what gets framed as marginal? Who decides? And what are the consequences? UN expert, feminist scholar and social historian Rhoda Reddock – Professor Emerita at The University of the West Indies – joins us from Trinidad and Tobago to discuss the theme of margins, reflecting on the importance of radical Caribbean thought, the contested meaning of the “global south” and the evolution and significance of Caribbean feminism from the 70s to today.

As a member of the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Rhoda shares her reflections of moving between Switzerland and Trinidad and Tobago for her work. She also gives advice to scholars striving to make an impact – and to those questioning the necessity of moving to the “global north”. Why, Rhoda asks, does scholarship from the “global south” too often get perceived as regionally specific, while the “north” remains regarded as the centre of sociological thought? And how, Rosie and Alexis ask, has the Caribbean typically been regarded – or indeed, dismissed – by the discipline?

Plus: Rhoda also shines a spotlight on Trinidadian-American scholar Oliver C. Cox, author of “Caste, Class and Race”, whose work was a precursor to Wallerstein’s “World Systems Theory” and also to women’s studies today. A fascinating discussion, also featuring celebration of thinkers including CLR James and Walter Rodney, author of “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa”.

Guest: Rhoda Reddock
Hosts: Rosie Hancock, Alexis Hieu Truong
Executive Producer: Alice Bloch
Sound Engineer: David Crackles
Music: Joe Gardner
Artwork: Erin Aniker

Find more about Uncommon Sense

Episode Resources

By Rhoda Reddock

• Radical Caribbean Social Thought
• Women and Slavery in the Caribbean
• “Conceptualizing ‘Difference’ in Caribbean Feminist Theory” in New Caribbean Thought
• Rhoda’s online profile

From the Sociological Review Foundation

• Europeans, with Manuela  Boatcă – Uncommon Sense podcast episode
• Global Sociology – online magazine essay collection
• Decolonising Methodologies, 20 Years On: The Sociological Review Annual Lecture – Linda Tuhiwai Smith

Further resources

• The UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
• “North-South: A Programme for Survival” – Willy Brandt
• “Southern Theory: The global dynamics of knowledge in social science” – Raewyn Connell
• “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” – Walter Rodney
• “Caste, Class and Race: A Study in Social Dynamics” – Oliver C. Cox

Support our work. Make a one-off or regular donation to help fund future episodes of Uncommon Sense: donorbox.org/uncommon-sense