OURSELVES

Abstract

Although Rex Nettleford’s (1993) book analyzes the historical and systemic dilemmas facing the Caribbean and the world, if his quote is taken at a more specific level of interpretation and analysis, I can apply it to ways in which Fay Simpson demonstrated her increasing knowledge of dance and choreography, which Pat Cumper discusses in the book’s Preface. As importantly, Denise Desnoes states that Fay moved well beyond the traditional ways of teaching ballet in Jamaica. Increasingly, with each show, Fay Simpson choreographed and mounted performances not only of the classical works, but as importantly, she created original ballets and dances which were stamped vividly, made in Jamaica, by a recognized and highly respected, Jamaican woman, dance mistress.