PUBLICATIONS
A n event unprecedented in the annals of the university’s 75-year-old history—that is how one could describe the festschrift dedicated to Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) and a champion of social justice and academic excellence. The festschrift, a collection of essays by various authors to honour a respected scholar, spans nearly 1,150 pages and features 41 articles from historians and other academics from around the world. They celebrate and reflect on the remarkable achievements and contributions of Sir Hilary, who has been a leader and a mentor in the field of Caribbean history and beyond. The book, titled Interrogating Injustices: Essays in Honour of Hilary McD. Beckles , was launched last 15 December at The UWI, Cave Hill Campus as part of the grand finale of the 75th anniversary of The UWI and the 60th anniversary of Cave Hill. It was edited by Professor Verene Shepherd , Dr. Henderson D. Carter and Dr. Ahmed N. Reid , and published by Ian Randle Publishers, a Caribbean-owned company. Professor Shepherd , who is the Director of the Centre for Reparation Research at The UWI, said that Sir Hilary was her inspiration and that she had to unlearn the colonial history that she was taught. She also contributed an essay to the
Professor Sir Hilary Beckles Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies (The UWI)
book and explained how they approached the massive project. “We had to turn away a few articles … but we tried to accommodate as many people as possible. The whole project was meant to almost pattern the 10-point plan of the CARICOM Reparations Commission … It was a big project for a big intellectual, and it took [a lot] of hours.” Dr. Carter , who is the Head of the Department of History and Philosophy at Cave Hill, wrote three essays for the book. He said that the book was a celebration of the long and distinguished journey of Sir Hilary, whom he met in 1985, and described
as a teacher, fellow cricketer, and friend. The idea to compile scholarly works in honour of the academic was first conceptualised in 2013 but stalled, according to the Cave Hill historian. He said it was revived and reimagined in 2019 by Professor Shepherd. “This book is our way of saying ‘thank you for your inspirational teaching, your inspirational supervision, your leadership in research, your foresight in creating heritage assets … I’m proud to have been one of your students, proud to have been one of your cricketing friends.” Professor Clive Landis , the Pro
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