My most sincere thanks to the organizations that realized the importance of this study and whose funds supported me so that I could complete this dissertation project. Obtaining the Fulbright scholarship enabled me to live in Guatemala and include the voices of the modern Garífuna. The University of Missouri Chancellor"s Dissertation Completion Fellowship allowed me to take a year off from teaching to concentrate solely on producing the best work possible. First, foremost and above all else, I thank my family who was there for me in every stage and in every word of this dissertation. Dad and Mom (Donald Floyd and Norma Joy Forbes) always had much more faith in my abilities than I did and constantly reminded me to keep strong and keep writing through the most difficult moments. My brother Marc, who would send me flowers and teddy bears along the journey to keep up my spirits will always be one of the most special people in the world to me. To my sister Monique ("You there?") was there for me wherever I was in the world to listen, give advice, encouragement, and even a sentence when I was stuck for words! And my brother Michael ("we got a cool Black guy"), the first PhD in the familythanks little brother for setting the first example! My favorite Aunt, Beryl Elaine Lodge-Harriott and my Uncle Bozie (Neville Lloyd Lodge) were there for me anytime I just felt like talking on the phone about nothing at all. I also extend many thanks to family in Jamaica, Canada, and England for always wishing me the best. I could not have asked for a more superior support system than my family. At the University of Missouri, I thank Flore Zéphir who is not only the best academic mentor on the planet, but who was my "big sister" when I needed her. Flore was the giant on whose shoulders I stood to complete this work and although she had a large role to play in the editing and clarification of its structure, any misinterpretations or mistakes are purely mine alone. A great thanks is owed to the faculty who agreed to be on my dissertation committee: