Dr. Anna Kasafi Perkins is a prominent figure in the realm of Caribbean theology and academia, and is now one of C-Think’s esteemed judges.
The University Lecturer and Gender & Theology Specialist has already left indelible marks in her insightful research papers and thought-provoking publications. Her contributions to C-Think’s competitions will likely be just as impactful.
C-Think’s organizers are pleased that Dr. Perkins accepted their invitation to judge the Critical Thinking Debates despite her active involvement in her job and professional associations. Her newest role is fitting since Dr. Perkins continues to help shape discourse on issues ranging from cultural identity to gender dynamics, in Jamaica and beyond.
One notable publication by Perkins is her essay titled “Absent Fathers, Prodigal Sons: Reconciling with the Father in Jamaica“. It captured the attention of the leaders of Parents’ Alliance Jamaica, one of the entities behind C-Think’s organization. Perkins used this essay to delve into the complex dynamics of fatherhood in Jamaican society. The Alliance credits her “nuanced insights into the reconciliation process within familial relationships”.
The C-Think Judge is already known for her engaging well with popular culture and she understands its effects on societal norms. Debaters and the public should expect wise guidance and advice in her comments on moots and in how she balances perspectives.
She seems to have an innate ability to understand Jamaican culture and anyone who has read her work, “Blood clot, ras clot and bun bow clot: Lovindeer takes on female bodily taboos in Jamaica”, would agree. It offered a fresh perspective on the portrayal of female bodily taboos in music and its impact on cultural perceptions.
Jamaican music and spirituality are also among the subjects covered by Perkins’ works. “A Kartel of Sin?: Messianic Desires and Vybz” was written by her to delve into the religious undertones present in Jamaican music. This work is the theme behind at least one of C-Think’s 2024 Faith League moots, which will engage viewers in discussions about the intersection of faith and popular culture in Jamaica.
Perkins’ discourse on gender-based violence and Christian ethics also has influence on some of C-Think’s Faith League moots. In “Christian Norms and Intimate Male Partner Violence: Lessons from a Jamaica Women’s Health Survey”, the Judge sheds light on the complex interplay between religious norms and intimate partner violence. Debaters and their audiences will be forced to explore this pressing issue in the first Faith League Debates.
Perkins’ busy schedule includes involvement with the Black Catholics Theological Symposium (BCTS), the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA), and the International Association of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE). So Dr. Perkins may hardly hit the screens to judge C-Think’s matches and break down moots, but viewers can expect her appearances to have an ‘indelible impact’.
She is already an inspiration to Jamaican women and to aspiring scholars and theologians who value excellence and social justice in their endeavors.
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