Constance Sutton was a powerhouse, and will be remembered powerfully by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her. My first Caribbean Studies class – in fact—my first class and one of the few classes ever on the Anthropology of this hemisphere and focusing on Latin America, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and more – was taught by Connie. She introduced me to the Caribbean constructed by anthropologists, but also to the Caribbean she loved and admired. She looked up to the region’s racial fluidity, even less fluid than she imagined, and to the strength of its rebel women, and its history of resistance and continuity. Foremost she harbored great appreciation of the power of play, language, performance, carnival, and celebration. From her I also learned about the Black Caribbean Marxist thinkers that anchored analyses of race/capitalism before terms like racial capitalism were in vogue. Connie was also a generous mentor and host, and I will always remember her dinner table, and the encompassing circle around her. Connie inspired generations to love Puerto Rico, Barbados, Haiti and Caribbean Brooklyn with the same passion. Her Caribbean was global and diasporic. I am glad we are finally catching up to her.
— Arlene Davila, New York University