Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco from February, 2014
Trinidad & Tobago: Glitter Glee
I have been a hooved La Diablesse, a bolt of lighting, Thumbelina, Blight, and one of the Israelites leaving Egypt, among others. There was always some glitter involved. Glitter is to carnival as mud is to J’ouvert. creative commess explains her love of the sparkly stuff.
Caribbean: How the Media Shapes Perception
Both Venezuela and Haiti have been facing anti-government protests. However, the international media’s escalation of the Venezuelan crisis and their complete silence when it comes to Haiti, raises some important questions about the United States’ inconsistency in upholding the values of human rights and democracy. Kevin Edmonds calls out the...
Trinidad & Tobago: Concerns About the What'sApp Purchase
In reaction to Facebook's recent purchase of What'sApp for US$19 billion, ICT Pulse shares some points about which “tech and app developer communities worldwide should be mindful.”
Jamaicans Make Do with Fake Verdict in Vybz Kartel Trial
The satirical website FakeJamaica shares fictitious breaking news about the Vybz Kartel murder trial: The Jury returned a verdict of not guilty. The…defendant’s lawyer Tom Tavares-Finson…based a significant portion of the defense’s case on the idea that Adijah Palmer cannot be held responsible for anything that his musical persona does.
Bahamas: The Cerasee Cold Cure
Forget the cold relief, time for the cure. Blogworld's Nicolette Bethel turns to “bush medicine” for healing.
Trinidad & Tobago: The Truth of J'ouvert
In anticipation of her J'ouvert experience at this year's Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, Tillah Willah explores why the opening of the festival holds so many truths for her.
Jamaica Awaits Verdict in Murder Trial of Dancehall Reggae Star Vybz Kartel
There is as yet no verdict in the Vybz Kartel murder trial, but Jamaicans are awaiting the outcome with bated breath - and tweeting about the possibilities in the interim.
Jamaica: Breakespeare & Bob Marley
Inspired by Cindy Breakspeare's recent lecture on Bob Marley, Annie Paul republishes a 2007 interview she did with her, in which Breakspeare discusses her youth, her Jamaican-ness and of course, meeting Bob.
Empty Office Buildings in Trinidad's Capital
The huge potential supply of State-built, unfinished office buildings in our capital is the ‘Elephant in the Room‘. Afra Raymond confronts it in an effort to address “the viability of the long-term and large-scale investments which have been made in Port-of-Spain by private and public capital.”
Photographers Snap Over Online Accreditation for Trinidad Carnival
Social media has taken the enjoyment of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival to a new level - but photographers are being told that their 2014 accreditation fees won't cover online use.
Bermuda: Political Shenanigans
Bermuda deserves better. Our country is in deep trouble, and you are fiddling away with self-absorption. Vexed Bermoothes has some advice for the country's politicians.
Race as a Political Weapon in the Caribbean
Of all the offensive – and unintelligent – statements made in the politics of the post-independence Caribbean, an assertion, that Dr Keith Rowley, the leader of the Opposition in Trinidad and Tobago, is ‘too black’ to be Prime Minister, has to rate as the worst. Bajan Reporter explains why such...
Could Barbados’ Economic Crisis Spread to Other Islands?
Abeng News Magazine's Mark Lee says that the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) Country Report “reads like a good cop bad cop interrogation of the Barbados economy”. Read the details, here.
Carnival Love Songs From the Caribbean
Valentine's Day in the Caribbean is usually overshadowed by Carnival, so GV's Caribbean team posts a few of its favourite soca songs in an effort to spread the love...
The Iconic Trinidadian Film You've Never Seen
In 1974, Bim—widely regarded as the iconic Trinidadian film—was released, then faded into obscurity. 40 years later, one film enthusiast gives it new life via Facebook.
Trinidad & Tobago: Feminist Soca
“Feminist” kaiso and soca music – is there such a thing? creative commess thinks so and posts a playlist.
Barbados, Guyana: Peas & Rice, Very Nice
tastes like home puts a Guyanese twist on a favourite Barbadian dish.
Drug Bust Holds Lessons for Caribbean Distribution Chains
Of the recent drug bust originating out of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados Underground says: The fundamentals are clear. Supply chain security in the Caribbean is weak, and known local and regional solutions need to be applied and strengthened.
A Personal Tribute to Jamaican “Interventionist” Stuart Hall
Jamaica-based blogger Annie Paul posts a personal and stirring tribute to the late Jamaican cultural theorist Stuart Hall - a must-read for anyone who admired his work.
Trinidad & Tobago: A Deeper Carnival
Mas is beauty and horror. Mas as a whole can’t and shouldn’t be a version of reality that edits out the blood and pain. Tillah Willah explains why she is so excited about the character she is portraying in this year's Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.
Remembering the Jamaican Cultural Theorist Stuart Hall
Jamaican-born cultural theorist Stuart Hall died today; netizens and academics all over the Caribbean - indeed, the world - were shocked by the news, expressing their grief on social media.
