Stories about Citizen Media from October, 2021
‘Loss and Damage’ are critical issues for fragile Caribbean states at COP26
"It’s important for high emitting, major polluters to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. That is what is driving the extremes of climate change. Meanwhile, we have to adapt."
Sri Lanka sacks agricultural scientist for raising concerns over agro-chemical ban
The sudden move to total organic farming could be one of the multiple triggers for a Sri Lankan food crisis that has affected the availability of essential food in the market.
Brandy Rodriguez, ‘fearless’ advocate for Trinidad and Tobago's LGBTQ+ community, dies
'Her work has assisted with the reduction of exclusion, discrimination, and violence of marginalized groups – especially Trans-Women.'
Chaotic attempt to remove Trinidad & Tobago's president demonstrates how ‘the country was the real loser’
Trinidad and Tobago's landscape of tribal politics recently culminated in a motion—which ultimately failed—to remove the country’s sitting president from office.
How children became the worst sufferers of COVID-19 induced lockdowns in India
VideoVolunteers Community Correspondents (CCs) report from the ground on the devastating consequences of COVID-19 lockdowns for primary education in rural schools in India.
Billboard satire blasts Australian government's tepid climate change stance for Glasgow COP26
"They are laughing at us in Times Square, as they should be: our response to climate change is the biggest joke on earth."
Controversial Jamaican pastor dies in car crash on the way to being charged for ‘cult’ deaths
Following the bizarre deaths of two congregants and a car crash that claimed the life of the sect's leader, Jamaicans are incredulous over how such "churches" are allowed to operate.
Pandora Papers revelations across Lusophone countries
Numerous politicians were implicated in Angola, Mozambique, and Portugal. Before that, their names had never been attached to offshore scandals.
Cats, crows and planet Earth: drawings by Belarusian political prisoners
Drawings sent to friends and family by Belarusian political prisoners, detained in a crackdown after the 2020 elections, provide an insight into their lives.
Bangladesh’s upcoming Data Protection Act may suppress, not protect, citizens rights
Analysts fear that a proposed data protection act in Bangladesh contains some loopholes including the indemnification of government agencies, which could be weaponized like the existing controversial Digital Security Act 2018.
Yasin Abu Bakr, leader of Trinidad & Tobago's attempted Islamist coup, dies 31 years after failed insurrection
"Have you lot praising this ‘community leader’ ever thought about not only the people killed but the people living on after being traumatized?"
Key suspect in Haitian president’s assassination held in Jamaica on immigration charges
Details are still coming to light, but the suspect, Colombian national Mario Antonio Palacios Palacios, was arrested in central Jamaica, and was being held on immigration charges.
‘Self governance is self love': Barbados elects first local head of state on journey to becoming a republic
"We have a good relationship with the British monarchy. Long may it continue, as equals. Congratulations to our incoming President Dame Sandra Mason."
How Dave Chappelle's new comedy special went over in the Caribbean
"[Chappelle] built his deconstruction of the importance of comedy to the human condition using the various gender and LGBTQ movements of this century as his prisms."
I was invited to celebrate ‘Columbus Day.’ This is what I answered
"The 'National Day of Spain' is a mockery and offense to our Indigenous and Afro-descendent peoples."
On National Heroes Day, Jamaicans at home and abroad pay their respects to ‘son of the soil,’ General Colin Powell
Despite his reputation for decency and integrity, Jamaicans—and the Caribbean in general—had qualms about General Powell’s involvement in the Iraq War.
Chile rejects the migrants it once welcomed
In a study, Chileans considered themselves mostly 'whiter' than other Latin Americans and considered migrants 'dirtier.'
The death of a reputed gangster exposes fault lines in Jamaican society
"There should be no rejoicing at his death; there are two truths here—that our society failed a young man of great potential AND he caused untold pain and suffering."
Indigenous artist depicts the hidden history behind the creation of Bangladesh's Kaptai Lake
Few of the tourists flocking to Bangladesh's Kaptai Lake know the dark history behind the site's creation. With a stunning visual story, artist Tufan Chakma sets out to change that.
No hatred nor pity: Just let me live in my own body
"Those who criticise different bodies have no idea what [trans people] had to go through to have the body that we live in."
Peter Telfer, the Trinidadian percussionist who made African drumming a church staple, goes to his Creator
"I remember the first time I heard ‘O Creator’. It woke me up because [...] it was our rhythm, it was our chant, it resonated with us, a Caribbean people."
