Stories about Ideas from September, 2009
Bermuda: decriminalising cannabis?
21 Square joins the debate over decriminalising cannabis in Bermuda. “Our present stance on cannabis has created a black market intent on fulfilling demand that is consuming our island and causing our crime rates to soar…. we maintain a punishment scheme for users which outweighs the actual crime.”
Jamaica: honouring Usain Bolt
Active Voice reflects on how the Jamaican government has honoured star athlete Usain Bolt, and shares information about a new documentary film called Why Do Jamaicans Run So Fast?
Barbados: journalist's “confession”
Barbados Free Press reacts to a newspaper journalist's “confession” that he posted anonymous comments on several Barbadian blogs — starting a discussion about “the limits of anonymous blogging.”
Barbados: listening to Chalkdust
The Bajan Reporter attends a lecture on “Calypso and Crime” by Trinidadian calypsonian Chalkdust, and files a report. “In the Question & Answer section, I got a chance to ask if Bloggers and Calypsonians serve the same purpose in showing problems and solutions few would dare touch normally.”
Barbados: Clean-Up Day
Living in Barbados reports on Barbados Clean-Up Day, when volunteers collected garbage from the island's beaches. “How many meals on plastic plates? How many cups of soda in plastic cups? … I have no idea what figures to put to these questions but they still went through my head as...
Trinidad and Tobago: “appalling reporting”
The Liming House responds to a news report in the Trinidad Guardian newspaper suggesting that Trinidad and Tobago has a dangerously high rate of alcohol abuse. “There is no evidence in this story of either fact checking or even the most cursory editing.”
Cuba: “mistreating social property”?
Octavo Cerco reports on a confrontation with a minor bureaucrat at a bus station in Cuba. “With these people things can get very serious, they earn a pittance for a salary but have absolute power over five square meters and they apply it with … irreverence, force and abuse of...
Bermuda: race and income
A recent report on income disparities between black and white employees in Bermuda triggers some statistical analysis by 21 Square. “The sad reality … is that white Bermudians are more likely to hold a higher level of education and thus are more likely to earn more.”
Guyana: the colour of beauty
Signifyin’ Guyana reflects on the troubling ideas about beauty that she and other dark-skinned Caribbean women encountered when they were growing up. “It took me a while to learn to ignore the inconsistencies from others and arrive at a healthy view of my skin color and facial features.”
Trinidad and Tobago: a tribute to Wayne Brown
B.C. Pires writes an eloquent tribute to the Trinidadian writer Wayne Brown, who died on 14 September, 2009. “Wayne’s greatest gift … was the illustration of the relationship between the artist and his work.”
Barbados: Caribbean “hatchlings”
Barbadian artist Annalee Davis posts images of a new work at her blog, On the Map. Hatchlings: A Requiem uses painted eggs and a shredded copy of a regional integration treaty to comment on Caribbean insularity.
Trinidad and Tobago: public decency?
News of seven people murdered in a single incident in Trinidad prompts bitter reflections from B.C. Pires: “what Trinidad’s ‘leadership’ reveals, more and more plainly each day … is what little sense of public decency there is left in the place.”
Kenya: CEO of Wildlife Blogging Site Named Pop!Tech 2009 Fellow
Pop!Tech is coming again this October and on 9 September they issued a release announcing the 2009 Social Innovation Fellows which was also blogged about by Pop!Tech's Kristen Taylor. Pop!Tech is a conference set in Camden Maine, where every year scientist, artists and innovators meet to discuss ideas and world...
Egypt: Bloggers call for a fun-filled harassment-free Eid
As Eid Al Fitr approaches, women in Egypt are bracing themselves for even more sexual harassment than what has already become a disturbing norm. Bloggers and online activists are also joining forces to fight the phenomenon, calling for a fun-filled and harassment-free celebration.
Anguilla: sailing life
Montague Kobbe posts a review of a new book about sailboat racing in Anguilla. “There is something innate, something intrinsic, that links Anguillans to seafaring and boat building – after all this might be the only island in the West Indies where cricket is not the most popular sport.”
Barbados: lizard life
My Rustic Bajan Garden does a photographic survey of lizards in her garden and reminds readers why these creatures are useful to humans.
Barbados: speaking bluntly
“They don’t come more honest than your average Bajan.” Notes from a Small Rock reflects on Barbadians’ habits of plain speaking.
Anguilla: imported massage?
A newspaper advertisement for “excellent massage” prompts some tongue-in-cheek commentary from Corruption-free Anguilla.
Panama: Demolition of Historic Buildings
Orlando Acosta of Estación Tropical [es] is worried about the demolition of several “emblematic buildings” in Panama City, Panama.
USA: Use of the Term “Illegal Immigrant”
Marisa Treviño of Latina Lista takes a look at President Obama's recent use of the term “illegal immigrant,” and his change from earlier usage of “undocumented immigrant,” and what the ramifications.
Cuba: no substitute for beauty
“The economic crisis in Cuba forced us to find substitutes for almost everything, including cosmetics.” Generation Y reflects on the sacrifices ordinary Cubans once made “in their desire to look more beautiful.”
