Stories about Caribbean from September, 2012
Jamaica: Storm Saulter on Film & New Media in the Caribbean
The 2012 Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival continues this week and one of the most high-profile regional attendees is Storm Saulter, the Jamaican director whose first feature film, Better Mus’ Come, received critical acclaim upon its release in late 2010. In this post, he talks about his new offering, filmmaking in the Caribbean and how new media is helping to change the landscape.
Jamaica: In Whose Image?
Whose conception of Jamaican identity resulted in the decision to market our country in this colour-coded way? Why are we still rubbing out black people from the big picture? Or, at best, downplaying blackness? Which Jamaica are we selling? And who to? Professor Carolyn Cooper writes about class, colorism, branding...
Trinidad & Tobago: Continuing Fallout from Section 34
The fallout from Section 34 and the firing of Justice Minister Hubert Volney continues to be discussed via social media, with netizens weighing in on the (in)adequacy of the Prime Minister's actions, the scope of responsibility for the legislation, Volney's fitness to sit in Parliament and the long-term political implications of the situation.
Trinidad & Tobago: Justice Minister Fired, but is it Enough?
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, delivered a national address on the issue of the controversial Section 34 of the Indictable Offences Act. After laying out a timeline of the progress of the legislation and dismissing any notions of a conspiracy, she announced that Justice Minister Herbert Volney had been dismissed from the Cabinet.
Saint Lucia, St. Vincent: Going to Canada? Got to get a Visa!
Early last week, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) imposed visa requirements for entry on five countries, including two from the Caribbean - Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Bloggers were not entirely surprised, but they had a lot to say about it.
Trinidad & Tobago: Not “Moving On” from Section 34
The Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago advised earlier this week that the country should “move on” from the Section 34 debacle; contrary to his request, thousands of citizens marched against the betrayal of trust and bloggers are refusing to let the issue go.
Puerto Rico: Corruption Ranking
Riding the crest of public corruption, Puerto Rico cements its place as #1 with an astonishing 130 corruption convictions–convictions, people–in 2011. Gil the Jenius blogs about this dubious honour.
Latin American Women as Key Development Partners
Moms, students, working professionals and women from all walks of life are the driving force behind a gender revolution that has made huge contributions to our region’s prosperity. In Americas Quarterly, João Pedro Azevedo and Louise J. Cord write about how Latin American women are driving the region's prosperity.
Trinidad & Tobago: Sinking Ship?
After the debacle of Section 34, diaspora blogger Jumbie's Watch says that it's time to call a new election.
Jamaica: Time for Twitter
Twitter gives you the ability to tune in to any locality you wish as long as there are people from there on Twitter. Active Voice explains why she makes time to tweet.
Guyana: Seeking Justice for 17-Year-Old Victim of Police Shooting
Today marks a week since 17-year-old Shaquille “Georgie” Grant was killed as a result of a police shooting. The police claimed that a shot was fired and that they were simply returning fire - but this version of the events was contradicted by an anonymous eye witness.
Trinidad & Tobago: Down the Rabbit Hole?
Further to the outrage expressed by political bloggers in Trinidad and Tobago earlier this week, the country's Parliament convened to debate the controversial Section 34, which resulted in it being repealed - but citizens, both on and offline, seem to be taking limited comfort in the law's recall.
Trinidad & Tobago: Acts of Integrity?
Afra Raymond shares a series of emails he sent to the Integrity Commission and Minister of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago, questioning “the complaince of CL Financial Directors with the Integrity in Public Life Act.”
Jamaica: The Modern Sonnet
Jamaican diaspora litblogger Geoffrey Philp interviews author Pamela Mordecai about her new work, ” Subversive Sonnets”.
Trinidad & Tobago: The COP Motion
Philip Edward Alexander shares audio of Vernon De Lima's motion at the Congress of the People's National Council calling for the party to “disassociate itself from the People's Partnership” if National Security Minister Jack Warner wasn't removed from the cabinet. The motion was defeated and De Lima resigned as vice-chairman of...
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Paralympic Inspiration
They are all winners because they chose not to feel sorry for themselves but to embrace life despite their limitations. Abeni salutes the Paralympians.
Trinidad & Tobago: Section 34? Last Straw!
Political bloggers in Trinidad and Tobago are having a field day with the government's latest missteps - from a failed motion to remove the Minister of National Security from his post because of corruption allegations to the possibility of the accused in the airport corruption scandal walking free thanks to a section of the Indictable Offences Act.
Trinidad & Tobago: Internet Governance Issues
ICT Pulse lays out a few key points about Internet governance and explains why you should care; a follow-up post identifies three emerging trends in Caribbean Internet governance policy.
Trinidad & Tobago: iPads for Parliament?
If this Government…want[s] to appear to be the pillar of honesty they must go out for an open public tender for tablets…and not simply go out to tender for the prestigious iPad. An apparent penchant for Parliamentary iPads has aka_lol concerned about transparency and good governance.
Jamaica: Coral Crisis
The latest diagnosis on Caribbean coral reefs is dire. Labrish Jamaica thinks immediate action should be taken.
Congolese-Belgian Blogger Travels to Curaçao
Congolese-Belgian blogger Sanza traveled to Curaçao to find the African heritage and wrote a post for Afro Europe: Food was great and actually similar to West and Central African food. We also eat beans and rice, cornmeal (what they call fungi), cassava and plantains as well. I tasted Iguana soup...
About our Caribbean coverage
Janine Mendes Franco is the Caribbean editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
