· February, 2013

Stories about Caribbean from February, 2013

Christian Protests Target Puerto Rico's Rising LGBTQ Rights

In the past few weeks various key events have occurred with respect to LGBTQ rights, the most prominent of which may be a demonstration organized by conservative Christian groups called "Puerto Rico Rises Up" to protest against proposed amendments that would extend legal protection to same sex couples in cases of domestic violence.

28 February 2013

Trinidad & Tobago: Tensions High After Fatal Car Crash Sparks Riots

Netizens from Trinidad and Tobago have been keeping an eye on the fallout over a car crash near the Central Market in Port of Spain on Sunday, which killed a mother and her two young children. The car was allegedly driven by an off-duty police officer. Residents of the area rioted following the incident; protests continued yesterday. Online discussion has also been heated.

26 February 2013

Sexual, Holy and Disruptive: One Billion Rising in the Caribbean

The "One Billion Rising" campaign, created in response to statistics which suggest that one in three women will be assaulted or raped in their lifetime, called on women across the world to dance together in protest of gender violence on February 14th. Various groups throughout the Caribbean participated...

25 February 2013

Cuban Yoani Sánchez's Arrival in Brazil Makes Noise

Acclaimed Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez left Cuba this past Sunday for the first time since 2004. Sánchez will visit and speak at universities, NGOs and government forums in Europe, Latin America and the United States. While many voices around the world have expressed joy and excitement about Sánchez’s tour, responses have not all been positive.

24 February 2013

Trinidad & Tobago's Take on The Harlem Shake

The latest Internet meme craze, the Harlem Shake, in which people dance to the song "Harlem Shake" by Baauer, has now taken Trinidad and Tobago – the other side of the world from where the meme began, in Queensland, Australia – by storm. This post checks out a few of the videos...

23 February 2013

Haiti: The Politics of Identity

Tande blogs about “the relationship between cultural identity and belonging” and recommends a Haitian musician whose work goes beyond the identity politics and “offers a compelling example of how some...

22 February 2013

Who Owns the Copyright for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival?

It has been popular in recent years for photographers (professional and amateur alike) to publish their pictures of Trinidad and Tobago's various Carnival activities online, especially on social media sites like Facebook. But now, the Trinidad & Tobago Copyright Collection Organization (TTCO) considers this to be a possible copyright infringement. Netizens weigh in on the issue.

15 February 2013

A Fantastic Comeback for Trinidad & Tobago Carnival

The International Soca Monarch Competition in Trinidad and Tobago is a major highlight of the country's Carnival festivities but this year it also served as a comeback for former winner Austin “SuperBlue” Lyons, who managed to tie defending champion Machel Montano for first place and a share of the International Soca Monarch title. Bloggers think it was a masterful return to the Carnival arena.

14 February 2013

Dreams Come Alive, Baseball Player José Contreras Returns to Cuba

The arrival of José Ariel Contreras to Cuba, a Cuban baseball pitcher based in the US since 2002, has moved the habitants of his native province, Pinar del Río, and also fans of the island's national sport, baseball. Elaine Díaz tells us about this emotional event and its historical and political meaning for Cuba at the moment.

7 February 2013

About our Caribbean coverage

Janine Mendes-Franco
Janine Mendes Franco is the Caribbean editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.