Stories about Caribbean from January, 2016
Crime in Trinidad & Tobago Brings Out Netizens’ Racial Prejudices
Are racial stereotypes so ingrained in Trinidad and Tobago that some think criminals can only be of one ethnic denomination? A dramatic robbery in Port of Spain proves that #CrimeHasNoEthnicity.
Rastafarian Jamaican Farmer Cooks ‘Ital’ for the Internet
"I’d love for people to take away an appreciation of Mokko’s culture, the beauty in simplicity, and start to think about where their food and energy comes from."
Raising the Roof on Trinidad & Tobago's Housing Scandal
Trinidad and Tobago's state housing allocations are allegedly fraught with corruption, leaving the most economically vulnerable, which the Housing Development Corporation is meant to prioritise, without places to call home.
Court Ruling Reignites Hope That White Collar Crime Could Actually Be Punished in Trinidad & Tobago
"With respect to the recent ruling at the Privy Council, the simple outcome is that persons who are charged with criminal offences will be made to face a trial."
After Schoolboys’ Murders, Trinidadians Slam Racial Stereotypes and Media's Sensationalism
"The blatant outright Hate has been allowed to flourish because we've stood by with heads buried deep. [...] What you allow will continue…"
Viewers in Trinidad and Tobago Ready the Toilet Paper for This Year’s Soca Music Competition
The International Soca Monarch competition has become a popular aspect of Trinidad and Tobago's annual Carnival celebrations, but this year's semi-finals left a lot to be desired.
You Don't Know Noise, If You Don't Know Trinidad and Tobago
From unbearably loud music to illegal fireworks, one civic-minded social media user in Trinidad and Tobago is taking on the "noise polluters who yearly get away with decibel crime".
The Caribbean Prepares Itself for ‘Zik-V’ Virus Threat
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is advising people to protect themselves and even plans to launch a mobile game called Zap-a-‘quito to educate the public.
Caribbean Social Media Dissects the Tangled Outrage Surrounding Cricketer Chris Gayle's Come-On
"The global condemnation of Chris Gayle’s flirting seems over the top [but] the controversy is a welcome reminder that there are lines of propriety that should not be crossed."
A Struggling Economy Means New Taxes and Belt-Tightening for the People of Trinidad and Tobago
Finance Minister Imbert says the shift is necessary to rescue the economy from its precarious state, as oil prices continue to plummet. The previous administration's overspending hasn't helped matters, either.
The Three Kings Is One of Puerto Rico's Most Loved Traditions
One of the main traditions associated with the Three King's Day are the 'Promesas', or the tradition of asking the Kings to intervene in a moment of need
How a Weapons Trafficking Case Brought Puerto Rico's Political Status Before the US Supreme Court
The US attorney general's position on Puerto Rico's status has probably turned the issue into fodder for the upcoming election season.
A Male and Female Take on Cricketer Chris Gayle's Display of Sexism
"Sexism is part of how our society was structured [but] culture and language systems evolve and change. There is no reason we cannot."
Is the Level of Vitriol Against Cricketer Chris Gayle Justified?
"The problem for us in the Caribbean is not Chris Gayle and his outlook per se. It’s the casual sexism of Caribbean masculinity in general that needs taking in hand."
The Caribbean Mourns David Bowie
Bowie translated so well, Internet users in the Caribbean tell Global Voices, because "his music was about pushing boundaries and creating new personas".
Iconic Steel Band Arranger Jit Samaroo Dies on the Eve of Trinidad's Panorama Music Competition
As arranger extraordinaire for Trinidad and Tobago's Renegades Steel Orchestra, Jit Samaroo has left the country -- and the world -- with a rich, enduring pan music legacy.
A Revolution of Music and Poetry From Behind the Computer Screens of Nicaragua
Blogger Heydi Ortega argues that today's Nicaraguan youths are in a unique position, beset with a new generation's troubles, and poised for revolutionary actions, if they're willing.
Could Cricketer Chris Gayle's Gaffe Inspire Caribbean Men to ‘Man Up and Know How to Behave'?
Gayle "dropped the ball when he could have shown an example of ideal manhood as more than hyper-sexuality, as also self-reflection and responsibility."
Netizens Smell Arson in ‘Convenient’ Fire at Trinidad & Tobago's Water Authority
As the headquarters of Trinidad & Tobago's Water and Sewerage Authority go up in flames, netizens worry about records that may allegedly reveal a paper trail of corrupt practices.
The Finer Details of Trinidad & Tobago’s Whistleblower Bill Could Use Some Work
Trinidad and Tobago's Whistleblower Protection Bill was submitted to Parliament in November 2015. One anti-corruption blogger discusses the proposed legislation and urges netizens to get involved.
Was Caribbean Cricketer Chris Gayle's Come-On Sexist or Silly?
West Indian cricketer Chris Gayle has landed himself in a firestorm of criticism after he hit on Australian sports reporter Melanie McLaughlin during a live television interview.
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