Stories about Caribbean from August, 2009
Suriname: Photo-Op
Paramaribo SPAN features the photography of Reshma Kirpalani who, upon her return to Suriname, intends “to explore this country just as it exists, at this point in time: on the eve of an election year, on the brink of progress, in the ebb and flow of inevitability.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Gender Policy
From Trinidad and Tobago, gspott asks: “Where's the Gender Policy?”, noting that while they can't say what exactly the new version of the Policy contains, they can can “offer…a special preview of all the really scary stuff on homosexuality that’s caused the Policy to turn into such a national mess...
Barbados: Boycotting
As Barbados Underground joins the call for the boycott of a local newspaper, citing “another case of a weak media exposed”, Living in Barbados examines the power of boycotting, saying: “To boycott effectively you have to have self-sacrifice.”
Bermuda: Cricket Lows
BeachLime.com laments the fact that “Bermuda cricket has fallen to new lows.”
Bahamas, Haiti: On Film
Nicolette Bethel blogs about the local film industry in response to Ward Minnis’ series of blog posts on the viability of Bahamian art, while Repeating Islands highlights the recently concluded Haitian Film Festival.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: New Constitution Vote
The people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines are about to vote on whether or not to adopt a new constitution – Numalali finds it unfortunate that “the entire process is mired in controversy and partisan bickering…as some observers have noted, the referendum will be a mock election.”
Barbados: Press Threats?
A senior political figure allegedly threatens a newspaper editor, prompting Barbados Free Press to comment: “Bajans know that our country has not enjoyed true freedom of the press in two decades or more.” Keltruth Corp. adds: “The Nation [newspaper] is getting all bent out of shape because somebody threatened to...
Jamaica: Never Can Say Goodbye
Snailwriter says that a recent road trip across Jamaica has been like saying goodbye to so many natural treasures: “I have been an advocate for the natural environment for more than twenty years…and now I must face the fact that still, after all the effort, our natural resources are put...
Guyana: Striking Back
As mobile phone theft continues to rise in Georgetown, Imran Khan shares a practical way in which to strike back.
Caribbean: “Gold Rush” in Berlin
If there was doubt in anyone's mind that Jamaica can lay claim to having the fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt's 19:19 win in the 200m final must have removed any skepticism. Once again, regional bloggers celebrate with their Jamaican counterparts.
Haiti: A Dissident is Here
“Government authorities in Haiti face recent criticism over allegations that they continue to jail political dissidents”: Wadner Pierre says that calls are mounting for the release of Ronald Dauphin, who was an activist with the Fanmi Lavalas movement of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
Anguilla: Parental Responsibility
“The object is not to punish the parent. The object is to convince the parent that he or she needs to do more to monitor and supervise…their child”: Corruption-free Anguilla makes a case for why parents should be held accountable for the actions of their children.
Bermuda: The Courage to Talk
Bermuda Jewel thinks that communities could take a bite out of crime by doing “something so simple as talking out.”
Guyana: Leadership Issue
As Dr Van West-Charles decides to “withdraw from the PNC leadership race and support former Party Chairman Winston Murray”, Guyanese bloggers react. Guyana 360 calls the move “a display of political maturity”, while Imran Khan says: “If the PNC…does not realise that Murray…must be its leader at this time, then...
Suriname: Interesting Art
“On the one hand, her work demonstrates a strong ecological consciousness. On the other, it seems to grapple with various cultural discomforts and shocks”: Paramaibo SPAN pays a visit to artist Ellen Ligteringen's studio.
Bahamas: Accounting for Crime
Rick Lowe at Weblog Bahamas is stunned by the country's most recent crime statistics, saying: “Unless we begin to hold ourselves publicly accountable, how do expect to begin the slow and painful process of fighting the demons among us?”
Barbados: Freedom of Information
As Living in Barbados shares his thoughts on the importance of Freedom of Information, Barbados Free Press says that the ruling party's upcoming conference “does not include anything at all about the government’s failure refusal to introduce the promised Freedom of Information and Integrity legislation.”
Jamaica: Surprise Win
Girl With a Purpose says: “Jamaicans got the biggest, most pleasant surprise of the World Championships…when Brigitte Foster-Hylton came first in the finals of the women's 110m Hurdles.”
Guyana: Curtains for PNC?
Guyanese blogger Imran Khan wonders whether the infighting over the PNC political party's leadership will signal “the complete and utter destruction of the party itself.”
Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.V.I.: Hurricane Bill
Caribbean bloggers on Hurricane Bill – here, here and here.
Barbados: BICO Fire
Barbadian bloggers are concerned about a factory fire, both from economic and safety standpoints.