Stories about Caribbean from August, 2010
Trinidad & Tobago: Unique Deal
Afra Raymond says that comparing the CL Financial bailout to the US situation is “nothing less than public mischief”: “The only resemblance to the US bailout is in name only. Real Trini-ting. Duprey and his cohorts negotiated a Blank-Cheque Bailout at zero interest, without losing any of their assets. That...
Jamaica: Policing Style
Jamaica Salt says the kill-or-be-killed approach to controlling crime is ineffective: “When things are tough it’s hard not to look at possible solutions like this. But this has been a style of policing in Jamaica for decades now and it is not working. The murder rates speak for themselves.”
Global: The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
August 23rd is The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. A series of events are organized around the world by various organisations to help inscribe the tragic memory of the slave trade promote human rights.
Barbados: CARICOM Pappyshow?
As the Secretary General of CARICOM takes his leave, B.C. Pires is more convinced than ever that “the whole enterprise is one big pappy-show, an elaborate skulls that mocks integration of a people while enriching the lifestyles of a few persons…”
Haiti: Beauty & Controversy
As controversy swirls around Haiti's representative for the 2010 Miss Universe beauty pageant, The Haitian Blogger says: “The assassination of Miss Haiti's mother was a terrible tragedy. Unfortunately the sad event is being used by many to demonize Haiti's first real democratically elected government and the Lavalas political party.”
St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Haiti: Access Denied
Abeni has been following Wyclef Jean's bid for the Haitian presidency and says: “Now that Wyclef's candidacy has been stalled…maybe Wyclef's next bid should be ensuring that the media continues to shine a light on the Haitian situation.”
Barbados: Paper Trail?
As a police raid in Trinidad and Tobago reveals alleged illegal activity at a deceased contractor's house, Barbados Free Press “want[s] to know…if the Anti-Corruption Investigation Bureau found any paperwork relating to Karamath’s connections to the Barbados politicians and officials who awarded him big government contracts here.”
Haiti: Student Visas
The Caribbean Camera reports that the Haitian community is concerned about the relatively low number of Canadian student visas being granted since the January 12 earthquake, saying: “This problem comes just as Haiti needs international education as much as investment to get back on its feet.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Big River
My Chutney Garden visits Grande Riviere, “a small fishing village that is best known for attracting nesting leatherback turtles.”
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Thoughts on the Mosque
Jamaican diaspora blogger Dennis Jones weighs in on “the subject of plans to build a mosque near what is called Ground Zero.”
Barbados: How Many More?
“Fortunately no one died in Tuesday’s bus crash in Christ Church but 22 people were injured”: Barbados Free Press thinks it's high time the country introduced breathalyzer laws.
Haiti: Presidential Candidates
Can Wycelf run for President or not? Dessalines’ Children republishes a report which confirms that “Haiti’s electoral board [has] decided to push back to August 20 its release of a final list of presidential candidates…”
Trinidad & Tobago: Fasting
As the end of the first week of Ramadan approaches, Lifespan of a Chennette shares a bit about those all-important meals.
Trinidad & Tobago: Toco Lighthouse
“No trip to Toco is complete without visiting the lighthouse that sits on the north eastern tip of Trinidad”: My Chutney Garden regales us with tales from her journey.
Jamaica: R.I.P. Seya
The National Gallery of Jamaica Blog “deeply regrets the passing of Seya Parboosingh” and pays the artist tribute.
Jamaica: Art About Dudus
“The Dudus Chronicles is a body of work I’ve had the opportunity to watch as it took root and developed in front of my eyes”: Annie Paul is excited about the exhibition's official opening, and republishes a series of Facebook comments in response to news of the upcoming show.
Haiti: Reparation?
As Repeating Islands takes note of the pressure on France “to repay the 17 billion euros (£14bn) ‘extorted’ from Haiti in the 19th Century”, Bahamian Nicolette Bethel comments: “Simply erasing the debt is not enough; there is also the long-term damage done to the core fabric of Haitian democratic society…”
Jamaica: Garvey's Birthday
Caribbean bloggers honour the memory of Marcus Garvey today, on the 123rd anniversary of his birth.
Jamaica: Dance!
Tallawah posts photographs from the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica's 2010 season.
Haiti: Education Challenges
“Following the Jan. 12 earthquake, 1,263…schools in western Haiti were destroyed; 376,000 students were out of school and an unknown number of teachers and students were dead or wounded”: HAITI, Land of Freedom takes a look at the country's education struggle.
Bahamas: Breakdown
“Many of us are more educated than ever. Many Bahamians have more money, assets, and creature comforts than ever…”: Yet, says Rick Lowe, the intolerance is pervasive.
About our Caribbean coverage
Janine Mendes Franco is the Caribbean editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
