Stories about Caribbean from October, 2012
Saint Lucia: Bananas as a Renewable Energy Source?
A 2011 blogpost on the use of bananas in the creation of biofuel has inspired Dane Gibson to ask some questions about the renewable energy sector in the small Caribbean country of Saint Lucia.
Barbados: “Modest” Proposals for Political Reform
Instead of adopting policies merely to “keep up” with the rest of the world, we need to adopt a system which enables for maximum prioritization in preemptive motioning for our country’s long term future. “Brudah Bim” offers some proposals to reform Barbados’ political system.
Jamaica: Who's a Minority?
The sad irony of race in Jamaica is that numerical minorities tend to hog the majority of social space in so many arenas. Carolyn Cooper deals with the response to her column dealing with the projection of a multiracial Jamaica.
Dominican Republic: A Fiscal Apocalypse?
Proposed fiscal reforms by the Dominican government are causing negative reactions across all sectors of society. Various organizations are demanding transparency in the use of state resources, as well as the implementation of measures to avoid and punish corruption.
Trinidad & Tobago: Privatizing Healthcare
An ad in the newspaper has Trinidad & Tobago blogger, The Eternal Pantomime, wondering whether the government plans to privatize the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex at Mount Hope.
Saint Lucia's New Value Added Tax Jumps at Citizens
Beginning October 1, 2012 the government of Saint Lucia imposed a Value Added Tax (VAT) on good and services. In doing so, Saint Lucia became the last member of the Caribbean Community to adopt VAT. In the months and weeks leading up to the deadline, various stakeholders expressed doubts about the country's readiness.
Puerto Rico: Boxer Orlando Cruz Is Proud to Be Gay
Puerto Rican boxer Orlando 'The Phenomenon' Cruz is breaking stereotypes with his recent announcement about his sexual orientation. Cruz, currently the number four featherweight boxer in the world, is the first in the history of boxing to publicly declare his homosexuality while active professionally.
Barbados: Supporting Growth in Culture
The Concerned Creative Citizens Group expressed its concerns with a new bill in Barbados which is supposed to provide “incentives to encourage sustainable growth in the cultural sector” but may be more of a “revenue earner for the government,” and received a response from a Barbados Underground “family member”.
Trinidad & Tobago: Corruption and the Rule of Law
Recently, the rule of law has been taking a beating by this PP government. With the now infamous section 34, things have come round to another galloping dictatorship, and […] we can see how that corruption of power has changed the characters of those whom we viewed as pillars and...
Barbados: Is Austerity The Way To Go?
So, we must ask again: Who is Fooling Whom? If government cuts back on health and education services there will be massive job losses. Sounds as if the BLP are suddenly embracing the astringencies of the IMF. Look how times have changed! At Barbados Underground, Stephen Williams is skeptical of the economic...
Trinidad & Tobago: The Responsibilities of Photographers
If you are unable to distinguish yourself from dozens of rapacious competitors… If you are unable to successfully negotiate the right to deliver finished files that demonstrate value to a client… If you are unable to negotiate terms that retain your legal right to the work you create… …stop pissing...
Grenada: Ruling Party Expels Seven Members at Convention
The theme song tonight at the end of convention rally of Grenada's ruling National Democratic Congress was “Better Days Are Coming.” Interestingly the response chorus to the song was: “They lying, they lying and they lying.” Hamlet Mark reports on the NDC convention in Grenada, where seven prominent members of...
Cuba: Yoani Sánchez Released After 30 Hours in Custody
Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez and bloggers Agustín Díaz and Reinaldo Escobar (Sánchez's husband), were released from police custody in Havana, Cuba, after having been detained in the eastern city of Bayamo the previous day.
Cuba: Blogger Yoani Sánchez Arrested
Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez was arrested last night in the eastern province of Bayamo, Cuba, where she had traveled to attend and report on a trial. Although there are very few details of the arrest, social networks and other media have provided some information.
Trinidad & Tobago: Attacked Whilst Eating Fast Food
Trinidad businessman Gregory Wight was recently attacked whilst patronizing a doubles stand (doubles are a common street food sandwich). The incident was vehemently condemned on social media, with many bloggers using it as a platform to discuss other issues in Trinidadian society.
Belize: The LGBT Community Seeks A Strategic Plan
How do we get political and build alliances in a small civil society environment where organizations are sheepish to take a public stand? Caleb Orozco asks how the LGBT community in Belize should strategize in response to the opposition of gay rights by religious leaders.
Puerto Rico: Urban Gardens Instead of Trash
The blog Huertas urbanas [es] (Urban Garden) highlights different efforts on the island to promote agriculture, especially the urban gardens. Of special interest is the urban garden created for the residents of the Capetillo community in San Juan, whose land was transformed from a land dump to a community garden for the...
Amazon: Improving Public’s Perception of the Forest
InfoAmazonia is a platform that brings together organizations and journalists from nine countries of one of the most biodiverse areas in the world to freely provide news and reports of the endangered Amazon region. The website maps deforestation, fires, oil and mining, and calls for public participation through the submission...
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