I am a writer and media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. Follow me on Twitter @JanineMFranco.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco
Imagining the Caribbean's architectural alphabet
As his contribution to the online design challenge "36 Days of Type," Trinidadian artist Nicholas Huggins decided to create a visual alphabet inspired by the architecture of the region.
Heavy rains worsen the effects of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ La Soufrière volcano
As the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season draws closer, the country has been experiencing heavy bouts of rainfall, which have contributed to the creation of lahars, or destructive volcanic mudflows.
The George Floyd verdict gets netizens thinking about police brutality in the Caribbean
While social media users across the Caribbean were relieved that George Floyd's murderer was found guilty, they understood that justice being served in this one instance does not equal change.
As St. Vincent's La Soufrière erupts again, experts say it's ‘not over yet’
Even though volcanologists explain that this type of activity is to be expected, residents are getting weary.
St. Vincent's La Soufrière explodes again on 42nd anniversary of last major eruption
There are concerns for residents who have refused to leave their homes in the "Red Zone," and for birds and other wildlife.
The longer La Soufrière's activity lasts, the more dire St. Vincent's situation becomes
Ash fall, sulphur-filled air, poor visibility, volcanic rock falling out of the sky and continued eruptions, and La Soufrière's rumblings still aren't over.
‘Explosive eruption confirmed’ at St. Vincent's La Soufrière volcano
"Evacuations have been taking place by both land and sea, with several regional territories, including St. Lucia and Barbados, offering to receive displaced people."
Residents prepare for possible evacuation as St. Vincent's La Soufrière volcano heats up
The head of St. Vincent and the Grenadines' National Emergency Management Office tells residents, "Be ready, get your things in order."
As Jamaica sends a large shipment of rescue dogs to Canada, animal rights activists hope regional attitudes will change
The foreign rehoming of Jamaican stray dogs is seen as a "game-changer," sending an important message to "those who have been accustomed to treat[ing] dogs with cruelty rather than kindness."
The Caribbean's foremost literary festival has released its 2021 longlist; Trinidad & Tobago writers dominate
“Where else would you find Trinidadian street food in the same volume as an appraisal of Thom Gunn's poetry, or Dylan Thomas rubbing shoulders with soca?”
What International Women's Day looked like around the world in 2021
"Although COVID-19 dampened participation in many countries, women still raised their voices on the streets on different continents, especially as the pandemic has worsened inequalities faced by women."
On International Women's Day, Trinidad & Tobago citizens #ChooseToChallenge gender-based violence
In the wake of two recent high-profile murders, Trinbagonians advocated for tangible steps to be taken to protect women.
Trinidadian activist and writer Colin Robinson, who did the ‘work of social history,’ has died
"Imagination is as critical to social justice as power. Unless we imagine more just futures and how we get there, change won’t come."
Trinidad & Tobago's problem with gender-based violence
Since the murder of Andrea Bharatt, parliament has passed the Evidence Bill and approved the use of pepper spray for self-defence, but are these measures really addressing the core issue?
Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago as examples of how smaller countries have been responding to COVID-19
The Lowy Institute, an Australia-based international think tank, has attempted to deconstruct various countries’ response to the pandemic.
Public pressure helps halt the felling of hundred-year-old rubber trees in Guyana
'Development with consideration for heritage is still development.'
Musician Chantal Esdelle on how the pandemic is bringing Trinidad & Tobago Carnival back to itself
'We get to focus on how we want to make [Carnival] work for us again: activity and participation rather than production and consumption.'
Pandemic soca: How COVID-19 is shaping the sound of Trinidad & Tobago's cancelled Carnival
There may be no physical Carnival celebrations this year, but Trinbagonian soca artists are still churning out songs, many of them around the theme of COVID-19.
UK strain of COVID-19 arrives in Trinidad & Tobago
The variant was detected via genome sequencing testing being done by the University of the West Indies.
