I am a writer and media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. Follow me on Twitter @JanineMFranco.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco from May, 2007
Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica: Rex Nettleford & Today's Thinkers
“It was undoubtedly a pleasure to hear from one of the few great Caribbean minds–with the recent passing of Lloyd Best, their numbers are even fewer now, and needed no less than ever. Yet it occurred to me…that these minds are almost to a person of an older generation.” Attending...
Jamaica: Worst Test Cricket Loss in 50 Years
“Sometimes I wonder if we should just drop cricket like we're dropping the sugar industry. Both are vestiges of colonialism. But I dare not say this aloud…'cause, unlike the sugar industry, cricket swims in our very blood.” Jamaican Leon Robinson is disappointed in the West Indies’ performance against England.
Guyana: If Wild Animals Could Talk..
“The sound was so lawless…raucous, vulgarhh…even the early morning sun quiver and turn pale.” Guyana-Gyal discovers what all the fracas is about.
Cuba: Today Show
“I'm sorry, but an American news outlet visiting Cuba isn't news. That they're not going to be able to score an interview with Fidel Castro is news.” Lawhawk shares his thoughts on the upcoming Today Show visit to Cuba – as do Uncommon Sense, El Cafe Cubano and Babalu Blog.
Barbados: Um-ba-rel-la?
“Where did she get that pronunciation from? I could forgive her if she was speaking bajan and pronounced it ‘am-brella'…but Um-ba-rel-la? Anybody ever look at you and say ‘buddy that rain just hit outta nowhere I could share that um-ba-rel-la with you?'” Jdid has a few issues with fellow Barbadian...
Bahamas: A Story on Race
“If you wanted to get ahead, your best bet was finding a way to make your children lighter than you, so maybe one day, their children or grandchildren could be fair enough to matter.” Guest authoring at Bahama Pundit, Nicolette Bethel continues the discussion on why race matters.
Trinidad & Tobago: Indian Arrival Day
Both CULTURAL LITERACY and HAVEWORLD acknowledge the celebration of Indian Arrival Day.
Jamaica: Thank You, Miss Lou
“Miss Lou in her life and poetry had many things to teach us. And she taught in a way that only the best teachers can—without us knowing.” Geoffrey Philp pays tribute to a Jamaican cultural icon.
Guyana: Monetary Compensation & Sexual Assault
Following a case in which when a 39 year-old man was accused of sexual assault against a 17 year-old girl, The Guyana Groove writes: “When a woman is forced to accept monetary compensation from the very person who already violated her, it is as if she is forced to put...
Cuba: US Visit to Spain
Child of the Revolution is waiting for the “diplomatic fireworks” that he predicts will ensue over Cuba during the US Secretary of State's visit to Spain this week.
Bermuda: RIP Dame Brown-Evans
“That's what I think people liked about her, she knew everyone and had time and respect for everyone whether she figured she'd get their vote or not, whether they agreed with her on not,” writes Politics.bm, which, along with IMHO.bm acknowledges the passing of Dame Lois Brown-Evans – the first...
Trinidad & Tobago, Venezuela: Media & Politics
“When media become political players themselves, they lose their credibility, and they betray the people who rely on them for truthful, accurate information.” Jeremy Taylor weighs in on the controversy surrounding the closure of RCTV in Venezuela.
Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis: Caribbean Cooking
“This little gem…is a riot of colour and it’s got some interesting recipes by top chefs from Antigua, St Lucia and St Kitts & Nevis”: Can Cook, Must Cook discovers a cool new Caribbean cookbook.
Jamaica: Requests for Proposal
“Only recently have I come to understand why my stomach churns and I politely demur, when I am told that several companies will be bidding on a solution”: Jamaican Francis Wade reveals why he runs away from Requests For Proposal.
Guyana: Mother Nature
Guyana-Gyal and her mother discuss what could be ailing Mother Nature…
Cuba: Health Care
Child of the Revolution refers to a New York Times article as he examines the Cuban health care system.
Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica: Caribbean Customer Relations
“We all like to belong, most of us like to be acknowledged, and if we're paying you for a product or service, we most definitely like to be kept in the loop,” writes Karel Mc Intosh as she examines customer relationship management in the Caribbean.
Jamaica: Calabash Literary Festival
Both Antilles and Caribbean Free Radio report from the 2007 Calabash Literary Festival in Jamaica.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Miss Universe Pick
Zahra Redwood will represent Jamaica at tonight's Miss Universe competition as the first Rastafarian Beauty Queen - but Abeni has “taken a liking to Miss Tanzania for being bold enough to enter a beauty pageant sans hair.”
Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada: Gold at Chelsea
The Life and Times of Michmac applauds both Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada for winning gold at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in London.
Jamaica: Mergers and Acquisitions
“It's a little like a bad version of The Brady Bunch — each parent tells their children that a marriage is about to happen to join two families together, and… ‘by the way… in case you kids were wondering… nothing will change'”: Against the backdrop of several high-profile regional mergers...
