I am a writer and media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. Follow me on Twitter @JanineMFranco.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco from November, 2008
Cuba: Youth Activist Jailed
Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense highlights the plight of a Cuban youth activist who “was sentenced this week to 3 years in prison for ‘offenses against authority.'”
Puerto Rico: Status Quo?
“Our struggle for self-determination, to be free from outside impositions, is ideological and it is not what's best for the majority of the people who live here”: Gil the Jenius answers some tough questions about Puerto Rico's status.
Haiti, Venezuela: Chavez's Change
The Haitian Blogger believes that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is the driving force behind “a global change agenda that gives voice to the poor and dispossessed.”
Dominica: Sexual Offences Act
Dominica's Speaker of the House thinks that non-consensual sex – even within marriage – should be deemed criminal and Chris at Dominica Weekly agrees: “A lot of men in Dominica believe that once a woman says ‘I Do’ – that she has given up all her rights as a human...
Trinidad & Tobago: Licensing Issue
As the license plate of the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister's car is deemed “illegal”, Jumbie's Watch writes two scathing posts on the matter, here and here.
Cuba: Indebted
“If Cuba was a household, the repo man would have been sent in a long time ago”: Child of the Revolution examines Cuba's balance sheet.
Jamaica: Punishable by Death
As a country struggling with spiraling rates of violent crime, Jamaica has voted to re-introduce the death penalty, despite appeals from Amnesty International and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The atmosphere on the island nation is tense, with the prevailing attitude appearing to be, in the words of blogger Kadene Porter, "Blood fi blood and fyah fi fyah."
Haiti, Trinidad & Tobago: Letter to Zoellick
HaitiAnalysis.com republishes a letter from the former Trinidad and Tobago Ambassasdor to the US (and special advisor to the UN on Haiti) to the President of the World Bank.
Trinidad & Tobago: The Art of Stuart Hahn
From Trinidad and Tobago, the bookmann features an interview with artist Stuart Hahn, while Antilles focuses on “three Caribbean-related titles” that have made The New York Times annual list of notable books.
Cuba: Castro & Penn
American actor Sean Penn's interview with Raul Castro is being widely commented on by Cuban bloggers: Child of the Revolution, The Cuban Triangle and Havana Times.
Bermuda: New Political Era?
Bermuda's Crushing Fools says that “most small island politicians behave as if it is their inalienable rights to be in charge of the people's political affairs” and envisions a new era “when politicians will have to come up with sound plans and programs and a character to match before the...
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Thanksgiving
“America is so full of contradictions! For even as our extended family sits down to eat our Thanksgiving dinner, there are many in our neighborhood who are now facing foreclosure and with barely anything to be cheerful about this year”: Jamaican diaspora blogger Geoffrey Philp is thankful for his children...
Trinidad & Tobago: Monkeying Around
From Trinidad and Tobago, Paolo's Blog is convinced that “Patrick Manning and his roving band of capuchins have thrust us headlong into an economic conundrum that will be far more complex than many imagine.”
Haiti: Non-Violence
Haitian blogger Wadner Pierre strongly advocates the path of non-violence.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Santa Baby
Blogging from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Abeni has some practical items on her wish list for Santa.
Trinidad & Tobago: Predictors
This Beach Called Life makes a few “psychic” predictions about Trinidad and Tobago.
Bermuda: Waiting for Transparency
Vexed Bermoothes says: “Bermuda has been waiting for the promised freedom of information bill for a long time. The whole process behind Government’s efforts have been pretty stretched out and secretive – which goes against the whole concept of a transparency law!”
Guyana: To Cut or Not To Cut
Guyana-Gyal thinks her lime tree is an ingrate, but is in a conundrum about whether or not to cut it down.
Jamaica: Austism Speaks
“In Jamaica, the word ‘Autism’ is just now becoming a familar word. Years ago, having a child that was ‘different’ can warrant just titles as, ‘baffon’ or ‘Lagga Head'”: A Fe Me Page Dis Iyah is pleased that autistic children are finally beginning to get the help they need.
Trinidad & Tobago, U.K.: McDonald Signs Off
Discover TnT Blog pays tribute to Trinidad-born journalism icon Sir Trevor McDonald, who “has stepped down from ITN's main nightly news programme.”
Jamaica: Don't Worry, Be Happy
Active Voice wants to let you know “that despite the global financial meltdown and the downfall of another wall–Wall Street–WE ARE NOT IN PANIC MODE in Jamaica.”
