I am a writer and media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. Follow me on Twitter @JanineMFranco.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco from December, 2009
Caribbean: 2009 Regional Roundup
As Global Voices celebrates its fifth anniversary, the occasion has given us all an opportunity to reflect on why we do what we do and how our work makes a difference. As my colleague Jillian York so succinctly put it, “We spread stories. We spread words.” We manage to do...
Dominica: OECS
Chris at Dominica Weekly shares his thoughts on the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States’ Economic Union.
Trinidad & Tobago: Do the Math
Jumbie's Watch does the math on Trinidad and Tobago's murder rate: “While the CoP was bleating in public about the 3.65% murder solve rate (for last year), he neglected to mention that for the ‘known’ 508 victims of this year, there is a further 904 still missing!!!”
Cuba: History & Hope
“Hopefully, 2010 will bring, finally, an end to this sad, torturous chapter of Cuban history”: Uncommon Sense remembers Cuba's past and expresses his hopes for its future.
Guyana: Of Prosperity & Rice
Diaspora blogger Signifyin’ Guyana is bringing back traditional “cook up rice” for the New Year.
Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago: Fave Islands
Lifespan of a Chennette gives a comprehensive virtual tour of the Spice Isle, Grenada.
Bahamas: Inefficient Judiciary
As a suspected murderer out on bail allegedly kills again, Weblog Bahamas‘ Sidney Sweeting asks: “How long should the Bahamian people have to put up with this nonsense and get the Judiciary to give some consideration to the law abiding, God-fearing citizens of the country?”
Puerto Rico: On the Trail
When it comes to corruption, Puerto Rico's Gil the Jenius follows the “more subtle ‘influence trail'” rather than the money trail.
Trinidad & Tobago: Partly Solved?
Jumbie's Watch is not impressed with the solve rate for murders in Trinidad and Tobago.
Jamaica: Over Hills and Valleys
Trinidadian diaspora blogger Afrobella blogs about reggae superstar Buju Banton at his best and worst, prompting Jamaican Annie Paul to respond: “Just as you…have pointed out the good and bad sides of Buju…it's necessary also to nuance what homosexuality represents in cultures such as Jamaica, that homosexuality too has its...
Trinidad & Tobago: Facebook Assault
KnowTnT.com reports on “the first documented Facebook related assault” in Trinidad and Tobago.
Curacao: Kayaking through Caribbean
Repeating Islands blogs about an activist from Curaçao, who “has paddled more than 1600 kilometres in a kayak to raise awareness for the environment.”
Bahamas, Jamaica: Jonkonnu & Christmas
“We tend to forget — or, more probably, we don’t know — that Junkanoo in the Bahamas is not unique”: Nicolette Bethel provides “a taste of what happens in Jamaica at Christmas…”
Trinidad & Tobago: 500
Trinidadian bloggers comment on the country's record murder rate – Jumbie's Watch: “The message is clear. We’re screwed.” B.C. Pires: “Not even when Mr Manning and Mr Panday achieve Trinidad's most vulgar historic event – the creation of an executive presidency by back-room trickery – will Trinidadians put their feet...
Cuba: Show of Support
Cuban diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense reports on “the arrests over the past several days of numerous activists attempting…to show their support for political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo, who has been on a hunger strike…to demand that his human rights be respected.”
Barbados: Drunk Driving
“To Owen Arthur, Mia Mottley, David Thompson and a series of Attorneys General: the victims and the families of the dead and injured say ‘Thanks for nothing.'”: Barbados Free Press wants breathalyzer laws instituted on the island.
Barbados: Facilitating Crime
“Like any social secret the criminal persists because of the facilitators. So, our challenge should be to deal with the facilitators”: Living in Barbados examines “the crime of crime” in the Caribbean.
Haiti: Carnival
Wadner Pierre blogs about Carnival celebrations in Haiti.
Barbados: Non-Partisan
Barbadian bloggers note with interest the launch of a new non-partisan political blog.
St. Lucia: A Year for the Books
St. Lucia's Caribbean Book Blog reflects on 2009 as “a year that surely has to go down as one of the most disruptive and transformational periods in the world publishing industry.”
Bahamas: Culture Change
Bahamian Nicolette Bethel delves into the history of Stilton cheese to make a point about culture: “I’m going to argue…that culture does not just happen. Culture changes — like what is happening I write to the indigenous Junkanoo beat (which is being swallowed up by a hip-hop rhythm that is...
