I am a writer and media producer based in Trinidad and Tobago. Follow me on Twitter @JanineMFranco.
Latest posts by Janine Mendes-Franco from August, 2012
Caribbean: No Escape; Isaac Strikes
Despite Caribbean bloggers' hopes that Tropical Storm Isaac would go easy on them, some islands are today coping with the disarray the storm has left in its path. Haiti experienced some of the worst effects from the weather system; flooding and landslides reportedly caused a few deaths and some people had to be evacuated.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Bahamas: Reproductive Rights
Two female Caribbean bloggers, in light of the recent debacle about U.S. congressman Todd Akin's controversial comments about women and rape, are discussing the issue of “the war on women and their reproductive rights”.
Trinidad & Tobago: Political Euphemisms
If…you negotiating with crime lords…after your leader state categorically in a 2011 speech in Parliament that she would never negotiate with criminals, well… The Eternal Pantomime blogs about the government's “latest cock up”.
Caribbean: Escape from Tropical Storm Isaac
Caribbean netizens have their eye on Tropical Storm Isaac, the ninth such weather system for the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season. Isaac has been steadily moving up the Leeward Islands, and storm warnings and watches have been issued for Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Bloggers share their experiences, post videos and voice their concerns.
Bermuda: Learning from London
Respice Finem says that there are valuable lessons to be learned from the London Olympics.
Cuba: Dealing with Dengue
“Dengue fever is now a fact of life in our country”: Through the Eye of the Needle explains.
Jamaica: Garvey's Nerve
Jamaica Woman Tongue reminds us why Marcus Garvey is a national hero.
Caribbean: Marking Eid
There were just two posts from within the Caribbean region talking about Eid-ul-Fitr, which was celebrated yesterday: this one from Guyana and this, from Trinidad and Tobago, which republishes the President's Eid message.
Trinidad & Tobago: 50, but not really Independent
Trinidad and Tobago's upcoming 50th anniversary of independence prompts aka_lol to suggest that “we have become a nation so taken up with running our own affairs our National Watch Words have unofficially become ‘Run Something Nah’.”
Caribbean: Regional Sports Academy?
Following the success of the Caribbean region at the London Olympics, there is now talk of “a single sports academy…located in Jamaica, and funded by all the governments and private sectors of the Caribbean Community”, to which Weblog Bahamas’ Rick Lowe quips, “Come on.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Flood Relief
A comprehensive post about tangible ways in which to help victims of the Trinidad floods, here, while Plain Talk questions the role of the army during the crisis.
Trinidad & Tobago: Dark Cloud, Gold Lining
Heavy floods pounded the northwestern part of Trinidad yesterday morning, as two rivers burst their banks following torrential rains from a tropical depression. But the nation's spirits were to be lifted - at least for a while - as the country won Olympic gold for the second time in its history, thanks to the efforts of Keshorn Walcott in the Javelin Throw.
Guyana: Violence in Linden
Code Red says that “the Caribbean community has been shamefully silent” about police violence in the town of Linden.
Jamaica: Caribbean Region Rallies Behind Bolt
Jamaican bloggers - and indeed netizens from the wider Caribbean region - are continuing to celebrate the island's successes at the London Olympic Games. Unsurprisingly, Usain Bolt is at the centre of the online discussion, thanks to his amazing performance in the Men's 200m event and his response to Carl Lewis' drug use accusations.
Jamaica: The Caribbean-American Vote
“Even since I began the online petition for the exoneration of Marcus Garvey, I have been on a steep learning curve about politics”: Diaspora blogger Geoffrey Philp notices that when it comes to Caribbean-Americans, “it seems as if we are going into the next election, just giving away our votes...
Jamaica, Bahamas: Long Way to Go?
Two bloggers, Stunner from Jamaica and Pure Fawkery from the Bahamas, consider how far their countries have come – or not – since independence.
Trinidad & Tobago: The Power of Words
Online reaction to a statement that one of the country's athletes should retire after not winning a medal at the London Olympics prompts West Indian Mother to examine “how we, as a society, tend to function, and how it adversely affects our children.”
Cuba: Food Measures
“General Raúl Castro acknowledges that beans are more important than canons”: Iván García explains why “food is a matter of national security.”
Jamaica: 50th Celebrations Enhanced by Olympic Performance
Today, Jamaica celebrates 50 years of independence from Great Britain - and thanks to the incredible performance of the country's track and field athletes at this year's Olympic Games, netizens are having a double celebration!
Cuba: In a Decade
Iván García suggests four possible scenarios for Cuba ten years from now.
Caribbean: Marking Emancipation
Today, many Caribbean territories celebrate Emancipation Day, which commemorates the abolition of slavery. Each year, bloggers mark the occasion, but this year, online attention to the holiday is rather low-key, with only a handful of netizens mentioning it in their posts or tweets.
