Latest posts by Matthew Hunte from October, 2012
Saint Lucia: Jounen Kwéyòl Festivities (Creole Day)
On Sunday, Saint Lucia celebrated its annual Jounen Kwéyòl (Creole Day). The day of activities were the culmination of Creole Heritage Month. On Jounen Kwéyòl, selected communities host a fair where the Creole culture is celebrated through dress, music and most of all, food.
Caribbean: Blog Action Day 2012
Since its founding in 2007, Blog Action Day has united bloggers from all over the world by having them devote space to a specific topic or theme. Caribbean bloggers weigh in on this year's theme "The Power of We".
Haiti: Yéle Haiti Facing Allegations of Financial Impropriety
Various allegations of financial impropriety have been directed at musician and activist Wyclef Jean's charity Yéle Haiti. The allegations are centered on the millions that the defunct charitable organization received in donations after the Janury 2010 earthquake period that devastated the island.
Saint Lucia: Bananas as a Renewable Energy Source?
A 2011 blogpost on the use of bananas in the creation of biofuel has inspired Dane Gibson to ask some questions about the renewable energy sector in the small Caribbean country of Saint Lucia.
Barbados: “Modest” Proposals for Political Reform
Instead of adopting policies merely to “keep up” with the rest of the world, we need to adopt a system which enables for maximum prioritization in preemptive motioning for our country’s long term future. “Brudah Bim” offers some proposals to reform Barbados’ political system.
Jamaica: Who's a Minority?
The sad irony of race in Jamaica is that numerical minorities tend to hog the majority of social space in so many arenas. Carolyn Cooper deals with the response to her column dealing with the projection of a multiracial Jamaica.
Trinidad & Tobago: Privatizing Healthcare
An ad in the newspaper has Trinidad & Tobago blogger, The Eternal Pantomime, wondering whether the government plans to privatize the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex at Mount Hope.
Saint Lucia's New Value Added Tax Jumps at Citizens
Beginning October 1, 2012 the government of Saint Lucia imposed a Value Added Tax (VAT) on good and services. In doing so, Saint Lucia became the last member of the Caribbean Community to adopt VAT. In the months and weeks leading up to the deadline, various stakeholders expressed doubts about the country's readiness.
Barbados: Supporting Growth in Culture
The Concerned Creative Citizens Group expressed its concerns with a new bill in Barbados which is supposed to provide “incentives to encourage sustainable growth in the cultural sector” but may be more of a “revenue earner for the government,” and received a response from a Barbados Underground “family member”.
Trinidad & Tobago: Corruption and the Rule of Law
Recently, the rule of law has been taking a beating by this PP government. With the now infamous section 34, things have come round to another galloping dictatorship, and […] we can see how that corruption of power has changed the characters of those whom we viewed as pillars and...
Barbados: Is Austerity The Way To Go?
So, we must ask again: Who is Fooling Whom? If government cuts back on health and education services there will be massive job losses. Sounds as if the BLP are suddenly embracing the astringencies of the IMF. Look how times have changed! At Barbados Underground, Stephen Williams is skeptical of the economic...
Trinidad & Tobago: The Responsibilities of Photographers
If you are unable to distinguish yourself from dozens of rapacious competitors… If you are unable to successfully negotiate the right to deliver finished files that demonstrate value to a client… If you are unable to negotiate terms that retain your legal right to the work you create… …stop pissing...
Grenada: Ruling Party Expels Seven Members at Convention
The theme song tonight at the end of convention rally of Grenada's ruling National Democratic Congress was “Better Days Are Coming.” Interestingly the response chorus to the song was: “They lying, they lying and they lying.” Hamlet Mark reports on the NDC convention in Grenada, where seven prominent members of...
Trinidad & Tobago: Attacked Whilst Eating Fast Food
Trinidad businessman Gregory Wight was recently attacked whilst patronizing a doubles stand (doubles are a common street food sandwich). The incident was vehemently condemned on social media, with many bloggers using it as a platform to discuss other issues in Trinidadian society.
Belize: The LGBT Community Seeks A Strategic Plan
How do we get political and build alliances in a small civil society environment where organizations are sheepish to take a public stand? Caleb Orozco asks how the LGBT community in Belize should strategize in response to the opposition of gay rights by religious leaders.
