le flâneur antillais | carimagination
Belmont is a tight-knit urban village in East Port-of-Spain known for its carnival mas-making and prowess in steel pan music. The place is also subjected to policing by security forces in response to insecurity and communal conflicts. For some who cannot claim a job, a “reputable” family name, or an education at a prestigious secondary […]
Continue ReadingThis blog is a fictional “interview” Machel Montano. I extracted lyrics from some of his most popular soca songs and woven them into a made- up conversation to illustrate the importance of building consent culture in Carnival. Interviewer: Mr. Montano, this carnival, thiefin’ a wine is an offense under the Summary Offenses Act. Public awareness […]
Continue ReadingWhat happenin’: In 2016, Trinidad and Tobago was embroiled in a battle for women’s and girls’ rights. ‘No Slut Shaming’ and gender-based violence discussions with political pressure by young women’s and feminist groups challenged the then Mayor of Port-of-Spain, Tim Kee, on his public statements after carnival. The carnival was not over when debates around […]
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Dear Caribbean Men,Maybe #AllProtectiveCoveringForLegsMatter but in the Caribbean and throughout the world, women’s lives do not matter in a patriarchy. On Monday, a policewoman was raped and almost killed by a taxi driver in Trinidad and Tobago. The President-elect of the United States of America, Donald Trump gives advice to other men on women to […]
Continue ReadingThe title has been amended from its original form of publication. This change was made to reflect the sensitivity of the subject matter because it relates to children and gendered power dynamics in Caribbean socialisation. I know that this does not eliminate potential triggers. The modification is part of my ethical commitment to trauma informed […]
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