le flâneur antillais | carimagination
Spoiler alert: Sociological critique of the construction of a white man’s paradise and neo-colonial gaze with reference to the Caribbean. “The national bourgeoisie organises centres of rest and relaxation and pleasure resorts to meet the wishes of the Western bourgeoisie. Such activity is given the name of tourism, and for the occasion will be built […]
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 ReadingFirst, I am not conflating the theft of a mango with the physical violation of a woman. For reasoning sake, I am offering an example relevant to “our culture” (a term which has been circulating more frequently these days). “Our culture” is fluid, not fixed. Culture is always changing. Sadly, when this phrase is operationalised, […]
Continue ReadingIn 2008/9, SALISES hosted “Is Calypso Dying?” forum at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. Panelists included Singing Francine, Elizabeth Montano, Brother Resistance and Dr. Louis Regis. Dr. Regis’ contributions stimulated the most responses from attendees. He asserted that soca music did not explicitly express a political consciousness as calypso music had. […]
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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