Interviewer: Mr. Montano, this carnival, it was widely published that thiefin’ a wine could be addressed as an offense under the Summary Offenses Act. This has initiated fiery debates on social media about women and feminists’ attack on “Trinbago culture”. Many women have spoken up demanding a culture of consent. What do you say to …
Continue reading “King of Soca and Consent: If Machel Montano Was A Feminist”
First, I would like to make it clear that I am not equating the theft of mangoes with the violation of women’s bodies. 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. Sadly, when this word …
Continue reading “What Mango Thief and Wine Thief Have in Common: Our Culture, Carnival and Consent”
What happenin’ In 2016, Trinidad and Tobago was embroiled in a battle for women’s and girls’ rights. ‘No Slut Shaming’ and GBV discussions with political pressure by young women’s and feminist groups challenged the then Mayor of Port-of-Spain, Tim Kee on his expression and defense of his sexist statements after carnival. The carnival was not …
Machel Montano’s Bazodee (directed by Todd Kessler and written by Claire Ince) attempted to highlight the vivid colours of the natural landscape and ethnic solidarity/“real unity” between Afro and Indo Trinidadians. This solidarity is sometimes undermined by the racial stereotypes and antagonisms from the two majority ethnic groups. The film does not show the depth …
