“[…] The argument of the bankruptcy of NIS is empty fearmongering to justify their call for decreased liability to meet their workers’ NIS. The fact is NIB money is a pad for government programmes and a bed of questionable projects by NIPDEC. “[…] Many workers stay in the workplace for …
Read More »Vaneisa: One hundred years of abuse; addressing that dirty ‘family secret’
She was born into a Muslim family in 1910, growing up in a compound surrounded by relatives. She would have been around 17 when she was married off and sent to live far away from home. Her chosen husband was cruel, miserly and violent. To deny her direct access to …
Read More »Vaneisa: Mama dis is Kitch; a look at Joseph’s ‘fictional biography’ of calypso icon
The book lay nestled among my collection of Caribbean writing. It came my way after I had run an appreciative review of it by Jarrel De Matas in UWI TODAY (August 2018). Having inserted it among books I’d already read, it got lost until a few weeks ago, when I …
Read More »Devant accuses Kamla of engineering ‘unfair advantage’ in UNC election; Lutchmedial dismisses allegation
Devant Maharaj: “[…] I am therefore forced to conclude that there is indeed toxic collusion between the Internal Management Election Committee and [Kamla] Persad Bissessar in the conduct of this election unless you can reasonably convince me otherwise…” Jayanti Lutchmedial: “[…] It is most unfortunate that in an attempt to …
Read More »NJAC Rededication: Black Power Revolution and ‘a positive shift in T&T’s mindset’
“[…] The new consciousness defined new ways of looking at ourselves, at our fellow brothers and sisters and humanity as a whole. It enlightened our philosophies and vision, as well as our hopes and aspirations. It advised our system of values, clarified our sense of justice and dictated the growth …
Read More »Media Monitor: Chalkdust’s embarrassing offering on education in the age of smart boards and laptops.
Education kills … by degrees! That graffito leapt off the walls of the London Underground at me about half a century ago. And stayed with me. Last weekend’s Sunday Express brought it back to the front of my mind. And reminded me as well of this idea, long espoused by …
Read More »Dear Editor: Racism and medicine—a toxic mix; decertify the ranting doctor
“[…] The sentiments expressed in such outbursts are not new. They are getting much broader exposure due to the nature of social media that is widely available. Our society cannot continue moving towards that precipice, more dangerous in a time when Covid and increasing economic challenges are pushing us to …
Read More »Demming: Should taxpayers fund tertiary education? What is government’s role?
The following column is based on the author’s participation in the online forum by the Trade and Economic Division of the Department of Economics, the University of the West Indies, St Augustine on the topic The Funding of Tertiary Level Education in Trinidad and Tobago: My favourite quote about education …
Read More »Tye: Trump vs Biden: Loud, overt racism vs polite, subtle racism
I remember when Barack Obama won his first term as US president in 2008. Late that night I heard a massive noise of joyful screams and applause from the neighbourhood, the moment his victory was confirmed. At that point, I knew we were in for a rough ride. In the …
Read More »Dear Editor: Who cares about domestic workers? Certainly not our governments
“[…] In Trinidad and Tobago, domestic workers include: housekeepers, cooks, cleaners, ironers, gardeners, handymen, watchmen, in private homes. They are hired by companies for their CEOs and others who are in high management positions to provide personal and household duties. Estimates indicate that there are 10,000 domestic workers in T&T. …
Read More »‘I went to YouTube for guidance… look how far it got me’: Day in the life of a mask producer
“[…] I did not know how to make a facemask, as we had no reason to use it before. So I went to YouTube for guidance on how to construct one. “I tried it for one person; she wanted more. Other people saw it, and they wanted. And before you …
Read More »NJAC Rededication: 1970 Revolution impacts spirituality and religion in T&T
“[…] White supremacist philosophy, then predominant in the society, was reinforced by very visible symbols of wealth, power, science, technology and general achievement, which resulted from centuries of exploitation of the human and physical resources of colonised societies around the world. “[…] The new teachings of the Trinidad and Tobago …
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