“The womb is the home of beginnings.” Leroy Clarke, 2019 What kind of beginnings did 3,777 of our citizens experience between 2014 and 2018? 3,777 young women had children for whom they were neither psychologically nor financially prepared to nurture. 3,777 people have been born of trauma in a society which …
Read More »Noble: Living in a messy world; God understands suicide, so help—don’t judge!
God understands suicide. There are seven stories about suicide in the Bible, including Samson, seen as victorious, killing more in death than in life and finding his way into the Hall of Fame (Hebrews 11). Suicide is a complicated story in the Bible. It is a short-circuiting of God’s plans …
Read More »Dear Editor: No chit, no child and I will be fine; six months after my struggle to tie my tubes
“The article I submitted to Wired868 protesting the hypocrisy and stigma surrounding women’s health rights went viral and held the interest of the nation for a few days. “[…] The choice to bear a child is a woman’s right, as much as the choice to not bear children.” Six months …
Read More »Salaam: New EMA policy on water pollution is welcomed news, now for education and enforcement
It was welcoming news when I heard of the Environmental Management Authority’s serious stance on water pollution and its amended policy that would effectively deal with companies and organisations that flagrantly and without care pollute our waterways, rivers and seas. Why did this take so long in coming? It is …
Read More »Mariano, Hotep and Des Vignes among panelists for Venezuela discussion at Cipriani Labour College
On Friday 15 February 2019, the Elma Francois Institute of Research and Debate (EFIRD) of Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies will present a special panel discussion titled ‘Understanding Venezuela: Caribbean Perspectives on Democracy’. This discussion is the first part of a series that will explore the implications of the …
Read More »Developing T&T: How sidewalks can change our lives; benefits of walkable communities
“In the words of Jan Gehl, renowned observer of city life, ‘cities must urge urban planners and architects to reinforce pedestrianism (walkability) as an integrated city policy to develop lively, safe, sustainable and healthy cities… and an open and democratic society’.” The following blog on urban development and walkable communities …
Read More »Dear Editor: Deyalsingh should not sacrifice scientific fact in vaccination drive
“According to the Trinidad Newsday, [Health Minister Terrence] Deyalsingh said because of the success of free access to the flu vaccine at health institutions, people were more laid back about getting vaccinated: ‘We are now suffering from our success through free access, because no one is dying again. The population …
Read More »Dear Editor: Can we afford to continue ignoring global warming?
“Arguments in favour of aggressively mitigating global warming, while supported by the hard data of climate science, is usually co-opted in favour of maintaining economic vitality due to global dependence on hydrocarbon energy sources. “[…] Just this year, countries in Europe and the US saw massive heat waves and wildfires …
Read More »Dear Editor: How re-introduction of Geography in school curriculum could prevent flooding
“In 1969, Geography (and History) was removed from the National Curriculum both in the primary schools and in the lower forms (Forms 1-3) in secondary schools. “The resultant lack of geographical knowledge may well be to blame—at least in part—for the thoughtless treatment of the physical environment which produces pollution …
Read More »Perry: Why natural disasters are part and parcel of our broken political system
When the 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit in mid-August this year, many were in shock; some even thought it was the end. Warnings of raging tropical storms/hurricanes largely go unnoticed in sweet T&T. Instead, we bring out the rum, puncheon and babash. Recall the road to Manzanilla was cut off not …
Read More »Dear Editor: My vagina is my business; a young woman tries to tie her tubes at Mt Hope
“[…] The doctor asked me no less than three times if I was sure I wanted to tie my tubes. I had to give her my life story and a bullet-point list of logical reasons why I didn’t want children. “Even after all of that, she couldn’t help but write …
Read More »Dear Editor: What will T&T gov’t do about 600-plus unemployed doctors?
“It is difficult to imagine that from the Minister of Health, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and the Chief Medical Officer, none can say what the expected future needs of Trinidad and Tobago’s medical profession will be in the next five years.” The following Letter to the …
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