“[…] Activist Amanda McIntyre believes that the original portrayals of the Baby Doll were a parody of the plight of single mothers and, generally, women—a stark demonstration of how they frequently bear the blame and responsibility ‘for something that is normal and natural: sex and sexuality’. “[…] McIntyre situated her …
Read More »In Memoriam: A celebration of the life and work of iconic folklorist, Al Ramsawack
“[…] Al Ramsawack’s stories gave extensive life to the details of jumbies, Papa Bois, soucouyants, Lagahoo, Mama D’Lo, douens, jins, bhutes, La Diablesse and other characters that populate the region’s folk tales and oral histories. He also published fictional narratives that include the much cherished Monkey Polo and Sly Mongoose. …
Read More »McIntyre: Kamla Persad-Bissessar: A Cautionary Tale—from pioneer to parody
The trajectory of Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s political career is a cautionary tale to any who would assume that gender presupposes good governance. In the months before the 2010 election, there were valid queries about questionable construction projects and a frightening escalation of the crime rate under then leader of government and …
Read More »McIntyre: ‘Decolonisation’ means revisiting objective facts—like Columbus; what did renaming Trinity Cross cost us?
We cannot change the objective facts of history but we can re-examine those facts to better guide our perspectives. Decolonisation is the process of revisiting the objective facts and applying revised perspectives to improve policies. Up until the 1980s, it was not uncommon to find in texts words such as …
Read More »Caribbean gender violence is a left-over from colonialism: Letters on domestic violence in T&T
“The Caribbean’s brand of gender-based violence is partly supported by the legacy of colonialism that manifests in race, age, gender and class relations. “The power construct of the plantation system included the ownership of bodies that transferred into the post-emancipation/post-indentureship entitlement of men and masculinities in domestic and social relationships.” …
Read More »