Issue 29
February 2015
Get a FREE copy of The Griot’s Tale
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Contents Cricket Legends p.3 Carnival is mine p.6 Caribbean Business Buzz p11 Guard the company you keep p.20
Production and concept: D.T. Kalloo
Culturepulse is designed and produced by cashewmedia and published by Securisit Ltd. Copyright 2014 Views and comments expressed by contributors are not necessary those of Culturepulse but of the author/s
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It is always great pride and pleasure to welcome new contributors to Culturepulse people who dedicate their time and effort to produce something that resonates through the Diaspora in many countries. This month we take pleasure in welcoming on board Natalie Dookie from Trinidad and Tobago. Natalie has agreed to become one of regular correspondents adding a new concept to Culturepulse bringing business news from across the wider Caribbean to those in the Diaspora. Judging from her first installment of Caribbean Business Buzz it is going to be packed with exciting business news from the region. We also feature the second offering from Nasser Khan with his Cricket Legends focusing this month on the legendary spinner Sonny Ramdhin and Malaika Crichlow stamping her ownership on carnival resurrecting memories of carnival with her late father while Akilah Holder-Stewart delves never fails to stir thoughts with her contributions. This month we are giving away 3 signed copies of Ron Ramdin’s The Griot’s Tale, see page 22 for details on how to claim your copy.
D.Kalloo culturepulse
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CRICKET LEGENDS
Sonny Ramadhin…Houdini of Spin By Nasser Khan One of the most famous sporting “finds” of all time was Sonny Ramadhin, who along with Alf Valentine of Jamaica, brought England to their cricketing knees in June 1950 at the famous Lord’s cricket ground. This significant victory heralded in a new era, the coming of age, of West Indies cricket, as no one had expected us to so soundly trounce our British colonists in their own back yard. Sonny Ramadhin, “Ram”, is the greatest spin bowler ever to be produced by Trinidad and Tobago (some may say that current spinner Sunil Narine could be the heir apparent, albeit in different format of the games), and along with that pal of his, Valentine, is immortally heralded in at least 3 calypsos recorded around that time: Victory Test Match/Cricket Lovely Cricket by Lord Beginner (“With those little pals of mine, Ramadhin and Valentine”); Ramadhin on the Ball by King Radio (“We want Ramadhin on the ball”); Cricket Calypso by Lord Kitchener (“Ramadhin, you deserve a title, Sir Ramadhin, followed by a medal”). All three are on YouTube. Befuddling, baffling, cunning, wily, match-winning, destructive, mysterious, bewitching, tantalizing, unplayable, ambiguous and unflagging, such was the nature of his reputation at the Test level from 1950 to 1961. Colin Cowdrey and Denis Compton, both famous English batsmen described Ramadhin as “a mean spinner who demolished England on a number of occasions” and “the best match winning bowler in the world” respectively. The Houdini of mesmerizing spin, slightly built, sheer wizardry spinning a web of mystery, cap on, long sleeved shirt buttoned at the wrist…Sonny Ramadhin was the original ‘Doosra’ bowler and first player of East Indian descent to represent the West Indies. He could make the ball turn in either direction by a flick of his fingers and an imperceptible turn of the wrist; his unorthodox attack was the off break spun with the middle finger down the seam; he ran, delivered and followed through in one quick whippy motion, an all-in-one type of action combined with accurate length, unerring direction and crafty variations of flight and pace. According to Wisden 1951: “No blame could be attached to the pitch…Ramadhin bowled with the guile of a veteran. He pitched a tantalizing length, bowled straight at the wicket and spun enough to beat the bat. No English batsman showed evidence of having mastered the problem of deciding which way Ramadhin would spin.” His match winning figures of 11 for 152 (5-66 and 6-86) in that famous victory at Lord’s in 1950, volumes on which have been written, remains the best match analysis by a West Indian versus England at that venue. But who was Sonny Ramadhin before the start of his meteoric, almost overnight rise to stardom on the world cricket stage in 1950? He was born on May 1st, 1929 in St Charles Village (very close to the more well known Esperance Village) described as a most rural of villages, in South Trinidad (south of San Fernando). He was orphaned at the very early age and was raised along with his brother Ramsamooj, by their grandmother an uncle and an aunt. Theirs was a modest wooden house in a largely agricultural village hardly a place with any cricketing facilities or cricketing history, yet cricket flourished albeit of the variety with the lime or orange, coconut bat and asphalt or dirt road, bowlers pelting their hearts out and batsmen determined to protect whatever served as the wicket. An article in the Sunday Guardian July 1950 (courtesy the files of the late Eustace Ward): “Ramadhin appears to have been a well liked fellow in the village. Quiet and sly before elders, he was swift and spellbreaking before his friends; a little daring and a breaker of rules, mostly cricket rules”. Consistent with this, Andy Ganteaume, fellow Trinidadian Test cricketer describes him as “a very quiet man who didn’t say 3 much.”
CRICKET LEGENDS Young Ramadhin, slimly built at just 5’ 4”, a right hander with both ball and bat who also played volleyball, was introduced to organized cricket at the Canadian Mission School, Duncan Village and after leaving school at the age of 16, practiced with the district’s Palmiste Club. He played his first representative game for them in 2nd division cricket at the age of 17, after mesmerizing the batsmen in the nets. The very next year they emerged as victors winning the Callender Cup trophy and cricket observers began to take note of the mystery bowler, Sonny Ramadhin. At the age of 19 he was employed by the Trinidad Leaseholds Oil Company as a store keeper and under the tutelage and encouragement of Clarence Skinner of the company became the star of the Leaseholds Team playing against some of the best players in the country. His 22 wickets for 264 in the trials saw him trust into the Trinidad team on January 26, 1950 versus Jamaica where he took 5-39 and 3-67, news of the mystery bowler spreading rapidly. Interestingly he played only three times for Trinidad and Tobago notwithstanding the irregularity of first-class cricket in the Caribbean. So suddenly here we are in early 1950, and the raw inexperienced Sonny Ramadhin is on the boat S.S Golfito to England, raising many eyebrows throughout the region (Rama-who?). He made an immediate impact and had the opponents groping and groveling as he spun his web of mystery, bowling with his characteristic cap on, shirt sleeves buttoned down at the wrist. The Houdini of spin had arrived on the world cricketing stage. Up until then the West Indies had never won in 9 previous tests on 3 previous tours of England so when England won the first Test at Manchester by 202 runs there was little evidence of what was to follow: his historic match winning figures of 11-152 (5-66 and 6-86) in June of 1950 at Lords, along with his “spin twin” Alfred Valentine and the batting exploits of Rae, Worrell, Weekes, Walcott and Gomez had taken the West Indies to a resounding victory. The West Indian people had fallen for the mesmerizing charms of Sonny Ramadhin. Such was his bowling dominance of that tour of 1950 that in leading the bowling averages he sent down an amazing 1043.4 overs (398 maidens, 2009 runs, 135 wickets, average 14.88 with a best bowling of 8-15!). Charlie Davis, known for his spin bowling playing skill recalls that at a benefit game at the Queen’s Park Oval in the early 70s: “I couldn’t read the man and this was Ramadhin in his 40’s and I had not retired as yet!” TEST CAREER: BOWLING (1950–1961) 43 TESTS Balls West Indies 13,939
Mdns Runs Wickets BB 813
4,579
158
7-49
Ave
5W Inning
28.98
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10W Match 1
FIRST CLASS CAREER BOWLING (1949-1965) 184 MATCHES Overall
44,937
2,530 15,345
758
8-15 20.24
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Batting: As a tail ender he worked hard to develop the batting aspect of his game and became difficult at times to remove e.g. his defiant 44 versus New Zealand, at Dunedin February 1956.
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CRICKET LEGENDS Sadly, in spite of his wishes, his desire and offer to serve cricket in his homeland during and after his playing days in England, went unheeded and today at the age of 85 he continues to reside in Oldham, Lancashire, England having retired from running his White Lion Pub in Lancashire with his wife June. They have 2 children, a son and a daughter. Their grandson, Kyle Hogg, was a player of much promise. One of his most loyal fans and friends in Trinidad is Justice Ralph Narine. Some of the major English teams he played for were: Crompton, Central Lancashire League (1951-1956), Commonwealth XI (to India and Ceylon and later in England), Ashcombe Park (1958-61), International XI (1961/2), E.W. Swanton’s Commonwealth XI (1964, tour of the Far East), Radcliffe (1963) Central Lancashire League, Lancashire (1964-5), Liversedge (1966): Yorks, Wakefield (1967-8): Yorks, Natwich (1970-1): NSL, Littlelever (1972-3): Bolton League, Heaton (1974-5): Bolton League, Lever (1980-62): Bolton League. Through the years Sonny Ramadhin enjoyed cycling, dabbled in mechanics and developed a love for the game of golf like many an ex-cricketer. There is that funny folkloric story about Sonny Ramadhin that whilst on tour to England in his early playing career he was asked by a waiter at a function if he wished to have a drink or a cigarette to which he politely replied "ah dozen smoke and ah dozen drink" following which he was served 12 drinks and 12 cigarettes! He finished his 43 Test career on January 3rd, 1961, after the second Test at Melbourne Australia. His second-to-last Test match was in the famous Tied Test at Brisbane December 4-9, 1960. The highest number of balls bowled by one player in a Test is 774 by Sonny Ramadhin, West Indies versus England at Edgbaston 1957 including the highest in one innings of 588 as Peter Mary and Colin Cowdrey, most unsportingly, padded England to safety. Match figures: 31-16-49-7; 98-35-179-2 Best Test Bowling Performances: 5-66 & 6-86 vs England, Lords 1950 (43-27-66-5) & (72-43-86-6) 5-26 vs India, Barbados 1953 (24.5-11-26-5) 6- 23 vs New Zealand, Dunedin 1956 (21.2-13-23-6) 7-49 vs England, Edgbaston 1957 (31-16-49-7) He captured 10 wickets or more in a match (first-class) 15 times and claimed 5 or more in an innings 51 times. He was the first West Indian to take 150 wickets at the Test level. Some of his Awards and Honours: Wisden Cricketer of the year 1951; Honorary member of the MCC; Life member of the QPCC; Humming Bird Gold Medal 1972; Chaconia Gold Medal 1995; Inductee WITCO Sports Hall of Fame 1985; Honoree, 150th Anniversary, 1995 of Indian Arrival in T&T; Millenium Award, 2000, Ministry of Sports; Annual “Sonny Ramadhin” lecture series inaugurated 2004 UWI, Trinidad; Hall of Fame inductee 1985; Benefit, along with Valentine, 1995; Road named in his honour at Balmain, Couva, Trinidad; Featured on Trinidad & Tobago postage stamp 1988.
Reproduced with the kind courtesy of Nasser Khan
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Carnival is mine… By Malaika Crichlow Dey say de carnival changing and people need to go with the flow. Dey say the mas is evolving; nothing stays the same forever, and I guess I could agree with them. I mean, life is about change, but as much as I try to let go of the carnival of my youth, I simply can't help but wish for yesterday. I suppose I am getting like the old folks, and the generations before mine that lamented about mas not being mas anymore. Now it’s my time to yearn for yesteryear. It’s my turn to take a beating from nostalgia, remember and wish the longtime days were here again. The old folks used to yearn for the time when playing mas was representing a portrayal fully, and your costume, speech, stature and dance had to do your character justice.
not seemingly the entire female population in de band. Even though my father and I had a turbulent relationship, carnival was the time I could relate to him the most. Something about soca does just do something to meh soul. You know what it is to hear the horns from Roy Cape Band or Charlie's Roots playing on the back of a truck, vibrating through your chest so hard that you can't catch your breath? Or to hear the sweet voice of David Rudder singing “Bahia Girl” live with the band chipping down de road at a slow pace inside Peter Minshall’s band, lost in an array of colorful fabric as you cross the savannah stage for the first time ever with your aunty on a carnival Monday?
I long for a yesterday when I could wear a little jewelry or a favourite pair of sneakers and not worry about somebody liking them more than me and sticking a gun in meh face to take them. Yesterday, when mas was really mas: actual costumes depicting a theme, people dancing to show the splendor, color, and beauty of costumes glittering in the sun, chipping and jumping up with your friends and not skinning out as far as you could spread your legs to show you were a boss winer. Back when wining was an art and rolling your bottom to the rhythm didn't have to look like what you does do with your man behind closed doors. When jamettes and vulgarity, though an integral part of the festival (because nobody could pelt waist like jamette) was an aspect of de carnival and
Some of you can't possibly know the sweetness of hearing Phase II Pan Groove practice on a Friday night, and being down in the pan yard with your father since 10pm until 2am because he's running drills for Boogsie until Boogsie reach. The feeling of being safe and protected because
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all daddy’s friends are there and nobody could do you anything. Plus yuh hearing all de old talk, drinking corn soup and seeing sprangers, the elite, musicians, artists, and fashionistas liming and laughing and not caring about anybody's status in life but sharing a love for pan. Memories of walking up to the savannah for Panorama preliminaries and helping to push the pan racks up the track to the stage. Memories of daddy tight and happy and sheer joy beaming from his screwed up face as he felt the music down to his bones. Do you know what it is to go Panorama finals with your dad dressed in a white, scissor tailed, three piece suit with a red carnation on the lapel because to him, Panorama is the only thing worth dressing up for; then staying with him in Panorama until they announce Phase II Pan Groove as the winner?
I long for a time when the carnival bandleaders felt a responsibility to the culture and they weren't only interested in making money because you see, there needs to be a balance. Of course you need to make your money, but contribute to the progression of the culture too nah. How yuh go have an entire band portraying Fancy Indian mas and not display the original Fancy Indian character, the chant, the dance--de mas? I know it looks like I am picking on one band but it's because I see the wonderful platform that they have, the attention of the next generation and they are doing nothing with it but promoting a frenzy to get in the band. They aren't trying to educate the youths about their culture, so the culture can evolve to the next level. Maybe they think they are not there for that, maybe they think it's just a business, but to whom much is given, much is required. There are many people I come across out here in foreign who think carnival is all about drinking, wining and revelry, wearing a sexy costume and slackness, and although all these things are part of it, it's not what it's all about. They don't know that carnival is about artistry of the costume, colour, love and unity; they don't know that carnival is about freedom to express yourself and above all creativity.
You can't possibly know what it's like to grow up on Murray Street, one building away from Ariapita Avenue, and hear every single band pass from J’ouvert morning until carnival Tuesday las lap, or see all the family and friends you haven't seen in forever come lime by your house because it's where all the action is; or to hear Poison Carnival Band is on Carlos Street, so you climb up on your friends' roof to see and be greeted with the sight of Machel Montano on the roof of the truck in the distance commanding the masqueraders to wine and get on bad. His voice carrying far on the Caribbean breeze. Not to mention visions of jumping up with Harts as a teenager, in the back of the band because you don't have a costume but you are happy beyond belief because you are with your friends and your crush is there and maybe today is the day he will talk to you.
I still come to Trinidad for carnival whenever possible, whenever money, time, school and work permits. I still come even though it will never be the same. I still come even though I know my sister and I will end up getting on each other’s nerves, and argue in the band about which truck to stay with as I like the last or first trucks for space and groovy soca, and she likes the middle truck that has the most people and hypest DJ and power soca. I still come 7
Malaika Crichlow is a daughter of the twin isle of Trinidad and Tobago. She resides in Miami, Florida and has been for the past 19 years. She is an aspiring author who hopes to publish children’s books, novels on Caribbean life, and books of poetry. Writing has always been a passion and sometimes a distant dream, but always brings her unparalleled joy. When she is not writing, she is a mother, a nurse, a student, and a lover of life and laughter.
hoping that magically, carnival will evolve into some kind of hybrid that incorporates and blends the old with the new, the traditions with the new trends. I come because just like my father, my daughter, my Trinidad carnival is mine. I claim it in all its majesty and all its fuckery and pretenses that it has come to represent recently because without carnival, I wouldn't be me. My laugh wouldn't contain the sound of the soft pan notes. My walk wouldn’t swivel with the twist of a bottom that could roll or my confidence shine in the beauty of a costume on display. Carnival is my time with daddy, a way to feel his spirit and his reckless abandon when the atmosphere is electric, a way to be with him as I never will again. I wouldn't have traded him for another just as I wouldn't trade carnival for another. With all the ridiculousness of its allinclusive parties that cost an arm and a leg, the exclusivity of certain bands and the toxic atmosphere such exclusivity can promote, and the frontline costumes that women model instead of dancing the fucking costume to show its versatility and vibrancy. Carnival with all its nakedness and costumes no longer being made to fit its patrons, but for the patrons to fit it. Carnival with all its sweet soca, its revolutionary soca artists such as Bunji Garlin, Fay Ann Lyons, Kerwin DuBois, Kes and many others. Carnival, with all its hot sun, good vibes, and great friends creating lasting memories. Carnival is mine. I hope you make it yours and don't let other people define what carnival is to you.
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CARIBBEAN BUSINESS BUZZ
for infrastructure, an implementation framework for a single university space, technology upgrades and furniture, fixtures & equipment.
Caribbean Business News by Natalie Alicia Dookie CARIBBEAN Caribbean leaders, development bank reps and the US Vice President issued a joint statement of action and recommendations following the conclusion of the Caribbean Energy Summit held in the US in late January. Renewable energy initiatives put forward include the promotion and development of affordable (i) no- or lower carbon electricity generation through wind, solar, geothermal power, hydropower, bio energy, ocean energy, energy recovery from waste, and other clean energies; and (ii) energy efficiency measures. It also encourages data and information exchange, energy investment, access to finance as well as alignment of legal and regulatory approaches for clean energy.
By 2050 it is anticipated that a quarter of the Caribbean's population will be over 60 years old. Today 12% or 156,000 of Trinidad &Tobago's population is above 60 with a regional life expectancy averaging 70. How is the Caribbean preparing? (Ageing in the Caribbean, this book is edited by Dr. Joan Rawlins and Dr. Nicole Alea, launched 2015.)
The Caribbean Export Development Agency facilitated a planning session with the Caribbean Network of Service Coalitions for the development of the 2015 work programme for Year 2 of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Services Fiche. All 15 CARIFORUM States were represented, focusing on national and regional action plans. The programme is valued at â‚Ź3.2million.
GRENADA As the next step in Grenada's geothermal support partnership framework with New Zealand, the firm, Jacobs New Zealand Limited, is conducting technical and geosciences analyses. The initial assignment concludes in June 2015 with the final step involving the completion of a stored heat assessment and quantification of power generation potential.
The University of the West Indies received US$13.16 million from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus Development Project. Projects to be procured from March 2015 to October 2017 include: development of a maintenance plan
JAMAICA Forbes Best Countries for Business 2014 rankings places Jamaica at 64 out of 146 countries making it the Best Country for Business in the Caribbean Region and
CAYMAN ISLANDS A$200 million condominium project on Grand Cayman has broken ground. It includes 123 condominium units/townhouses across 10 buildings, along with a gym, clubhouse, swimming pools and a yoga pavilion. A local developer is heading the project.
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the third in Latin America and the Caribbean. This was an historic move with Jamaica progressing by 36 spots. The report includes a review of 11 metrics: property rights, innovation, taxes, technology, corruption, freedom (personal, trade and monetary), red tape, investor protection and stock market performance. On the other hand, Jamaica ranked 115 for its heavy tax burden and 90 for trade freedom.
three opposition parties forming Team Unity. Despite the extremely, slow counting and transmission of results, Team Unity was eventually declared the majority winner having secured 7 of the 11 seats. The new Prime Minister is Economist, Dr. Timothy Harris. This is a major electoral shift ending two decades of rule by the SKNLP, with the former Prime Minister having served the longest as a current Head of Government in the Western Hemisphere.
Following the establishment of a National Security Task Force, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Government of Jamaica launched Jamaica's National Cyber Security Strategy earlier this year. The tenets of the strategy include: technical measures, human resource & capacity building, legal & regulatory issues, as well as public education and awareness. Subsequent to the construction of state of the art labs, training is expected to take place as part of a national incidence team. The OAS has also helped Trinidad & Tobago to draft and adopt its national cyber security strategy and is working with Dominica and Suriname on their plans.
Christophe Harbour is on its way to becoming a superyatch location offering property ownership opportunities, a 300 acre marina, a 18-hole Tom Fazio golf course, hotels, restaurants, shopping and membership clubs. The first phase of the marina was presented this year and includes 24 berths between 150 and 220 feet aimed at 85 to 300-foot transient vessels. The development also includes the first Park Hyatt hotel in the region.
Blue Mountain Renewables (BMR) Energy closed on the financing of its 36MW wind generation project in Jamaica. The US$62.7 million financing package included a $42.7 million loan from: The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a US$10 million loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and US$10 million from IFCCanada Climate Change Programme. The wind turbines are being sourced from Vestas Wind Systems A/S which will also lead construction under a turnkey EPC contract. Construction starts in Q1 2015 with expected completion early 2016.
ST. LUCIA The Task Force set up last year to consider the framework under which St. Lucia can offer a citizenship for investment programme as well as consider the most suitable model for implementation has completed its findings. St. Lucia's Cabinet will now put forward the Task Force recommendations for public consideration. The Committee has recommended that such a programme can supplement national income.
ST. KITTS & NEVIS On February 16th General Elections were held contested by the St. Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) and a coalition of 12
A Technical Committee was appointed this month to facilitate the establishment of a Trinidad & Tobago Printing & Packaging Institute (TTPPI).
ST. VINCENT & THE GRENADINES According to the International Airport Development Company (IADC), construction work on the International Airport in Argyle is expected to be completed by the end of 2015 at a cost of US$268 million. Among the outstanding work to be completed are: drainage systems, pavement works, airfield lighting, quality control systems, wind studies and the regulatory oversight of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA). Work to be completed on the land site facility includes the passenger terminal building, the control tower & navigational aids, rescue and fire-fighting station & equipment, the cargo terminal, aircraft hangar, fixed base operation, airport access, circulation roads and parking lots.
Although BPTT is reviewing its plans in this challenging phase of expected low oil and gas prices in the medium and short term, it is going ahead with its Juniper offshore gas project which takes gas from the Corallita and Lantana fields off south east Trinidad. Drilling is due to start in 2015 with the first gas anticipated in 2017. TURKS & CAICOS Two tenders valued $20 plus million for sand mining have been delayed this month. The proposed works will permit the use of deeper draft vessels and is linked to the development of a deep water port. The sand can be sold on the local market or exported.
Natalie Alicia Dookie Managing Director RITE Caribbean Business Development Solutions Limited
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO In February the new National Security Minister Brigadier Carl Alfonso, announced planned cutbacks in its purchase of armoured vehicles and armoured personnel vehicles (APVs) as announced in its 2014/2015 National Budget. T&T also successfully secured the endorsement of the Community of Latin American & Caribbean States (CELAC) to host the Secretariat of the Arms Trade Treaty. Its bid is now recognised and approved by the majority of states in the Western Hemisphere.
Natalie is a regional business development, marketing and communications professional focused on creating revenue generation for clients doing business in the English-speaking Caribbean. Contact Natalie at natalie.dookie@ritecaribbean.com to convert your "contacts into contracts." RITE is a Results-driven, Innovative, Timely and Experienced firm. Disclaimer - Culture Pulse The information in the Caribbean Business Buzz article of Culture Pulse magazine, prepared by RITE Caribbean Business Development Solutions Limited (RCBDSL), is obtained from third-party news sources throughout the Caribbean Region. While Culture Pulse and RCBDSL strive to ensure that the information in the article is as timely and accurate as possible, they make no representation, warranty, claims, promises, or guarantees about its accuracy and expressly disclaim liability for errors and omissions in its contents. This information is provided to indicate key business news in and around the Caribbean, the presence of any news item does not indicate an endorsement or recommendation by Culture Pulse or RCBDSL. RCBDSL recommends appropriate due diligence should be undertaken before embarking on business ventures.
T&T also signed a partial scope trade agreement with Guatemala at either reduced or zero traiffs as it seeks to increase access to new markets.
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Print your OwnFone Modern digital technology has opened up so many avenues for new businesses ad in the process killing off old ones that has been the backbone of the old economy. Every sector in the business world is dominated by digital technology, in times gone by you had to have the knack for business, today; you must have an App.
Tom Sunderland, the creator of OwnFone which now operates from the Business Design Centre in Islington, boasts ‘it is the world’s first mobile phone printing shop.’ The phone is basic and does have camera or wireless syncing services. It allows you to make calls to numbers chosen by you. The phone is popular with festival goers who find it handy instead of carrying around expensive handsets. Once only available online, you can now pop into OwnFone in Islington and print your own phone.
I remember not many moons ago the Bayliss windup technology was seen as ground breaking, especially for people in remote areas where electricity was not an option and the exorbitant cost of batteries to power radios and torches, the technology was welcomed. It seems if it isn’t digital, it’s not worth mentioning.
Printing your own phone would cost you around £40 to £70 depending on what you choose and, you can connect on the Vodafone network for £7.50 a month. OwnFone has sold over 8,000 phones in the UK and are currently seeking funding to expand into European and the US market.
This brings me to a novel idea from a London entrepreneur has developed the idea of printing your own customizable phone, which he started in his council flat in Hackney. The world gasped when the first functioning gun was printed about a year ago using digital 3D printing technology. Today we are happily embracing the technologies that 3D printing has to offer.
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Staying Power: Photographs of the Black British Experience, 1950s– 1990s. This is one to put in your diary of events and should not be missed, Staying Power: Photographs of the Black British Experience, 1950s– 1990s. The exhibition spreads across two venues, the V&A in Brompton Road and at the Brixton Cultural Archives. Seventeen photographers form part of this exhibition, 11 at the V&A and 6 at the Brixton Cultural Archives. Works by Norman ‘Normski’ Anderson, Yinka Shonibare, Armet Francis, Maxine Walker, Neil Kenlock and Charlie Phillips will be on display resurrecting the richness of black British culture to a wider audience.
Charlie Phillips
Staying Power: Photographs of the Black British Experience, 1950s– 1990s. Until May 24th at the V&A 020 7942 2000 www.vam.ac.uk Until June 30th at Brixton Cultural Archives 020 3757 8500 www.bcaheritage.org.uk
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Guard the company you keep By Akilah Holder-Stewart
he said, “…Communism forgets that life is individual. Capitalism forgets that life is social, and the kingdom of brotherhood is found neither in the thesis of communism nor the antithesis of capitalism but in a higher synthesis. It is found in a higher synthesis that combines the truth of both”.
Upon my reading the report in the Trinidad Express some time ago about a 6 year old who was buggered by a 14 year old, whose family is a friend of the victim’s family, I found myself ranting anew about the failure of many here to safeguard their personal space. It is not “any and everybody” that you talk to. It is not “any and everybody” that you allow in your personal space and around your children, especially in this day and age; especially in a society like ours where wickedness is the order of the day.
Again, too much community is a problem and too much individualism is a problem. Life is about community, but it is also about individuality. Too much community will stifle one’s individuality, and too much individuality – which can lead to selfish ambition as King notes later in his speech – will harm the individual and the community. And in the context of this article, too much community may get you or your relatives in trouble, or killed.
In a country like ours, a small Caribbean isle with a legacy of slavery (and indentured servitude), there is a tendency by many inhabitants (not all), but many, to think that everyone is one big happy family. Lord Nelson’s 1981 hit, “All ah we is one family”, is an example of and encapsulates this idea very well. While Nelson’s song is about his experiences growing up in the sister island of Tobago, it may very well be applied to life in Trinidad, for life here is similar. And while I’ve heard a couple of my friends say that people here are becoming “cold like Americans (not all Americans are that way, by the way)”, I feel that for the most part, they are still community oriented – too much so, for that matter.
I don’t know all the details of the story about the 6 year old being buggered, but that the 14 year old would bugger the six year old suggests to me that his family (the family of the14 year old) is, for lack of a better word, a questionable one. I could be wrong on that, I could be very wrong. But for the most part, if a child’s behavior is less than desirable, a look at the family almost immediately reveals why. Usually, the family is dysfunctional. In her article The Childhood Psychopath: Bad Seed or Bad Parents?, Dr. Katharine Ramsland, non-fiction writer and associate professor of forensics psychology, makes the point that bad parenting is likely the cause of criminal behavior in children (and adults) with psychopathic tendencies. She cites behavioral geneticist, Dr. David Lykken, who is of the opinion that while
I am not advocating absolutely no community. In the words of English poet, John Donne, “No man is an island”. In fact, some community is necessary. Too much community is the problem. Martin Luther King Jr. in his 1963 homily, “Strength to Love”, hit it on the nail when
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“psychopaths are set apart” and “differ in temperament from other children and are at greater risk for delinquency…”, “most antisocial behaviors in children are caused by poor parenting—absent fathers and inadequate mothers who fail to properly socialize their child”.
character. I am not saying to be judgmental or look down on others, as some may interpret this. In fact, a statement like mine usually gets that type of response: that it is judgmental and condescending. However, a 6 year old has been buggered. And just perhaps, just perhaps, his family is one with the “all ah we is one family” mentality, and did not want to seem arrogant or make anyone “feel a-how”.
She goes on to give examples to support this thesis and comes to the conclusion herself that, “While a born psychopath may have neurological disorders that defy everything we do, it still seems to be the case that many criminals with certain psychopathic traits may have been turned toward something prosocial with the right nurturing. The more we can decrease the number of psychopaths in the general population, the better off we will be. Thus it makes sense to find ways to assess childhood psychopathy and to redirect such children before they become truly dangerous.”
So go ahead and separate yourself; go ahead and not keep the company of certain individuals. Guard yourself and your family. Do not have your children, especially, playing with any and every child. Who knows what type of environment the other child is in?! Don’t sit idly by while your children go visiting at their friend’s home. Find out about the friend and his/her family: what do the parents do, and what do they stand for? We have grand-parents raping their own grand-children for crying out loud, which brings up the point (and this is an unfortunate truth, a very unfortunate one) that you ought to be careful even with your own relatives.
In the case of the 14 year old, he has become dangerous. Clearly, somewhere along the lines, his family messed up; so quite possibly, my suspicions are correct. This adolescent comes from a dysfunctional home, with dysfunctional adults who you may not necessarily want to be around or want your children to be around. That might be a harsh statement, but it’s true. And unless you are a social worker or someone trained in dealing with these matters, the best thing is to distance yourself. And depending on the situation, call social services anonymously or something.
So it’s not about judging; it’s not about being condescending; it’s not about not lending a helping hand (we all need help sometimes, and that’s ok); it’s about being vigilant, particularly in this day and age.
This article was first published by Newsday newspaper in Trinidad and Tobago and republished with the kind permission of the author Akilah Holder-Stewart
Oftentimes what I fear takes place in this country is the opposite. Out of fear of seeming and being labeled “stuck up”, many self-respecting individuals go ahead and interact with persons of dubious 21
Get a Free copy of The Griot’s Tale a novel by Ron Ramdin Would you like to get your hands on a signed copy of The Griot’s Tale? Culturepulse magazine have 3 signed copies of this brilliant novel to give away to our readers. All you have to do is email your name and address to culturepulse@hotmail.co.uk The lucky recipients will be chosen at random and notified via email. “The Griot’s Tale is absorbing from beginning to end. As tension grows, Ron Ramdin’s wonderful, inventive, fluent writing gets more and more adventurous from one episode to another. It is an exceptional literary work, a timely and timeless novel that will not fail to move those who read it.” The Griot’s Tale has been translated in Spanish and will be published in September 2015. The Griot’s Tale is published by Trafford publishing and available to order at www.trafford.com/08-0952 or orders@trafford.com and all major online book retailers.
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Customer Service While working at the Shropshire’s Women and Children’s unit in Telford I encountered three extraordinary women of customer service. These three women, Karen, Lorraine and Sophie are a shinning example of how customer service should be delivered. I have worked in a few hospitals across the country and in London and the level of customer service witnessed can be called to question. I am not under any illusion that some customers can be downright irritating, however it does not subtract from the fact that those dealing with the public, at any level should have a certain aura of decorum in the way service is delivered. In Telford these three women working at the reception of the children’s unit have shown clearly that they understand the needs of those making enquiries or have a complaint. Their mannerism and tone in which they dealt with people was impeccable. They are certainly a treasure to the department they represent and I trust that the management there recognises the efforts of these three exceptional women delivering a service that is as natural as the smiles they greet people with upon arrival at their desk. Undoubtedly, the Shropshire Children’s unit reception service is in good hands.
Men United. Keeping friendships alive. www.prostatecanceruk.org/menunited Call our Specialist Nurses: 0800 074 8383 info@prostatecanceruk.org | www.prostatecanceruk.org
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Claudia Jones-100th Anniversary of her Birth
The Life and Legacy of Claudia Jones
Saturday 28 February, 12.00pm – 6.00pm Founder of the West Indian Gazette, social justice activist, political campaigner and feminist, this study day is a chance to look back at the prolific life and legacy of Claudia Jones. Through film, archive material, personal accounts, panel discussion, tour and a blues and jazz soundtrack, celebrate this great woman who today is still hidden within British history. Join the conversation with those who knew her best including Marika Sherwood, Historian, Author and CoFounder of the Black and Asian Studies Association (BASA); Colin Prescod, Chair of the Institute for Race Relations; Donald Hinds Author & Educator; Nia Reynolds Filmmaker, Writer and Researcher, and Shango Baku, Actor, Playwright and Journalist amongst others.
Black Cultural Archives looks back to Britain post World War II in the current exhibition Staying Power, and this month we will be celebrating the life of Claudia Jones who was a leading campaigner for social equality during the 1950s and 1960s. Born in 1915 in Trinidad, Port of Spain, Claudia immigrated to New York as a child in 1923, and was deported to Britain for her beliefs in 1955. In Britain she founded The West Indian Gazette, the first Black British newspaper that focused on raising awareness within the Black community, she championed the "Black is Beautiful" beauty pageants, and as a result of her cultural festivals believed that "a people's art is the genesis of their freedom". Join us at Black Cultural Archives as we look back at the life and legacy of Claudia Jones, and later explore the role of Black British Feminism today.
£30, £25 concessions, £15 students. @bcaheritage #InspiringPower 0202 3757 8500 Brixton, SW2 1EF
Our mailing address is: Afridiziak Lewisham London, England SE13 United Kingdom
Info courtesy Sophie at Afridiziak
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IDENTIFYING VOICE
Creative Writing One Day Workshop Saturday 28th March 10.30am - 5.30pm This one day workshop aims to help students develop creative skills and explore their unique powers of expression. The course involves group interaction and exercises that enable participants to free their imagination and develop a voice through which they can express their own style and rhythm in their writing. The workshop is open to anyone who enjoys writing or desires to write; whether a beginner or experienced This workshop also provides a space for individuals on a spiritual quest, who want to get in touch with their inner self, develop confidence, and identify strategies for self-transformation. It's therefore recommended to anyone seeking to a holistic approach to self and identity. WORKSHOP COST ÂŁ35.00 per person BOOK NOW
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Don’t Become a Ghost Bike
Be Seen, Be Safe, Be Aware! 26