Mahogany CoConut Blog

The Caribbean Is One Nation. Submitted by the Mahogany Coconut Group 2015 year In Review/Comment “Within the region, our strongest economy, Trinidad and Tobago, appears to be facing unexpected challenges because of falling oil prices. This reality has forced the Central Bank to review growth predictions downward. Coupled with widespread state corruption and an election that will reveal the ugliest use of the dollar bill to buy votes; it is sadly obvious that T and T seems set for more malfeasance and stupidity in its governance.  In Guyana the President has created a constitutional crisis by attempting to run the country while ignoring parliament, for his glaringly nefarious political objectives. We are aware and have warned that the longer race continues to dominate Guyana’s politics, the longer it would take for this potentially great country to confront and eradicate its socio-economic problems.” (Mahogany Coconut Group 12/28/14 As we look back on 2015, we are co...

The Caribbean Is One Nation.                                                                    Of Caribbean Note 2015: West Indies Women Cricket Team: While our boys struggle our women keep our cricket flag flying high Road Tennis: This indigenous Barbadian sport is about to take off and has been growing in leaps and bounds Dr. Keith Rowley: Rose from the political ashes of a few years ago and is now Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Barbados Underground, BU: Has earned the right to be considered one of the foremost voices of Caribbean Democracy The Mighty People of The Cooperative Republic of Guyana: Rapidly accelerating the Development of their country while fending off the selfish ambitions of Venezuela’s claim to their territorial rights Classic (William Waithe): the Barbados Calypso Ki...

The Caribbean Is One Nation. Our final Caribbean Holidays Recipe. Enjoy ! St.Vincent & Grenadines Stuffed Sweet Potatoes St. Vincent & The Grenadines: Stuffed Sweet Potatoes INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs. Sweet Potatoes (2 large) Vegetable oil 4 rashers of bacon ½ cup of any cooked diced meat ½ cup Whole Kernel Corn 1 medium onion 1 tbs.. margarine Salt and pepper to taste METHOD: Scrub potatoes well. Dry and brush with oil, place on a baking sheet and cook at 400 F for 1 ½ hours until done. Fry bacon and onion until bacon is crisp and onion is transparent. Remove potatoes from oven, cut each in half and scoop out the flesh. Chop roughly, add butter, corn, seasoning and bacon mixture. Mix well. Spoon mixture back into the potato shells. Reheat in the oven for 10-15 min. Some other Caribbean Holidays  Treats: Trinidad and Tobago Sweet bread St. Lucia Pastries Bajan (Barbados) jug-jug

The Caribbean Is One Nation. Sir Charles Williams Submitted by William Skinner: Open letter to: Sir Charles Williams In the eyes of many Barbadians, you are an example of hard work and tenacity. I am also aware that you have extended many acts of charity to the lesser fortunate. Many of your employees have spoken very positively of your labor practices. In very simple terms, you have put food on the table for a large number of families. This food was not given; it was earned as it should be. I met you once, when I was in the company of my cousin and dearest friend, David “Joey” Harper. I recall you telling us that the rather aged Mercedes was a bit heavy on gas. My first impression was that you were a very down to earth individual and that success had not made you lose the common touch. I am certain that since that meeting a few decades ago,  your wealth has increased a thousand times. However, as a Black Barbadian, that positive impression of you has now disappeared...

The Caribbean Is One Nation. We continue our holidays recipes with the Bajan (Barbados) jug jug a traditional Christmas dish. It's a real old time favorite. Enjoy! Please see the link at the end/bott Preparation Time: 25 minutes Cooking Time: 1 1/4 hours Serves: 6 Country:  Barbados INGREDIENTS: 250  grams pork     250  grams beef     2  litres water     1  whole hot pepper     500  grams pigeon peas     1  Tbs. thyme     1  Tbs. parsley     1  Tbs. chives     1  medium onion     125  grams guinea corn     70  grams butter METHOD / DIRECTIONS: 1. Cut up meat, chop thyme, parsley and chives. 2. Cook pork for 20 minutes then add beef, season with salt if fresh meat is used. Add pepper, peas and cook for 30...

The Caribbean Is One Nation. Submitted by William Skinner Chris Sinckler Owen Arthur Those who are not blinded by party loyalty to either the Democratic Labour Party or the Barbados Labour Party would have noticed some rather fancy political foot work, over the last couple of weeks. It seems that our struggling Minister of Finance, Mr. Chris Sinckler, is finding more common ground with our former  Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Owen Arthur. These two gentlemen have similar problems. Sinckler’s legacy will be that he failed on any and every occasion to get the economy moving in a positive direction. And we are slowly discovering that Athur’s much praised stewardship of the economy, during his three terms, is now almost demolished, by the revelations that many of the problems we have, were left unsolved. Both of them are being considered as outstanding failures.  Mr. David Commissiong, who was once in Mr. Arthur’s choir, has now determined that Arth...

The Caribbean Is One Nation.                 Kim Watson                 by James Fanelli   December 7,2015 As she sat in immigration court on Nov. 19, Kim Watson chanted a Buddhist mantra she uses to recognize and accept the state of her life. “ Nam-myoho-renge-kyo ,” she whispered. She recited the prayer over and over again until her lawyer,  Rehan Nazrali , returned from meeting a federal judge and an assistant chief counsel from the Department of Homeland Security . Then Nazrali gave Watson news that provided even more peace of mind than repeating those mystical words. She could stay in the country, he said. “It was a wild moment,” Watson recalled. “I felt joyful and grateful. I really appreciated that the judge would allow me to stay with my family.” Watson, a 52-year-old transgender woman who has become a heralded champion and unrelenting advocate of the LGBT ...

The Caribbean Is One Nation. Justin Trudeau "But something is missing from this cabinet, from this reflection of the Canada of 2015. There are no people that look like me or my children or my grandchildren, despite there being at least six Liberal caucus members with Caribbean and African immigrant backgrounds. Once again, blacks and blackness are invisible. It is as if there is no black in Canada. Maybe despite all its diversity Canada in 2015 is still a white man’s country, where as in time of old all eligible and desirable non-whites and males have been co-opted into whiteness. Just like the Italians, Greeks, Ukrainians, Afghans, etc. that are now all white Canadians. Diversity through assimilation. And as has always been the case, the one unassimilable group – primary because of the colour of skin and the historic outsider status – is blacks. And this is at a time when south of the border there is a black president. Maybe it is true that Canadian and U.S. cultures and ...