Mahogany CoConut Blog

One Caribbean Nation. Gaston Browne National Flag of Antigua and Barbuda Oh, Noooo Mr. Browne! Mr. Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, must be told, that his words as a leader of a Caribbean country and member of  CARICOM, have consequences. He cannot “go about the place’, calling citizens of any Caribbean country “rotten elements’, simply because they disagree, with his administration’s and his position on LIAT. We will not tolerate undermining any workers’ cause, and the pilots of LIAT are no exception. He must also impress upon his cabinet members, that the days of petty insular diatribe and baseless innuendo, against other regional leaders and members, will not serve the cause being fought by progressive Caribbean citizens, to create a new vibrant Caribbean nation. There are too many regional leaders, who see our islands, as their serfdoms. They seem to believe that replacing the colonialists with a new set of frauds, is the future of the Caribbe...

One Caribbean Nation. Radio School, an excellent teaching tool       by Michael Headley Jeff Broomes Voice of Barbados, Starcom Network and its sponsors, must be congratulated for the innovative and educational program Radio School, aired at 3:32 PM,  from Monday to Thursday on Voice of Barbados, 92.9 FM.   The targeted audience are pupils, whose education has been somewhat interrupted by the COVID-19 virus.  However, there can be no educational pause because the pupils still must prepare for the Common Entrance examination a.k.a. 11 Plus, at a future date.  With its promotional catchy phrase, from age ' seven to seventy -seven', the net is cast wide so that all and sundry can participate.  Voice of Barbados, Starcom Network and its sponsors, must be congratulated for the innovative and educational program Radio School, aired at 3:32 PM,  from Mon...

One Caribbean Nation. Close Them Down  It is not the policy of the Mahogany Coconut Group to highlight any one Caribbean country. However, we must once more, turn our attention, to the country of Barbados and the horrendous cases of child abuse occurring there. Recently, we commented on the inhumane treatment of a youth, at the Fun Ranch, in the parish of St. Andrew. We note that the perpetrators of those atrocities, were brought before the country’s law courts. Today, we are shocked to report, another act of horrific treatment, of a young woman who was in the custodial care of the state-run Government Industrial School (GIS) where wayward youth are supposed to be rehabilitated. On this occasion, the young resident was placed naked in a cold cell. We now call on the government of Barbados, to close both the Fun Ranch and the Government Industrial School and to immediately carry out a full, independent, and transparent investigation, into their operations. Close them d...

One Caribbean Nation. By Michael Headley In this Orwellian age,  when right is wrong and vice versa, the Attorney General, Dale Marshall fell victim to Doublespeak as  he tried unsuccessfully,  to explain The Drug Abuse (Prevention and Control) Amendment) Bill 2020 (Nation News March 07).  His lame explanation blew up in smoke as he stated, in one breath that smoking cannabis (pot/,marijuana)  was a crime, however persons, caught, in possession of 14 grams or less, will be treated differently, by the police .  They would be fined and not confined.  The treasury must be smiling but how many 14 grams or less is one person allowed before they will be confined?   Mr. Attorney General, is smoking cannabis a crime or can users sidestep it by paying a fine?  Be specific.   Mr Attorney General, as recent as March 16, the Moderator, on Getting down to brass tacks, stated that because users the...

One Caribbean , One People Flags of Caribbean Countries The CARICOM Community Flag The Mahogany Coconut Blog is celebrating its thirteenth anniversary during this month. Our first posting was  March 10th, 2008.The MCG (Mahogany Coconut Group) is totally and unapologetically committed to the emergence of One Caribbean Nation State. We therefore try our utmost to comment on matters affecting the entire region and have steadfastly tried, to avoid being an organ of any individual country.   However, we occasionally highlight issues that are confronting any individual state. We have been foremost in advocating: children’s, women’s, and the rights of our elderly; exposing and attacking racism in the region; calling for the eradication of regional poverty; insisting that corrupt public officials be removed from office; promoting economic justice; encouraging healthy lifestyles; defending our gay community and their rights to love whomever they please and promoting our Caribbean cul...

One Caribbean Nation. We honor and respect all women on this International Women’s Day. However, we must state with absolute clarity, that we remain concerned and aware that our Caribbean women, continue to be physically and mentally abused; domestic abuse is growing throughout the region. Our women, since the days of slavery, have held the fabric of our societies together. They have allowed men to “rule” even when such respect was not earned. For the last half century, this traditional role has undergone considerable change and we have seen women rise to leadership in all spheres of regional endeavor. Nowhere has this been more evident than in the political arena, where we have witnessed them attain the highest political office as Prime Ministers. In both the public and private sectors, our women have displayed their abilities to function at the highest levels. We are convinced that these achievements, have caused a great majority of our men some discomfort. The days of the man ...

One Caribbean Nation. Shirley Chishlom Quotes: "When morality comes against profit, it is seldom that profit loses." "If they don't give you a seat at the table bring a folding chair" Walter Rodney Quote: " For the only great men among the unfree and the oppressed are those who struggle to destroy the oppressor." Harry Belafonte  Quote: " You can cage the singer but not the song." We conclude our contribution to Black History month, by honouring three Caribbean freedom fighters, who have contributed greatly to the struggle for Black Liberation. We urge all Caribbean institutions of learning, from kindergarten to unversity, to promote Black Studies. The Caribbean has been instrumental in the Black global struggle , for social and economic justice.  Flags of the Caribbean