JULIET PORTILLO
Emigration in search of better opportunities has created a significant amount of what is termed 'barrel children' who are left in the care of older siblings and other family members who themselves are struggling to keep the roof over their heads forcing children, mostly males into a life of crime. Everyday one hears on the news of youths being gunned down and it is often drug or gang related and is mostly young black males from so-called depressed areas. The conditionalities of structural adjustments have marginalized certain groups in society who are unable to secure jobs when there are hardly any available and sees no other alternative even though they may have secondary level education. With governments having to cut wages individuals struggle to make ends meet. The poor feels there is no hope. Poor people sometimes have to depend on welfare such as food cards and rely on school feeding programs which ensures that their children at least get a meal.
Monday, 30 March 2015
INEQUALITY
JULIET PORTILLO
It is said that a picture paints a thousand words. Hundreds of people lined up from as early as 5 a.m in front of the HDC office in Port of Spain for a chance to be allocated a house. Arable lands for agriculture is being transformed all in the name of development in an effort to keep up with the demand for those who cannot afford to purchase or build their own homes. Forest are destroyed by squatters and developers alike. The disparities between the rich and poor are obvious as there appears to be mostly a particular race who seems unable to afford their own home. The promise of more jobs with globalisation have not borne fruits for the poor but the rich since many people are still living in poverty and are forced to fight for survival everyday. The resources are just not distributed equitably. It seems like a never-ending cycle.
It is said that a picture paints a thousand words. Hundreds of people lined up from as early as 5 a.m in front of the HDC office in Port of Spain for a chance to be allocated a house. Arable lands for agriculture is being transformed all in the name of development in an effort to keep up with the demand for those who cannot afford to purchase or build their own homes. Forest are destroyed by squatters and developers alike. The disparities between the rich and poor are obvious as there appears to be mostly a particular race who seems unable to afford their own home. The promise of more jobs with globalisation have not borne fruits for the poor but the rich since many people are still living in poverty and are forced to fight for survival everyday. The resources are just not distributed equitably. It seems like a never-ending cycle.
TECHNOLOGY AND IDENTITY
JULIET PORTILLO
We have been exposed to so many foreign media via a host of television channels, books and magazines that we hardly appreciate our own local programming or read books written by our local authors. Books like 'Green Days by the River' and 'A year in San Fernando'. Gone are the days of everyone talking about 'Calabash Alley' we hardly have that type of programming anymore since we would not have an audience, nowadays it is 'young and Restless' and 'Bold and Beautiful'. Our young people perform to empty seats for Music Festival yet we pay exorbitant sums of money to go to a a 'Beyonce' or 'Richard Marx' concert. The vast majority of TV shows are from the North. Our entire lifestyles have changed. If one observe the patterns of behaviour of young people they all exhibit the same taste and patterns of consumption. Our identity is under threat and if we are not careful will be completely obliterated in the not too distant future.
We have been exposed to so many foreign media via a host of television channels, books and magazines that we hardly appreciate our own local programming or read books written by our local authors. Books like 'Green Days by the River' and 'A year in San Fernando'. Gone are the days of everyone talking about 'Calabash Alley' we hardly have that type of programming anymore since we would not have an audience, nowadays it is 'young and Restless' and 'Bold and Beautiful'. Our young people perform to empty seats for Music Festival yet we pay exorbitant sums of money to go to a a 'Beyonce' or 'Richard Marx' concert. The vast majority of TV shows are from the North. Our entire lifestyles have changed. If one observe the patterns of behaviour of young people they all exhibit the same taste and patterns of consumption. Our identity is under threat and if we are not careful will be completely obliterated in the not too distant future.
Global Uprising: Global Uprising.
Shirley Baboolal
Poverty
In society today, people have the concept that the poor are those who wear rags, those who live in the ghetto, people who beg on the street and those who depend on welfare and handouts. Some years ago Singing Sandra sang a calypso which speaks of the poor are those people who lives in the ghetto. The next year in the calypso competition, Pink Panther knocked her by singing that he visited the ghetto and he saw people with direct TV, cable, internet smart phones, brand names and more.
Consider this.... The upper middle class - They purchase homes and beach houses for weekends and summer and employ large numbers of servants. the rich upper class gentlemen devotes substantial time to leisure activities, in order to show that one did not have to work to maintain one's lifestyle.
The middle class - middle middle, consists of industrialists and merchants, physicians and attorneys. they live comfortable, but lack the immense wealth of the upper crust.
The lower middle class - consists of independent shop keepers, small businessmen, small manufacturing shop owners, white collar employees, travel salesmen, bookkeepers, store managers, government clerks, elementary school teachers and dentists. They own no property. they are fiercely committed to preserve the distinction between members of the lower class, wearing suits and ties when they were not necessary. they consider themselves upward mobile and hope to join the upper class by accumulating wealth. Food was the largest budgetary for the middle class. they don't own homes, they rent.
The working class - physical labour consists of skilled and semi-skilled workers, domestic servants, etc.
Can you think for one moment that even though people are employed in well-paying jobs that they could be in a state of poverty. If you look at the lower middle class, they own no property, they have to pay rent as they don't own homes and the cost of living is so high that after paying rent and meeting household needs, e.g. groceries, school books clothing other necessities they barely are left with money and they will have to do extra jobs or band their bellies in order to make ends meet. Isn't this a state of poverty?
Poverty
In society today, people have the concept that the poor are those who wear rags, those who live in the ghetto, people who beg on the street and those who depend on welfare and handouts. Some years ago Singing Sandra sang a calypso which speaks of the poor are those people who lives in the ghetto. The next year in the calypso competition, Pink Panther knocked her by singing that he visited the ghetto and he saw people with direct TV, cable, internet smart phones, brand names and more.
Consider this.... The upper middle class - They purchase homes and beach houses for weekends and summer and employ large numbers of servants. the rich upper class gentlemen devotes substantial time to leisure activities, in order to show that one did not have to work to maintain one's lifestyle.
The middle class - middle middle, consists of industrialists and merchants, physicians and attorneys. they live comfortable, but lack the immense wealth of the upper crust.
The lower middle class - consists of independent shop keepers, small businessmen, small manufacturing shop owners, white collar employees, travel salesmen, bookkeepers, store managers, government clerks, elementary school teachers and dentists. They own no property. they are fiercely committed to preserve the distinction between members of the lower class, wearing suits and ties when they were not necessary. they consider themselves upward mobile and hope to join the upper class by accumulating wealth. Food was the largest budgetary for the middle class. they don't own homes, they rent.
The working class - physical labour consists of skilled and semi-skilled workers, domestic servants, etc.
Can you think for one moment that even though people are employed in well-paying jobs that they could be in a state of poverty. If you look at the lower middle class, they own no property, they have to pay rent as they don't own homes and the cost of living is so high that after paying rent and meeting household needs, e.g. groceries, school books clothing other necessities they barely are left with money and they will have to do extra jobs or band their bellies in order to make ends meet. Isn't this a state of poverty?
Global Uprising: Global Uprising.
Shirley Baboolal
Poverty
In society today, people have the concept that the poor are those who wear rags, those who live in the ghetto, people who beg on the street and those who depend on welfare and handouts. Some years ago Singing Sandra sang a calypso which speaks of the poor are those people who lives in the ghetto. The next year in the calypso competition, Pink Panther knocked her by singing that he visited the ghetto and he saw people with direct TV, cable, internet smart phones, brand names and more.
Consider this.... The upper middle class - They purchase homes and beach houses for weekends and summer and employ large numbers of servants. the rich upper class gentlemen devotes substantial time to leisure activities, in order to show that one did not have to work to maintain one's lifestyle.
The middle class - middle middle, consists of industrialists and merchants, physicians and attorneys. they live comfortable, but lack the immense wealth of the upper crust.
The lower middle class - consists of independent shop keepers, small businessmen, small manufacturing shop owners, white collar employees, travel salesmen, bookkeepers, store managers, government clerks, elementary school teachers and dentists. They own no property. they are fiercely committed to preserve the distinction between members of the lower class, wearing suits and ties when they were not necessary. they consider themselves upward mobile and hope to join the upper class by accumulating wealth. Food was the largest budgetary for the middle class. they don't own homes, they rent.
The working class - physical labour consists of skilled and semi-skilled workers, domestic servants, etc.
Can you think for one moment that even though people are employed in well-paying jobs that they could be in a state of poverty. If you look at the lower middle class, they own no property, they have to pay rent as they don't own homes and the cost of living is so high that after paying rent and meeting household needs, e.g. groceries, school books clothing other necessities they barely are left with money and they will have to do extra jobs or band their bellies in order to make ends meet. Isn't this a state of poverty?
Poverty
In society today, people have the concept that the poor are those who wear rags, those who live in the ghetto, people who beg on the street and those who depend on welfare and handouts. Some years ago Singing Sandra sang a calypso which speaks of the poor are those people who lives in the ghetto. The next year in the calypso competition, Pink Panther knocked her by singing that he visited the ghetto and he saw people with direct TV, cable, internet smart phones, brand names and more.
Consider this.... The upper middle class - They purchase homes and beach houses for weekends and summer and employ large numbers of servants. the rich upper class gentlemen devotes substantial time to leisure activities, in order to show that one did not have to work to maintain one's lifestyle.
The middle class - middle middle, consists of industrialists and merchants, physicians and attorneys. they live comfortable, but lack the immense wealth of the upper crust.
The lower middle class - consists of independent shop keepers, small businessmen, small manufacturing shop owners, white collar employees, travel salesmen, bookkeepers, store managers, government clerks, elementary school teachers and dentists. They own no property. they are fiercely committed to preserve the distinction between members of the lower class, wearing suits and ties when they were not necessary. they consider themselves upward mobile and hope to join the upper class by accumulating wealth. Food was the largest budgetary for the middle class. they don't own homes, they rent.
The working class - physical labour consists of skilled and semi-skilled workers, domestic servants, etc.
Can you think for one moment that even though people are employed in well-paying jobs that they could be in a state of poverty. If you look at the lower middle class, they own no property, they have to pay rent as they don't own homes and the cost of living is so high that after paying rent and meeting household needs, e.g. groceries, school books clothing other necessities they barely are left with money and they will have to do extra jobs or band their bellies in order to make ends meet. Isn't this a state of poverty?
Global Uprising: Global Uprising.
Shirley Baboolal
Poverty
In society today, people have the concept that the poor are those who wear rags, those who live in the ghetto, people who beg on the street and those who depend on welfare and handouts. Some years ago Singing Sandra sang a calypso which speaks of the poor are those people who lives in the ghetto. The next year in the calypso competition, Pink Panther knocked her by singing that he visited the ghetto and he saw people with direct TV, cable, internet smart phones, brand names and more.
Consider this.... The upper middle class - They purchase homes and beach houses for weekends and summer and employ large numbers of servants. the rich upper class gentlemen devotes substantial time to leisure activities, in order to show that one did not have to work to maintain one's lifestyle.
The middle class - middle middle, consists of industrialists and merchants, physicians and attorneys. they live comfortable, but lack the immense wealth of the upper crust.
The lower middle class - consists of independent shop keepers, small businessmen, small manufacturing shop owners, white collar employees, travel salesmen, bookkeepers, store managers, government clerks, elementary school teachers and dentists. They own no property. they are fiercely committed to preserve the distinction between members of the lower class, wearing suits and ties when they were not necessary. they consider themselves upward mobile and hope to join the upper class by accumulating wealth. Food was the largest budgetary for the middle class. they don't own homes, they rent.
The working class - physical labour consists of skilled and semi-skilled workers, domestic servants, etc.
Can you think for one moment that even though people are employed in well-paying jobs that they could be in a state of poverty. If you look at the lower middle class, they own no property, they have to pay rent as they don't own homes and the cost of living is so high that after paying rent and meeting household needs, e.g. groceries, school books clothing other necessities they barely are left with money and they will have to do extra jobs or band their bellies in order to make ends meet. Isn't this a state of poverty?
Poverty
In society today, people have the concept that the poor are those who wear rags, those who live in the ghetto, people who beg on the street and those who depend on welfare and handouts. Some years ago Singing Sandra sang a calypso which speaks of the poor are those people who lives in the ghetto. The next year in the calypso competition, Pink Panther knocked her by singing that he visited the ghetto and he saw people with direct TV, cable, internet smart phones, brand names and more.
Consider this.... The upper middle class - They purchase homes and beach houses for weekends and summer and employ large numbers of servants. the rich upper class gentlemen devotes substantial time to leisure activities, in order to show that one did not have to work to maintain one's lifestyle.
The middle class - middle middle, consists of industrialists and merchants, physicians and attorneys. they live comfortable, but lack the immense wealth of the upper crust.
The lower middle class - consists of independent shop keepers, small businessmen, small manufacturing shop owners, white collar employees, travel salesmen, bookkeepers, store managers, government clerks, elementary school teachers and dentists. They own no property. they are fiercely committed to preserve the distinction between members of the lower class, wearing suits and ties when they were not necessary. they consider themselves upward mobile and hope to join the upper class by accumulating wealth. Food was the largest budgetary for the middle class. they don't own homes, they rent.
The working class - physical labour consists of skilled and semi-skilled workers, domestic servants, etc.
Can you think for one moment that even though people are employed in well-paying jobs that they could be in a state of poverty. If you look at the lower middle class, they own no property, they have to pay rent as they don't own homes and the cost of living is so high that after paying rent and meeting household needs, e.g. groceries, school books clothing other necessities they barely are left with money and they will have to do extra jobs or band their bellies in order to make ends meet. Isn't this a state of poverty?
MODELS OF DEVELOPMENT-HOW APPLICABLE IS THIS FOR THE CARIBBEAN?
JULIET PORTILLO
The conventional approaches to development in the Caribbean have been characterized by such features as the production of a narrow range of goods, mainly for export; the importation of most of the technology and equipment used for production; a planning process that excludes the views and expertise of organized labour, farmers, women, youth and several other major groups; an economic management system that measures growth in terms of such indicators as Gross National Product (GNP) and the value of exports; a dependence on market forces to distribute wealth and opportunity and application of criteria for progress and success that fail to calculate the impact of development policies and programmes on people and on the natural resources of the region. How much are we investing in people? The present development model alienates youth from active participation in activities of socio-economic, cultural and political significance. We need to exploit the natural and human resources of our country. What are we doing in reducing the present 'brain drain', those intellectual minds who can contribute in a meaningful way to our development? Every year tertiary institutions across the country produces graduates who cannot get a meaningful job. Where is the vision for development? It is said that education is the key to development. What about investing more in sports for the alienated youth. Why are the stadiums across the country under-utilized? We need a new ideology and a realistic vision that encompasses all in society regardless of race, class, religion and gender.
Reference
Duncan, N. Mechanisms of Impoverishment in the Anglophone Caribbean: The Role of the Bretton Woods Institutions and Recommendations of Caribbean NGOs
The conventional approaches to development in the Caribbean have been characterized by such features as the production of a narrow range of goods, mainly for export; the importation of most of the technology and equipment used for production; a planning process that excludes the views and expertise of organized labour, farmers, women, youth and several other major groups; an economic management system that measures growth in terms of such indicators as Gross National Product (GNP) and the value of exports; a dependence on market forces to distribute wealth and opportunity and application of criteria for progress and success that fail to calculate the impact of development policies and programmes on people and on the natural resources of the region. How much are we investing in people? The present development model alienates youth from active participation in activities of socio-economic, cultural and political significance. We need to exploit the natural and human resources of our country. What are we doing in reducing the present 'brain drain', those intellectual minds who can contribute in a meaningful way to our development? Every year tertiary institutions across the country produces graduates who cannot get a meaningful job. Where is the vision for development? It is said that education is the key to development. What about investing more in sports for the alienated youth. Why are the stadiums across the country under-utilized? We need a new ideology and a realistic vision that encompasses all in society regardless of race, class, religion and gender.
Reference
Duncan, N. Mechanisms of Impoverishment in the Anglophone Caribbean: The Role of the Bretton Woods Institutions and Recommendations of Caribbean NGOs
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