DysChick
Put them problems aside

Are we over being triggered?

Whew! It seems that many of us have been on edge for years. With pandemics, genocides, global politics, and economic uncertainties we cannot look at social media without being bombarded with triggering content. We have access to so much information about world events that we are able to see a conflict from varying perspectives, which is a good thing. However, doom scrolling through IG or TikTok cannot be good for our mental health. So how can we stay sane while staying informed?

Put them problems aside
DysChick
Don't Try to Divide We

The Question of the Essequibo

On December 3rd, Venezuela will hold a referendum to decide whether to formally claim Essequibo, a region long disputed with Guyana, as a Venezuelan state. Should they decide to move forward with the claim, Guyana would lose over 70% of its territory, much of which has been the source of the nation’s newfound wealth.

Don't Try to Divide We
DysChick
I Takin' A Mental Day

New Year, More Naps

Hello and Happy 2023!

I can’t believe how much happened in 2022. We came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mia Mottley secured a second 5-year term as Prime Minister of Barbados, Russia started a war with Ukraine, and Herschel Walker lost the Georgia election - but so did Stacey Abrams. You know, yin… yan.  The same was true for DysChick. Despite personal tragedies, I was able to be outside like garb – nope.  I refuse to make that a phrase.

So what’s my plan for 2023? Rest.

I Takin' A Mental Day
DysChick
Anything wey you do, dem must commentate

Tipsy in Miami

If you’ve been following DysChick, you know that I have a fear of flying; however, I have a greater fear of missing out on an epic event. Tipsy in Miami announced that it would feature the King of Soca and the King of Afrobeats and the FOMO was just too real.

Machel Montano has been making the rounds this year promoting his brand, encouraging nations to “Save the Soil,” and making sure that you know he is still the King of Soca after 40 years in the business. Burna Boy is the most popular Afrobeats artiste right now with his hit single “Last Last” reaching over 6 million streams on Spotify.

With these two heavyweights on the bill, you know DysChick had to fly to fete! Yet despite having the top artistes, the event was not E-P-I-C.

Anything wey you do, dem must commentate
DysChick
For All of the Women of the World

We Need NOW Now!

So let's recap America’s first six months of 2022:

Are we great yet? No? Okay, how about this, we just decided to revoke a woman’s right to chose when and if she wants to become a mother.

For All of the Women of the World

Yo Ka Parlé, Parlé, Parlé

Yo Ka Parlé, Parlé, Parlé

Okay, but did you watch "Cuties"?

Several friends reached out to me over the past few days to ask my thoughts on the Netflix movie “Cuties".” I had not seen it, but I certainly saw all of the dialogue surrounding the provocative dancing of pubescent girls. Despite the outrage and it’s 89% Rotten Tomatoes rating, many involved in the conversation admitted that they did not actually watch the film. Well, for those of you who saw the clip of young girls dancing to Yemi Alade’s “Bum Bum,” there’s actually more nuance to the film than that.

, , , ,

Ah Fed Up!

, , , ,
Ah Fed Up!

My Feteless Summer

Brooklynites are likely still coming to grips with the summer of disappointments. Carnivals were cancelled, we were on lockdown, and Labor Day was just another holiday. While many were willing to deal with fete withdrawal, some promoters still found a way to put on events that were purported to offer reprieve from our quarantine doldrums. As a fete junkie, I found myself hesitant to purchase tickets to events that would either be sparse or possibly get shut down for not complying with city mandates. While I’m glad I saved my money after seeing what the more unscrupulous promoters offered, there were actually some events that I regret missing.

We Going Right Down to the Heart of the Matter

We Going Right Down to the Heart of the Matter

Soca's Premier Videographer Joins Ontario Protest

In Ontario, thousands have flooded the streets throughout 2020 to demand justice for all citizens. In attendance at a protest in Hamilton, ON was Rant and Rave videographer Kordel Fermin. I spoke to him on June 19th to get his perspective of the protests for our podcast series, but his take on the movement caused me to look deeper into how Canada is finally recognizing that they, too, have a history of racism.

Happiness Is What We Believe In

Happiness Is What We Believe In

SASOD Guyana and the Fight for Civil Rights

June is Pride Month! As the world takes to the streets to stand up for Black Lives, we cannot forget about the people within our communities who face additional struggles. I spoke with Joel Simpson, Founder and Managing Director of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), about the progress his organization has made over the last 17 years in Guyana and how quarantine may be helping the gay and trans community.

It's Your Time To Free Up Your Mind

It's Your Time To Free Up Your Mind

Even Introverts Are Sick of Quarantine

How many of you are tired of this Coronavirus quarantine? Not because you do not like your home, but because your balance is off. Things we took for granted like brunch, movies, parties, and other activities that helped us cope with the stress of daily life have been taken away. We no longer get to decide what events we will and won’t attend. We are mandated to “stay home.” That sucks. Even as an introvert, I’m sick of quarantine.

Mister DJ, Let the Music Play So We Could Break Away

Mister DJ, Let the Music Play So We Could Break Away

Quarantine and the New DJ Business Model

Coronavirus has many of us quarantined and isolated from friends, family, f**kboys, and fetes. Per usual, deejays are taking the time to provide some much-needed relief from the covid struggle. Quarantine fetes have been popping up on Instagram and Facebook as deejays use their platforms to keep their fans engaged. The live streams have been so successful that this may be the new wave for deejays.

Take Me Back to the Party

Take Me Back to the Party

Coronavirus and Carnival Cancellations

We are only three months in to 2020 and there’s already been the loss of a legendary basketball player, political unrest in Guyana, America’s Democratic Party in shambles, and now a global pandemic that’s causing governments to restrict international travel, corporate work hours, and large gatherings. For the socaholics among us, these restrictions mean missing out on our best stress reliever: Carnival.

I Must Come Back

I Must Come Back

TOP 5 EVENTS OF 2019

2019 has been a great year for DysChick! I started the year the same way I start every year: hopeful. I had no idea there would be so many exciting firsts and daunting challenges. Here are my top 5: