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Exclusive cultural and political content highlighting issues affecting the Caribbean diaspora

Okay, but did you watch "Cuties"?
andtechgroup andtechgroup

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.

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My Feteless Summer
brooklyn, labor day, parade, wiadca, Carnival Recap andtechgroup brooklyn, labor day, parade, wiadca, Carnival Recap andtechgroup

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.

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We Going Right Down to the Heart of the Matter
andtechgroup andtechgroup

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.

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Happiness Is What We Believe In
Guyana, Culture andtechgroup Guyana, Culture andtechgroup

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.

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Even Introverts Are Sick of Quarantine
andtechgroup andtechgroup

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.

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Quarantine and the New DJ Business Model
andtechgroup andtechgroup

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.

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Coronavirus and Carnival Cancellations
brooklyn, Culture, Soca andtechgroup brooklyn, Culture, Soca andtechgroup

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.

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