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Deconstructing a System of Oppression in Belize and the Caribbean

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Posted 4th November, 2014 As a presenter at  the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex Association World Conference in Mexico City in October. It was my hope that I could share our experience on L.G.B.T activism in Belize. Knowledge transfer, it seems is not static, as I learned to appreciate how activism have given life to the term,"Deconstructing a system of Oppression." Whether in Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, Ethiopia, Iran or Belize we have all sought to assert and defend our rights, freedoms and dignity, in creative ways. When compared to efforts in the Caribbean, the death sentence that hangs in five countries in the world does not hang over activists heads. In this blog, we will look at how our response to deconstructing system of oppression have evolved organically at the national and regional levels. In over three decades of independence, Belize has not needed to address sexual orientation or gender identity issues. UniBAM mission of using a righ

The power of violent Lyrics as Entertainment in Belize

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Post 7th October, 2014 The point  of  UniBAM press release is that the organization is seeking assurances that promoters will have a clean show devoid of violent lyrics and be socially responsibility to help reinforce psychological sense of safety in communities.The power of violent lyrics through talented artists that people listen to can be argued as inconsequential because many do not murder, abuse their spouse, partners or wives. It can be said that critics of murder music are simply blowing concerns about murder music out of proportion. However, when an individual looks at the song by Beenie Man Doctor Mi Rate Yu or Have Yu Man (2009),  the lyrics speaks to, "Doctor we rate yuh (Ahhh!!!) Dats why we wa rape yuh (yah!)." The song continue with, "Knock a gal in har face she caan knock yuh back, fool stop!!!"  Such lyrics have impact! Arguably, such lyrics can be said to be harmless, that it does not affect men's behavior, but when a women is raped or e