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| A view of the hills of Laventille from downtown Port-of-Spain |
The "cultural other/s" of cities are often described as the things or groups of people that are routinely demonized in the public's or media's eyes (Hall and Barrett 2012). In other words, these are the things that stir up fear or create a sense of weirdness in the minds of the majority who think of the city in question. There are several cultural others in the city of POS. However, the most prevalent would have to be crime and not only crime but the persons who are responsible for it as well as where they are believed to come from.
Laventille is an urban settlement that is located directly on the peripheries of POS. This settlement is believed to have been formed as a result of persons wanting to live close to the city informally (squatting) for various reasons e.g. job opportunities etc. As a result of their often poor living conditions and their struggle for survival many of the youths from Laventille began to form gangs to steal from the affluent people of the city. This trend continued for years and still continues today, hence the reason most men, if not every man from Laventille is stereotyped and feared by most Trinidadians. Do you believe that this is fair though? It is through this that the hills of Laventille, as shown in the photograph above, can be used to reflect a cultural other of the city of POS. Bear in mind that although Laventille poses as a cultural other it contributes significantly to the form of POS.
How do I reflect on this photograph being a Trinidadian you might wonder? I'd simply say RUN!! IS LAVENTILLE UP DEY YUH KNOW!! However, from an urban geography perspective, I'd look at how cramped and unplanned the settlement looks, instinctively I would think of it as being a low end settlement or somewhat of slum -type dwelling. Upon seeing those types of settlements I would imagine an unhealthy environment of crime, disenchantment and despair........the lack of basic utilities and services such as water and proper sewage management. Perhaps my reflection is biased for it is within a similar culture of that of Laventille that I have grown up and been exposed to. So I know what the culture of the 'other' feels like or may be perceived to be.
Now tell me, what do you think?
Take a look at the video in the link posted below. I believe that it gives some insight as to how the 'perceived' culture of persons from Laventille makes them the 'cultural others' of the city. Police brutality is being inflicted upon some residents for no apparent reason. (Please pardon the obscene langauage)
