A Musical Tribute to BANANAS, BEACHES AND BASES

This song was inspired by Cynthia Enloe's book, BANANAS, BEACHES AND BASES. In a radical analysis of globalization, Cynthia Enloe examines recent events-Bangladeshi garment factory deaths, domestic workers in the Persian Gulf, Chinese global tourists, and the UN gender politics of guns-to reveal the crucial role of women in international politics today.
Lyricist: Eshani Chakrabarti
Guitarist: Yuto Miyazaki
Artist Statement: Centered around the question, “Where are the Women '', this song highlights some of the key phrases and moments of Cynthia Enloe’s BANANAS, BEACHES AND BASES. Exploring the role of women through the lens of international relations and the language of rhyme for my finale, employed a strategy to make the stories of feminist international relations even more accessible. The song explores key elements from the book including international politics of banana plantations, base women, diplomatic service wives, child marriage and prostitution.
BANANAS, BEACHES AND BASES meant so much to me and having the opportunity to create a musical ode to Cynthia Enloe’s masterpiece was a wonderful opportunity to explore international relations from the prism of music. I decided to take inspiration from another political poet who encapsulated some of the struggles of the sixties in song, Sixto Rodrigues. Rodrigues’ Cold Fact was the soundtrack of the breakup of Apartheid era South Africa and an incredible example of the power of nonfiction storytelling.
Bananas Beaches Bases
Militarized Spaces
Masculinization of Banana Plantations
Forced Sterilization
Fear of deportation
Can you tell me where the women are at?
Women joining unions
Politics of Prostitution
Pesticide Pollution
Marriage As An Institution
Corsets or High Heels
Sleeping on a banana peel
Can you tell me where the women are at?
The International is Personal
And the Personal Is Political
If women are not visible
We remain divisible
Pornography
Autonomy
Hypocrisy
Democracy
Child brides and chambermaids
Service wive and hand grenades
Brothels and bananas
Carmen Miranda
Can you tell me where the women are at
Can you tell me where the women are at
Can you tell me where the women are at