Sunday Whatever, November 18, 2012
A friend of mine teased me the other day that my weekly commentary on Jamaican affairs is generally of the gloom-and-doom variety. But hey, I am a cynical optimist. I always hope for and expect the best, but when I don’t get it… Whatever!
So much for my personal outlook on life. Let’s look at a few things that have been going on in the past week… and I have to say that I have actually found a number of “positive” stories for you, my faithful readers.
Firstly – and I think this is rather important – I was pleased to learn today of an initiative by University of the West Indies (UWI) students, a response to the recent homophobic beating of a student at the nearby University of Technology in Kingston. It is borrowed from a U.S.-based campaign called “NoH8″ (“no hate,” you see). Although some of Jamaica’s more devout Christians may not believe in the idea of love and tolerance (curious isn’t it?) I believe this is a good effort that really deserves our support – and in particular, one hopes, from public figures, celebrities etc. And I am especially glad to see young Jamaicans taking a stand. Kudos to the UWI Guild of Students’ Maya Wilkinson.
Maya Wilkinson of the NoH8 campaign had to immediately clarify that she is not gay. If she was, presumably the campaign would have no credibility in the eyes of the media and others. And she would not show her face.
The faces of the University of the West Indies’ NoH8 campaign.
The Sunday Observer article ran a report on the matter that included comments from a student who claimed he had been tricked and harassed into participating in the campaign but subsequently withdrew when he heard that it was in support of gay marriage (which it apparently is not). The Observer’s continued ambivalence on such matters has been quite evident (the newspaper rarely seems to use the term “human rights” for example) but I am glad that they printed the article, although I am not sure about the overall tone of it. Read it and see for yourself. And I suppose one should be thankful that the Observer cartoonist no longer depicts homosexuals as bizarrely distorted freaks in women’s clothing, but rather as “fish” (this being the latest derogatory term for gays in Jamaica). You see, they are still obsessed with the topic.
But isn’t it strange how quiet our politicians are, as well as our leaders in general? They have remained mostly silent on this topic – one that is fundamental to the health of Jamaican society. The media and the Jamaican people have had much to say, and the debate has been generally thoughtful, interesting and vibrant up to this point. But clearly our leaders consider the issue of violence and intolerance of anyone who is “different” (not just gays) to be of little relevance; in fact, one has the sense that politicians, sportsmen/women, entertainers etc are avoiding the subject; or am I being unfair? The Minister of Education put out a hasty statement immediately after the University of Technology student mob chased and attacked a young man accused of being a homosexual. But since then a deafening silence, so far as I know. Correct me if I am wrong – but I have been listening out for something.
I have posted below what was probably my favorite cartoon of the week from Clovis… our beleaguered Finance Minister scraping the barrel for U.S. Dollars in the Net International Reserves. Somehow I feel stressed every time I hear him speak – because he sounds so stressed himself. It doesn’t engender confidence in me. Unlike the ever-cheerful former Finance Minister Omar Davies, he always seems rather down. Cheer up! It can’t be that bad – can it?
Finance Minister Peter Phillips always seems harassed and unbelievably stressed. I would love to see a smile from him – perhaps next week, Minister Phillips?
This editorial cartoon made me laugh out loud. It is just the expression on Finance Minister Peter Phillips’ face…
Oops! I promised to be positive. OK…The aforementioned UWI now has a shiny new Medical School, which will accommodate far more students than the current 350, including some foreign ones, it is hoped. It’s a nice building, and designed by a Jamaican, Robert Woodstock.
Now, I mentioned distractions in a recent blog: distractions from the large elephants currently installed in Jamaica’s living room, which is bedecked with the traditional crocheted mats and flamboyant artificial flowers. One of these was the news that the state-owned Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), which operates buses in Kingston and surrounding areas, is to ban preachers on its buses. Yes, preachers. These devout gentlemen (I think they are mostly men) climb aboard with Bible in hand and proceed to harangue the captive, and not necessarily willing, congregation who are going about their business. They bellow, they pray, they shake their fists, they sing. At the end of their sermons, they take a collection. The preachers condemn those passengers who rebel (objecting to the proselytizing or refusing to pay up) to eternal hellfire. At which point other passengers may verbally reprimand the heathens, who then shrink into their seats with embarrassment. But hellfire might be preferable to taking a JUTC bus with a preacher on board.
This issue rattled on all week in the local media. This huge story (was it a huge story, I ask?) broke on Monday morning, and was still making front page headlines on Friday. Enough already, I cried. The preacher-on-the-bus issue was examined and discussed from every possible angle on radio talk shows, and radio and television stations ran numerous vox pops, asking every man, woman and child on the street, “What do you think?”
But then, one asked, what about the distorted, maniacal ramblings of so-called deejays, with their misogynistic lyrics that are offensive to women (and men), which minibus drivers apparently still play at full volume for the delectation of their passengers? Perhaps, as radio talk show host and Sunday Gleaner columnist Orville Taylor sagely observed, there is a serious underlying issue here, that of “respect for the rights and freedoms of others.”
This actually points to the fact that Jamaicans have a remarkable, and not particularly admirable, capacity for putting up with crap. To put it bluntly (pardon my French). And it also highlights once again a quite recent tendency for evangelical Christian beliefs to be foisted on the public in general. No meeting or meal can take place without a fervent prayer preceding it. We are told to lower our heads obediently and listen to someone asking the Almighty to direct our thoughts and guide our pens as we write, or for the food we are about to eat to be properly digested (yes). Supposing I am an atheist, an agnostic, a Hindu, a Buddhist, a Muslim or any other religion? Freedom of religion works both ways. I am sure these Christians are well-meaning, but please don’t impose your beliefs on others and simply expect us all to fall in line… But then again, Jamaicans do acquiesce, meekly. They do fall in line. Anything for a quiet life (or in the case of the JUTC buses, a noisy one).
And now, lo and behold! The Public Defender, Mr. Earl Witter, bestirred himself yesterday and decided he was going to investigate the constitutionality of the whole affair. A fellow blogger has commented on this, and you will find the link to his sharply observed blog post below. I plan to write more, but would just like to enquire of Mr. Witter: Could you kindly give us an update on your report on the Tivoli Gardens “incursion“ of May 2010, during which over seventy Jamaican citizens died at the hands of the security forces? This report was promised to us within two weeks, some months ago now (or maybe I imagined that). The Gleaner enquired about it in its editorials of August 27 and October 3 of this year. The Public Defender, who has described himself as a “whipping boy” for the media, has promised that we will soon see the report. When can we exhale, dear Mr. Witter?
Meanwhile, it’s politics time again. This time, the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) held its annual conference – a rather subdued affair compared to last year’s, when a huge crowd, transported by many buses, converged on the National Arena just prior to the election – which, of course, the JLP comprehensively lost a few weeks later. This year they met at the Jamaica Conference Centre downtown – a really nice, more intimate venue compared to the cavernous and ugly arena – just for one day, not two. Many supporters, however, said they preferred the Arena (perhaps it was harder for them to smoke their ganja at the Conference Centre – this is a party conference tradition, by the way).
Today’s Sunday Observer ran the eager headline this morning, “JLP in turmoil.” The Sunday Gleaner chimed in, “Warmington faces JLP’s wrath” (the last two words in huge red letters). Yes, once again the local media have discovered unrest in the JLP ranks, and there is nothing that they enjoy more than alleged plots and sub-plots within either of the two political parties. Mr. Everald Warmington (always one for a bit of excitement) filed a court injunction to prevent the election of deputy leaders (there are four) which he said was in breach of the party constitution. He withdrew the injunction at the end of the week, so I don’t know where that leaves us. It’s a nice tasty morsel for the local media to get their teeth into, though. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Andrew Holness (who served as our Prime Minister briefly last year before his thumping defeat) sounded more than usually animated this afternoon at the podium, expressing concern for the poor – he took a leaf out of Portia Simpson Miller‘s book there. He actually shouted. It was quite invigorating.
Now, party politics – especially suspected internal upheavals – is always a major distraction. So, too, was another eulogy in the Lower House: this time for former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, who made a speech himself. They did “Uncle Eddie,“ and now it was PJ’s turn to have his afternoon of speechifying. Our current Prime Minister put on her brightest party colors for the occasion. This is all under the umbrella of Jamaica 50, one understands. No comment.
Didn’t I promise to be “positive” this week? Well, here goes: on the government side, there has been some movement. Couched in “anti-colonialism” terms, rather than with reference to Jamaicans’ human rights, the bills to abolish flogging were tabled in the Upper House last week. Also sitting on the Senate’s table is the Evidence (Special Measures) Act, designed to enable video evidence to be considered in court. This is an absolutely vital piece of legislation as the government continues to struggle with the deeply-embedded thorn in our side, the ubiquitous lotto scam. Good job, Justice Minister Mark Golding.
Minister of Justice Mark Golding
It’s important to reward young scientists and innovators; we need far more of them. The Jamaica Public Service Company recently sponsored a series of awards under the aegis of Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell. Many congratulations to the winners of the Innovation of the Year Award (worth a cool two million Jamaican Dollars) from UWI’s Natural Products Institute; and to Sunderland Primary School in St. James for their Youth Innovator Award – this for a remarkable pothole-patching compound. Much needed across the island, especially since Hurricane Sandy!
Speaking of technology, I attended the Caribbean Beta 2012 tech entrepreneurship conference in Kingston on Friday, and was deeply impressed by the caliber of the panelists; the excellent organization; and above all, the enthusiasm of the participants and the eighteen teams who competed in the afternoon in a “PitchFest” for their products – many of them mobile applications. Caribbean Beta is the brainchild of Ingrid Riley, supported by a young and energetic team at Connectimass. Read more at caribbeanbeta.com and take a look at Ingrid’s excellent website at www.siliconcaribe.com. More details in another blog post that I plan to write this week. Congratulations to all involved in this marvelous event – not just talk, but practical, learning stuff – a “boot camp” continued over the weekend for start-up companies.
And on the same theme, this year’s Jamaican Rhodes Scholar is UWI student Vincent Taylor, who is currently studying for an M.Phil in Computer Science. Runner-up is medical doctor and UWI graduate Katherine Innis, who will compete for the Commonwealth Caribbean Scholarship. Mr. Taylor, I hope you will enjoy and greatly benefit from study at my own alma mater!
I am personally so thrilled to hear that the St. Patrick’s Foundation, a faith-based NGO that does amazing work in inner-city areas of Kingston, has been receiving so much support from the friends of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in McLean, Virginia over the years – amounting to more than two million U.S. dollars! The contributions of overseas churches, universities, diaspora groups and volunteers of all ages to Jamaica are so great that it is almost impossible to quantify in monetary terms. And that does not even count all the goodwill engendered. What would we do without them all…
By the way, I am sorry I missed a very special art exhibition yesterday in downtown Kingston. 34-year-old Astro Saulter, who has cerebral palsy, uses the back of his head to paint digital pictures with a special device in his wheelchair. His first solo art exhibition was launched at Studio 174 downtown yesterday. Astro has two creative brothers, too – young Jamaican filmmakers Nile and Storm Saulter of New Caribbean Cinema. They have made a short film, “Astro, the Morning Star,” which will be screened at a special event tomorrow. Read more below… Congratulations Astro, and to your brothers for your loving support!
And finally, my deepest condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of police Corporal Robert Sortie, who was shot dead on a busy Kingston street last week. And to the loved ones of all those who have died violently in the past week. I should add that the families of those people (including many children) who are missing are also in my thoughts. I cannot imagine the fear and anxiety of having a loved one who has disappeared. I hope they all come home safely, and soon.
Astro Saulter talks to his brother Storm.
Jamaican Rhodes Scholar Vincent Taylor and runner-up Dr. Katherine Innis (Photo: Gladstone Taylor/Gleaner)
Youth Innovator Awardees, sponsors etc (Photo: Jamaica Observer)
Opposition Leader Andrew Holness at today’s JLP Conference, in full flight. (Photo: Norman Grindley/Gleaner)
University of the West Indies Medical School – looks “pretty” as Jamaicans would say. (Photo: Bryan Cummings/Jamaica Observer)
Killed by the police: Unidentified man, Mount Carey, St. James; Daniel Hayles, 18, Old Harbour, St. Catherine; Delroy Scott, August Town, St. Andrew
Sasia Johnson, 35, Little London, Westmoreland
Travis Welcome, 21, Jobs Lane, Spanish Town, St. Catherine
Unidentified man, Denham Town, Kingston
Corporal Robert Sortie, Constant Spring Road, Kingston
Shanique Pinnock, 27, Old Harbour, St. Catherine
Related articles:
http://dmarcuswilliams.blogspot.com/2012/11/public-defense-of-twisted-priorities.html?showComment=1353213315787#c5807704627188400409
(Public Defense of Twisted Priorities: Cogito Ergo Sum)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=41204
(Bunting decries Corporal’s killing: Jamaica Gleaner)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=41201
(Public Defender held up and robbed: Jamaica Gleaner)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121111/arts/arts2.html
(Introducing Astro Saulter – digital painter mounts first exhibition: Jamaica Gleaner)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121116/cleisure/cleisure2.html
(Freedom and restraint: Jamaica Gleaner/Peter Espeut op-ed)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121116/business/business2.html
(Bank of Jamaica predicts fourth quarter contraction of Jamaican economy: Jamaica Gleaner)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121117/lead/lead1.html
(Foul affair: Jamaica Gleaner)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121117/letters/letters4.html
(All hail PJ Patterson! Jamaica Gleaner/Letter to the Editor)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/13-arrested-in-Lottery-scam-raid
(Thirteen arrested in lottery scam raid: Jamaica Observer)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Bills-to-abolish-flogging-tabled-in-Senate_13018187
(Bills to abolish flogging tabled in Senate: Jamaica Observer)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/No-more-H8_13009532
(No more H8: University students fight discrimination: Sunday Observer)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/JLP-in-turmoil_13025168
(JLP in turmoil: Sunday Observer)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/latest/article.php?id=41221
(JLP leader outlines solutions to aid Jamaica’s poorest: Sunday Gleaner)
http://rjrnewsonline.com/local/new-pnpyo-president-elected
(New PNPYO president elected: RJR)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121117/letters/letters4.html
(All hail PJ Patterson! Letter to the Gleaner)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121118/focus/focus4.html
(Thou shalt not preach…on JUTC buses: Sunday Gleaner op-ed by Orville Taylor)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Public-Defender-tackles-ban-on-bus-preachers_13025007
(Public Defender tackles ban on bus preachers: Sunday Observer)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121003/cleisure/cleisure2.html
(Earl Witter and the missing report: Gleaner editorial, October 3, 2012)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Phillips–Shaw-s-claims-have-no-basis_13009361
(Phillips: Shaw’s claims have no basis: Jamaica Observer)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Cop-shot-and-killed
(Cop shot and killed: Jamaica Observer)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/NEWS/Big-contribution-to-St-Patrick-s-Foundation-from-Virginia_13007574
(Big contribution to St. Patrick’s Foundation from Virginia: Jamaica Observer)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/News/BoJ-projects-1-7–contraction-in-economy
(Bank of Jamaica projects 1.7% contraction in economy: Jamaica Observer)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20121111/arts/arts2.html
(Introducing Astro Saulter – digital painter mounts first exhibition: Jamaica Gleaner)
Sunday Elephants: November 11, 2012 (petchary.wordpress.com)
Sunday After Sandy: October 28, 2012 (petchary.wordpress.com)
Jlp at War With Itself Again ? (commonsenseja.wordpress.com)
Radcliffe Lewis Tells Bus Preachers Their Practice Is … An Offence And A Crime (steppaz1961.wordpress.com)
Jamaica 50 Special: Monday, August 6, 2012
Today, Jamaica is half a century old. Music throbs from the National Stadium as the evening grey grows deeper. The remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto rustle in the trees, and the White-Chinned Thrush in our yard starts his persistent, piercing whistle. On television, the military bands in scarlet, white and black march at the Grand Gala. Choirs will sing, dancers will dance, flags will be waved, drummers will drum. The announcer will speak in her best Queen’s English Jamaican voice. There has been Indian Bollywood dancing, Chinese dragons and of course African drums, illustrating the Jamaican motto “Out of Many One People” – and then, time to wheel out the church people. The obligatory prayers (yes, we are a Christian country. Out of many one people, but let’s not worry too much about the Jews, Hindus, Muslims, atheists and others tonight) – followed by gospel music. As one Twitter friend just commented, “Forgive my naïveté but I interpret ‘Out of many, one people’ to include many races, many cultures AND many religions.”
Must get me a pair of those Jamaica 50 sunglasses…A scene from Grand Gala.
A helicopter descends into the National Stadium during the Grand Gala celebrations for Jamaica 50. No, neither James Bond nor the Queen jumped out.
Sigh. Well as you can see my weekly review is well overdue. It has been overwhelmed with Olympic runners and swimmers and shooters and fencers and rowers and fighters, and now the celebrations of Jamaica’s fiftieth year of Independence. Putting all of that aside (which is a lot), what is left?
Talking about the preservation of our culture (last Monday, August 1, was our Emancipation Day and we are greatly focused on this topic at present), Professor Emeritus of English at the University of the West Indies Edward Baugh (who’s also a marvelous poet) spoke out recently on Jamaica’s lack of interest in actually preserving the physical aspects of our heritage. As we know, some of our finest examples of colonial architecture are now in ruins – except for a few that have been miraculously revived in the name of tourism. And there are many examples of our oral and written history that just can’t be found. How careless we are.
All the more reason to congratulate the venerable Gleaner Company - the oldest company in Jamaica by far – for its new website, diG Jamaica (www.digjamaica.com) – an ambitious project that seeks to pull together a great deal of information on Jamaica, including historical data and up-to-date vital statistics. This is a fiftieth birthday gift to Jamaica from the Gleaner, and it’s looking good. We need this kind of serious and detailed record. Kudos to Gleaner Managing Director Christopher Barnes and consultant Deika Morrison. This is the way to go!
Well, there were at least a couple of interesting developments last week. Firstly, the Supreme Court ruled that the license issued by the then minister of mining and energy in 2001 to the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) was invalid and not, in fact, an exclusive monopoly. The legal details are too complex to get into, but this is a remarkable development, following a rare class action suit filed by a group of Jamaican citizens calling themselves Citizens United to Reduce Electricity (CURE) and represented by a high-profile and somewhat controversial lawyer. Well, it’s not quite a “cure” yet, but this paves the way for more competition. What next? JPSCo will appeal the ruling. There’s a long way to go before we manage to reduce the insanely high cost of electricity. Jamaica’s rates are the highest in the Caribbean and among the highest globally – a huge deterrent to business and investment, large and small, domestic and overseas. My favorite government minister, Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell, seems quietly pleased with the ruling.
Justin Felice, head of the Financial Investigations Division.
Secondly, the British policeman who has been heading the Jamaica Constabulary Force‘s anti-corruption unit – with considerable success – for the past few years, has been appointed head of the Financial Investigations Division, which operates from the Ministry of Finance. Mr. Justin Felice says he will tackle corruption, financial crimes and money laundering “very, very robustly” (note emphasis) and more power to him! We would like to see some of the “big boys” under manners (a Jamaican expression meaning “on their best behavior,” for my non-Jamaican readers!)
Talking of law enforcement, the head of the Lottery Scam Task Force has been transferred to the newly-formed Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Task Force (MOCA – another nice acronym), and the Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay was released from prison. You may recall the high drama at the orange house on the hill, the DM’s residence, with an early morning raid involving the seizure of large quantities of cash and “high-end vehicles,” etc. Well, gun and ammunition charges brought against the DM were dismissed in court last week. His son pleaded guilty. So the matter was swiftly dealt with; the DM was hauled on the shoulders of jubilant supporters – quite well-built ladies – on exiting the court; and he will no doubt return to taking up his duties in the St. James Parish Council. There are no charges remaining against him, including no charges connected with the hateful scam, either. That’s that.
The Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay is hoisted on the shoulders of his supporters after being freed of gun and ammunition charges. Oh, joy!
Apart from these events, there was a huge wave of reflections and all kinds of analysis from columnists and anyone with an opinion on the state of Island Jamaica at fifty. We were regaled with the views of our former prime minister, P.J. Patterson, who believes that “we have achieved” much in the last fifty years. A strong advocate of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Mr. Patterson (sorry, the Most Honorable P.J. Patterson etc) thinks politicians should come together in the Jamaica 50 “spirit of unity” and “do what is necessary” - that is, pass legislation to make the Court Jamaica’s final court of appeal, without of course consulting the Jamaican people on the matter. A battle is to follow… I don’t need a crystal ball to foresee politicians on both sides showing a remarkable lack of Jamaica 50 unity on the matter – perhaps involving much braying, shouting and walking out of the chamber.
And talking of unity – it has become a real buzzword, lately – the Gleaner continued to air the views of the privileged and successful on the topic on its front page. Even business leaders – the head of our local cigarette company included – are pontificating on the matter. I would like them to go down and talk to the men, women and young people of this country and ask them what they think about unity; especially perhaps in the “garrison” communities of our inner-cities (funny there has been very little talk about them, lately) where one side of a street is feuding with the other side, and small communities have names like “Vietnam” and “Dunkirk.” Even the Prime Minister’s garrison constituency. I wonder what they would have to say.
Raw sewage flows in the inappropriately-named Majesty Gardens in Kingston this week. One of the many signs of progress as Jamaica reaches the age of fifty?
There were, of course, endless speeches in Parliament, and numerous recorded messages from the Prime Minister, Governor General and Leader of the Opposition, on Emancipation Day and again for Jamaica 50. If you are really interested in reading them, the links are below. Our Prime Minister also gave an interview to Time magazine, talking about everything from homophobia (no, Jamaica, we are not really homophobic, and no, I am not going to do anything about changing the laws on buggery); to Usain Bolt, etc. The full interview is in the magazine and excerpts are in a link below.
There was an additional speech in Parliament late last week, by President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan. The hardly-ever-smiling President was warmly received, wore his usual felt hat both indoors and outdoors, and urged Jamaica to join his country in fighting poverty. Again, that old buzzword “Unity” or variations thereof continually punctuated his speech. In fact, he asked a very pertinent question: “Is the Black man really free today?” and continued, “Today the destiny of the Black person is in the hands of the Black people.” Well, Marcus Garvey told us that years ago.
President Jonathan had very little to smile about, on his own account. An Associated Press report printed in the Sunday Observer, a day or two after his visit, was headlined “Nigeria in turmoil.” Gloom and doom.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan looks less than happy at a Jamaica 50 celebration last Thursday. At right is Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller; at left are the President’s wife and extreme left Culture Minister Lisa Hanna.
Others shared their views on Jamaica 50. A letter writer observed, “Isn’t it interesting that with all the festivities surrounding our Emancipation and Independence the only things that we can boast about are our music and our athletes? Are you telling me that almost 180 years after Emancipation and 50 years since Independence the only thing that we can brag about is entertainment?” Oh dear me. Financial analyst Dennis Chung, in his usual clear-headed manner, asked another question: “After the party, what?” Read his sensible and balanced article in the Observer’s Caribbean Business Report below.
And you may well have missed some interesting comments by economist Dr. Damien King of the University of the West Indies. “We are poor because we have not had the courage to expand opportunity. It is now time to choose inspired leadership that can create equality of opportunities instead of pandering to the poor,” Dr. King said recently. I could not agree more. But are our leaders listening? Well, for the past fifty years they have not been. And as we all know, our current Prime Minister loves the poor.
Dr. Damien King
OK, now the good and bad (and we are all beautiful, not ugly):
Bad first: A letter to the Editor from a pastor last week declared, “Flexi-work is slavery.” Oh, come on. Can the church please get worked up about some actually relevant issues? The debate about flexi-time has actually been going on for eighteen years, now, with the church vehemently opposed. Eighteen years. That’s progress for you.
The University Hospital of the West Indies and the Kingston Public Hospital have malfunctioning or non-functioning CT scan machines. These are two crucial, large and busy Kingston hospitals. They, and their patients, often have to resort to seeking assistance from private institutions – and the patients have to pay.
As radio talk show host Barbara Gloudon has regularly remarked, with Jamaica at fifty years old, the historic Ward Theatre in downtown Kingston is literally crumbling. Chunks of it will soon start falling on people’s heads.
The good stuff, finally:
I don’t usually gush over beauty queens – and Jamaicans do love their beauty queens – but have to congratulate the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2012, Ms. Kemesha Kelly. She is not just a pretty face (although her smile is dazzling). She is a youth advocate – intelligent and articulate, with a strong vision for Jamaica. One of those many young people we should be proud of. Big ups to Kemesha! You will go far.
Ms. Kemesha Kelly, pretty in pink and smart as a button.
And now, congratulations to a Jamaican overseas, and a former work colleague of mine in Jamaica, Luke Williams. The lanky Luke has lived in London for ten years now and he is a tremendous teacher, a writer, a great actor. He is also a correspondent for Radio Jamaica, so I hear his warm voice reporting from London on a regular basis. And Luke recently carried the Olympic torch! From Ilford High Road to Redbridge Town Hall. His school nominated him for the honor. Marvelous stuff. And a lovely article by Jamaica Observer writer Janice Budd, by the way.
Montego Bay’s own Luke Williams (right) lights the Olympic torch.
Our Jamaican Fulbright Scholars always do us proud, and six post-graduates were recently selected for courses in the United States ranging from public policy to tourism and the environment to finance and pest management. Congratulations to them all.
Six Fulbright Scholars celebrate with U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica Pamela E. Bridgewater (center) at the U.S. Embassy recently.
And once again, the American Friends of Jamaica came up trumps. They donated a forty-foot container full of very important equipment and supplies to the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, which serves a wide area with a population of almost a million people. I have no idea why this news was tucked away in the Gleaner’s social pages…
The American Friends of Jamaica’s Caron Chung with the 40-foot container all packed and ready for Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay.
Last but not least, an organization called Halls of Learning has done a great job with a special summer camp for young people in the often-volatile Mountain View area of Kingston. Its young and enterprising founder, Marvin Hall, has a unique approach to learning which includes technology (robotics) and stimulating the child’s natural creativity. Great stuff.
Children get creative at the inner-city summer camp in Mountain View organized by Halls of Learning.
To end, sadly blood was still shed on our island during its weeklong celebrations. My sincere condolences to the families, friends and all those affected by the sad deaths of the following Jamaicans.
And so we march on, into our next fifty years! Have a great remainder of the week.
Killed by police:
Joseph Williams, 29. Llandilo, Westmoreland
Randy Allwood, 21, Alma, Westmoreland
Other murders:
Kadena Jarrett, 24, Frome, Westmoreland
Robert Williams, 24, Dover, St. Mary
Dudley Gordon, Rose End, St. Mary
Sasheka McBean, 25, Spring Mount, St. James
Oneil Lee, Spring Mount, St. James
Jerome Allen, Spring Mount, St. James
Therese Marie Cole, 26, St. James
Davian Robinson, Port Antonio, Portland
Oneil Brown, 30, Cassava Piece, St. Andrew
Uleces Johns, 51, Slipe, St. Elizabeth
Stacy-Ann Smith, 17, Wynters Pen, St. Catherine
http://www.jis.gov.jm/special_sections/Independence/symbols.html
(Independence symbols)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120731/lead/lead6.html
(JPS licence invalid, rules Supreme Court)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/UWI-professor-bemoans-Ja-s-poor-record-keeping-practices_12086060
(UWI professor bemoans Jamaica’s poor record-keeping practices)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120730/lead/lead8.html
(Can you diG it? Jamaica Gleaner)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120803/lead/lead8.html
(Felice to tighten noose on financial crimes)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/New-FID-boss-Justin-Felice-vows-to-tackle-corruption_12152121
(New FID boss Justin Felice vows to tackle corruption)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120608/news/news6.htmlRelated articles (Anti-corruption body to work with new task force)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120801/lead/lead1.html
(Troupe set free)
Jamaica 50 – The Celebration Continues (prweb.com)
50-50 Reflections (petchary.wordpress.com)
Who Is Jamaica? (nytimes.com)
Jamaica celebrates 50th anniversary to mixed reviews (lfpress.com)
VIDEO: Memories of Jamaican independence (bbc.co.uk)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Raw-sewage-flowing-in-Majesty-Gardens-streets
(Raw sewage flowing in Majesty Gardens streets)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/PJ-wants-politicians-to-show-maturity_12098630
(PJ wants politicians to show maturity)
http://repeatingislands.com/2012/08/05/jamaica-at-50-island-nations-p-m-talks-about-the-queen-the-caribbean-and-usain-bolt/
(Jamaica at 50: Island Nation’s PM talks – Time Magazine)
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1834406,00.html
(Can Jamaica’s sprinters fight crime? – Time Magazine)
http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/newsflash/president-jonathan-speech-at-jamaicas-50th-annivesary-celebrations.html
(President Jonathan Speech at Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/What-are-we-celebrating-_12142507
(What are we celebrating?)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/business/Jamaica-2012–A-time-for-reflection
(A Time for Reflection: Dennis Chung column)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Redistributive-policies-have-not-helped-the-poor–says-Damien-King_12098736
(Redistributive policies have not helped the poor, says Damien King)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120802/news/news3.html
(Hospital emergency)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/Fulbright-scholars-feted_11990181
(Fulbright scholars feted)
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Luke-Williams–moment-to-shine_12035947
(Luke Williams’ moment to shine)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120802/lead/lead5.html
(Huge support for Mountain View special summer camp)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120803/social/social4.html
(American Friends of Jamaica gives Cornwall Regional medical supplies)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20061127/flair/flair1.html
(Marvin Hall’s Robotics Stimul-i)
50-50 Reflections
Jamaica’s fiftieth anniversary (Jamaica 50) celebration has not been a smooth, gentle glide to the August 6 finish line. In fact, it has been fraught with political niggling, confusing press statements and slick marketing jargon, (with the local media trying to make sense of it all) and apparently rising levels of frustration and irritation on the part of the Jamaican populace. Amidst the confusion, it seems we are all searching for meaning. Surely, we cry, Jamaica 50 is not just about signature songs and parties and Jamaica 50 sunglasses, cute as they may be. Recriminations have been heaped on the head of an overburdened Culture Minister who is valiantly seeking to create something coherent. According to a Gleaner article this week, the youth of Jamaica – those who will take over for the next half-century – believe that “the true essence of Jamaica 50 is lost on the masses.” And the venerable Gleaner regretted the lack of “sober reflection” on Jamaica’s half-century, in an editorial.
Jamaica 50 sunglasses
But perhaps Jamaicans are expecting far too much of Ministers, government agencies and the like. We all know that there is very little money in the public piggy bank for elaborate celebrations, and governments generally like to do everything “big.” So they have scaled things down, and now it seems like very little, and the people are disappointed. I am hoping that appropriate and meaningful commemorations will take place at the local level – much smaller, but with substance and of course the element of enjoyment and celebration (nothing wrong with that).
But what of the “sober reflection” of which the Gleaner speaks? Well, it is far too late for the government to conjure that out of thin air, especially with exactly one month left before Independence Day; just one month. Fortunately – and to my personal deep satisfaction and relief – one institution has been preparing steadily and in a clear and focused way to consider Jamaica’s fifty years. It has adopted a long-term approach rather than grasping last-minute marketing opportunities. The emphasis is not only on Jamaica’s past and present, but also on its future – thus “50-50.”
50-50: Surveying the Past to Inform the Future
I speak of the University of the West Indies‘ (UWI) Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), which launched its 50th Anniversary of Independence Conference under the theme “50-50: Critical Reflections in a Time of Uncertainty.” The conference will take place at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston from August 20-24, 2012. Good timing, when the official celebrations are over and we have all had time to get over our hangovers and think. The dates are also significant as they fall half-way between the Jamaican and Trinidadian Independence Days; our Caribbean neighbors celebrate their fiftieth on August 31 this year. So this conference will have a regional aspect also.
And it’s all open to the public, free of charge. Not just as onlookers, but as participants who can make their contribution on the wide range of issues. Issues that do (and will) affect Jamaica and Jamaicans, our children and grandchildren, in the next fifty years.
This conference did not come “out of the blue.” Conceived at the end of 2009, SALISES has prepared us for it with a series of seminars over the past two years. Some of the most significant sessions were: “Challenges of the Independence Experience in Small Developing Countries“ in March 2011; “Prime Ministerial Reflections” (Edward Seaga, Portia Simpson Miller and PJ Patterson), April – June 2011; and “Globalization, Climate Change and the Reframing of Rural Resilience: The Development Challenge for Small States in the Caribbean and Beyond” in April, 2012; as well as “Through Women’s Eyes: Conversations on Independence,” a partnership with UWI’s Institute for Gender and Development Studies. There have been over thirty related events over the past year, Conference Director Professor Brian Meeks informed us. A new partnership with Florida International University Libraries has also proved beneficial in the process.
Professor Brian Meeks, Director, SALISES
Professor Trevor Munroe told the media that reflection (one assumes, some introspection included) is the cornerstone of the conference. As one of the oldest research institutes in the Caribbean based on empirical evidence, SALISES will maintain this empirical underpinning. As Professor Munroe’s colleague Dr. Patsy Lewis explained, the presentations will come out of the various research clusters – more than seventeen of them – which cover a wide range of sectors, including migration; youth; religion; the Caribbean experience of conflict, both internal and external; aging and demographic shifts; regional integration; culture and sports; and others. A number of outstanding keynote speakers and many other distinguished expert panelists are confirmed. The conference will open on Monday, August 20 at 3:00 p.m.
On the cultural front, there will be considerable interest – as it cannot be denied that culture has formed a vital part of Jamaican/Caribbean development. There will be a major cultural event in Emancipation Park, just across the road from the Jamaica Pegasus, on Wednesday August 22. And there will be a film night on Thursday.
Well, what more could you want? SALISES would love the public to come in droves, and support the conference in all its aspects. This is not only going to be a reflection, but a reflection – a “reasoning,” if you will – with the Jamaican people. The University of the West Indies has often been accused of operating “in a bubble,” Dr. Lewis noted; perhaps an unfair criticism. SALISES plans not only to produce publications after the Conference, but to post lots of material online so that it can be much more widely available and available to the public. It also hopes to produce Policy Briefs arising from the discussions, which it will share with key public, private and civil society groups. If you check out the blog link below, you will see a number of videos and other relevant material – so let’s dig in and get our “thought juices” flowing! (I just made up that expression, I think).
More details and updates to follow… and check out the SALISES Facebook page for more information.
And did I mention that it is all open to the public? Spread the word!
P.S.: The Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ) will air the “Prime Ministerial Reflections” on July 22, July 29 and August 2. And P.P.S.: Thanks to SALISES’ Annie Paul for inviting me to the press briefing. You can check out Annie’s excellent blog at
http://anniepaul.net/
SALISES
The University of the West Indies
Mona Kingston 7
Jamaica, W.I.
http://thesalises5050project.blogspot.com/p/what-is-5050.html
(the SALISES 50-50 Project)
http://www.salises5050conference.com/
(SALISES 50-50 Conference information)- Celebrating Jamaica’s 50th Year of Independence (petchary.wordpress.com)
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120705/cleisure/cleisure1.html
(Gleaner editorial: A Second Chance for Ms. Hanna)- Our Jamaica 50 Song….What the Hell Is It? (newsandviewsbydjmillerja.wordpress.com)
- That Jamaica 50 song… (anniepaul.net)
- Sunday Songs (petchary.wordpress.com)
- Jamaica Does Literary Fest With A Caribbean Twist (npr.org)
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