Wheels Up: President Obama Leaves Jamaica Under a Rainbow Arch

President Barack Obama is no longer with us. It is almost as if we are picking up the pieces now. Today will be a normal day. It’s too early perhaps to say whether President Obama’s just under 24 hour visit will have lasting impact. Is the euphoria of the last couple of days already starting to fade?

President Obama signs in at Jamaica House. The Prime Minister’s primrose yellow dress reminded me of the exact color her supporters wore during the last election campaign. But at least it wasn’t the People’s National Party’s orange.

What #ObamaJa wrote:..”May the deep and abiding friendship between our nations continue for generations to come.” People discovered he is left-handed. And that he put the wrong date in the Office of the Prime Minister’s guest book!

Well, there is still a kind of afterglow, a lingering effect. The local media is catching up on some stories. I have to commend CVM Television in particular for somehow capturing the mood of the visit, despite a few hitches here and there. The anchor was calm and smooth and great efforts were made to catch as much of the live happenings as possible. The still photos and quotes of the President were nice too. They rounded it off with an excellent discussion with some of the youth who were at the Town Hall Meeting at the University of the West Indies (UWI) with Young Leaders. Good work all!

CVM’s Darien Henry at the Norman Manley International Airport. (Photo: Twitter)

There was a hilarious moment when the Prime Minister, realizing that she was not standing next to the President in this brief photo-op prior to the CARICOM meeting, rather unceremoniously moved CARICOM Chairman Perry Christie to the end of the row and repositioned herself. The President laughed. (Photos: Stephen Crowley/New York Times)

Then there was the Town Hall meeting, now available on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=636mgw1THpc. There were initial remarks on Twitter about who had been invited to attend and who hadn’t, and what the criteria were for people to be invited, and whether they were all “young.” Eventually the discussion focused on the forum itself. The President got off to a roaring, whooping start by saying to the assembled crowd: “Greetings massive! Wha gwaan Jamaica?” This prompted a discussion about whether, if our Prime Minister visited the U.S. and said “Hi, what’s up” or similar, she would be as warmly greeted: Obama greets in patois and we are ecstatic! Rightly so. If our PM did it in Washington we would throw labels at her. Life strange eeh? Another commented: Obama saying “wa gawn jamaica” bout to replace the airhorn as the defacto dancehall sound effect (yes, I think the air horn, which blasts between songs on dancehall tracks, should now head for retirement!) 

Aubrey Stewart (seen here in a stranglehold from Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller) introduced President Obama at the Town Hall. He is the President of the Guild of Students at UWI’s Western Campus in Montego Bay. (Photo: Twitter)

Then the President thrilled two members of the audience by singling them out – in that way that Presidents often do these days – and telling their stories. One was Angeline Jackson, a Jamaican lesbian whose story of trauma and pain has become a triumph. Angeline was raped as “punishment” (called “corrective” rape) and became an activist. With Jalna Broderick she co-founded Quality Citizenship Jamaica (QCJ). The organization now helps many other lesbians find their way in the challenging, often toxic environment for the LGBT community. I wrote about Angeline and QCJ in 2013 and 2014 in this blog – you can do a search.To hear the first black President of the United States say your name!!!!!! OOOOMMMMGGGGG!!!!! AAAAAAHHHH!!!! Me couldn’t stand up good (Yes. Angeline was overwhelmed).

The President also introduced Jerome Cowans, who founded a youth group in the at the age of only thirteen in the impoverished neighborhood of “Tel Aviv” in Kingston and is a former intern in the European Union’s Poverty Reduction Program. Jerome’s organization, LEAD, now has six chapters, including one in Colombia. Last year, Jerome was the first Jamaican to receive the Nelson Mandela Graça Machel Innovation Award.

Usain and Shelly-Ann looking so sweet (although Usain’s haircut came in for a little criticism. It looked fine to me). Photo: Twitter

A bunch of young sprinters sat in the front row – Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Warren Weir, among others. The super-confident Bolt confessed afterwards he was nervous when meeting the President, “although I’m not usually nervous.”  We know, dear. And we love you.

Oh, and the campus looked wonderful.One commentator observed wryly, Tell #POTUS to be careful where he leans. Wet paint and white wash everywhere. 😮

Smiling faces at the Town Hall. The atmosphere was enthusiastic, even celebratory. I think the President enjoyed himself. (Photo: Twitter)

Twitterati became increasingly attentive during the Town Hall – and approving, even emotional. Having the President of United States in Jamaica is an awesome feeling #ObamainJamaica said one. said another. Another observed: That is how you lead. Be honest. Talk straight. Activist and former senator Deika Morrison cheered the President’s focus on education. She declared: Obama need to come run Jamaica and help young ppl realize their potential. I’ll come out of retirement to help organize behind scenes. Another tweep confessed to weeping: I’m in tears. I do not see where our leadership can step up to the plate. Negative comparisons with our current crop of leaders came thick and fast. It’s like folks were waiting for him to say what they thought they couldn’t…But inasmuch as he is a great orator, he cannot be your voice forever. At some point (hopefully sooner than later) we have to find our own, commented one blogger today. There was quite a discussion about whether any Jamaican Government minister could pull off a Town Hall meeting like that. The general, sad consensus was… Perhaps one or two, but probably not.

The vibrant Jamaican singer (and “Voice” winner) Tessanne Chin (center) performed with Agent Sasco to warm up the Town Hall before the President arrived. She sang Marley’s “Redemption Song” with the audience joining in. (Photo: Twitter)

There is much in the meat of the discussion to dwell on  – each of the provocative and thoughtful questions from the audience (and the answers the President gave) is a topic for a whole blog post in itself. Take a watch (and replay, as I have done) on the YouTube link above.The young audience did us proud with their bright questions on China, Cuba, the IMF and more. And all looked very snazzy, with the women in rows and rows of pearls and the men in brightly colored shirts and smart suits. Now, when the President said he was getting warm and took off his jacket…(Sorry. I will say no more). But UWI students were so proud and honored. There are tons of American tertiary schools that Obama won’t get to visit but he’ll be here at our modest campus in Mona said one.

President Obama fielded the inevitable Ganja Question from Rastafarian Miguel “Steppa” Williams. (Photo: Twitter)

Two Opposition Senators Marlene Malahoo Forte (left) and Kamina Johnson-Smith at the Town Hall. Government Senator Imani Duncan-Price sat behind the President onstage and looked eager to ask a question, but like many others did not get the chance. (Photo: Twitter)

The stage is set at UWI. (Photo: UWI Mona/Twitter)

Among the audience members who got quite a lot of “ribbing” on social media was chef and entrepreneur Brian Lumley, who runs his own restaurant called 689 in New Kingston and asked the first question (his magenta shirt also raised some comment on YouTube). He gave a shameless plug for the restaurant and waved a copy of the President’s “Audacity of Hope,” which he did get autographed. Good for him! Later on, U.S. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke ate at 689. What an honor 😃😆  Brian tweeted. As one tweep commented: When shouting out your restaurant to the President works… 

One young person received high praise for his excellent question on China, which provoked a detailed, nuanced response from the President. That young person was Newton Harris from the University of Technology (an institution that is frequently “dissed” by UWI students as inferior).

The White House posted this marvelous b/w photo of President Obama at the Town Hall yesterday. By the fabulous photographer Pete Souza, who photographs the President daily.

Later on yesterday, a post popped up that sounded a bit of a sour note. The popular reggae singer Chronixx got a little carried away on the subject of a possible pardon for our National Hero Marcus Garvey, whose name has carried the stain of a trumped-up mail fraud charge for decades now.

I think maybe the popular singer Chronixx had been smoking too much weed when he posted this.

Yes, I would love to see Mr. Garvey pardoned by the U.S. Government, too. It might still happen. But the singer’s rant disappointed his fans. No, Mr. Chronixx, President Obama is not a “waste man.” 

So it was farewell time. Sadly, the President traveled again by helicopter (Marine One) to the airport, for security reasons. Those who had been waiting in hopes on the airport road were sadly disappointed, just like last night. The President did not get to appreciate the cleaned-up Harbour View roundabout, the rows of small young flowers, the newly asphalted road. Well, we get to appreciate them now. (Please ask the “relevant authorities” to water those young bougainvilleas from time to time – or they will surely die…)

And as the group of officials clustered on the runway in a reverse performance of last night, as the President climbed the steps of the massive, gleaming machine – over his shoulder a rainbow shone.

President Obama leaves us…with a rainbow. This photo by Stephen Crowley/New York Times is perfection.

So CVM Television treated us to some marvelous footage of Air Force One’s departure this afternoon, just as the light was starting to waver into evening, a porcelain blue. The plane slid along the strip of land before turning slowly, speeding into the wind, and up. Filmed from just across the water, where seagulls dipped and swirled over the ruffled surface of the water, it looked out of proportion, like a large toy set down on the harbor. Then we had closeup footage of the plane as it glided swiftly along the runway and up into the fading blue sky. Poetry in motion; CVM anchor Garfield Burford was in awe. “Let’s stop talking so we can listen to the engine,” he murmured. Mr Burford was enthralled by the technology – the “Beast,” (the presidential Cadillac) the helicopters and above all Air Force One. Jamaicans do love machines that go fast.

In the aftermath, there has been a continuous flow of feedback. He has brought some much needed inspiration and energy mused one media personality. That summed it up in a nutshell.

Not all of us had a chance to see the President. As he flew through Liguanea (a shopping area close to our home) one blogger tweeted: YAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSS I saw The Beast and Obama waved at me! Brb, dying and posted a quick video clip. Others who gathered at Harbour View roundabout near the airport were not so lucky. The President flew to and from the airport by helicopter, most likely for security reasons (the airport is “one road in, one road out”).

Meanwhile, I hear the homeless and mentally ill are back on the streets. The situation in Kingston is “as  you were.” The inspiration is fading, just like the bunches of flowers on our neighbor’s pink poui tree. Or can we revive it, just a little, perhaps? I hope the President has helped us to find our own voice.

Our neighbor’s pink poui tree. (My photo)

Yesterday evening, as the television played some muted Enya-type music and the President’s plane lifted itself into the sky, I quite inexplicably burst into tears.

Yes, Mr. President. Jamaica is missing you today. Come back again soon, and good luck in Panama City.

And here’s a supply of Red Stripe beer for Air Force One! (Photo: Gleaner)

PS  In case you needed to know this for future reference, “Exodus” is the President’s favorite Bob Marley album. Well, it does have that energy, doesn’t it.

A touching moment for me: Just before leaving for the airport, US President Barack Obama (right) meets with World War II veteran Barry Beckford just before laying a wreath at National Heroes’ Park. Looking on is World War II veteran Major Victor Beek. (Photo: Jermaine Barnaby/Gleaner)

I’ve listed a few links to stories from the U.S. press that my readers may not have seen. One of the real pleasures of the past 24 hours was our ability to connect with members of the White House press pool. We chatted online with great journalists from the New York Times, NPR, Bloomberg News, Huffington Post, the Miami Herald and ObamaDiary.com on Twitter. They added a great deal to the conversation – insights and wonderful pictures, too… Thanks to the White House Press Pool! You were awesome.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2015/04/08/398328828/obama-to-address-caribbeans-economic-achilles-heel-energy?live=1  From NPR’s @HorsleyScott

http://www.vibe.com/2015/04/barack-obama-visits-jamaica/?utm_source=sc-tw&utm_medium=ref&utm_campaign=barackobama  From Vibe Magazine

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/why-obama-went-jamaica From MSNBC/Rachel Maddow Show

http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/04/09/first-draft-focus-obama-at-the-bob-marley-museum/?smid=nytpolitics&_r=0 From New York Times

http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2015/4/obama-should-put-an-end-to-extreme-austerity-in-jamaica.html From Al Jazeera (Opinion)

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/obama-bob-marley-jamaica-116807.html From politico.com

http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_268779/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=Y3rcgxle From Associated Press

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/10/us-usa-obama-china-idUSKBN0N02HT20150410?utm_source=twitter From Reuters

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/obamas-jamaica-visit-part-of-wider-outreach-to-caribbean-region/2015/04/09/f6c5dd32-decd-11e4-a1b8-2ed88bc190d2_story.html?postshare=6151428602644627 From Washington Post

http://i100.independent.co.uk/article/barack-obama-asked-inevitable-excellent-question-in-jamaica–lyetDZpVyZ From UK Independent

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-32229579 From BBC World

http://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/americas/2015/04/obama-green-caribbean-dream-150409211902636.html From Al Jazeera English

http://mashable.com/2015/04/09/obama-visits-bob-marley-museum/ From Mashable

Oh, and our Prime Minister did her usual “hands on” thing throughout the visit. Poor President Obama was on the receiving end of many hugs and kisses, but endured them patiently…