The Institute of Jamaica offers free tours and special exhibits for International Museum Day

May 18, 2024

Saturday, May 18, 2024 is International Museum Day. The 2024 theme is “Museums for Education and Research.” The logo is more exciting and vibrant than the theme I think; it is aimed at portraying diversity and perhaps illumination and discovery; and I would say, the progress of museums through the modern public and media landscape. … More The Institute of Jamaica offers free tours and special exhibits for International Museum Day

Feeling hot, hot, hot! A few tips from Jamaica’s Health Ministry

May 15, 2024

We are very hot here in Kingston. Yesterday, I ascended to the beautiful Blue Mountains, where it was at least three degrees cooler. Down here in the city, we have settled into the 30s for the remainder of the summer, it seems. We already know that Kingston is the second city globally predicted to have … More Feeling hot, hot, hot! A few tips from Jamaica’s Health Ministry

A Big Day for Jamaica’s birds (and the children)

May 13, 2024

First of all, a confession: I was not there. I should have been, and I know I missed something quite special. Following the great success of last year’s “birding with kids” session organised by Birdlife Jamaica, the plan was to celebrate Global Big Day (May 11) in similar fashion. Once again, it was busy, fun … More A Big Day for Jamaica’s birds (and the children)

Happy Mother Earth Day

May 12, 2024

Today is Mother’s Day in Jamaica. Jamaicans take this day very seriously. Happy Mother’s Day memes flood social media. Sentimental music floats across the gardens of Upper St. Andrew and down through the narrow streets and lanes of downtown Kingston. There is a roaring trade in teddy bears, imported roses wrapped in cellophane, and more. … More Happy Mother Earth Day

Jamaica joins migration talks in Guatemala

May 10, 2024

I wrote earlier this week about the plight of Haitian refugees, including those who are requesting asylum, and their uncaring treatment by the Jamaican authorities. A planeload of Indians, which raised eyebrows, was also returned to Dubai – with strong signs suggesting this was some kind of human smuggling operation. Both of these situations, although … More Jamaica joins migration talks in Guatemala

The irony of “sustainable tourism” in the Caribbean

May 9, 2024

Last month, the Caribbean Tourism Organization held its Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development in St. George’s, Grenada. Its theme was: The 5 P’s for a Legacy of Caribbean Tourism Sustainability: People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose, Partnership Was it all just “blah blah blah” with the latest catch phrases thrown in; or are those who attend these … More The irony of “sustainable tourism” in the Caribbean

They are “Jah people”: Jamaica must end arbitrary detentions and forced returns of Haitian asylum seekers

May 9, 2024

“Exodus! Movement of Jah people!” I often find when I am considering a “big issue” a Bob Marley song comes to mind. Now, this big issue is migration. Jah People have always been on the move – it’s nothing new. These days, however, some are legal people, and they are good. Others are illegal, and … More They are “Jah people”: Jamaica must end arbitrary detentions and forced returns of Haitian asylum seekers

“Look For Me in the Whirlwind”: The energy of Raymond Watson’s sculpture in a new Jamaican exhibit

May 6, 2024

Jamaican sculptor Raymond Watson says a block of wood does not give him the creative spark he needs to start working on a sculpture. However, a tree trunk is a different matter; it gives him the required inspiration. This explains the elemental, almost forceful energy that infuses the works in Mr. Watson’s new exhibition; there … More “Look For Me in the Whirlwind”: The energy of Raymond Watson’s sculpture in a new Jamaican exhibit

Digging up dirt on Lady Musgrave Road: Kingston, Jamaica still has many development issues

May 5, 2024

I am sharing Professor Carolyn Cooper’s recent blog post (and column in the Sunday Gleaner) – not only because it refers to an area in our “neck of the woods” on the outskirts of Jamaica’s capital city. As she has done in previous articles, Professor Cooper touches on what has been, for some time, a … More Digging up dirt on Lady Musgrave Road: Kingston, Jamaica still has many development issues

World Press Freedom Day addendum: a Statement from the Press Association of Jamaica

May 4, 2024

Although I had wanted to include it in my last post, I couldn’t locate this Statement from the Press Association of Jamaica. However, I thought it important to add as a postscript, now that I have found it. It touches on some important issues for our island’s democracy.  May 3, 2024  WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY … More World Press Freedom Day addendum: a Statement from the Press Association of Jamaica