Category: Africa

Update in Jamaican Parliament on Vaccines and COVID-19: Tuesday, February 2, 2021

February 4, 2021

Things seem to be happening rather rapidly this year, and it’s hard to keep up. In case any of us are confused or don’t have the current full picture on COVID-19 and the availability of vaccines, etc., I am sharing the text of Minister of Health and Wellness Christopher Tufton’s presentation in the House of … More Update in Jamaican Parliament on Vaccines and COVID-19: Tuesday, February 2, 2021

African Caribbean Institute Focuses on Storytelling for Black History Month

February 2, 2021

We are aware of the legacy of the oral tradition that Jamaica inherited from West Africa. Unfortunately, the storytelling tradition is often only wheeled out on special occasions and for cultural events, with only a handful of practitioners keeping the tradition alive. I recently heard renowned actor Oliver Samuels talking about his childhood in St. … More African Caribbean Institute Focuses on Storytelling for Black History Month

ICYMI in Jamaica, January 12, 2021: The “Heartware” Edition

January 13, 2021

It’s 2021, and everything seems to be happening at once. It’s hard to keep up. Education, health, crime (crime!!), travel and tourism – and more – all seem to be “hot button” issues. The new year is already shaping up to be quite crowded; we need to wrap our heads around some fundamental issues, and … More ICYMI in Jamaica, January 12, 2021: The “Heartware” Edition

Hope for the Future: The Inspiring Green Team International Scholars

January 4, 2021

“How do you live in a place like Jamaica, which is all about green – and blue – and not be leaders in environmental consciousness? For us to have been leaders we would have to have had a different education. We needed to say: ‘Take a look around us, this is what we’ve got, we’ve … More Hope for the Future: The Inspiring Green Team International Scholars

ICYMI in Jamaica, December 29: The Sam Sharpe Day Edition

December 30, 2020

Well, Christmas is over. We tried to make the best of it. Apart from a young man who insisted on riding his noisy motorbike up and down our street, Christmas was also quiet – perhaps because of the 7:00 p.m. curfew on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. However, in some places the illegal parties continued … More ICYMI in Jamaica, December 29: The Sam Sharpe Day Edition

Make Peace With Nature: a Ground-Breaking Speech by the UN Secretary-General

December 3, 2020

What has been said about the deteriorating state of our Planet that hasn’t been said before? Well, there have been many words spoken (and less action). Moreover, many of our governments around the world are not just doing nothing – we seem to be deliberately heading in the wrong direction. I am not really big … More Make Peace With Nature: a Ground-Breaking Speech by the UN Secretary-General

Living in the Gyre

October 19, 2020

These are treacherous times. We have to put one foot in front of the other, and try not to slip. These are anxious times. We have to close our eyes, count to ten, pray, meditate, take deep breaths. These are angry times. We have to hold onto our reason; some people have abandoned theirs, and … More Living in the Gyre

Under the Saharan Dust

June 23, 2020

We couldn’t see the mountains very well this afternoon, from Kingston. They faded into a creeping mist – the thick, concentrated dust from the West African coastline, which is expected to get thicker and deeper tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday. Our Meteorological Service explained that the “plume” of dust from the Saharan Air Layer is not … More Under the Saharan Dust