Category: Culture and Tradition

Jamaica is a birding hotspot, but there’s more to it than that

April 10, 2022

You know, I am a “bird nerd.” I am missing most of the organized birdwatching trips – but thank God for our yard, which is overgrown and somewhat wooded and brings us pleasant bird sightings on a daily basis. Today was a stately White-crowned Pigeon at our bird bath; a Vervain hummingbird dipping his tiny … More Jamaica is a birding hotspot, but there’s more to it than that

Paint the City! An open call for concept designs from Kingston Creative

April 2, 2022

Despite all the pain and sadness, I love my Kingston… Kingston Creative is building momentum again (when did they stop?) and has announced an Open Call for concept designs. The deadline is just two weeks away – Friday, April 15, 2022. Hurry! There is always hope and resilience. Let it shine! Kingston Creative has launched … More Paint the City! An open call for concept designs from Kingston Creative

William’s ‘Sorrow’ a Sorry Excuse For an Apology

March 28, 2022

Originally posted on Jamaica Woman Tongue:
In 2002, Boris Johnson wrote a column for the Daily Telegraph in which he reported the following: “It is said that the Queen has come to love the Commonwealth, partly because it supplies her with regular cheering crowds of flag-waving piccaninnies.” Johnson’s use of the passive voice deliberately conceals…

60 Reasons for Apologies and Reparations from Britain and the Royal Family

March 21, 2022

I am sorry I did not attach the “60 Reasons” referred to in the Letter from the Advocates Network that I posted last night. Here they are. I have noted suggestions that there could have been a petition that members of the public could sign onto, and that would certainly have been an option. However, … More 60 Reasons for Apologies and Reparations from Britain and the Royal Family

100 Jamaican individuals and organizations sign open letter to William and Kate ahead of their visit

March 21, 2022

I am sharing below the Advocates Network’s Open Letter to William and Kate, who bear the titles “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.” The letter is signed by 100 individuals (including myself) and organizations. The royal couple will arrive in Jamaica on Tuesday, March 22 and depart on Thursday, March 24, as part of their … More 100 Jamaican individuals and organizations sign open letter to William and Kate ahead of their visit

A meeting at Winnifred’s Beach to talk about the right kind of development

March 20, 2022

“Sustainable development” is an expression that has virtually no meaning any more; it is so hackneyed and over-used…and misused. But “development” does not have to mean capitalism, consumerism, and environmental degradation and destruction. Development should be for the benefit of the people, and it should be about partnerships. One such partnership is the support now … More A meeting at Winnifred’s Beach to talk about the right kind of development

436 Caribbean creatives apply for CATAPULT Grant; 10 creative entrepreneurs learn new skills, thanks to Jamaica’s Kingston Creative

February 12, 2022

Kingston Creative is forging ahead with its initiatives to boost cultural and artistic entrepreneurship in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Why do I think this is important? Because there is tremendous “untapped potential,” to use a well-worn phrase, in our creative community. I interviewed one brilliant young artist, Richard Nattoo, at the beginning of this year. … More 436 Caribbean creatives apply for CATAPULT Grant; 10 creative entrepreneurs learn new skills, thanks to Jamaica’s Kingston Creative

The ruling on Nzinga King raises long-standing discrimination issues in Jamaica

February 11, 2022

It has not been a good week; not for the environment (permits were issued for the mining in Cockpit Country to go ahead) – or for human rights. On Wednesday, February 9, after a wait of around seven months, our Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn announced that she is recommending that no criminal … More The ruling on Nzinga King raises long-standing discrimination issues in Jamaica