Category: Women’s Issues

ICYMI in Jamaica: November 21, 2020, The Bad Dog Edition

November 21, 2020

It has been quite a week. The debate over the threatened mining operation in Puerto Bueno Mountain (Dry Harbour Mountain) dominated much of the local media (including social media), with many radio interviews, discussions, letters to the editor and columns, such as this piece by environmentalist Peter Espeut (who does not mince his words). Besides … More ICYMI in Jamaica: November 21, 2020, The Bad Dog Edition

Justice Delayed, Denied for Domestic Violence Victims

November 18, 2020

I have not mentioned the recent case of a woman who, after suffering violence at the hands of her spouse, went to a police station and was turned away because she was violating the COVID-19 curfew. She was refused help. Domestic violence is insidious. It eats into your very soul. It is not only the … More Justice Delayed, Denied for Domestic Violence Victims

Run! With This New Caribbean Young Adult Novel, “Off Track”

November 8, 2020

As I have mentioned before, I have acquired quite a taste for young adult novels (although Jamaican author Diana McCaulay says she doesn’t quite see her book “Daylight Come” as a “YA novel,” it has the feel of one, direct and emotional). I have read and reviewed several other Caribbean offerings besides Diana’s on this … More Run! With This New Caribbean Young Adult Novel, “Off Track”

ICYMI in Jamaica, November 3, 2020: The Illegal Party Edition

November 5, 2020

We could also call this the “U.S. Election Edition,” since many Jamaicans have been nervously following that particular emotional rollercoaster. Why are Jamaicans so engaged? Well, as people say, “When the U.S. sneezes, we catch cold.” We are geographically so close and many of us have family there. South Florida is nicknamed “Kingston 21” – … More ICYMI in Jamaica, November 3, 2020: The Illegal Party Edition

ICYMI in Jamaica: September 29, 2020 – The Law and Order Edition

September 30, 2020

Well, the past week has been – I would say, chaotic. We point fingers at the Americans and the British madly partying during the pandemic, but we have had some shameful incidents ourselves. What has gone wrong? COVID-19 protocols are being flouted uptown, downtown and in rural areas. Gang violence seems to be on the … More ICYMI in Jamaica: September 29, 2020 – The Law and Order Edition

ICYMI in Jamaica, September 22, 2020: A Small Asteroid, Yeng Yengs, The Return of Kanye, and Any Further Questions?

September 23, 2020

The violent thunderstorms of the previous week diminished, but we are in troubled times, bad weather or no. COVID-19 seems to be overwhelming us all. It’s the main topic of every newscast and almost every discussion on Twitter, WhatsApp, everywhere. Meanwhile, a small asteroid will be passing quite close to Earth soon – read more … More ICYMI in Jamaica, September 22, 2020: A Small Asteroid, Yeng Yengs, The Return of Kanye, and Any Further Questions?

ICYMI in Jamaica, September 15, 2020: Sorting Out the Politicians, and More

September 16, 2020

The forces of nature have been flexing their muscles recently. During a heavy afternoon thunderstorm on Wednesday (Kingston went completely dark), two people in St. Elizabeth were killed by a lightning strike. Meanwhile, there are five – yes, five – named storms in the Atlantic basin. At the moment, Paulette, René, Sally, Teddy and Vicky … More ICYMI in Jamaica, September 15, 2020: Sorting Out the Politicians, and More

ICYMI in Jamaica, September 8, 2020: (No) Princes and Princesses, Election Aftermath, and Women in the News

September 9, 2020

Jamaicans are election-weary and COVID-weary. With the first one out of the way (what a relief, really), we still have the second to contend with. September is generally considered the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season and this year we have already had two brushes with Laura and Nana, but expect more rumblings from west … More ICYMI in Jamaica, September 8, 2020: (No) Princes and Princesses, Election Aftermath, and Women in the News

The Virtual Island Summit Will Take You on a Voyage of Discovery

September 1, 2020

The digital world is a world of nomads. They wander. They explore. They get lost in the sand dunes. They set sail on mysterious waters.  They lose their compass – which direction are they heading in? They set up camp for the night. They light a fire. These nomads might even bump into a few … More The Virtual Island Summit Will Take You on a Voyage of Discovery

Digging Deeper into Kamala Harris’ Jamaican Roots

August 19, 2020

I would like to introduce you to a great website with a special Jamaican diaspora focus, skillfully managed by Ian Randle – whom I used to work with many moons ago (he doesn’t like when I call him “my former boss,” but actually he was. OK – former colleague, then). Ian has a wealth of publishing … More Digging Deeper into Kamala Harris’ Jamaican Roots