It’s that peculiar time of year in between the Emancipation and Independence holidays when I get the sense that no one really feels like working. It is quiet, the rains have gone away as quickly as they arrived, and the concept of garbage collection has, once again, completely disappeared. Two truck sightings passing up, then … More Jamaica’s FBI, More Fire and Some Bad Hats: Monday, August 4, 2014
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. This hymn always made me feel uncomfortable as a child, although churchgoers in England used to sing it with gusto. It was written by Sabine Baring-Gould, a nineteenth-century Anglican priest who fathered fifteen children and wrote a number of books, … More Marching as to War
What does Christmas mean to the children of Trench Town? As much fun as it’s possible to cram into the school holidays. A little more freedom. And a little more fun. Trench Town Reading Centre’s Christmas party was warming up when we arrived. Mariah Carey was giving those Christmas songs all she’d got on the … More Celebrating Christmas with the Juniors: Trench Town’s Stars, Glitter…and T Shirts
“We need hope.” This simple comment by a Jamaican, just before singer Tessanne Chin won in the finals of “The Voice” – a talent show on NBC – just about summed it up. Christmas is a week away. Low-paid workers such as security guards and domestic helpers have just received a J$600 (less than US$6) per week … More A Hopeful Voice
Just like the rain which comes and goes, I feel I have been missing something these past few days. Because the local media has been obsessed with races at the World Championships, other important news items seem to have been sidelined. We are still in holiday mood. And I just feel tired. How many … More Tired Sunday: August 18, 2013
I was simply moved by this letter from a single father, writing from his own experience on the issue of homelessness and sexuality. Too often we (and the media, at home and abroad) view the much-discussed issue of homosexuality – and homelessness – through a very narrow lens. The issues are complex and inter-connected. This … More “How do these parents sleep at night?”
Well, the Petchary is a migratory bird, and I am back from the eastern side of the Caribbean, where I observed the gentler side of life. But more on that in another post… Meanwhile this weekend is wedged between the Emancipation Day (August 1) and Independence Day (August 6) holidays, always accompanied by the platitudes … More Home Again: August 4, 2013
I love these words: Redemption, Revival, Renewal. They have strong religious/Christian connotations, and I am not religious. But these words have an uplifting effect. They have a sense of strength, freshness, all at once. Ms. Jean Lowrie-Chin chose these words as inspiration for her weekly column in the Jamaica Observer yesterday, and I thought I would share … More Easter Postscript: Revival Time!
I wrote this article a couple of months ago – in January, 2013. As our Cabinet comes out of its latest two-day pre-Easter retreat, I thought that you might enjoy it, dear readers… The great Stoic philosopher (and Roman Emperor) Marcus Aurelius commented in his wisdom, centuries ago: “Men seek retreats for themselves, houses in the … More A Government in Retreat (Some Thoughts on the Last One)
My dear friends and followers: You will have to excuse me this week. I had planned on writing a full-blooded review of Jamaica’s ups, downs, insides and outs, as usual. But alas, the Petchary is spreading her wings and flying away for a few weeks. So, although I plan to slip in a couple of … More Sunday Short: September 2, 2012
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