Tag: History

Open Letter and call for peace for Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Ahmed from a Diasporan African

December 6, 2021

“So much trouble in the world,” sang Bob Marley, back in 1979. Well, some forty years later, little has changed. The world seems to be tearing itself apart, and often, apparently, barely able to hold it together. These are desperate times for many. On the continent of Africa, so dear to Marley’s heart and soul, … More Open Letter and call for peace for Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Ahmed from a Diasporan African

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

“Physically Closed, Virtually Open”: National Library of Jamaica Offers History Resources to High School Students

July 29, 2020

The National Library of Jamaica must be rather a lonely place at the moment. No pesky members of the public requesting manuscripts, firing questions, asking where the bathroom is, and whether they can make photocopies. All the usual traffic has faded away; but the NLJ has always done a whole lot more than the regular … More “Physically Closed, Virtually Open”: National Library of Jamaica Offers History Resources to High School Students

Saint Lucia’s Heritage, Biodiversity and Beach Access at Risk

March 22, 2020

This blog has been rather preoccupied with COVID-19, and I am sure there will be more news to come. Nevertheless, much is happening (or has been happening) before, during (and hopefully after) the virus, so I am trying to catch up a little. I recently received this press release from the Saint Lucia National Trust. … More Saint Lucia’s Heritage, Biodiversity and Beach Access at Risk

Columbus Day, Citations and the Black Female Experience

October 22, 2019

Jamaican-American historian and academic Dr. Anne C. Bailey has written a response to the online controversy over the omission of a citation for her book, The Weeping Time: Memory and the Largest Slave Auction in American History in an article in the Washington Post. In this work, Dr. Bailey sought out the voices of those who were enslaved, … More Columbus Day, Citations and the Black Female Experience

 Juneteenth, Freedom and Financial Bondage: From Dr. Anne C. Bailey’s Blog

September 11, 2018

I am shamelessly copying and pasting from my friend Dr. Anne C. Bailey’s blog. You can find the link here. Anne blogs (and writes books, and teaches) about “race, slavery, refugees, diasporas, African American, Caribbean and African studies, human rights, history, and memory.” I always learn so much from her. Here is her latest post, … More  Juneteenth, Freedom and Financial Bondage: From Dr. Anne C. Bailey’s Blog

A Jamaican Connection to the Parkland Shooting, and A Letter to the Students

February 20, 2018

The mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida is haunting us all in Jamaica, as well as across the United States and around the world. We are so close (geographically, and otherwise) to that particular state that we feel touched by anything that happens there. There are over 200,000 Jamaicans living … More A Jamaican Connection to the Parkland Shooting, and A Letter to the Students

Emancipation Day: Working on the Mental Part

August 1, 2014

“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, None but ourselves can free our minds.” That was Bob Marley quoting Marcus Mosiah Garvey (1937) in his “Redemption Song” (1980). Mr. Marley’s lyrics consist of many quotations, Jamaican sayings and proverbs, woven into his thoughts. He was good at that. And today in Jamaica is Emancipation Day, August 1. A national holiday, … More Emancipation Day: Working on the Mental Part