Tag: United States

Our beloved and beautiful endangered species, the Jamaican Rock Iguana, is making a serious comeback

May 20, 2023

It may not be beautiful, but the Critically Endangered Jamaican Rock Iguana has a mystique all its own. In April, 25 more iguanas raised at Hope Zoo under the Headstart Programme were released into the dry limestone forest of the Hellshire Hills, bringing the total released to date to some 600. Let’s hope they will soon find a permanent haven on Great Goat Island – sooner, rather than later. … More Our beloved and beautiful endangered species, the Jamaican Rock Iguana, is making a serious comeback

Jamaican Kwame McPherson wins Commonwealth Short Story Regional Prize for the Caribbean

May 16, 2023

Kingston-born Kwame McPherson has won the Caribbean Regional Prize in the Commonwealth Short Story Competition for his story, “Ocoee,” a narrative fusing a terrible racist attack in the U.S. 100 years ago with Caribbean folklore. Congratulations Kwame! The overall winner will be announced on June 27. … More Jamaican Kwame McPherson wins Commonwealth Short Story Regional Prize for the Caribbean

It’s killing hope: Stand Up for Jamaica is alarmed at planned minimum mandatory sentence for minors

April 30, 2023

The political rhetoric on crime has “turned up” since the recent CARICOM meeting. The current administration seems to have found its “silver bullet” so to speak – mandatory minimum sentences. But for minors, also? Do we really believe that “the children are our future”? Stand Up for Jamaica is very concerned. … More It’s killing hope: Stand Up for Jamaica is alarmed at planned minimum mandatory sentence for minors

Meet the Book Industry Association of Jamaica’s inaugural Literacy Heroes

March 7, 2023

The Book Industry Association of Jamaica is about to present its inaugural Literacy Hero Awards to a sustainable community library project in Rose Town, a social media reading campaign led by a mother and son duo, a Pan-African mobile bookstore, and a foundation for children with intellectual disabilities to honour the memory of a beloved “bookworm” sister. APPLAUSE! … More Meet the Book Industry Association of Jamaica’s inaugural Literacy Heroes

We need an Ocean Treaty – like, yesterday

February 27, 2023

This time, it’s got to work. Our oceans are facing an unbelievable array of challenges, and I think we know them by now: pollution, over-fishing, the many manifestations of climate change, and now the threat of deep sea mining. It’s urgent. So, the final negotiations for a UN Ocean Treaty resumed on Monday, February 20, 2023 in … More We need an Ocean Treaty – like, yesterday

How far back can you go? Some family trees have broken branches.

January 15, 2023

This was our recent Bloganuary post… How far back can you go in your family history? My father did a lot of delving into genealogy. He worked on it, painstakingly and diligently, without the benefit of a computer or the Internet. He dug up records and family documents and made phone calls and took copious … More How far back can you go? Some family trees have broken branches.

Strong background checks needed for all people working with children in state care, says Jamaicans for Justice

January 12, 2023

There has long been a public perception that Jamaica’s most vulnerable children are not being given the care and protection they need. In particular, we seem to be tolerating – or pretending we don’t know – about the predatory habits of older men towards our young girls. It is depressing, and it has been going … More Strong background checks needed for all people working with children in state care, says Jamaicans for Justice

“Civic space is under threat,” says Stand Up for Jamaica

January 8, 2023

It has been said many times before: democracy is not just about voting every few years. It is about participation. If this does not happen – if citizens’ voices are muzzled and those seeking transparency and accountability in government are accused of all kinds of dubious motives by governments and their supporters – then, democracy … More “Civic space is under threat,” says Stand Up for Jamaica