Problems That Spawned Gangs Have Yet to be Addressed Public housing projects that were created to replace Jamaica's shantytowns have become :garrisons' where bloody gang warfare rages unabated. And no one seems willing or able to fix the underlying problems..
OTHER FEATURES
The U.S. Immigration Debate – A few perspectives Many anticipate that the U.S. immigration laws will change after the 2008 elections in November. With candidates Obama, Clinton and McCain talking about a variety of issues, Immigration being paramount, it is clear that they will say what they must in order to get elected, which is the nature of politics. In what way the Immigration field will change is unknown as many political leaders are reluctant to make the necessary changes that will actually benefit the greater society.
Searching For The Best : Jamaican Book Review In "Searching for The Best," Hatcher takes snapshots of her life and biblical scripture and puts them into context to relate to the average reader, who must overcome his or her own hardship to achieve their goal. Although the book was written for people from all walks of life in any country
To Build or to Buy? One of the foremost thoughts of those migrating to Jamaica is to buy a piece of land on the beach or one with a panoramic view of the Caribbean ocean to build their dream home. It isn't as easy or as practical as it sounds. Over the years I have touched on this subject on several occasions but never gave it the justice it deserved. I have been prompted this month by two articles in recent editions of one of Jamaica's national newspapers, The Jamaica Observer.
My Greatest Challenge. Different does not necessarily mean deficient and so with love, devotion and persistence some children beat the odds, but doing so is not easy. Samaj Barrett is one such child. She attends the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf in Kingston, Jamaica. Here is her story told in her very own words and in her very own unique way.
Degenerate Impact of Dancehall Music I believe that we need to do more to help curb violence in Jamaica. Let us start with the dancehall music. It is so easy to say how we want to reduce violence in our Island, but from the perspective of a native Jamaican, it is easy to preach, but difficult to practice.
How Do I Rebound From A Failed Relationship? “I feel quite hurt as I don’t deserve to be treated like this?” “I will show him that tree nuh grow inna mi face” These statements maybe the expressions of a young lady who was “dumped” by her spouse. In her bid to get back at him she rushes out and initiate a relationship with the guy next door or the co- worker who has always expressed interest in her.
Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch Changes In this season of Obama-Clinton-McCain presidential hopefulness, the theme of Change is in the air. Everywhere. Whether it be political Change, or climate Change, or some other variety of Change, we have become insistent that whatever it is, it better be changing.
Stalking Prince Charles in Jamaica Since “discovering” Jamaica 25 years ago and finally making it my home in 2005, I’ve had many wonderful moments in the Land of Wood and Water. Including my one and only brush with royalty. The occasion was Prince Charles’ visit to the Montego Bay parish of St. James in March 2008. I have zero status in such matters, no official credentials in high society—I’m a retired boat captain; I have no business power, no social influence. I never sought a position in civic affairs.
Street Festival Last month we held a short story contest. We had many great entries. Our forum users voted they picked "Street Festival" by ILP_Again as the winner.
The Colour And Power Of Your Thoughts : Jamaican Book Review The inspirational genre is set to gain a talented and thoughtful newcomer in writer-thinker J.D. Gordon, who is scheduled to release his first, unique inspirational picture-and-quotations book. These thoughts are both witty and provocative and can be used by speechmakers and writers who need pertinent truths to illustrate their points or just to add ingredients to life.
Humanitarian Parole and Public Interest Parolees Entry into the United States Many do not know that within the US Immigration system exists certain discretionary grants of entry to the United States. The Humanitarian Parole is one such form of entry and the Public Interest Parole is another. Both are available pursuant to section 212(d)(3) or 212(d)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Both require that certain conditions be met and that the need for immediate entry be thoroughly explained and documented.
Being One: High school, the next frontier. Volume 1 : Jamaican Book Review On Wednesday, September 4th, 1996, it is the first day of high school for Timberly, Barry, Stefania, Zaurah and Latrice in New York City. All come from various backgrounds that includes the regions of the Caribbean, Italy and the North Southern region of America that would add into the melting pot of their school. Yet, who said it would be easy? Stereotypes and prejudices arise even in one's family: Zaurah as a Rastafarian can attest to this. It may not be depicted now, but this book is the beginning of a Christian series. Under God's eyes, we are all one blood. .
The Garvey-Liberia Connection The cry of Africans imported to the Americas from as early as the fifteenth century was echoed in Marcus Garvey’s ‘back to Africa’ ideology. This longing for a return to the homeland continued through to the 19th century with the establishment of the American Colonization Society which founded the colony of Liberia for the resettlement of free blacks. The general interest in Africa persisted into the 20th century with the idea of uniting all Africa.
Groundbreaking Ceremony - An American Retiree in Jamaica In August of 2007, I wrote an article entitled "Pomp and Circumstances", about the graduation exercises of Jamaica Christian School For The Deaf (JCSD). This was my first experience of the "differently-abled" children from the countryside of Jamaica. This heart-touching experience prompted me to become more involved with this special school, whether it be financially or otherwise.
Petition In Hand, Why I Think Bob Marley Should Be Jamaica's 8th National Hero It's been almost 27 years since the death of Bob Marley, yet despite previous appeals by the Marley Family and a host of posthumous awards Jamaica still refuses to accord the Hon. Robert Nesta Marley national hero status, the country's highest honour. Even when Bob was a young musician from Trenchtown, his music wasn't recognized by his own people in Jamaica until his first album "Catch A Fire" became an international hit, thanks to Chris Blackwell, but also the fact that Rastafarians were regarded as outcasts, or "Black Heart" men in the 60s and 70s.
HIV and Medical Waivers in the US immigration context The US immigration process requires that every applicant for Lawful Permanent Residency complete a medical examination. This medical examination consists of a set of routine vaccinations for diseases such as mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, influenza, hepatitis B, and any other vaccine for preventable diseases of public health significance.
The Vertical Perspective Because God doesn't always do things the way we think He should, it is difficult to appreciate that maybe some of the disappointments and hurts we experience are part of His plan for our lives. But ask Joseph, Job, and some of the "heroes of faith" whose lives and characters were fashioned through difficult circumstances.
Interview With Community Environment Activist Jamaican Mark Walters This month we interview Jamaican Mark Walters a co-leader with the Miami Inner City Outings (ICO) which is an outreach arm of the Sierra Club. The mission of the ICO is to expose youth from inner city and underserved populations in and around South Florida to the wonders of the natural environment.
The Fabrication Of Man-Made Global Warming Claims And Why? Three things that completely undermines the claim that man is causing the earth to warm up, needs brief mention. Firstly, it seems that other planets in our solar system are heating up.
No Name Just 216-513: Jamaican Book Review It is a sort of literary phenomenon when a Jamaican, or a person of any other nationality for that matter, has the inclination or literary aptitude or even the privilege to write a narrative for publication about his personal experiences as an inmate in a United States prison. The autobiographical account, “No Name Just 216-513”, is one such rarity.
Would Obama Really Be America's First Black President? Many years ago I knew an intelligent and talented black journalist named Alva Ramsey. As I recall, he covered tennis and golf for The Gleaner. But that’s not why I remember him.
