We Can Cross It! - Big Up Clifton Brown, he is a hero in my book When poor people in many countries like Jamaica ask their government for necessary amenities like good roads, clean drinking water, bridges or important community services that can make their lives better, they wait in vain and are often times humiliated or ridiculed, sometimes to get attention they must block roads and demonstrate to get the authorities to listen and do something. Humiliation and ridicule is what Clifton Brown got for asking for a bridge.

To Floss or Not to Floss that is the Question? Nowhere else is the appearance of wealth and social status more ridge and important for display than in Jamaica in 2011. The need to show ones ability is no longer judged by ones credentials and authority those solid foundations have been replaced with gauche peacock parades of bling and wild grandiose titles they have self bestowed online. “CEO’s” without staff, “Presidents” without revenue and “Tech Guru’s” and “Consultants” who aren’t even bankable by a major brand to hire them as staff. So many, just Kings new clothes….

Jamaica’s Diaspora Representation Money talks, and with remittance revenues of over US $1 billion dollars per year, Jamaica’s Diaspora should have a loud voice.  With the value of the diaspora’s foreign exchange revenue second only to the mighty Tourism industry, no government can afford to leave the proper courtship and engagement of the diaspora community to chance.  A dedicated ministerial portfolio is required – no less!

Black no Longer Beautiful? What Is Happening To Our Children? “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds” one of the most prophetic statement by the late reggae superstar Bob Marley. Albeit this statement was most likely intended for the international community, for our purpose, let’s assign it to Marley’s native country Jamaica. What signs and symptoms were apparent in the Jamaican culture as manifested by Jamaicans to warrant such a quote?

Young People are Leaders of ‘Today’ and Tomorrow Many leaders and protectors of the old-guard habitually spew clichéd epithets about youth development at political rallies and during Youth Month which serve to alienate and degrade rather than integrate and inspire young people. Three of these catch-phrases which have attained universal renown with seemingly unchallenged public approbation are; ‘you (youth) are the leaders of tomorrow’, ‘youth are the future’ and ‘youth are the next generation’.

The Residence of Dreams My memory of the Graham-mango tree in the boondocks behind my cottage-home in Pellriver will live on ad infinitum. We were kite and tail; aphorism and sage. I would, when angst or distressed by the internal tales of the day, curl like a fetus in her arms.

Setting the record straight about the Jamaican Diaspora "Convention" and the boycott threat The Jamaica Observer yesterday finally shed light on the looming boycott of the upcoming Jamaican Diaspora "Convention" scheduled for Ocho Rios, Jamaica from June 15-17 under the theme "One Nation: Jamaica and its Diaspora in Partnership" . 

What is Jamaica, the brand? What are the images your mind conjures when you think of Jamaica? Sunny beaches, ganja and guns perhaps? Or how about laid back work ethic, homophobia or backward banana republic on the brink of civil unrest? Credible words or great misnomers?

Dream-right: What the journey to Rwanda meant to me As a child my sleeves were always soaked with liquid flames, which would hang like Jamaican wis-wis (withe) from my facial monuments. I loathed wis-wis because I suspected they strangled fruit-trees and they were always in my way causing nuisance.  In later years, I learned to use them as bands to keep firewood together and as skipping ropes.

Call for action - Improve the accountability and transparency in Jamaica today for better business ethics As a US business owner I often champion new ventures, I was eager to promote the premiere of the Jamaican Blog Awards, which I felt was a great Tech initiative. I pushed the venture to many of my clients as "a great Jamaican project". Pegasus,   LIME and NCB had sponsored so I believed it had integrity.

Gibson Relays 2011- Will it happen? The story in the Gleaner, on January 6th, 2010, regarding the possible cancellation of the Annual Gibson Relays is sad. Whiletrack and field  would surely be affected, it speaks pointedly to the overall management of sport in our country. Let me tell you some facts...

Why Jamaicans have to migrate to become productive? Why is that we all know Jamaicans who migrated, and almost overnight, became productive?  Their accomplishments surprise us when they land on other shores. Shortly after leaving Jamaica in 1984 to attend university in the United States, I encountered my first success story.

Don't Call Me An African The cost of this self inflicted inferiority complex is enormous. It destroyed our economy and those of African communities in Diaspora. We do not patronize ourselves anymore turning us into consumers of other people’s services and products because subjectively, we see them as superior to ours. The minority middle class we want our image makers to celebrate push many to glaring crime, poverty and meager infrastructure foreigners see.

The Bare Truth of it all ... according to Elisanne I’ve never gotten the thrill of the whole naked man bit at a strip club.  Now do I get it for men?  Sure do, men are very very visual and so seeing a semi-clad woman gyrating and simulating sex is appealing.  Or so I’ve been told.  Also the thrill of a “happy ending” sans hands apparently also has great cache. Apparently, the same holds true for women.  Now I’ve been to strip clubs for both men and women.  Strip clubs for men are interesting.

A Note To Bruce Golding And Other Leaders In Jamaica The political leaders of Caribbean nations, especially, Bruce Golding and others in Jamaica (both JLP and PNP) must begin to change their levels of thinking as they relate to governing. The leadership styles continue to kindle the flames of lawlessness and civil disobedience in the island.  Bruce Golding must stop the perception that criminals are cuddled by lawmakers.

A Branding Row or Ego Trip for pawns? A disappointing incident was reported as the “Branding Row” dated August 19, by another mediahouse. Tivoli Gardens football team players failed to show against Waterhouse in the sport of the football game for the championship cup. Permit me to seize this opportunity to share some concerns, questioning the ethics of the game, and relevant leaders who should inevitably be exemplary to tomorrow’s leaders – today’s football players. 

WIFE - Wonderful Instigators of Familial Excellence In a recent discussion with a group of young professional women, I think I stunned them with my very traditional view of marriage and being a wife. I think they viewed me as one of the modern women with modern views on everything. I wanted to laugh at and with them and tell them – “Don’t let the Ann Klein and Coach fool you, the fact that I don’t NEED to be a wife, doesn’t mean I don’t WANT to be a wife.”

No to More Prisons, and Yes to More Education & Job Creation in Jamaica Recently, the Jamaica Observer published an article: “Build new prisons to fight crime, says Wayne Chen”. Immediately, I was compelled to respond to said article. I don't think the US model is the best model for fighting/reducing crimes.

Surrendering freedom in a State of Emergency A State of Emergency is intended as a short-term measure to provide short-term respite, such as is evident in the decline in murder figures for June so far. Remaining in the ‘war' mode may give an illusion of strong leadership; however, applying wrong remedies can well worsen the ailment

Africa Cares About The Killings In Jamaica The crocodile cry of Let My People Go by former Prime Minister of Jamaica Edward Seaga is perpetuating the status quo of African children killing one another in Tivoli. He has never been part of the solution, Edward Seaga has always been part of the problem. He cannot shake off the rivalry between him and Prime Minister Michael Manley that he defeated and took over from. Jamaicans said it was because Manley lied. 

Am I My Brother’s Keeper? On June 4, a youngster approached a non-Jamaican man at a fast food outlet in Mandeville. The boy asked the man for money. According to news reports, the man gave the boy $500.00 and told him to go to the bathroom. He followed him there. Security personnel grew suspicious. On investigating, they found the boy bent over, and the man behind him with his pants down. Someone called the police. The man was jailed and went to court yesterday. He was charged with gross indecent assault and remanded until June 22.

All My People Say: REVOLUTION! We are strong and we shall overcome. Bruce Golding and Portia Simpson-Miller do us all a favor.  We want nothing more from you because you both have shown your ineptness and mediocrity to lead.

Latest News - Jamaica State of Emergency, Dudus extradition, Protests, Violence The Prime Minister has declared Kingston and St. Andrew in a state of emergency after gun and firebomb attacks on police. Get the latest news on the Jamaica situation from links to resources and people on the ground.

Jamaica’s moral and ethical comeuppance In this, some believe Jamaica’s darkest hours, we have come to completely understand that the truth is relative and not absolute (relativism) and that an expression of agreement is not supported by real conviction (hypocrisy). 

Johnny lands Abroad Whether you are a visitor or a returning resident the moment you step off the plane a wretched life slowly unravels. In time, your mind will swing like a pendulum dying to go back home and yet wanting to stay. All your once gleeful views of Canada will soon be lost in the great misery that surrounds you.

Immigrant - Loud and Proud! I have been ranting about the Republicans and this whole health care debacle to my circle of friends (online and offline). In the same way that it is taboo for me as a black person to talk critically about black people, apparently, there is the same feeling that those of us not born in this nation having no right to talk about this nation. In the same way that it is taboo for me as a black person to talk critically about black people, apparently, there is the same feeling that those of us not born in this nation having no right to talk about this nation.

Double Standards...boiling it down to Black and White You know black people sometimes aggravate me and I realize that I’m breaking the holy grail of keeping all negative speak about my race in silence; but really sometimes they are just plain silly. Today I’m getting my nails done and watching HLN ( a network I only ever see at the nail salon) and there’s a story about a step team (white) that has to share the winning award with another step team. So this seems simple right? Hmm, so not so. “Stepping” is a black sorority and fraternity tradition

Losing Everything, A Sign of The Times These past few years that the World has been experiencing economic upheavals has taken its toll on even the most conscientious and stable individuals in our Society. Many families are faced with the dilemma of downsizing.

Divided Loyalty added to mounting Pressure Yow Garnett wha'agwaan? I attach a document from wan a I idren from yard. Him out fe try publish it inna de local papers an did a seek my feedback. If yu think Jamaican.com uda publish it mek I know. As a father, I waan de I read de document an jus give I your thoughts even if yu feel seh it offensive. However de I feel afta reading de document jus mek it flow naturally like how de water gush out naturally from de rock a Niagara or Dunn's River.

Jamaica’s Mixture of Gangs and Politics Causes Grave Problem with U.S. Apparently, gang violence has become institutionalized over the years, and the result is one of the highest murder rates in the world. Also, the Jamaican dons have become increasingly involved with a powerful network that deals in illegal drugs and guns across the globe. What’s even more frightening is that the gangs apparently enjoy protection from the authorities because of their political influence. It certainly looks as if that’s what the Dudus Affair might be about.

Killing the “Love Bird” Would Destroy a Piece of Jamaica’s Soul To those of us who have known and loved Air Jamaica, the thought that it might vanish from the sky is almost sacrilegious. I am aghast that the Jamaican Government is considering a plan to get rid of Air Jamaica. Of course the airline is losing money. In these troubled times, what airline isn’t? But this is not just any airline, this is a piece of Jamaica in the sky.

Black History Black History Month (Yea Mon!) thanks and praises to the vision of Dr. Carter Woodson and to the painters, craftsmen, sculptors, poets, musicians, teachers and parents and everyone else  who have and are still contributing to the mystic of Black History. The world seemingly moves so fast today so that the past seems so far away.  May 17th 1954 Brown had to sue the Board of Education and by January 20th 2010  Obama has spent a year already in the ‘White’ House.

Heading into a New Decade, Jamaica Faces Formidable Challenges New markets need to be found for Jamaican exports and new sources of tourism dollars must be tapped. New areas of development must be explored – perhaps in "green" energy, as Jamaica has an abundance of sunlight and wind. But, most of all, new attitudes must be encouraged. Obviously, the island will have to grow more of its own food – and eat what it produces. Obviously, population growth must be addressed. And, obviously, public servants must be held accountable.

Santa Claws Every year Santa Claws and discreetly mauls my reputation as a caring and giving dad. He being disingenuous makes me, ‘stone moderated mad.’ Enough is enough;

Can Blacks be racist against Whites Racism is a belief that a particular race is the primary determinant of human traits and capabilities and that the racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. No where is this more evident than in white society and has been a constant theme in black life for over 600 hundred years.

Caribbean Court Of Justice (CCJ) Can We Trust Ourselves? In a recent speech at a reception at the British High Commissioner's residence in Kingston, to mark the 800th anniversary of the University of Cambridge, my esteemed legal colleague Lord Anthony Gifford QC, Barrister and Attorney-at-Law, called for real discussions to be held at national level for Jamaicans to determine whether the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) should become the country's final appellate court.

Your Experience in Jamaica Can Depend on How You Choose to Take It That famous "no-problem" attitude can be irritating or disarming – depending on how you choose to take it. Go with the flow and you’ll get along just great; kick against the pricks and you’re in for a wretched experience.

Civilized Anti-Crime Initiative Offers Hope for a Brighter Future I am impressed by the level of sophistication being displayed by the Jamaican government. In Florida, where I live, it seems that the knee-jerk response to crime is to gun down the perpetrators – or at least slap them in prison. The news that a more civilized approach, based on prevention rather than retribution, is working in Jamaica is music to my ears

BOJ- Bankers or Jokers? A glad dat BOJ feel dat it cyan use de word stable fi describe henyting fi do wid de Jamaican economy. De only ting dat is stable is de mount af suffering dat lick wi due to de high interest rate policy of de last decade. Furder more; tell mi is what a 1% decrease really going do when de interest rates so high aready. A don’t know why BOJ tink dem su smart das everybody in de world a lower dem interest rate to almost zero fi stimulate dem economy and BOJ still ave fi dem own at close to 20%. Yuh know what a tink wi should cut in dis country fi stimulate de economy? De amount of politician per square mile. Wi ave Parliamentarians, Senators, Cabinet, Councilors, Governa General and all dem good fo is fi cut ribbons. Why wi need so much a dem fi jus one likkle island?

Banning Dual Citizens from Public Service May be Cutting Off Jamaica’s Nose to Spite its Face I think it’s a shame that the Jamaican Constitution bans people with dual citizenship from serving in Parliament. The island’s problems are so complex that you would think the pool of talent available to solve them should be expanded rather than restricted.